Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) Second Vice President, Architect Adamu Tanimu, has challenged the country’s senior women’s volleyball team to carry the hopes of Nigerians as they prepare for the 2026 CAVB African Women’s Nations Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.
The continental championship is scheduled to run from August 23 to September 5, 2026, with the Nigerian team heading to Kenya after completing an intensive training camp in Abuja.
Speaking during the team’s unveiling and send-off ceremony, Tanimu urged the players to approach the competition with confidence and a strong belief that they can emerge victorious.
He reminded the squad that their responsibility extends beyond representing themselves, stressing that millions of Nigerians would be following their campaign.
“As players representing this country, you have an enormous task before you. Not only playing volleyball, but millions of Nigerians are on your shoulders,” Tanimu said.
He urged the players not to travel to Nairobi merely to participate but to compete with the ambition of winning the championship.
“We have prepared them. These girls have to be what they want to be. They have to believe. Once you have belief, you can reach the sky,” he said.
“We have told them before, and we will continue telling them until the time they board the plane: you have to be yourself, you have to believe in yourself, and you must believe that you are going to win. You are not just going there to participate. You are going there to win.”
Tanimu also praised the impact of newly appointed technical adviser Ryan Masajedi, saying the Japanese coach had introduced modern technical ideas and systems to the team.
According to him, Masajedi’s approach reflects the evolution of volleyball into a highly technical global sport and could help Nigeria compete more effectively against stronger opponents.
“Coach Ryan has introduced so many things that are international in nature. Volleyball has now become a global game, and you don’t play it the way we traditionally played it in this country,” he said.
Tanimu further claimed that Masajedi’s work with the Nigerian team had attracted interest from coaches in North Africa, with about three coaches reportedly monitoring his methods.
The NVBF unveiled Masajedi earlier in August as its new Technical Adviser/Coach. Federation President Musa Nimrod said he would lead the senior women’s team at the Nairobi championship before taking charge of the men’s national team at the African Nations Championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nimrod also disclosed that Masajedi’s 12-month appointment, supported by an agreement with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), would include responsibilities beyond the national teams, particularly in grassroots volleyball development.
Tanimu commended the federation’s leadership and technical team for creating the conditions that allowed the players to complete their preparation camp.
He urged the squad to trust the work they had put in during training and remain focused throughout the tournament.
Team captain Ijeoma Ukpabi said the players were determined to make their sacrifices during the preparation period count.
“We sacrificed our time, our energy and a lot of things to be here. I am very sure that is not going to go to waste,” she said.
Ukpabi said the team had developed a strong bond during camp and would approach the competition as a united group.
She also insisted that the reputation of an opponent would not intimidate the Nigerian players.
“It doesn’t matter who is at the other side of the court or who has been there before. This time, we are going for ourselves first before any other thing,” the captain said.
She appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team with prayers, particularly for a safe journey and an injury-free campaign.
NVBF North East Representative, DCP Stephen Hasso (retd.), described the players as the “Chosen Ones”, saying they had earned their places in the squad from a wider pool of players.
Hasso urged the team to be disciplined, serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and follow the tactical instructions of the coaching staff throughout the championship.
He specifically warned the players against abandoning the team’s tactical plan during matches.
“If the coach is substituting you with another person and gives instructions, please, when you go inside, exhibit what he has told you. Don’t go and play on your own,” he said.
Hasso said he had watched the team during training and was impressed by the players’ development and preparation.
“I believe that you are equal to the task. 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 said.
Masajedi, meanwhile, said the coaching staff had concentrated on improving the players’ fundamentals, technical ability, physical conditioning and injury prevention during the training camp.
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The coach praised the players for their commitment and described their effort during the preparation period as impressive.
He, however, said the team’s progress should not be judged solely by the final result, stressing that player development was also an important part of the assignment.
“It’s not about winning or losing; it’s also about development. When you are going there and putting everything, the result will come,” Masajedi said.
He urged the players to remain patient, disciplined and committed to the team’s system, saying sustained effort could eventually put opponents under pressure.
His message to the squad was that every player must contribute whatever they can for the collective success of the team.
“If you are 40 per cent, do your 40 per cent. That will be 100 per cent for the team,” he said.
With the team now set to depart for Nairobi, the federation and coaching staff are hoping the preparation put in during the Abuja camp will translate into a strong performance at the African championship.
