Nigerian Teams Dominate Early Rounds of 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Volleyball Championship

By Paul Joseph

Nigeria’s representatives — the Nigeria Customs Service Volleyball Team and Vipers Volleyball Club — have sustained their impressive run at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Volleyball Club Championship in Ghana, recording dominant victories in both the men’s and women’s categories.

In the women’s competition, the Nigeria Customs Service opened their campaign with a hard-fought 3–1 triumph (22–25, 25–18, 25–13, 25–20) over Ghana Immigration Volleyball Club. The reigning champions of the CGC Volleyball Premier League built on that momentum with a commanding straight-sets victory against AS Douanes of Burkina Faso, sealing the encounter 3–0 (25–18, 25–16, 25–8).

Vipers Volleyball Club, champions of the 2025 National Division 1, also delivered a strong statement of intent. They dispatched Dynamic VC of Benin Republic in straight sets, 3–0 (25–18, 25–22, 25–20), before overpowering Sonabel VC of Burkina Faso in another emphatic 3–0 win (25–17, 25–14, 25–20).

In the men’s division, the Nigeria Customs Service maintained their unbeaten streak with a convincing 3–0 victory (25–15, 25–20, 25–17) against All Stars VC of Benin Republic.
Vipers VC Team Manager, Jabar Suraj Abiodun, commended his players for their discipline and determination in the opening matches, reiterating the team’s ambition to clinch the title.
“We are here in Ghana for one purpose — to win the trophy. The players have shown great commitment, and we will not relent,” he said.

Team captain Esther Mbah expressed appreciation to the club’s management for enabling the team’s participation in the regional tournament.

“This competition will help us build momentum and make a strong statement ahead of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Samuel Onikeku, Sports Director of the Nigeria Customs Service, lauded the teams’ performances, attributing their success to sustained investment and support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the agency’s management.

“Our objective remains clear — to return home with the trophy, just as we did in Ghana during the 2025 Super Cup,” Onikeku stated.
The championship continues in Ghana, with the Nigerian teams aiming to extend their winning streak and secure regional honours.