By: Madi Seneghore
The Gambia men’s national volleyball team on Saturday defeated Senegal 3-2 to win the CAVB Zone 2 Championship and secure the sub-region’s sole qualification spot for the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship in Congo.
Backed by a home crowd at the Independence Stadium Hall in Banjul, the Gambian side recovered twice from a set down to defeat the regional powerhouse 20-25, 26-24, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10 in a thrilling five-set final.
The victory ended Senegal’s unbeaten run in the tournament, with the Teranga Lions having reached the final without dropping a single set.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for Gambian volleyball and secures the country’s place among Africa’s leading volleyball nations at the continental championship scheduled for 2026 in Congo.
Speaking after the match, President of the Gambia Volleyball Federation Bai Dodou Jallow described the achievement as a historic moment for the sport in the country.
“Tonight, Gambian volleyball made history. These players showed heart, discipline and belief. We entered this tournament with a vision, and they delivered beyond expectations,” he said.
Jallow dedicated the qualification to young Gambians aspiring to represent the nation and pledged continued preparations for the continental competition.
Head coach Fausto Palodiri credited the victory to the team’s resilience and tactical discipline after falling behind 2-1 in sets.
“We trusted our process, our preparation and the support of our fans in Banjul. To defeat a team of Senegal’s quality in a five-set final, at home, with so much at stake, is something special,” he said.
Team captain Mario Dampha played a key role in the victory with crucial attacking plays and leadership during the decisive stages of the match.
“This feeling is indescribable. We carried a nation on our shoulders tonight. We lost sets and momentum at times, but we never lost faith,” Dampha said.
The Gambia completed the tournament with a perfect record, registering victories over Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Senegal to lift the Zone 2 trophy.
The win over Senegal ultimately secured the championship title and earned The Gambia qualification for the 2026 African Men’s Volleyball Nations Championship, marking one of the country’s greatest achievements in the sport.