Egypt defeated host Nigeria 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21) to lift the trophy of the 2023 Girls U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship.
The final match played at the package of the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Thursday in Abuja had in attendance Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh and top dignitaries.
Reacting to the loss, head coach of Nigeria U17 team, Sunday Akapson said the players gave a good account of themselves.
He said, “These are young girls and this is their first time playing in an international championship. They fought hard to secure a ticket for the World Championship next year.
“This is a very good grassroots for Nigeria Volleyball in general, we will continue to work on these girls to prepare them for future encounters,” he said.
He said the federation has promised to give them adequate support to prepare ahead of the World Championship next year.
“We are going to make Nigerians proud and in the ten years to come they will represent the country in the Olympics,” he said.
The Captain of Nigeria team Mirabel Onyegwu was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the Championship.
Onyegwu said they wanted to win the championship adding that they will continue to work for the next edition.
“We will work harder to win the next year championship and Nigerian should expects that we are going to bring back the trophy for the world cup,” she said
Egypt finished first, Nigeria second and Cameroon third.
