Nigeria’s men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams have successfully secured their spots in the upcoming 13th African Games scheduled to take place in Ghana from March 8 to March 23.
In the women’s category, the dynamic duo of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa showcased an exceptional performance, maintaining a flawless 100 percent winning record throughout the qualifiers.
Facing formidable opponents, they triumphed over Burkina Faso with a convincing 2-0 victory (21-12, 21-10), dominated Benin Republic with another 2-0 win (21-6, 21-13), and outclassed Cote d’Ivoire with yet another 2-0 triumph (21-6, 21-6).
The men’s team, represented by the formidable pair of Hilary Simon and Obayemi Ogunshina, displayed resilience and skill on their path to qualification.
They secured victories against Burkina Faso, winning 2-0 (21-15, 21-11), and demonstrated their mettle against Togo with a hard-fought 2-1 victory (15-21, 21-13, 21-13). Despite facing a setback against the Benin Republic with a 2-1 loss (21-14, 21-23, 15-21), they bounced back with a 2-1 win against Cote d’Ivoire (16-21, 21-17, 15-13).
Coach Kayode Ajilore expressed his admiration for the players’ indomitable spirit, highlighting their dedication to securing Nigeria’s place in Zone III.
He commended the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, led by Musa Nimrod, for steadfastly supporting the dreams of these young and talented players.
“I am full of joy to see that the women’s beach volleyball team qualified for the African Games,” Coach Ajilore remarked. “The young girls have been able to cement their place in Zone III, and I am sure they will go far with adequate preparations.”
Praising the federation, Ajilore stated, “I want to use this opportunity to thank the board of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, led by Nimrod, for making sure the dreams of the girls became reality.”
With the qualification secured, Coach Ajilore emphasized that there is no time to spare, as the teams will immediately enter a closed camp to address any observed lapses during the qualifiers.
The goal is clear – to bring home a medal for the country. “There is no time for the players to spare. Once we arrive in Nigeria, the players will resume camp with the guidance of other assistant coaches to adjust some weaknesses,” Ajilore affirmed.
The entire nation eagerly anticipates the upcoming African Games, where these talented athletes will represent Nigeria on the beach volleyball court.
The journey to qualification has not only showcased the prowess of the players but also demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the coaching staff and the support of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation.
As the teams enter the final phase of preparation, hopes are high for a stellar performance and the possibility of bringing glory to the nation in Ghana.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
