The first phase of the 3rd Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League concluded in Abuja on Saturday, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) emerging as the top-ranked team in both the men’s and women’s categories after an impressive run throughout the competition.
The final day of the opening phase on Saturday produced a series of exciting matches, with teams battling for valuable points before the league heads into its next stage.
Key highlights:
- Nigeria Customs topped the men’s and women’s league standings.
- Customs men finished the first phase unbeaten with 36 points.
- COAS Spikers handed Customs women their first defeat (3-2).
- Customs women still finished first with 34 points.
- Elishama Elam praised the growth of Nigerian volleyball.
- He called for more sponsorship to develop the sport.
In the men’s category, Nigeria Customs Service capped an unbeaten campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over COAS Spikers, winning 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 to finish with a perfect 36 points from 12 matches.
CNS Spikers also ended the phase on a winning note, sweeping Offa VC 25-23, 25-12, 25-12, while NSCDC defeated UCEM in straight sets. Nigeria Police Force also secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sunshine Spikers, and Nigeria Correctional Service overcame Defence Spikers 3-1.
The most closely contested fixture of the day saw Life Camp VC edge Kano Pillars 3-2 in a thrilling five-set encounter.
At the end of the first phase, Nigeria Customs Service topped the men’s standings with 36 points, followed by COAS Spikers (29), CNS Spikers (28), NSCDC (26), Nigeria Correctional Service (22), Kano Pillars (20), Defence Spikers (18), UCEM (14), Nigeria Police Force (14), Life Camp VC (11), Offa VC (8), AVC (5) and Sunshine Spikers (4).
The women’s competition also delivered exciting action, with COAS Spikers handing Nigeria Customs Service their first defeat of the campaign in a dramatic five-set encounter. COAS claimed the opening two sets before Customs fought back to level the match, but COAS regained control to win the deciding set 15-5 and secure a 3-2 victory.
Elsewhere, NSCDC defeated Fire Service Spikers 3-0, CNS Spikers cruised past NAF Rockets in straight sets, Vipers Spikers outclassed Benue Queens 3-0, Life Camp VC defeated Olalomi Royal Angels 3-0, while Kada Emeralds earned a straight-set win over Excelsior VC.
Despite the loss, Nigeria Customs Service retained first place in the women’s standings with 34 points, ahead of COAS Spikers on 33 and NSCDC on 31. Vipers Spikers finished fourth with 25 points, CNS Spikers fifth with 24, NAF Rockets sixth with 19, Fire Service Spikers seventh with 16, Anambra eighth with 13, Benue Queens ninth with 12, Life Camp VC tenth with 10, Olalomi Royal Angels eleventh with nine, Kada Emeralds twelfth with seven and Excelsiors finished at the bottom with one point.
Speaking after his team’s victory over Nigeria Customs Service, COAS Spikers head coach, Elishama Elam, said his side had targeted a straight-set victory but acknowledged the quality of their opponents.
Read also:
- Kano Pillars Stage Stunning Comeback As NSCDC Return To Winning Ways On Day 9 Of CGC Volleyball Premier League
- Defence Spikers, CNS Spikers, Customs Dominate Day 8 Of CGC Volleyball Premier League
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“Our intention was to beat them 3-0, but that’s the nature of the game. They are a very good and experienced team and nobody can take that away from them. My team has only one or two players with top-level experience, but I thank God they played according to instructions. Today, we played like champions,” Elam said.
He also commended the steady progress of volleyball in Nigeria, attributing the improvement to the dedication of local coaches.
“Honestly, Nigerian volleyball coaches are working. If you compare the standard now with previous years, volleyball is improving rapidly in Nigeria. Very soon, scouts will start coming into Nigeria because the quality of our players is getting better,” he said.
Elam, however, called for greater corporate investment in the sport, noting that increased sponsorship would create more competitions and aid player development.
“We need sponsors in volleyball. It is an entertaining game and more sponsors will mean more championships. Our players have played 13 matches in a row and many are already exhausted.
With more competitions throughout the year, they will remain in top shape. We are appealing to sponsors to come and support volleyball in Nigeria,” he added.
With the first phase now concluded, attention will shift to the Super Cup before the commencement of the second phase of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League, where clubs will continue their quest for league honours.
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