Nigeria defeated Gambia 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-15) to record their second consecutive win at the ongoing 2022 African U21 Men’s Nation Volleyball Championship in Tunisia.
In the first set, Nigeria won 7 service points (29%), 18 receivers’ points (82%), 1 ace, had 4 maximum points in a row, 4 service errors and 0 timeouts winning by 25-21 points. Nigeria had a better outing in the second set with 12 service points (48%), 13 receivers’ points (81%), 1 ace, had 4 maximum points in a row, 0 service errors and 0 timeouts winning by 25-16 points.
In the final set, Nigeria recorded 1 ace, 5 maximum points in a row, 1 service errors, 0 timeouts, 12 service points (50%) and 13 receivers’ points (81%) to win 25-15.
Nigeria’s Abdulquadri Jaiyeola recorded 19 points in the match against Gambia with 13 attacks, 3 blocks and 1 ace from service
Speaking after the match, head coach of Nigeria U21 Team, Sani Mohammed revealed that the team wants to finish top of the group and stand a better chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
Mohammed said the Gambian showed prospects before the game but Nigeria overpowered them in the second and third set.
He said, “This is a great result for the Nigeria U21 Men’s team; we want to secure all the available points in the group stage. I and the assistant coach, Suleiman Ajeigbe took our time to study the Gambians when they played against host Tunisia yesterday. The Gambian side are good but we are better.
“The goal is to finish first in Group A; Nigeria will either meet the Egyptian or Cameroonian U21 Men’s teams. Any of the teams that comes our way in the next round will be played with our last drop. The boys are ready to make Nigeria proud and get one of the available tickets to the 2023 FIVB World Championship.”
Nigeria will face Tunisia (host) on Wednesday by 6pm in their last group stage match.