By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone have been crowned African Youth Games men’s beach volleyball champions, securing gold with a commanding 2–0 victory over Zone 2 rivals The Gambia in the final played in Luanda.
In a high-intensity contest befitting a continental final, the Sierra Leonean pair held their nerve in a tightly fought opening set, edging past the defending champions 22–20. Buoyed by momentum and tactical discipline, Team Salone asserted full control in the second set, closing the match 21–13 to seal a historic triumph.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s youth volleyball programme, as the team overturned a Gambian side that arrived in Luanda as back-to-back African champions, having dominated the ANOCA School Games and the CAVB U19 Championships.
This gold-medal performance completes an exceptional competitive run for Sierra Leone at youth continental level, following silver at the CAVB Youth Development Cup in Banjul and gold at the Zone 2 U18 Beach Volleyball Championships in Sal, Cape Verde, and firmly establishes the nation as a rising powerhouse in African beach volleyball.
Zone 2 supremacy is secured. Africa has new champions.