Former Bulgaria coach Camillo Placi led Tunisia to the final of the African Men's Volleyball Championship and is now just one win away from a direct quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The championship hosts defeated Morocco 3:1 (25:17, 20:25, 25:16, 25:12) in the semi-final in Tunisia. By reaching the title match, Placi's team has already secured one of Africa's three spots for the 2027 World Championship in Poland.
Tunisia reached the final convincingly. The team started with clean victories against Ghana and Kenya in the group stage, and in the quarter-finals, they eliminated Rwanda also with a 3:0 score. Morocco became the first team in the tournament to manage to take a set from the hosts. After 1:1, Tunisia responded decisively and won the next two sets with 25:16 and 25:12.
In the other semi-final, Cameroon defeated Algeria 3:1 (25:22, 25:16, 20:25, 25:23) and also secured participation in the 2027 World Championship. For Tunisia, the upcoming participation will be their 12th at a World Championship, while Cameroon will play for the sixth time.

Placi took over Tunisia in 2025.
Camillo Placi took charge of Tunisia in March 2025. At that time, the African team already had a quota for the World Championship in the Philippines, earned through the FIVB world ranking.
The Italian specialist is well-known to the Bulgarian volleyball public. Placi was part of the coaching staff of the Bulgarian national team, and in 2012, he remained with the team as an assistant to Nayden Naydenov when the "Lions" had their unforgettable Olympic tournament in London and finished in fourth place. After the Olympics, Placi succeeded Naydenov as Bulgaria's coach and led the national team until 2014.
Under Placi's leadership, Tunisia made its strongest performance at a World Championship. At the 2025 World Championship in the Philippines, the Africans finished in 12th place – the country's best ranking in the history of the competition.
There is also a Bulgarian trace in the current Tunisian squad. Part of Placi's team is Mahdi Ben Taher, who is well-known in Bulgaria from his time at Beroe (Stara Zagora). The Tunisian middle blocker is also part of the squad for the current African Championship.

Now Placi and Tunisia are one victory away from an even greater success. A triumph in the final will bring the hosts not only the African title but also the direct continental quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Tunisia pursues 12th African title.
Tunisia is the most successful team in the history of the African Championship with 11 titles, seven silver, and two bronze medals. Currently, the team ranks 31st in the FIVB world ranking, while Cameroon is No. 45.
Cameroon has two African titles – from 1989 and 2001. Their last medal from the African Championship was silver in 2021, and in 2023, the team finished fourth.
The Tunisia – Cameroon final is on Friday at 6:00 PM local time – 8:00 PM Bulgarian time. The winner will become the African champion and will receive the direct quota for Los Angeles 2028.
Before that, Morocco and Algeria will play for the bronze medals. The winner of this match will take the third and final African quota for the 2027 World Championship in Poland.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov