Ever-present Nigeria believe they will celebrate another FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket on Thursday night after a quarter-final clash with neighbours Cameroon in Casablanca that will determine who is guaranteed a place in Australia & New Zealand next year.

All four teams that make the semi finals at the ongoing continental championship in Morocco would have picked automatic tickets for the Women’s World Cup, with the team adjudged to have finished fifth presented with another chance for a shot at a Playoff Tournament next year.

Cameroon will come into Thursday’s encounter with the mentality of the yam pounder, knowing they have always been second best to Nigeria at this level, and a third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup will certainly appeal to the Indomitable Lionesses.

A 1-2 defeat at the hands of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their opening match of Group C last week Monday somewhat dimmed the shine of the Super Falcons, but they rose stoutly to the occasion and won their other two matches with six points and six goals advantage shooting them to the last eight.

Cameroon also started somewhat slowly, drawing with Zambia, but they picked up impressively and their reward is what is actually the most anticipated quarter-final tie at this tournament.

Both countries flew Africa’s flag at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada and at the last edition in France three years ago, but Nigeria are the untouchables, being one of only six countries on the planet to have participated in all eight editions of the quadrennial global showpiece.

“We are ready to face Cameroon,” said Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum, after his Super Falcons arrived in Morocco’s commercial and economic capital, Casablanca on Monday ahead of Thursday’s encounter.

Cameroon suffered a 6-0 spanking from the Falcons in the semi finals of the 1998 Women Africa Cup of Nations (which Nigeria hosted and which was the first edition) but things have improved a bit for the Lionesses since then. In the semi finals of the 2010 edition in South Africa, they were thumped 5-1 by the Falcons.

Both countries contested the Final matches of the 2014 and 2016 Women AFCON. In 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia, the Falcons ran away 2-0 winners to lift the trophy for the seventh time. In 2016 in Yaounde, the Lionesses suffered a heartbreak in front of their cheering fans when Desire Oparanozie scored a late goal to hand the trophy to Nigeria for the eighth time.

Four years ago, in Accra, both teams also met in the semi final stage. It was a tough duel that ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, but the Falcons again prevailed 4-2 after penalty shoot-out on the way to their ninth title.

Thursday’s spectacle in Casablanca is expected to be explosive, but Nigeria captain Onome Ebi says the Falcons are up for the challenge.

“Of course, we know what to expect. The Cameroonians also want to go to the World Cup. But we have never missed the World Cup and we won’t start now. Our eyes are fully focused on Australia & New Zealand, and then we can start talking about the trophy.”

Forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu, on two goals each, are expected to start against Cameroon, with Coach Waldrum also expected to keep faith with most of the crew that decimated Burundi in Rabat on Sunday night.

In an exclusive dialogue with the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick about the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, he gave an intense analysis on why the boys need grade A friendly matches ahead of the qualifiers.

“I think the option of Cameroon boils down to Grade A friendly like I have said and Cameroon is one of the biggest African football country, they’ve got quality players and they are the first in history to have gotten to quarter final stage in the world Cup and have been to World Cup more than any other country in Africa and this is World Cup qualifiers we are talking about.

“We want to play top teams in Africa so when the world Cup qualifiers gets tougher, we would be able to know whether the boys can match countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt as far African countries are concerned because they are tough countries.” he said

“Don’t forget that Cameroon will play the Host Nation of Africa Cup of Nations come next year. We are not actually not going into that tournament for Jamboree but we have a target and by God’s grace it going to be a podium performance.” he added.

In his words, ” The boys will assemble and the team will play in Australia, these are quite expensive flying the team alongside logistics just to give these boys quality friendly matches and as well make the team to be in shape.”

” The boys already know that World Cup is a tournament every player dreams to go, so with this better preparation before September, we’ll be able to be in shape knowing fully well June/July most teams will be on break and we want them to be busy.” he revealed.

“We are still looking for more Quality friendlies so that can be sure that our team is ready for Next World Cup Qualifiers come September.”

NFF President Amaju Pinnick concluded by saying better preparation will make Nigeria Qualify for the World Cup

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.

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