Nigeria recorded its first win in the ongoing 2023 Girl’s U17 African Nations Volleyball Championship after defeating Cameroon 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-22) in it’s second game.
The match was played at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium (Package B), Abuja, on Monday.
The Nigerian team squandered lots of opportunities in the first set making errors and failed to pick loose balls from the Cameroonian side after leading by 6 to 2 points.
Cameroon used their height advantage to block the spikers of Nigeria and eventually won by 25 to 19 points.
Upon resumption of the second set, Nigeria rushed the Cameroonian by 7 to 1 points. The setter, Martha Anebi distributed the ball to Mirabel Onyegwu and Pamela Bawa who both utilised the balls getting vital points. Nigeria cruised to victory winning by 25 to 20 points.
The third set went in favour of Nigeria as the combination of Mirabel Onyegwu, Pamela Bawa and Blessing Anebi punished the Cameroonian. The performance of the girls made the crowd go haywire as Nigeria won 25 to 13 points.
Both teams had equal strength in the fourth set winning point for point till the 20 points before Nigeria took four straight points to reach 24. Cameroon gave a good account of themselves by winning two points but Nigeria got their last point to win 25 to 22 points.
Nigeria is recording its first ever win since hosting an age grade girl’s tournament in Abuja since 2021.
An elated head coach of Nigeria team, Sunday Akapson said they can not jubilate yet because they still have matches to play.
“Congratulations to the girls for the work well done, this is just a starting point for us. Nigeria will meet Cameroon again on Wednesday in the semi final. I want to assure you that the girls will replicate this victory.” he said.
Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod said, “This is the first time Nigeria is winning an under age tournament in Abuja and the fans as well as lovers of the game feel good.
“I am happy the technical crew worked on the errors of the players and they made Nigerians happy today.”
Nigeria lost the opening game against Egypt 0-3 while Cameroon also lost their first game Egypt 2-3.
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