The Head Coach of Nigeria Volleyball team, Sani Mohammed admitted that the Iranian side played better than his team at the 2021 FIVB U19 Boys World Volleyball Championship in Tehran, Iran
Nigeria faced hosts Iran in their final pool A match, losing 0-3 (19-25, 13-25, 19-25) on Saturday.
Nigeria will face defending champions, Italy in the Round of 16 on Monday.
Nigeria’s head coach Sani Musa admitted: “It’s clear that the Iranian players have been training with each other for a long time, they were technically very good, I think all our players will have a chance to play in the senior team”.
Meanwhile, the assistant coach, Adekalu Adeniyi said losing four games in a row is painful adding that playing against Italy is going to be a tough one.
Adeniyi said the players will put their heads high while playing against defending champions, Italy.
He said, “I know Nigerians expected more from us but it was painful losing four games at the Championship. The boys played with everything they got but were overpowered by Iran.
“Italy is the defending champions of the FIVB U19 World Championship; they won it in Tunisia two years ago. When we file out against them, the boys will play with everything they got because the pride of the nation is at stake”.
Captain Michael Abari confessed: “The game was a very good experience for the Nigerian players, it is an important lesson”
Middle blocker Oyewole Oyedepo and opposite Vincent Mathias were Nigeria’s best scorers in the match with 8 points each
