Nigeria, Egypt, Others Battle For Volleyball Africa Nations Cup Trophy In Abuja

Seven African countries including host, Nigeria, will battle for the crown at the U-21 Volleyball Africa Nations Cup, currently underway at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Abuja. The draws for the teams will be done on Tuesday 11th September, while the competition will kick off proper on Wednesday, 12th September and end on the 19th of September. According to the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Muss Nimrod, who spoke at the world press conference in Abuja on Monday, all logistics for the games have been duly taken care of.

High spirits

Nimrod went on to state that his board is invested in grassroots developments of youth teams in the sport, and one proof is the huge success the U-19 team had at the African Youth Games in Algeria earlier this year, and he hopes the U-21 team can follow in their footsteps by winning the championship in Abuja. Nigeria U-21 Volleyball coach, Elam Elishama, believes his crop of players can dethrone defending champions, Egypt, despite the “good volleyball” experience the North Africans have garnered over the years.

“We are very well prepared for the Nations Cup. The spirit of the boys is high and ready to do the country proud. My target is to qualify for world championship and not only to qualify but to win.” – Elishama

The 17th edition of the U-21 Championship will serve as qualifiers for the World Cup to be held in Japan next year.