Rwanda Defeats Nigeria in Volleyball Classification Match

Rwanda defeated Nigeria 3-1 in a classification match at the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, on Wednesday.

The victory secured Rwanda a place in the fifth-place playoff, while Nigeria will continue in the classification stage as the championship enters its final phase.

Rwanda started strongly, winning the opening set 25-23 in a closely contested encounter. The Rwandan side maintained its momentum in the second set, taking it 25-20 to establish a 2-0 lead.

Nigeria responded in the third set with a stronger performance, capitalising on Rwanda’s errors to win 25-18 and reduce the deficit to one set.

However, Rwanda regained control in the fourth set and closed out the match 25-19 to complete the 3-1 victory.

Rwanda captain Wicklif Dusenge played a key role in the victory, producing a strong attacking performance. He scored 26 points, including 10 in the decisive fourth set, and was named Player of the Match.

The result continues Nigeria’s classification campaign after the team missed out on the semi-finals.

Nigeria had been eliminated from the medal race after a 3-2 quarter-final defeat to Morocco. The Nigerian team fought back after falling behind, winning the fourth set 26-24 to force a deciding fifth set, but Morocco eventually prevailed 15-12.

The defeat to Morocco also ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the men’s volleyball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games through the ongoing championship.

Rwanda, meanwhile, entered the classification stage after losing to hosts Tunisia in the quarter-finals.

Following Wednesday’s victory over Nigeria, Rwanda advanced to the fifth-place playoff, where it will face the winner of the other classification encounter involving Ghana and Egypt. Nigeria will face the loser of that match in the seventh-place playoff.

The 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Championship is being held in Tunis and serves as an important continental competition for the participating national teams.

Nigeria will now seek to finish its campaign strongly when it returns to action in the remaining classification fixture.