The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod has congratulated Nigeria U19 Boys Volleyball Team for qualifying for the U19 FIVB Boys’ World Championship in 2023 after their emphatic final victory against Egypt 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 31-29) at the just concluded U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship in Morocco on Sunday

Nigeria U19 Boys are back to back champions of the U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship

Nimrod lauded the performance of the players throughout the championship as well as the technical crew for their efforts in ensuring Nigeria remains champions.

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 says he looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria.

He said, “I am impressed with the performance of the team throughout the championship and for maintaining its dominant posture as defending champions of the U19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship. The technical crew have also shown their abilities to interpret games during crucial periods.

“Having won the tournament twice in 2020 and 2022, under this board, I am assuring you of the board’s total support as well as the volleyball community.

“Nigeria is the first Sub Saharan African country to win the Championship twice and attended the World Championship twice. It is my prayers that this current crop of players will surpass the 14 position placed by the previous teams”

Nigeria U19 Boys Team will be attending their third FIVB World Championship in 2023 under the leadership of Musa Nimrod

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has hailed the minister of sports, Sunday Dare and Nigeria Volleyball Federation on their initiatives towards growth and development of volleyball in the country.

The Vice President of International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), Musataque Mohammed disclosed this during a courtesy visit in the Minister office on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mohammed applauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on the new approach of the development of the sport in the country.

He called on the Federal Government of Nigeria support the current leadership of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation in hosting more international championship to raise the standard of the game.

He said, “FIVB want to see Nigeria among the best teams in the world in the nearest future. Nigeria should be seen in the category four.

“Nigeria have the passion for the sports, Nigeria volleyball needs our support to move forward and raise the standard of the sport in the country.

“FIVB want them to be hard working, dedicated and focus and serious for them to become the future Olympian’s, and in their social development,” Mohammed said.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare said the ministry is ready to partner with FIVB to raise the standard of the in the country and the develop the sport.

Dare said, “We work with you in to ensure that you accomplished all your line up programs with the Federation and I believe that it will promote us.

“We need to deep in very well, volleyball is one of the sports that the present government is giving support in our own little way.

“We will not relent to ensure that’s volleyball is well positioned in the country,” the minister said.

On his part, Musa Nimrod the president of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) said the FIVB delegate visit will last two weeks.

“I thank God for the FIVB that came to the country to discuss potential support from the FIVB which will help boost the development of volleyball in these countries, Nimrod said

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.