African Games: NVBF names Ukpabi and 11 others for tournament

Femi Onasanya
2 Min Read

Ijeoma Ukpabi, a player for the COAS Spikers, has been named to the 12-person roster by Nigeria’s head coach Samuel Ajayi for the 13th African Games in Ghana.

 

From March 8–23, 2024, Ghana will host the 13th African Games.

 

Having competed in the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, Aliyah Usman, Maryam Ibrahim, Ifunanya Udeagbala, Blessing Unekwe, Deborah Chukwu Mmesomachi Okekearu, Kelechi Ndukauba, and Mariam Usman will be making their debuts at the African Games 2016.

 

Among the team’s regulars are Helen Umeh, Sharon Achi, and Happy Wushilang.

 

According to Samuel Ajayi, the team was assembled with a blend of youthful, dynamic athletes and seasoned veterans who will bring honor to their nation.

 

Prior to the Ministry of Sports Development taking over, Ajayi claimed that the Nigeria Volleyball Federation had placed the athletes under camp.

 

“It shows that the Federation means business,” he declared, referring to the three weeks that the players were housed in camp by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, which was led by Engineer Musa Nimrod, before the Ministry of Sports took over. It allowed the coaching staff ample leeway in choosing the final 12. I think we will have mother luck on our side if God is on our side.

 

Nigeria has everything it takes to place high on the podium at the Games after completing the one-month camping exercise; we also see luck to carry us through. The home advantage in Morocco helped the women’s team to a narrow loss in the third place match in 2019,” he continued.

 

Complete List

 

Sharon Achi, Aliyah Usman, Ijeoma Ukpabi, Maryam Ibrahim, Blessing Unekwe, Deborah Chukwu, Helen Umeh, Mmesomachi Okekearu, Kelechi Ndukauba, Happy Wushilang, Ifunanya Udeagbala, and Maryam Usman

 

 

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