African Games 2023: Imoudu Vows To Qualify & Win Tournament

Head coach of Nigeria’s beach volleyball teams, Francis Imoudu, has assured Nigerian that team Nigeria will qualify for the 2023 African Games as well as win medals at the event.

The Nigerian side alongside the technical crew departed the shore of the country on Wednesday for Accra, Ghana the venue of the qualifier scheduled for March 8 to 23 2023.

Before the team’s departure, Imoudu released his four-man squad for the 2023 African Games Beach Volleyball Qualifiers in Ghana.

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Duo Hilary Simon and Obayemi Ogunshina will represent Nigeria in the men’s category, while Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa will feature in the women’s category.

He emphasised that the country has never missed a competition since the game was admitted into the African games and is already eyeing another qualification.

Adding, the players selected have what it took to slug it out with their opponents from other West African countries.

“We have never eluded the Africa Games since the beach volleyball event came on board. We are assuring the country that we are coming back with a medal.

The medical team has been up to the task, so we don’t have the AFCON experience. In any sport in Africa, the Arab world is always a threat, so we are wary of them,”

Captain of the men’s beach volleyball team, Hilary Simon promised not to let the country down at the African Games Qualifiers.

“All our players in camp are exposed, with the support we are getting, we believe all will go well. The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, put all things in place and we look forward to making Nigeria proud.”

President Nimrod, in turn, expressed belief in the team’s capability to secure qualification for the African Games.

He outlined plans for the teams, including potential participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Nimrod assured that the Federation would handle funding until the teams qualify for international competitions, at which point the Federal Ministry of Sports Development would take over.

As the teams gear up for the qualifiers, there is a collective optimism that they will perform admirably and secure a coveted spot in the 13th African Games.