Vanessa Muianga has emerged as a trailblazer for Mozambique in beach volleyball, representing her nation on international courts for nearly a decade. At the age of 30, she marked her fourth appearance at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship in 2025, held in Adelaide, Australia, alongside her current teammate Mércia Mucheza.
Her journey began in 2017 at the Vienna World Championships and has since seen her unite with several partners, including Ana Sinaportar and now Mucheza. The current duo earned their place at the 2025 championships by claiming a silver medal at the CAVB African Beach Volleyball Championships in Morocco, marking a pivotal moment in their competitive rise.
Recent Achievements
- Silver medal at the 2025 CAVB African Championships
- Strong finish at the Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event in Cape Town
- Consistent ranking among Africa’s top women's pairs
Their success has been aided greatly by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, which supports promising national teams with coaching and training aid. Under the guidance of international coaches Han Abbing (Netherlands) and Alexandre Pontel (Brazil), Mozambique’s competitive caliber has steadily improved on the global stage.
Future Goals
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Muianga remains focused on Olympic qualification. Having narrowly missed competing in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, she is now setting her sights on Los Angeles 2028—a goal that reflects her dedication and leadership in African beach volleyball.
As Mozambique’s most experienced beach volleyball athlete, Vanessa Muianga continues to inspire, elevate performance levels, and set new benchmarks for players across Africa. Her contributions not only advance her personal goals but also signal a bright future for the sport on the continent.
Read the full article on the FIVB website.
