Nigeria’s under-18 male and under-19 female volleyball teams will open camp this Friday at the High Performance Centre, where both sets of players will begin intensive preparations for the 2026 African Junior Volleyball Championships in Egypt.
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As the countdown starts towards the championships, Sports247 gathered that Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has invited 22 players for each of the teams, with the invitees drawn from clubs in the Premier Volleyball League as well as teams in divisions one and two of the National League.
The federation expressed confidence in the quality of the invited players, who arrive in excellent shape after participating in the first phase of the 2026 National Volleyball League, with the NVBF also affiming that both teams possess the right quality to secure qualification for the FIVB World Championships.
A press statement from the NVBF added, “Particular attention will be on Nigeria’s U-18 boys’ team, which heads to Egypt with an enviable record, after winning the African title three consecutive times. The team has also represented Africa twice at the FIVB U-19 Boys World Championship.
“The U-19 girls’ team is also expected to mount a strong challenge for honours, with the selected squad featuring promising talents from some of Nigeria’s leading volleyball clubs, as well as an overseas-based player competing in Benin Republic.
“The invited girls are: Setters – Theresa Hans-Epang, Agape Sunday, Adeyemo Favour and Mertha Anebi; middle blockers – Lateef Opeyemi Ganiyat, Chioma Osuji, Ewulum Theresa, Adu Atinuke and Favour Onyema; as well as liberos – Chukwura Chinwe Okwu, Elizabeth Joseph and Omah Chioma.
“Others are outside hitters – Abodunrin Barakat Damilola, Joy Samuel, Ifechukwu Faustina, Chidinma Nnaji, Jennifer Chisom Akpa and Toyosi Adeyele; as well as opposites – Grace Ajike, Rosemary Sunday, Chinaza Magdalena and Iyolo Omolara Yewande.
“For the U-18 boys, the invited players are setters – Adeniyi O. Favour, Mohammed Usman and Balaben Balatowe; middle blockers – Emmanuel Ben, Daniel Iyaji, Bakare Olamilekan, Okafor Samuel, Destiny Uriah and Nnaji Oluebube Martins; as well as liberos – Abennago Hassan, Abraham Ige and Wasiu Taoreed Adisa.
“Others are outside hitters – Dakoru Godwin Wisdom, Bilyamimu U. Hassan, Isaac Agwam, Emmanuel Stephen, Adamu Samuel Majoro and Israel Micah; as well as opposite setters – Sapele Best, Kingsley Ebuka O, Abolajoko Feranmi and Peacemaker Victor.”
Sports247 gathered further that the NVBF also commended the players and coaches for their commitment, then wished them all a successful campaign at the African Junior Volleyball Championship, where Nigeria will be aiming for medals as well as qualification to the next FIVB World Championships.
