It was a day of mixed fortunes for the host nation Rwanda, as the 2026 47th African Men’s Club Volleyball Championship reached a fever pitch during the Round of 16. While three Rwandan powerhouses; Police Volleyball Club, REG, and Kepler, marched convincingly into the Quarter-Finals, the tournament witnessed a shocking exit for the reigning national champions, APR VC.
The action, split between the iconic BK Arena and Petit Stade this Wednesday, April 29, showcased the tactical depth of the Rwandan sides, even as continental giants like Al Ahly reminded the field why they wear the crown.
Rwanda’s hopes for a home-turf trophy remain high following clinical performances from the “Law Enforcers” and the “Electricians.”
Police VC cruised to the next stage after defeating Nigeria Customs, to secure a 3-0 sweep. The Nigerians struggled to find answers for the Law Enforcers’ height and precision, falling 25-21, 25-16, and 25-21.
Rwanda Energy Group (REG) sent Uganda’s Sport-S packing with a dominant straight-sets victory (25-18, 25-17, 25-20). They now brace for a massive regional showdown against Kenya’s KPA Volleyball Club in the next round.
Kepler displayed grit when they bounced back from an opening set loss to overcome Kenya’s GSU 3-1. The third set proved to be the decider, with Kepler edging out the Kenyans 28-26 before cruising in the fourth.
The trio clubs have set up a mouth-watering, all-Rwandan Quarter-Final. Kepler VC will face Police VC this Thursday at the BK Arena, a match that guarantees at least one Rwandan team a spot in the semi-finals.
The biggest shock of the day came from the “Army Team.” Despite finishing fourth in Africa last year, APR VC’s nightmare season continued. They were outclassed by Morocco’s FUS Rabat, losing 3-1.
This elimination caps off a dismal period for the reigning domestic champions, who recently failed to even qualify for the Rwanda Volleyball League playoffs. For a team of their stature, failing to reach the final eight on home soil is a bitter pill to swallow.
Defending champions Al Ahly look increasingly untouchable. They defeated Kalibi Sporting Club in straight sets, barely breaking a sweat. Elsewhere, Port Autonome de Douala recorded the most lopsided victory of the round, utterly crushing Equity Bank, ncluding a staggering 25-7 opening set.
As the tournament moves into the Quarter-Finals this Thursday, the eyes of the continent remain on Kigali. Will the home crowd propel Police or Kepler to the podium, or will the Al Ahly juggernaut prove too strong to stop?
