Nigeria U19 volleyball boys team retained their title as champions of Africa after beating Morocco 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 25-23) at the just concluded 2021 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja on Monday.

The Nigerian boys were unstoppable in the first set as they cruised past the Moroccans in the opening minutes as fantastic combination of the setters and spikers saw Nigeria pummel Morocco by 25-8 points.

The second set produced interesting rallies, blocks and spikes from both teams but the West Africans took the set by 25-21 points. Nigeria came into the 3rd set in a dominant fashion, killing it 8-1 at the first technical timeout. Morocco effected a substitution to foil the Nigerian attack, little late for the North Africans as Nigeria wins 25-23 points.

Commenting on their title victory, head coach of Nigeria U19 Boys team, Sani Mohammed revealed that his players were able to adjust their style of play and changed the game against Morocco.

“This is the first time any of these boys will be partaking in any international tournament; they were able to adjust their style of game after their victory over Gambia and you all saw the result against Morocco
Looking ahead to the future, he went on to appeal for early preparations of his wards for forthcoming World Youth Championship in Iran. “I am appealing to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation to put us in camp for a minimum of four months before the World Championship in Iran. We had a successful camping before the Nations Championship and I am certain we will get the best ahead of the world tournament. I will love the players to be in camp at least four months before the World Championship.”

On his part, President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended all the participating teams, stressing that said the game of volleyball is developing rapidly in Africa, notably at the age grade level.

Nigeria finished as top ranked team and Cameroon followed as the runners up. Both countries had now earned qualification to the 2021 FIVB U19 World Championship in Iran.

Under-19 Boys individual awards

Best Server: Pascal Ozokonye (Nigeria), Best Reception: Mohammed Reda (Morocco), Best Blocker: Sheikh Colley (Gambia), Best Spiker: Ousseni Isa (Cameroon), Best Digger: Lawal Babatunde (Nigeria), Best Setter: Jeremiah Alexander (Nigeria) and MVP: Kavogo Yaoussia (Cameroon)

U18 Girls individual awards

MVP: Fasso Nguemtchueng (Cameroon), Best Blocker: Blessing Unekwe (Nigeria), Best Setter: Elezabilah Leititia (Cameroon), Best Digger: Nqbyong Laure (Cameroon), Best Reception: Omoshola Sofiat (Nigeria), Best Server: Bedian Mpson (Cameroon) and Best Spiker: Thombeso Iohejoan (Cameroon)

Cameroon defeated stubborn Gambia by 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-16) in the ongoing 2021 U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja on Sunday.

Gambia started the first set on a good note but Cameroon overran the performance of determined Gambia boys winning by 25-18 points.

The Gambia regained their composure and came out firing in the 2nd set, with strong attacks. They were up 8-5. The game continued to gain momentum with an ace from Cameroon to lead 12-11. Gambia effected substitution to stop the Cameroonian prowess but it was too late as they trailed 16-12 and sealed the second set 25-19.

Cameroon took the lead comfortably in the 3th set, leading 6-1. The Gambians were defenseless and they cannot stop Cameroon’s attack.

Cameroon raced ahead and Gambia’s frustration resulted in them losing points. A fast spike from Gambia gave them a point, but it was little consolation as Cameroon nailed a headshot on match point to win the set 25-16 and the match 3-0.

The head coach of Cameroon U19 Boys, Emmanuel Wadama expressed great delight over the performance of his team against Gambia.

Wadama said the next plan for the Cameroon players is to start preparing for the World Championship in Iran later this year.

He said, “I am happy my boys won their second game and this win gave us a chance to book our ticket for the world cup in Iran. My players played a wonderful game and I am happy about their performance. They are young boys full of brilliant energy and ready to work hard.

“Our next plan is to go home and start preparation for the world cup and I want to thank Nigeria Volleyball Federation for the good hospitality”.

Meanwhile, Cameroon have outplayed host Nigeria as they registered their second win in the ongoing U18 African Nation’s Volleyball Champions in Abuja. It was a straight set affair 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-22) at the indoor sport hall.

Nigeria are on the verge of qualifying for the U19 FIVB World Championship in Iran after securing their second triumph in the ongoing U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja.

The hosts bullied West African opponents Gambia 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19) to consolidate on their opening victory 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-21) over Cameroon at the indoor sport hall of the MKO Abiola Stadium on Friday.

Team Nigeria started the first set on a bright note as the duo of Michael Abari and Oyedepo Oyewale dismantled the backline of the Gambian team. Killer spikes from Pascal Ozokoye gave Nigeria vital points to win the the opening round 25-20.

