Dare Kuti
With nine days before the 2023 African Women’s Senior Volleyball Championship billed for Cameroon, the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has invited the country’s most in-form volleyball player, Albertina Francis of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Commission, experienced middle blocker Helen Umeh of the Nigerian Custom Customs and 17 others for the camping exercise.
The tournament will hold from 14th to 29th August 2023.
The list released by the Technical Director of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Chief Martin Melandi has 2022 National Best Setter, Enewa Odoh (Customs), Best Spiker, Ijeoma Ukapbi (COAS Spikers) and Best Libero, Jummai Bitrus (CNS Spikers).
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2022 Nigeria Volleyball League, Kelechi Ndukauba (CNS Spikers) as well as MVP of the 2023 African U21 Women’s Nations Championship, Mariam Usman (CNS Spikers) and national setter, Sharon Achi (NSCDC) made the list of invited players.
According to Melandi, the only foreign-based player in the camp is Mmeseoma Ugochinyere from Japan.
The Technical Representative on the board of NVBF said the technical committee approved the appointment of Samuel Ajayi as the head coach and assisted by Priscilla Agera.
The players have begun training at the indoor sports hall of Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) in Kaduna State.
Nigeria women’s senior team finished fourth position at the 2021 African Nations Championship held in Kigali, Rwanda.
FULL LIST
Enewa Odoh (Customs), Sharon Achi (NSCDC), Aliyah Usman (CNS Spikers), Mercy Promise (CNS Spikers), Happy Wushilang (NSCDC), Ijeoma Ukpabi (COAS Spikers), Comfort Amouwu (NSCDC), Naomi Yaro (Kada Emeralds), Mmeseoma Ugochinyere (Japan), Helen Umeh (Customs), Sandra Ozabor (Customs), Sarah Ali (COAS Spikers), Ezinne Blessing (NSCDC), Deborah Chukwu (COAS Spikers), Albertina Francis (NSCDC), Kelechi Ndukauba (CNS Spikers), Jummai Bitrus (CNS Spikers), Mariam Usman (CNS Spikers) and Bethel Ogochukwu.