Hilary Simon and Albertina Francis are part of The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) list released on Wednesday for the country’s participation in the 2023 Africa Beach Games in Tunisia.
The 2023 African Beach Games will be hosted by Tunisia from 23rd to 30th June at the Yasmine Hammamet resort in Tunisia.
The list made available by the Secretary General of the NVBF, Ngozi Amayo, also has 2022 National Beach Volleyball Tour Champions, Obayemi Ogunshina and Hilary Simon (men) as well as Albertina Francis and Happy Wushilang (women).
Other players selected for the African Beach Games include the 2022 National Sports Festival Champion, Uchenna Okereafor and Peter Ibrahim (men), and highly experienced Francisca Ikhiede and Tochukwu Nnoruga (women).
Kayode Ajilore will handle the men’s team while John Iwerima takes charge of the women’s team.
Coach of the men’s team, Kayode Ajilore said Nigeria will perform extremely well at this year’s African Beach Games.
The Nigeria Immigration Service gaffer said the players have the capacity of delivering medals for the country this time.
He said, “The beach volleyball teams Nigeria is parading have a point to prove at the 2023 African Beach Games. The players have been playing various beach volleyball tournaments in the country including the National Sports Festival, National Beach Volleyball Tour, and the President Cup.
“Each player going to Tunisia has played not less than 70 matches in the last two years; this has put them in good shape. The only way the players can reward the country is by winning medals.
Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for including beach volleyball amongst the teams to participate at the 2023 African Beach Games.
He charged the players to give their best and ensure the national anthem is sung on the podium.
FULL SQUAD
Men: Obayemi Ogunshina, Hilary Simon, Peter Ibrahim, Emenike Ezike, Uchenna Okereafor, and Philip Zaka
Women: Esther Mbah, Albertina Francis, Tochukwu Nnoruga, Naomi Yaro, Francisca Ikhiede and Happy Wushilang
Coaches: Kayode Ajilore (men) and John Iwerima (women)
