Nigeria women’s team demolished Ghana 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-8) in their first match at the ongoing 2023 African U21 Nations Volleyball Championship (Zone 3) in Niamey, Niger Republic on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Coach, Rakiya Mohammed introduced her starting Six; Kelechi Ndukaba, Aisha Abdulraheem, Maryam Ibrahim, Sarah Ali, Deborah Chukwu and Mariam Usman which sent shivers to the spine of the Ghanaian team.
Nigeria wasted no time to win five points before their opponents managed to win a point. Captain of the side, Kelechi Ndukaba went on to win seven straight points to put Nigeria at an advantage; 14 to 3 points. The first set ended 25 to 11 points in favour of Nigeria.
The second set started well with Nigeria getting her points from services as Maryam Ibrahim took her own six points. Nigeria led by 23 to 7 points before Ghana won 8 points which made the game end 25 to 15 points in favour of Nigeria.
The third set had Nigeria take charge of the court with Libero, Mariam Usman shining like a million stars. Nice win the third set under 10; 25 to 8 points.
The Captain of Nigeria U21 women’s team, Kelechi Ndukaba was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game.
An elated head coach of Nigeria U21 women’s volleyball team, Rakiya Mohammed said the world is yet to see the best of the girls.
Mohammed revealed that the players are ready to take the trophy to Nigeria and prepare for the 2023 FIVB U19 Girls World Championship next August in Croatia and Hungary.
She said, “I am happy with the performance of the players, they showed determination, passion and zeal on the court. I want to assure you that the best of the girls are yet to be seen by the world.
“Our next mission is to beat the Niger Republic on Friday (tomorrow) and assert our dominance in West Africa. Immediately we end this championship, some of the girls will resume camp ahead of next month’s World Championship.”
Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod applauded the performance of the National U21 women team.
He promised that the Nigeria Volleyball Federation will ensure the players get the maximum support to excel in subsequent championships.
