Africa  Continental Beach Volleyball Tournament: Nigeria A Team To Beat – Coach 

By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON

Ahead of the Africa Continental Beach Volleyball Tournament billed for Morroco from June 23 this year, Nigerians have been guaranteed of podium finish.

National Beach Volleyball Coach, Kayode Ajilore expressed this when  speaking to sports writers at the camp of the team at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Thursday June 19, 2025.

“So far so good. The training is so fine. The players are cooperating and they are nice players. It’s really nice. We are proud.any injury free.

“In beach volleyball, Nigeria is a threat to any other country because this will not be the first time that we are meeting. We met before and this time around, I believe Nigeria is a team to beat,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria will put other countries on  their toes.

“With the help of God, we are looking forward to winning  the tournament,” he declared.

Also speaking, the chaperon  of the team, Florence Yori said that the camp has lasted for three weeks, courtesy of the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod 

“The team has been here for the past two weeks. They’re in good state of health. We’ve not had any casualty.

“They train both morning and evening. And the environment, the weather has been fair, has been good.

“Like, you know, the present is always there for the players. So everything, the feeding has been good.

“And they’ve had enough playing time. I think they are prepared for the competition,” she said.

Speaking further she disclosed that there are  only about 18 .players in camp.

“The president is taking care of their feeding, their toiletries, their medicals and everything.

It’s the president, even where they are staying. Though it’s not too, like we know we don’t have a hostel, a proper hostel here, but the place was fumigated, we have cleaners, and the accommodation is okay,” she said.

Speaking further, she said she is confident the team will make Nigeria proud.

” I have confidence in the team, both the male and the female.

I have high hopes on them.

If they play according to instructions and then according to the game they are training here, they will do very well.

They will make the country proud,” she said.

Also speaking, one of the male team players, Augustine Uche said they are proud to be camping ahead of a national assignment.

“We are here for a national assignment, preparing for a tournament that is supposed to be held in Morocco from the 23rd of this month.

“By the special grace of God, we’ve been here for over two weeks by the special grace of God.

And the training and everything is intense in preparation for the tournament in Morocco.

“We’re about 16, let’s say, yes.m 

Both male and female, yes.

“For the time being now, we know there are teams like  Morocco teams, Gambia,  Kenyan  and  Rwandan team, which we will battle  are also present,” he said

Answering if they are scared of any team, he said none can subdue Nigeria.

“There are no threats because we have a capable coach that has been drilling us for the past two weeks and we believe we’ll get there, we’ll definitely make the country proud,” he said.

The female team captain,  is Esther Mbah Onyinye while fielding questions, said that  their preparation has been good.

“The preparation is good. I’d say we are ready and with all the training and drills we’ve received from our coaches, I think we are okay,” she said.

For another male player, Emenike Collins Ezike, who plays for Nigeria Customs, but on national assignment, he said that they are all our to excel at the Africa Continental Cup to gain qualifications for the World Championship.

He said that their expectations are our expectation  is nothing short of bringing back the trophy to Nigeria 

“On behalf of me and my teammates and the coaches our expectation is nothing

less than bringing back

the medal, the trophy, back to Nigeria.

“With what the coaches have been giving to us, it’s very intense and it’s very good. I think with what we have now, it’s really good, we are good to go.

“They have been taking good care of us at the camp. The food, everything is okay and our morale is high,” he said.

It was gathered that the teams will depart Nigeria for Morroco  on Sunday.