The Super Queens, also known as the Green Spikers, won the opening set 25-17, dropped the second 24-26, then responded emphatically by taking the third 25-12 and the fourth 25-20 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The result came on 31 August 2026 as both sides competed in the lower half of the tournament standings after failing to progress beyond the Round of 16.
Nigeria’s campaign in Nairobi had already been shaped by mixed results. They opened with a competitive showing in the group stage, including a dramatic 3-2 win over Ghana, before suffering a straight-sets defeat to hosts and defending champions Kenya in the last 16. That 3-0 loss ended their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals and challenging for the continental title or Olympic qualification spots.
Coach Elishama Elam had previously stated that the team’s focus after the Kenya defeat would shift to the classification matches, with the target of securing a top-10 finish. Monday’s win over Senegal represents an important step in that direction and provides a platform for further progress in the ranking games.
Senegal, who also exited in the Round of 16 after a 3-0 loss to Algeria, struggled to match Nigeria’s intensity after the second set. The Nigerian side showed greater consistency in attack and defence once they recovered from the narrow second-set reverse, dominating the third set in particular.
The 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Championship, running from 23 August to 5 September, features 15 or 16 nations and carries significant stakes. The champions earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, while the top three teams secure places at the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship.
For Nigeria, the focus now remains on maximising their final ranking. The Super Queens will continue their classification campaign with further matches aimed at climbing as high as possible in the standings before the tournament concludes.
The victory offers encouragement after the disappointment of early elimination and underlines the resilience of a young Nigerian squad still developing on the continental stage.