Nigeria will hope to return to winning ways when they face Cameroon in the second game of the 2023 Girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship, The PUNCH reports.
This edition of the girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship is taking place at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Sunday Akapson’s girls lost to Egypt 3-0 (24-26, 18-25, 15-25) in the opening match of the 2023 Girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship on Saturday.
Akapson’s side began the first set strong, giving the Egyptian a good fight.
The Nigeria team led by 24-23 points with the Egypt technical crew calling for a technical timeout. Upon resumption, the Egyptian levelled up 24 to 24 points, took the next two points and won the set by 26 to 24 points.
The Egyptian team came out stronger in the second and third sets beating Nigeria 25 to 18 points and 25 to 15 points.
Speaking after the encounter, the 2003 All African Games silver medallist admitted that the team lost after losing concentration but added that they hoped to improve on that against Cameroon today.
He said, “We need to re-strategise and plan for our next game against Cameroon.The girls lost the game because they were not concentrating.
“These are young players we are building for future purposes and I believe they will do well in their next match”, he said.
Meanwhile, the coach of Egypt U-17 girls, Mamr Makhlouif said his team were in Nigeria to lift the trophy.
He said, “We want to represent Africa at the U17 World Championship and we are in Nigeria to achieve that purpose.
“We are going to win our next match, we just have to encourage the girls to put more effort into their next game,” he said.