Central Africa’s premier volleyball competition returns to Cameroon this weekend, and we’ve got everything you need to know about the 11th edition of the CAVB Zone 4 African Club Champions Championship.
The Basics
What: 11th CAVB Zone 4 African Club Champions Championship (Seniors – Men’s & Women’s)
When: 21 November to 1 December 2025
Where: Complex Japoma, Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital
Host Federation: Cameroon Volleyball Federation (FECAVOLLEY)
Organising Body: CAVB Zone 4, headed by President Bello Bourdanne
Who’s Competing?
This year’s tournament features a strong field from across Central Africa. Here’s the complete lineup:
Men’s Division:
Democratic Republic of Congo (3 teams)
- VC Espoir (ninth appearance, reigning Congo champions)
- Garde Républicaine (second participation)
- Service National (tournament debut)
Cameroon (3 teams)
- Port Autonome de Douala (PAD)
- Forces Armées et Police (FAP)
- Litto Team
Congo-Brazzaville
- Interclub
Gabon
- ASSOM Garde Républicaine
Women’s Division:
Democratic Republic of Congo (2 teams)
- AS Vita Club (four previous participations, two-time champions)
- VC La Loi (current Congo Cup holders)
Cameroon (4 teams)
- Litto Team
- Forces Armées et Police (FAP)
- Nyong et Kelle Volleyball
- Mayo Kani Evolution
Congo-Brazzaville
- DGSP
Note: Final participation is subject to confirmation upon arrival and validation by national federations.
Key Figures to Watch
Theo Mabila – Captain of Service National (DRC), experienced player leading a debut side packed with talent including Salasala Perpétue, Moïse Kitambala, and young prospect Mutendi Gloire. Speaking ahead of departure, Mabila said: “I’ll do my best, together with the young lads in the group, to have a strong championship. There’ll be quality teams like Espoir, PAD, FAP and DGSP with talented athletes.” Litto Team can count on Pokem Mbakop, MVP of the final of the Cup of Cameroon with Litto Team.
Tournament Context
This championship marks an important moment for Zone 4 volleyball. Last year’s inaugural edition under President Bourdanne’s tenure took place in Congo-Brazzaville but saw limited participation. This year’s event in Douala promises significantly stronger attendance and competition quality.
The tournament serves multiple purposes beyond crowning champions – it’s also a platform for technical development across the region. A seminar bringing together Zone 4 Technical Director Otto Mbotto and national technical directors is scheduled to discuss volleyball development programmes throughout the sub-region. The 2-day ongoing seminar began today and will end tomorrow before the kickoff of the tournament.
Behind the Scenes
The organisational machinery has been working overtime. Earlier this week, the CAVB Zone 4 executive committee held a three-hour video conference to finalise arrangements. Secretary General Dr Meh Deris, described as the administrative backbone of the zone, reviewed all essential organisational aspects, including:
- Streaming equipment and broadcast arrangements
- Accommodation and competition venues
- Delegation of transport and logistics
- The traditional veterans’ gathering
- Submission deadlines for O2 bis forms and affiliation fees
President Bello Bourdanne has been personally on the ground in Douala, inspecting preparations and ensuring quality standards. A final enlarged executive committee meeting took place this week to address sensitive organisational matters and clarify expectations for the control committee and various support commissions.
The local organising committee met today to make sure all is set for tomorrow’s kickoff.
58 journalists from the national and international media have been accredited to cover this event
Travel Arrangements
Getting to Douala has been a logistical dance involving multiple routes:
By Air: Most teams flew via Brazzaville’s Maya-Maya Airport or Libreville’s Léon Mba International Airport, with Camair providing the main connection to Douala (approximately 3-hour flights).
DRC Teams’ Journey:
- VC Espoir, Service National, La Loi, and Vita Club crossed the Congo River to Brazzaville on Thursday, spending the night before Friday morning flights
- Garde Républicaine opted for a later Saturday evening departure
By Road: Teams from Congo-Brazzaville can use the Sembé-Ntam route, though this requires careful convoy planning and security arrangements.
First Arrival: Gabon’s ASSOM GR became the first delegation to touch down in Douala on Thursday evening at 19:00, warmly received by the competition’s welcome committee.
What Makes This Tournament Special?
Beyond the obvious sporting competition, this championship represents something deeper for Central African volleyball. It’s where regional reputations are built, where emerging talent gets continental exposure, and where the sport’s development trajectory for the entire zone becomes visible.
Home advantage will certainly matter – Cameroon’s clubs are playing on familiar territory, particularly PAD and Litto Team who are based in Douala itself. Teams from the capital Yaoundé (FAP and Mayo Kani Evolution) have also made the journey to the coastal city.
The DRC arrives with serious depth and quality, fielding multiple competitive sides in both divisions. Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, whilst entering fewer teams, bring focused squads that won’t be making up the numbers.
What to Expect
Twelve days of intense continental volleyball across men’s and women’s divisions. The technical meeting scheduled for today 7pm will decide on the format of the competition and Official fixtures for both men and women categories.
The tournament prosper begins on Sunday 23rd at midday with matches scheduled as follows:
12H00: 1st Game
14H00: 2nd Game
17H00: Official opening ceremony
18H00: 3rd and last game of the day.
The quality on display should be exceptional – these are the finest club sides Central Africa can produce, filled with national team regulars and emerging stars. The tournament will showcase the region’s volleyball development and provide a measuring stick for where each nation stands.
Expect passionate support, high-level athleticism, and those moments of sporting drama that only championship competition delivers.
Looking Ahead
As delegations complete their arrivals and settle into Douala, the talking phase ends. What happens over the next fortnight will determine which clubs get to call themselves Central African champions, which players emerge as stars, and which nations can claim regional volleyball supremacy.
For Douala, it’s a chance to demonstrate Cameroon’s sporting infrastructure and hospitality. For CAVB Zone 4, it’s about showcasing volleyball’s growth trajectory across the sub-region. And for the athletes stepping onto those courts, it’s about seizing the moment when continental pride is on the line.