Gambia reorganized their strategies in the second set and put up stunning monster blocks which gave them vital points as they claim the second round by 25-23 point.

The presence of the home crowd inspired the Nigerian side to a roaring comeback as they fought back strongly to pick up in the dying minutes of the third set to secure 25-20 point.

The hosts never looked back as they produced a spectacular performance in the fourth set, winning by 25-19 points to send the cheering crowd into a noisy celebration.

Commenting on their triumph, Assistant Coach of Nigeria U19 Boys team, Adekalu Adeniyi attributed their victory to the huge backing of the fans against Gambia.
Adeniyi further hailed the players for their team spirit and determination put on display, stressing that anything short of a win would have been a disaster.

“I want to thank everyone that came out to support team Nigeria; their support really meant a lot to the team. When the boys were playing, the fans were cheering us to victory and I cannot thank them enough,” he said.

“The Gambia boys are good but we were better than them. We capitalized on the lapses of the team and sealed our victory in the 3rd set. If we had lost the 4th set, it would have been disastrous”.

After a back-to-back win, Adeniyi will be eager to see his Nigerina compete at the U19 World Championship for the second time in a row.

Cameroon humbled Nigeria in front of home fans in straight sets 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-21) at the indoor sport hall of the MKO Abiola Stadium at the ongoing 2021 U18 Girls African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja on Friday.

Nigeria fought hard in the first set of the game but could not overcome the hungry Cameroonians losing narrowly by 26-28.

In the second set, Nigeria started on the front foot by 19-14 points with sponteanous attacks but the Central Africans fought back to upset their hosts to claim 25-21 points at the end of the stage.

Cameroon continued their fine form and made it tough for the West Africans with a 16-8 lead. Now the Nigerians looked rattled as they struggled to cope against their visitors, who eventually snatched a 25-21 third set win.

Head Coach of Cameroon U18 Girls Volleyball team, Emile Tongtong said his team were more technically sound that the Nigerian girls.

While lauding his girls, Tongtong said he wanted to avenge the boys who lost to Nigeria boys the previous day.

“Nigeria is a good and young side but my team is more technically sound. My players have been playing together for a long time and we know how to overcome pressure,” he said.

“I told my girls that we have to beat Nigeria in order to avenge our boys team and I am happy the girls made me proud”.

Meanwhile, Gambia overpowered Morocco 3-2 (25-15, 25-27, 25-21, 20-25, 16-14) in the U19 Boys 2021 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja.

Day 3 Fixtures:

Cameroon v Morocco (3pm) U19 Boys

Gambia v Nigeria (5pm) U19 Boys

Cameroon v Ghana (7pm) U18 Girls

Nimrod told journalist in Abuja that the players representing the country at the African Nations Volleyball Championship are new crop of players.

He believes that the nation’s U19 Boys volleyball can better their previous 14th position and rank among the top 5 in the world.

He said, “Our desire is to represent Africa at the world championship; Nigeria is recognized in the U19 boys’ category and we want to be among the top 5 in the world. It is a gradual process and for record purposes, none of the players in camp are old players.

“Most of the players who participated at the last underage championships have moved on to the next national teams; that mean we have a new breed on U19 National team players.

“As a servant of the volleyball federation, I am pleased that we are not repeating players. If you see the U18 girls representing the country, they are young players and I am proud of them”.

He further said, “I want you to understand that this is not the first time Nigeria is participating. At the last edition of the U18 Girls, Nigeria finished fourth position in Kenya while for the U19 Boys, we are the defending champions. The Boys are planning to defend their title; do not forget in a hurry that the boys went the World Championship and we are ranked 14th. I am happy with the boys and girls; I know they will make the country proud.

He reemphasized that the federation has informed the participating countries of the strict COVID-19 guidelines adding that teams will undergo COIVD-19 test after the championship ends.

He said, “We have informed participating countries on the COVID-19 guidelines in Nigeria. Nigeria’s U18 girls and U19 boys have done their COVID-19 tests because it is one of the prerequisite of entering into the hall.

“On arrival all the teams must provide their certified COVID-19 but when they are departing the country, they must undergo the test here; they are all aware of the cost implications. COVID-10 test was conducted for all the players when they stormed camp last month, we do not have problem with our players who will represent the country”.

Nimrod commended the venue facilities team for transforming the hall which will be used for the U18/19 African Nations Volleyball Championship from 1st to 9th March, 2021.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for approving this competition as well as granting the venue.