ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: ZAMBIAN VOLLEYBALL PLAYER BEENE MATONGO

In Zambia’s fast growing volleyball landscape, female athletes are capturing attention like Outside Hitter Beene Matongo. Known for her power, composure, and leadership on court, Matongo has steadily built a reputation as one of the sport’s most promising talents a journey that began nearly a decade ago.

Her introduction to volleyball dates back to 2015, when she first touched the court as a Grade 8 learner at St. Patrick’s Secondary School. What started as a passion quickly transformed into a competitive pursuit as her athletic ability and work ethic distinguished her among peers.

By 2018, Matongo had already made her provincial team for the Inter-Provincial Games in Mongu, where she emerged as Best Blocker her first major career milestone.

Vollyball player Beene Matongo in the court.

Matongo’s rise gathered momentum when she joined the University of Zambia (UNZA) Volleyball Club in 2022, a move that shaped her development into a strong, reliable Outside Hitter. That same year, she earned national recognition after representing Zambia at the African Union Sports Council Region (AUSC) 5 Under-19 Games in Malawi, gaining valuable international exposure and reinforcing her place among the country’s bright young prospects.Her club career has also extended beyond UNZA.

Matongo has played as a guest athlete for some of Zambia’s top volleyball sides, including Prisons Leopards, with whom she competed in Zone 6, and Green Buffaloes, where she helped the team secure a bronze medal during her guest appearance.At the university level, Matongo has been a key figure in UNZA’s dominance across major competitions.

Beene Matongo attending athletes forum

Her consistent performances have contributed to the institution’s strong runs at national university tournaments. She played a crucial role in securing gold medals at the Zambia University Sports Association (ZUSA) Games in 2022 and 2025, as well as at the Independence Games in both 2024 and 2025, cementing her position as one of the standout athletes in the university sports arena.Her performances have not gone unnoticed.

In 2024, She was named Most Improved Player in the Zambia Volley Association (ZAVA), earned Most Valuable player honors at both the UNZA Sports and Recreation Awards and the 2025 University Independence Games.Despite her growing sports profile, Matongo balances the demands of athletics with a demanding academic journey as a fourth-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student.

Her ability to excel in both spheres has made her a role model for young athletes striving to combine sport and education.With her explosive attacking, reliable ball control, and commanding presence on and off the court, Beene Matongo continues to establish herself as a major force in Zambian volleyball. As she advances her story stands as a powerful reminder of what dedication, discipline, and passion can achieve inspiring the next generation of athletes to aim higher and play harder.