Four-pair lineup readies for African qualifiers

Beach volleyball
The African championships also serve as a pathway to the Beach Volleyball World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Mariud Ngula
  • 4 Hours Ago

Namibia has fielded a four-pair squad for the African Nations Championship (CAN) beach volleyball qualification tournament in Maputo, Mozambique, from 30 April to 2 May.

The women’s contingent features the country’s top-ranked pair, Meriam Mendos and Maggie Heita, alongside the second-ranked duo of Maike van Doorn and Carmen Curschmann.

Mendos and Heita arrive in form after securing silver at the inaugural beach volleyball series hosted by the Namibia Beach Volleyball Hub and Swakopmund Beach Volleyball Academy last weekend.

In the men’s division, Namibia will be represented by U21 African champions and Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone Six Beach Volleyball Tour first-leg bronze medallists, brothers Max and Jura Krafft, as well as the second pair of Luca Kesselmann and Jan Eric Sack.

Reflecting on the squad selection, the Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) said the athletes have demonstrated consistent performance, commitment and dedication.

“They have earned the honour of representing the country on the continental stage. The NVF extends its full confidence in these teams to compete with excellence and embody the spirit, resilience and pride of Namibia throughout the tournament,” the federation said.

NVF president Tobias Eden Mwatelulo said the top two teams in each division from the qualification event are expected to advance to the African championships.


Pathway to Olympic Games

The African championships are scheduled to take place between 1 August and 15 November at a venue yet to be confirmed, according to CAVB Zone Six president Khalid Cassam.

The CAN also serves as a pathway for African teams to qualify for the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Cassam added that the zone has aligned the African championship qualifiers with the third leg of the Beach Volleyball Tour in Maputo, which will run immediately after the qualifiers from 3 to 5 May.

As each country is limited to four teams per division in the CAN qualifiers, federations are encouraged to enter additional teams (up to six) for the tour event, including those competing in the qualifiers.

“Depending on the number of registered teams, the competition may be reduced to two days. We strongly encourage national federations to participate [in these events] and enhance the level of competition.

“It is important that we demonstrate strong representation [as we prepare for] CAN, especially as Zone Six remains the only zone currently organising a beach volleyball tour,” said Cassam.

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