The 2025 African Volleyball final, hosted at the Dr Hassan Mustafa Sports Hall in 6th of October City, witnessed Egypt’s young Pharaohs rise to the occasion in commanding style, clinching the title with an emphatic 3-0 sweep of Cameroon (25-20, 25-18, 25-22). The victory not only secured Egypt’s dominance on the continental stage but also earned the team a coveted ticket to the 2028 World Championship whose location has not been decided, reports Abeer Anwar.
From the outset, Egypt displayed consistency and superiority. The Pharaohs navigated the tournament without a single defeat, beginning with a convincing opening win over Zimbabwe and continuing their march with victories against Algeria and Uganda. Their quarter-final triumph over Rwanda (3-1) and a commanding semi-final performance against Kenya (3-0) set the stage for a dramatic final showdown against Cameroon, where they sealed the title in style. Kenya, meanwhile, settled for the bronze medal after defeating Uganda 3-1 in the third-place playoff.
The Egyptian squad, led by Hamdi Noureddin, head of the delegation and member of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation board, blended youthful promise with tactical precision. The technical staff included Percy Onken as general supervisor, Ahmed Samir as head coach, Mohamed Bakhit as assistant coach, Ahmed Medhat as performance analyst, Mohamed Younes as team doctor, Sameh Nour as physiotherapist, and Mohamed Ramadan as team manager. The roster of players featured Ibrahim Adel, Youssef Al-Rassas, Ahmed Youssef Gabal, Mazen Sherif, Mohamed Al-Deqqaq, Ahmed Reda, Khaled Al-Feki, Malek Nour, Ahmed Al-Behairi, Hamza Yassin, Al-Habib Ibrahim, and Hazem Kamal.
Egypt’s dominance extended beyond collective glory, as the young Pharaohs swept a host of individual awards. Al-Behairi was named Best Outside Hitter, while his teammate Al-Rassas clinched the award for Best Blocker. Rising star Sherif emerged as the standout of the tournament, securing both the Best Setter title and the prestigious Most Valuable Player award. These accolades not only celebrated individual excellence but also underscored the depth of talent emerging from Egypt’s volleyball ranks.
“African volleyball is actively progressing, and I am proud to see this development driven by the Confederation of African Volleyball,” Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) President Bouchra Hajij said. “Our greatest focus today is on youth, because it is through them that we are shaping the future of the sport. We are nurturing a new generation of players who will not only raise the standard of volleyball across Africa but also compete with excellence on the world stage. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Egyptian Volleyball Federation for hosting this championship with such professionalism, and I deeply admire the tremendous efforts they have undertaken to ensure its success.”
Yasser Qamar, president of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation, praised the “tremendous effort” exerted by all those behind the scenes. He commended the work of the organising committees, led by Mona Abdel-Karim, federation treasurer and head of the organising committee, and Hassan Abed, executive director of the federation and tournament director, who together ensured the championship was delivered with professionalism and flair. Qamar extended gratitude to the CAVB, headed by Hajij, for entrusting Egypt with hosting responsibilities. He emphasised that Egypt’s successful staging of the event further cements its reputation as a leading destination for major continental competitions.
The triumph was celebrated at the highest levels of Egyptian sport. Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi congratulated the federation and the players, praising their unbeaten run and qualification for the World Championship. “This achievement reflects the bright future of Egyptian volleyball and showcases the determination of our young athletes,” Sobhi said. “Egyptian sport today is enjoying a period of sustained success thanks to the unity of all stakeholders and the unwavering support of the country’s political leadership.” Yasser Idris, president of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, also expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment, highlighting how their victory enhances Egypt’s reputation in the global sporting community.
With the trophy lifted high and celebrations ringing through Cairo, the Pharaohs of volleyball have written a new chapter in Egypt’s sporting history. Undefeated, decorated with individual and team honours, and backed by strong state and federation support, this generation has positioned itself not only as Africa’s finest but also as a formidable force in the world arena. As the Egyptian flag was raised above the podium, it was not merely a victory in volleyball; it was a declaration of Egypt’s enduring sporting excellence and its growing role as a hub for hosting and conquering the greatest championships on the continent.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 25 September, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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