U-17 Volleyball Girl's Championship: Egypt defeat Nigeria as Akapson Bemoans Players Over Loss

U-17 Volleyball Girl's Championship: Egypt defeat Nigeria as Akapson Bemoans Players Over Loss

By Precious Oham

The Egyptian U-17 Volleyball Girl's team inflicted a loss to their Nigerian counterparts by 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-15) in the opening game of the 2023 Girl's U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship on Saturday. 

The championship, which is taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja began with the Nigeria U-17 Girl's team giving the Egyptians a good fight. 

The Nigeria team led by 24-23 points with the Egypt technical crew calling for a technical time out. Upon resumption, the Egyptians levelled up 24 to 24 points, took the next two points and won the set by 26 to 24 points.

The Egyptian team came out stronger in the second and third sets beating Nigeria 25 to 18 points and 25 to 15 points.

Speaking after the encounter, the Head Coach of Nigeria U17 Girl's, Sunday Akapson bemoaned his players for lack of concentration during a crucial period in the first set.

He added that the players would give their best during the next match against Cameroon on Monday. 

He said, "We need to re-strategise and plan for our next game against Cameroon.They girls lost the game because they were not concentrating.

"These are young players we are building for future purposes and I believe they will do well in their next match."

Meanwhile, the coach of Egypt U-17 Girls, Mamr Makhlouif said his team is in Nigeria to lift the trophy adding that Nigeria is his second home.

Makhlouif said Egypt wants to represent Nigeria at the World Championship and will go all out against Cameroon.

He said, "We want to represent Africa at the U17 World Championship and we are in Nigeria to achieve that purpose.

"We are going to win our next match against Cameroon on Sunday, we just have to encourage the girls to put more effort into their next game."