Senegal volleyball team check in ahead of African tourney

Senegal women’s volleyball team the Lionesses, were the second country to arrive in Nairobi for the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship set for the Kasarani Indoor Arena and the Ulinzi Complex Langata from August 23 to September 5.

The Senegalese jetted into the country on Wednesday night and held their first training Thursday evening as they seek to fine-tune their claws ahead of the event that will see only the top team qualify for the 2028 LA Olympic Games.

Head coach Emmanuel Fouchet said he was looking forward to facing pre-tournament favourites and holders Malkia Strikers, who will be gunning for a record-extending 11th African title.

"This championship is one enigma for me, actually, because it's my first year in Africa, even if I have one huge experience on other continent. But it's one enigma because, actually, we don't know exactly which will be the formula for the competition, which team we will cross.

“I don't know exactly what will happen. I hope that our team will play its best volleyball and that we can achieve to go out of the phase group and after to the do-or-die games and go as far as possible," said Fouchet.

The Lionesses are returning to the championship having missed the last edition that was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where Malkia Strikers defeated Egypt 3-0 sets to win the title.

Senegal's last participation was in Kigali, Rwanda in 2021, where they ranked seventh with the event attracting nine nations.

Democratic Republic of Congo under the tutelage of Kenyan coach Paul Gitau were the first team to arrive in the country early this month.

This year’s championship has attracted 16 countries from across the continent, with high stakes as teams compete for Africa's sole Olympic Games spot and a ticket to the 2027 World Championships.