The Nigeria men’s volleyball team yesterday departed the country to Abidjan for the 2019 All Africa Games qualifiers.
An 18-member team led by Nigeria Police Force player, Daniel Nathaniel who doubles as the captain left Abuja on Thursday night for Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria boasts of three foreign players, Arinze Nwachukwu (Fernabache of Turkey), Samuel Ogwuche (Asaria of Libya) and Uchenna Ofoha (CVM of Germany).
Other home based players to watch out for are; Izu Nwachukwu (Plateau Rocks), Afun Idowu (Ondo Spikers), Sebon David (NSCDC) and Prince Anyasodike (Immigrations).
The team will be tutored by coach of Niger Brass, Japhet Nuhu; coach of Police Force, Taiwo Oladipupo and COAS Spikers coach, Elishama Elam.
The president of Nigerian Olympics Committee and Executive member of International Olympic Committee, IOC, Engr. Habu Gumel who was at the package B of the Abuja National stadium to see off the team charged the players to qualify for the All Africa Games.
He said “I believe by the grace of God, you will go and come home with the All Africa Games ticket. I want you to be good ambassadors of Nigeria in Abidjan,” he said.
The president of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod also said he believes Nigeria can qualify for the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.
He 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 down their lives for Nigeria on the court when the battle begins”.
Nimrod further said, “There are two tickets for grab in our zone but I am interested in the first ticket not the second ticket”.
The Zone 3 Men’s All Africa Games Qualifiers from 17th to 25th May, 2019 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
