Africa Volleyball Championship: Kenyan giants draw tough pools in Kigali test

Kenya’s leading men’s volleyball clubs have been handed a stern test at the ongoing 47th African Men’s Volleyball Club Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, where they will face some of the continent’s strongest sides.

The official draw places Equity Bank Volleyball Club in Pool B, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Pool C, and General Service Unit (GSU) in Pool D.

Equity face a tough opening group against established teams from Cameroon, Egypt, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and hosts Rwanda.

KPA, making its sixth entry into the high-level competition, will battle opponents from Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania, while GSU’s pool includes clubs from Burundi, Cape Verde, Ghana, Rwanda and Cameroon.

Kenyan clubs have historically remained competitive on the continental stage, regularly finishing in the top 10 to 15, despite strong North African dominance from clubs like Egypt’s Al Ahly and Tunisia’s Esperance.

GSU remains Kenya’s most successful side, famously winning the continental title in 2018, while KPA continues to post steady performances, including an 11th-place finish in the last edition.

This year’s tournament in Kigali runs from April 20 to May 3, with Kenya’s representatives aiming to progress deep into the competition and reassert their presence among Africa’s volleyball elite.

Defending champions Asswehly SC from Libya are also in action as they look to retain their crown, with a total of 26 leading volleyball clubs in Africa expected to battle for supremacy during the championship.