By Aderonke Ojo
Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Volleyball Team will depart the country on Saturday, August 22, for Nairobi, Kenya, ahead of the 2026 Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship.
The Nigerian team is scheduled to compete at the continental championship from August 23 to September 5, where it will battle some of Africa’s leading volleyball nations for honours.
The 12-player squad was officially unveiled on Friday in Abuja by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), following weeks of intensive preparation.
The team will be led by Captain Ijeoma Ukpabi and Head Coach Elishama Elam, with Olusegun Abinde serving as Assistant Coach and Sunday Akapson as Setters Trainer.
NVBF Second Vice President Architect Adamu Tanimu charged the players to approach the championship with confidence and shun the underdog mentality.
Tanimu urged the players to believe in their abilities and compete strongly against teams from countries such as Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and Cameroon.
“We are no longer competing as underdogs. We earned it; that’s why we are here,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that the team could make a strong impact in Kenya and pursue qualification for the World Championship.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to leave on Saturday, August 22, as the players begin their journey to represent the country on the continental stage.
DCP Stephen Hasso (Rtd.), North-East Representative of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), has described Nigeria’s Senior Women’s Volleyball Team as the “Chosen Ones”.
He urged the players to be good ambassadors of the country at the 2026 African Women’s Volleyball Championship in Kenya.
Hasso thanked God for the opportunity to witness the occasion and commended the players for earning their places in the national team.
“I want to call this team the ‘Chosen Ones’. You were among many players chosen to go and represent the country.
“ First, I want to believe that you are going to be good ambassadors of this country,” he said.
Hasso also highlighted the importance of the team’s three-week preparation camp, noting that the players had the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of a foreign technical adviser.
“Luckily for you, you were the first team for which we got a foreign technical adviser to train throughout the three weeks of camp.
“ So, I pray that when you go there, you will exhibit and put into practice what he has taught you here,” he said.
He urged the players to listen carefully to instructions from the coaching staff and ensure that they execute the tactics given to them during matches.
“You are going with your coaches, Head Coach Elishama Elam, Assistant Coach Olusegun Abinde and Setters Trainer Sunday Akapson. Please, when you get there, listen to whatever your coaches tell you,” Hasso said.
“If a coach is substituting you with another player, he will give that player some instructions. When you go inside, please exhibit what the coach has told you. Don’t go and play your own game inside.”
Hasso expressed confidence in the team’s readiness after observing their training sessions during the camp, saying the players were capable of competing with their opponents in Kenya.
“I have watched you guys train here, and honestly, if I tell you that I am not satisfied with your level of training and what I have seen, I will be lying. I have observed you, and I believe that you are equal to the task,” he said.
He encouraged the players to approach the championship with determination, stressing that their trip to Kenya should be focused on achieving success.
“You are going to meet other countries there, but I believe that you are not going there for nothing. You will come back successful,” he added.
Hasso also commended NVBF President Musa Nimrod for providing the necessary support and facilities for the team’s preparation.
He concluded by praying for the team’s safe journey to Kenya, as the Nigerian delegation prepares to depart on Saturday, August 22, for the continental championship.
Nigeria’s 12-Player Squad
Outside Hitters: Ijeoma Ukpabi (Captain), Maryam Ibrahim, Deborah Chukwu, Mmesoma Okekearu.
Middle Blockers: Deborah Sunday, Ganiyat Lateef, Aisha Bello.
Opposite Hitters: Kelechi Ndukauba, Christiana Paul.
Setters: Aisha Umaru, Enewa Odoh.
Libero: Jummai Bitrus.
The team will be led by Head Coach Elishama Elam, with Olusegun Abinde serving as Assistant Coach and Sunday Akapson as Setters Trainer.
