Volleyball: Nigeria seal quarter-final spot

By Tosin Omojola

Nigeria have reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship in Tunisia after a 3-2 comeback victory over Algeria on Thursday.

The Zone 3 champions lost the opening set 23-25 but responded to take the second 25-19. Algeria regained the lead with a 25-21 win in the third set, before Nigeria forced a decider by claiming the fourth 25-20.

Nigeria held their nerve in the tie-break, winning 15-12 to seal their place in the last eight.

Head coach Ryan Masajedi praised the players’ resilience, saying the victory was crucial to avoid a difficult route in the knockout stage.

The Japanese coach added that the win showed Nigeria’s earlier victory over Chad was no fluke but the result of hard work.

“I am impressed with the way the players picked up after losing the first set. The set was in our favour, but the Algerians were lucky it went in their favour,” Masajedi said.