First Lady Remi Tinubu Closes 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Championship in Abuja
… As Zamalek of Egypt Retains Third Consecutive Title
Author: Muhammad Bashir.
After two weeks of thrilling action, the curtains have been drawn on the 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship, with the defending champions, Zamalek Sporting Club of Egypt, once again emerging as the continental queens.
The championship, hosted for the first time in Nigeria, was officially brought to a close on Sunday, 13 April 2025, at Complex ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Grand Patron of the tournament, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The grand finale featured a pulsating match between two Egyptian powerhouses- Zamalek and Al-Ahly Sporting Club in front of a colourful crowd of sports lovers and dignitaries from across the continent.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Senator Tinubu congratulated the athletes and organisers for delivering a successful tournament and praised the players for their talent and sportsmanship.
“To our champions, Zamalek Club, on behalf of Nigeria and the entire continent of Africa, I say congratulations. Your victory today was earned through countless hours of practice, teamwork and perseverance.” She said.
“Your journey to this podium began long before this tournament—in community courts, early morning training sessions, and moments when you chose to push forward despite exhaustion and doubt. Today, you have reaped the rewards of that investment and commitment.”
The First Lady also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for hosting a world-class event and noted that the success of the tournament demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to deliver international sporting events that can unite the continent through excellence.
The final game saw Zamalek take the first set 29-27 after a tense exchange. Al-Ahly fought back to win the second set 25-22, but Zamalek reclaimed dominance by taking the third set 25-20 and sealed their third straight African title with a 25-22 win in the fourth set.
Earlier in the day, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) secured the third-place position after defeating Club Féminin de Carthage (CFC) of Tunisia in straight sets.
The 2025 tournament featured 16 elite clubs from across Africa, including:
Zamalek SC and Al-Ahly SC of Egypt, KPC and Kenya Prisons of Kenya, Club Féminin de Carthage and Kenya Commercial Bank, Litto Team Volleyball and Maya Kane Evolution of Cameroon, Armee Patriotique Rwandaise and Police VC of Rwanda, Nigeria Customs Service and Chief of Naval Staff Spikers of Nigeria, Volleyball Club La Loi of DR Congo, Club Omnisports Descartes of Côte d’Ivoire, Sococim of Senegal, and Spiking Stars VC of Botswana.
Zamalek had reached the final by defeating Kenya Prisons 3-1 (25-12, 25-20, 22-25, 27-25), while Al-Ahly advanced with a 3-0 win over Club de Carthage (25-15, 25-23, 25-21).
As the tournament concluded, the atmosphere in Abuja reflected a celebration of unity, strength, and the rising profile of African women in sports.
The competition, which began on 1 April 2025, leaves behind memories of brilliant performances, intense rivalries, and a renewed commitment to the growth of volleyball across Africa.
It will be recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, had on the tossing night, expressed optimism that with Nigeria’s successful hosting of the game, the championship will continue to serve as a platform for developing talent and strengthening ties among nations through the spirit of sports.
