CNS Spikers just returned from Tunisia where they put up a modest performance in the African Club Championship. Team head coach, Muhammed reminisced on their performance in the North African nation and the growth of Volleyball in Nigeria under the incumbent Nigeria Volleyball Federation President, Musa Nimrod writes TUNDE LIADI
Head coach, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers, Sani Mohammed has described their performance in their maiden appearance at the recently concluded African Volleyball Championship held in Kelibia El Haouaria, Tunisia as satisfactory.
Three Nigeria’s Volleyball teams: CNS Spikers’ men’s and women’s teams and Nigeria Customs Volleyball team represented Nigeria in the competition and Mohammed whose male team is taking part in the ongoing 2023 National Division 1 League in Owerri, Imo State said CNS Spikers teams in both categories gave a good of themselves in Tunisia last month.
CNS Spikers men’s team who made their debut appearance in the competition defeated Ethiopian side, Mugher Volleyball Club, 3-0 ( 25-18, 25-12, 25-15) before they were stopped 3-1 by Kenya Ports Authority in the Round of 16. They later settled for the ninth spot after a 3-0 defeat of Burundian opposition, Rukinzo Volleyball Club (25-19, 25-20, 25-16) in one of the classification games.
The women counterpart finished in the 7th spot in only their second appearance after defeating Nyong Women Volleyball club of Cameroon. They had beaten ARSU Women Volleyball Club of Seychelles 3-0 and Ivorien side, CO Descartes 3-0 in the earlier rounds before Egyptian side and eventual champions, Zamalek SC thrashed them 3-0 in the quarter final. CNS Women side also lost to Kenya Commercial Bank 3-0 in the 5th and 6th classification tie.
Speaking with NationSport in Owerri, Mohammed thumbed up the performance of both men and women’s teams of CNS Spikers whom he claimed gave a good account of themselves in Tunisia.
He said with more emphasis on long term preparations and addition of more new players who can compete better, Nigeria clubs have what it takes to excel in international competitions with the right enabling environment.
“We went for the African Men’s and Women’s Club championship in Tunisia. The men’s team came ninth and the women’s were fifth (record indicated they finished seventh) in Africa,” Mohammed disclosed.
“It was a good outing for the men’s because it was our debut in the competition. While the women’s team also tried their best placing fifth in only their second appearance.
“The men’s team won five out of the seven games played while the women’s team were eliminated in the quarter final.
“I believe we can do better than we have done with good planning and better emphasis on preparing the team. We can go places with the right environment.”
Muhammed also spoke on the ongoing 2023 National Division 1 and 2 Leagues and the ambition of CNS Spikers to pick one of the two promotion tickets to the Premier League.
He noted that CNS Spikers do not belong to the lower league and that all necessary steps have been put in place to ensure they secure the ticket ahead of the remaining four teams competing for the same purpose.
“The competition is interesting and all the teams are trying their best. All the clubs here came with the intention of qualifying for the next divisions. I believe my team which is a team that just came back from the African club championship in Tunisia are ready to pick the ticket to the premier league,” Muhammed added.
“Based on the calibre of players and the level of our play, but because of the rules and regulations of the league, we have to start from the lower to get to the higher division.”
The CNS Spikers coach also praised the renaissance noticed in the sport under the reign of the incumbent President, Engineer Musa Nimrod and that he knows Volleyball will continue to grow in leap.
He also reminded other team’s taking part in the 2023 National Division 1 League to aspire for the 2nd spot because CNS Spikers are in Owerri to emerge as champions of the division when the season ends.
“The present board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation under Engineer Musa Nimrod it has been great. Volleyball has moved to a very high level both Beach and conventional Volleyball. We are grateful to the President,” he said.
“By the grace of God, we are certain we will pick the first ticket. All the teams in Owerri are here to seek qualification. We know that no team is a pushover.”
