Nigeria’s men’s volleyball team opened their campaign at the 2026 African Nations Cup Zone 3 qualifiers on a winning note after defeating Niger Republic 3-1 in their opening match on Tuesday.
Key Highlights:
- Nigeria defeated Niger Republic 3-1 in their opening match of the 2026 African Nations Cup Zone 3 qualifiers.
- The Nigerian team won the first, third and fourth sets 25-22, 25-23 and 25-9 respectively.
- Niger Republic claimed the second set 25-19 to briefly level the contest.
- Head coach Taiwo Oladipupo praised his players’ resilience after bouncing back from the second-set loss.
- Oladipupo said the team would correct its mistakes ahead of the next match.
The Nigerian side started strongly, taking the first set 25-22 before Niger Republic bounced back to level the contest with a 25-19 win in the second set.
Undeterred, Coach Taiwo Oladipupo’s men regained control in the third set, edging their opponents 25-23, before delivering a commanding performance in the fourth set to complete a 25-9 victory.
Speaking after the match, Oladipupo praised his players for their resilience, particularly their response after surrendering the second set.
“I thank Almighty God for giving us our first victory of the tournament. I’m delighted with the result. Although the boys lost the second set, they responded brilliantly by winning the third and fourth sets,” he said.
The coach admitted there were areas that needed improvement but expressed confidence that the team would address its shortcomings before their next outing.
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“We will review the match and work on the mistakes we made. Volleyball is a game of perseverance, and we understand what went wrong. We will correct those errors and come back stronger,” Oladipupo added.
Nigeria will now turn its attention to a crucial clash against tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday, with the coach insisting his side will approach the encounter with the same determination.
“Whether they are the hosts or not, our mentality remains the same. We are prepared to face any opponent. Our goal is to secure all three points and continue our qualification journey,” he said.
The opening-day victory gives Nigeria an early advantage in the Zone 3 qualifiers as the team continues its bid to secure a place at the 2026 African Nations Cup.
