Two Sets Down, Nigeria Fight Back To Beat DR Congo 3–2
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
NIGERIA overcame a two-set deficit to defeat DR Congo 3–2 in a dramatic encounter at the 2026 African Women’s Volleyball Championship in Kenya.
The result earned the Nigerian team a place in the 9th–10th classification match.
Nigeria struggled to find its rhythm early in the contest. DR Congo capitalised on the slow start and secured the opening set 25–20.
The Congolese team maintained its momentum in the second set. Another 25–22 victory left Nigeria one set away from defeat.
That setback, however, sparked a strong Nigerian response.
Nigeria raised its game in the third set and claimed it 25–21. The team carried that momentum into the fourth set and produced its most dominant performance of the match.
A commanding 25–13 victory levelled the contest at 2–2 and set up a winner-takes-all fifth set.
The deciding set went down to the wire. Nevertheless, Nigeria held its nerve in the crucial moments and secured a narrow 15–13 win.
That completed a 3–2 comeback and kept Nigeria fighting for a strong finish at the continental tournament. The team will now contest the 9th–10th classification match.
