Nigeria’s U17 girls qualified for the finals of the 2023 U17 Girls African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja on Wednesday.
The girls from Nigeria qualified by beating Cameroon in the semi final at the indoor sports hall package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium with a scoreline of 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19).
This is the second time Nigeria has beaten Cameroon in the championship with the same scoreline.
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Speaking after the game, head coach of Nigeria U17 Girls, Sunday Akapson, thanked volleyball supporters for coming to cheer the team to victory. Stating that his side will not be carried away with the victory against Cameroon as the job is not done until after the finals.
“I am very excited and very fulfilled but we are not there yet. I do not want to get carried away with the excitement and forget the target tomorrow (Thursday) because we need to finish the race.
One of the best things we did during the match against Cameroon was boosting the morale of the players. When we were trailing behind Cameroon in the third set, the young setter was shedding tears but I had to encourage her and we won the third set.
During the second set, the girls could not withstand the pressure because they are still young but when they got to the bench, the coaches told them they have the ability, capabilities, strength and the skills to win every other set. I am proud that the young girls went into the game and won the third and fourth set. Motivation is very key and I am happy it worked for my team”.
He also praised Mirabel Onyegwu, the captain of the team and player of the match, for exhibiting her leadership qualities on the court against Cameroon.
“The Captain, Mirabel Onyegwu was on fire in the last two sets against Cameroon. The entire team did very well to win the game for the volleyball community in Nigeria”.
Nigeria is set to avenge the 3-0 defeat handed to them by Egypt when they take center stage on Thursday for the finals.
Thee former captain of the Nigeria Customs Service men’s team vowed to give the Egyptian team a good fight during the final on Thursday.
“Ahead of the finals, we lost the group stage to Egypt and we are going to give them a good fight. It is not going to be an easy game for the Egyptians. This is the first time a Nigerian underage team will be doing this and I tell you that we are going to improve in the final.”
A perplexed Mirabel Onyegwu, who was adjudged the Most Outstanding Player in the semifinals, ensured Nigerians a victory in the finals as she admitted it was a team effort that got them through the semifinals.
“I’m very happy I did not expect this, if not for my team we would not have been here. So we want to thank our president for hosting this championsship.
We ensure all Nigerians that this final we are going to play we are going to win the match”
Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon will represent Nigeria at the U17 world championship.
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