The head coach of Nigeria Women’s senior volleyball team, Samuel Ajayi, has named 12 players for the upcoming African Games Qualifiers in Lagos, Nigeria.
The 13th African Games Qualifiers is scheduled for 4th to 8th January at the National Stadium in Lagos.
The team aims to qualify and win a medal after missing out on podium finishes since 2003.
Ajayi has opted to mix experience and youth, with a roster featuring five regular players, five U21 players and two U17 players.
Ijeoma Ukpabi has been selected to captain the team while Jummai Bitrus is the newly selected assistant captain.
Samuel Ajayi told www.aclsports.com that the team aim to qualify for the 13th African Games by getting the result needed at the qualifiers in Lagos.
He reiterated that the team will fight to beat other teams from the Zone 3 regions.
Ajayi said, “We will fight to win the African Games Qualifiers even though it won’t be easy.
“Because we competed at the 2023 ANOCA Games and everyone wants to play against us, our zone is difficult. Nigeria won’t play Ghana since Ghana is the host and has qualified.
“Obtaining a spot and working hard to get ready for the actual Games in March is the goal. I think that with the players we have both domestically and abroad, we have a good chance of placing on the podium”.
Final List:
Ijeoma Ukpabi (Captain), Sharon Achi, Aliyah Usman, Maryam Ibrahim, Mirabel Onyegwu, Happy Wushilang, Blessing Unekwe, Deborah Chukwu, Ifunanya Udeagbala, Kelechi Ndukauba, Albertina Francis and Jummai Bitrus
Head Coach is Samuel Ajayi while Ezechukwu Oguamalam is the assistant coach
