Africa Volleyball Tourney: Nigeria Coach Hails Team’s Fighting Spirit

The head coach of Nigeria women’s volleyball team, Samuel Ajayi would not agree that his ladies were disgraced in the ongoing 2023 African Senior Women’s Nations Volleyball Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Nine-time champions, Kenya defeated Nigeria 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-11) in the quarterfinals match on Tuesday.

To Coach Ajayi, his wards gave their all in the match, but the result did not favour them. He was, however, full of praised for his players for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the group stage and giving top rated teams good fights.

He said Nigeria is in the process of rebuilding her national team and it is expected not to get the deserved results.

Ajayi said, “I give kudos to my team for improving throughout the championship; I trust them because this is a new team. Most of the players are making their debut in the championship; I believe with continuity; they will build more confidence and rule Africa.

“The U19 and U21 players have potentials; some of them were a bit nervous facing top rated players and that was why I was giving them the needed morale on the touchline to believe in themselves”.

Sports Marketing International reports that in the first set of the quarterfinal match, Nigeria struggled against the Kenyans as the spikes could not penetrate into the court of Kenya. Both teams made crucial blocks, but Kenya triumphed by 25 to 14 points.

Nigeria improved in the second set, but could not break the determined Kenyans; Ijeoma Ukpabi once more proved to be a leader on the court with her exceptional performance. Kenya capitalized on the errors and lack of coordination of the West African ladies to win by 25 to 17 points.

The third set was one sided with Kenya taking total dominance of the set which later ended 25 to 11 points.

Nigeria will face Morocco today (Wednesday in the 5-8 classification match by 2pm.