Nigeria men’s volleyball team have departed Nigeria on Thursday to participate in the Zone 3 Men’s All Africa Games Qualifiers in Abidjan from May 17th to 25th.
A 17-member team led by Nigeria Police Force player and team captain Daniel Nathaniel left Abuja on Thursday.
Nigeria boasts of three foreign players in the team; Arinze Nwachukwu (Fernabache, Turkey), Samuel Ogwuche (Asaria, Libya) and Uchenna Ofoha (CVM, Germany).
The home based quartet of Izu Nwachukwu (Plateau Rocks), Afun Idowu (Ondo Spikers), Sebon David (NSCDC) and Prince Anyasodike (Immigrations) complete the team.
The team will be tutored by Niger Brass coach, Japhet Nuhu; Police Force coach, Taiwo Oladipupo and COAS Spikers coach, Elishama Elam.
The president of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod said he believes Nigeria can qualify for the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.
Nimrod said, “I believe the boys will win, the spirit is high. The boys are charged and they have been able to appreciate the situation they found themselves and are also happy. The players are willing to lay their lives for Nigeria on the court when the battle begins.”
“There are two tickets for grab in our zone but I am interested in the first ticket not the second ticket,” he added.
“A lot of countries do not know some of these new boys in the team but they are fantastic. Nigeria volleyball players in Diaspora are willing to play for the fatherland and this is a wonderful development. Currently in the team, we have Canada based Uchenna Ofoha who will play in Abidjan.
Full list:
Setters: Daniel Nathianel (Captain), Patrick Davou
Liberos: Ibrahim Adamu, Afun Idowu
Middle Blockers: Izu Nwachukwu, Moses Gana, Arinze Nwachukwu, Uche Ofoha
Side Spikers: Samuel Ogwuche, Sebon David, Ogunshina Abayomi, Princewell Okoi
Opposite: Prince Anyasodike, Morris Dikiya.
Coaches: Japhet Nuhu, Taiwo Oladipupo, Elishama Elam
