Volleyball: Nigeria U-21 girls head to Niamey for African Zone 3 Championship

By Stella Kabruk

Nigeria’s U-21 girls team have departed for Niamey, Niger Republic, ahead of the 2023 Africa U-21 Girls Zone 3 Nations Championship.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the players and their coaches left the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Sunday morning.

The delegation comprised 12 players; Head Coach Rakiya Mohammed and two assistant coaches, Dennis Eleri and Anthony Torbundeh as well as the a referee, Manir Hassan.

The Technical Director of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Martins Melandi, told newsmen that they were in camp for three weeks, in preparation for African Zone 3 Nations Championship in Niger Republic.

“We have been in camp in preparation and played some friendly matches,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians should expect nothing short of a top notch performance from the young world championship bound players.

“From what I saw, the team is technically sound. They will compete with all countries in West Africa.”

Also, the Head Coach, Rakiya Mohammed, said that the girls had been drilled and were ready to deliver.

“We are departing today. From what you are seeing from the girls, you know their spirit is high. The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Mr Musa Nimrod, has ensured all the welfare of the players,” she said.

According to her, if they win, they will win a ticket to participate in the World Championship in Thailand.

“These girls you are seeing, they are not actually U-21 but U-19 because their championship is coming up in Croatia, so we are using this to further prepare them,” she added.

NAN also reports that the players included: Aisha Abdulraheem (CNS Spikers), Kelechi Ndukaba (Niger Ravens), Maryam Ibrahim (Niger Ravens), Sarah Ali (COAS Spikers), Deborah Chukwu (COAS Spikers), Fadilat Ibrahim (Kada Emeralds), Verity Onyegwu (CNS Spikers).

Others includes Mariam Usman (CNS Spikers), Ifunaya Udeagbala (Anambra VB), Aliyat Usman (CNS Spikers), Mary Ishiaku (Life Camp VC) and Chilota Marvellous (Kada Emeralds)

(NAN)