The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has invited a 21-man squad to camp ahead of the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from July 13 to 23. The squad was unveiled following the conclusion of the first phase of the 2026 National Premier Volleyball League and an extensive scouting exercise conducted by the federation’s technical crew.
Key Highlights:
- NVBF names a 21-man squad for the 2026 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers.
- Team combines home-based stars with experienced foreign-based professionals.
- Camp opens in Abuja ahead of the qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Head Coach Oladipupo Taiwo Gabriel to lead the technical crew.
- Federation targets qualification for the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup.
The selected squad features a balanced mix of emerging talents and experienced players, with the federation expressing confidence that the team has the quality required to secure qualification for the continental championship.
Invited Players
Setters:
Bruno Ibeh (COAS)
Adeniyi Favour (Customs)
Elisha Anebi (CNS)
Outside Hitters:
Jaiyeola Abdulquadri (Customs)
Lucky Palmer (Kano Pillars)
Ogunshina Obayemi (NPF)
Izuchukwu Oforah (NSCDC)
Emmanuel Udah (Customs)
Anachuna Chukwuemeka (NPF)
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Opposites:
Vincent Mathias (COAS)
Oyedepo Dhikirullahi (NSCDC)
Armstrong E. Udoka (Light Spikers)
Okonkwo Kingsley (Customs)
Middle Blockers:
Anele Timothy (Customs)
Pascal Ozokoye (NSCDC)
Mora Jibril (CNS)
Army Ferdinand (CNS)
Kazeem Mutiu (NCS)
Liberos:
Abednego Hassan (Customs)
Tiamiyu Ismail (Customs)
Peter Precious (CNS)
The technical crew will be led by Head Coach Oladipupo Taiwo Gabriel, with Tswevini Yohanna and Jonah Adamu serving as assistant coaches.
Chairman of the NVBF Technical Committee, Prince Tunde Omisore, said the selection process produced a well-balanced squad capable of delivering positive results in the qualifiers.
“The technical crew has assembled a solid team with the right blend of home-based talents and foreign-based professionals. We are confident that this team has what it takes to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup,” Omisore said.
He explained that the first phase of the National Premier Volleyball League provided an excellent platform for evaluating players and identifying those best suited to represent Nigeria at the continental qualifiers.
Omisore also commended the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr. Musa Nimrod, for his leadership and unwavering support, noting that his commitment ensured a transparent and credible selection process.
The invited players are expected to report to camp at a secured facility in Abuja, with training sessions scheduled to hold at the Package B Sports Complex as preparations intensify ahead of the team’s departure for Côte d’Ivoire.
The federation called on volleyball stakeholders and Nigerians to rally behind the men’s national team as it seeks to qualify for the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup and strengthen Nigeria’s position among Africa’s leading volleyball nations.
