Egypt emerged triumphant in the 2023 Girls U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship by defeating host nation Nigeria 3-1 in a thrilling showdown at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The final match, characterized by intense rallies and spirited performances, saw Egypt claim the trophy with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory.
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The championship’s final clash drew attention from sports enthusiasts and dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh.
The atmosphere was electric as both teams showcased their skills and determination on the volleyball court.
Despite Nigeria’s U17 team falling short in the final, head coach Sunday Akapson expressed pride in the players’ efforts, highlighting that it was their first appearance in an international championship.
Akapson commended the young athletes for securing a spot in the World Championship next year and emphasized the positive impact on grassroots volleyball in Nigeria.
Akapson outlined the federation’s commitment to supporting the team’s development, preparing them for future challenges, and fostering a strong foundation for Nigerian volleyball.
He expressed optimism about the team’s potential to represent the country in the Olympics in the coming years.
“These are young girls and this is their first time playing in an international championship. They fought hard to secure a ticket for the World Championship next year.
“This is a very good grassroots for Nigeria Volleyball in general, we will continue to work on these girls to prepare them for future encounters,”
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“We are going to make Nigerians proud and in the ten years to come they will represent the country in the Olympics,” he said.
Mirabel Onyegwu, the captain of the Nigerian team, was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the Championship.
Despite falling short in the final, Onyegwu conveyed the team’s determination to work harder for future editions and vowed to bring back the trophy in the next championship, aiming to make Nigeria proud on the global stage.
“We will work harder to win the next year’s championship and Nigerians should expect that we are going to bring back the trophy for the World Cup,” she said
As the tournament concluded, Egypt secured the top spot, followed by Nigeria in second place, and Cameroon claimed the third position.
The Girls U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship not only showcased the prowess of young talents but also served as a platform for the continued growth and development of volleyball in Africa.
