Zimbabwe’s men’s team and Zambia’s women’s team win the 2026 CAVB Zone VI Nations Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe; advance to 2026 continental finals

Zimbabwe’s men’s team and Zambia’s women’s team win the 2026 CAVB Zone VI Nations Championships in Harare, Zimbabwe; advance to 2026 continental finals

Zimbabwe, Zambia crowned CAVB Zone VI champions – FIVB

Zimbabwe’s men’s team and Zambia’s women’s team have qualified for the 2026 CAVB African Nations Championship.

This is after the two teams won the 2026 CAVB Zone VI Nations Championships held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 8 to 13 June.

The zonal competition served as a qualifier for the 2026 CAVB African Nations Championships with The Democratic Republic of Congo set to host the men’s edition from 7 to 21 September while Kenya will stage the women’s tournament from 23 August to 5 September.

Four countries took part in the Zone VI qualifiers namely hosts Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Namibia.

The top placed country in each gender category qualified directly for the 2026 CAVB African Nations Championships.

Four countries took part in the men’s competition. The preliminary round was played in single league format with the top two teams advancing to the final while the third-placed and fourth-placed teams faced off in the third place playoff.

Zambia topped the first round standings with 8 points while Zimbabwe came second with 6 points to also qualify for the final. Malawi and Namibia tied on 2 points to settle for the third place playoff.

The hosts capitalised on home advantage to edge out Zambia by 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 29-27, 16-14) in the final and book a spot in the continental finals set for Kinshasa from 7 to 21 September. It was the perfect response by the Zimbabwe Eagles who had lost by 3-1 (35-33, 21-25, 22-25, 16-25) to Zambia in the preliminary round.

Action between Zimbabwe and Zambia in the men’s final of the 2026 CAVB Zone VI Nations Championships. (Photo credits: ZVA)

Namibia cruised past Malawi in straight sets (34-32, 25-23, 25-22) in the third place playoff to secure the bronze medal. It was the second win for Namibia over Malawi in the competition after beating them 3-2 (25-18, 16-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-10) in the first round.

Malawi dominated the Men’s Dream Team with four players led by Moses Mzumala who was crowned the Most Valuable Player, Best Middle Blocker and Best Server. He was joined by teammates Chifundo Majawa (Best Outside Hitter), Dalitso Chingana (Best Middle Blocker) and Phinrly Buda (Best Setter).

Zambia’s Chikomeni Nyirongo and Jackson Kasoka were named Best Opposite and Best Libero respectively. Completing the Dream Team was Zimbabwe’s Tanaka Hwara as the Best Outside Hitter.

The women’s competition also featured four teams and was played in a similar format as the men’s tournament. Zimbabwe finished top of the first round standings with 8 points followed by Zambia who registered 7 points. Namibia came third with 2 points while Malawi was fourth with 1 point.

Zambia turned on class to beat Zimbabwe in straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-22) in the final in the process overturning a 3-2 (25-09, 26-24, 16-25, 13-25, 12-15) loss to the same opponent in the preliminary round. Zambia will now represent Zone VI at the continental finals scheduled for 23 August to 5 September in Nairobi.

Zambia were crowned women’s champions at the 2026 CAVB Zone VI Nations Championships. (Photo credits: ZVA)

Namibia overcame Malawi by 3-1 (25-17, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22) in the third place playoff to claim bronze. Namibia had also edged out Malawi by 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 13-25, 25-16, 15-10) in the first round.

Champions Zambia produced three players in the Women’s Dream Team namely Alice Nankamba (Best Outside Hitter), Isabel Mudenda (Best Middle Blocker) and Sally Bwalya (Best Setter). Zimbabwe’s Tracy Njanji emerged the Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hiiter while her teammates Nyengeterai Guyo, Noreen Manhai and Trish Rudairo Gadza were named Best Opposite, Best Middle Blocker and Best Libero respectively.

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