Sports
Why We Are Injecting Young Blood in the Customs Team – Onikeku
Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is undergoing a strategic renewal of its women’s volleyball team as part of efforts to reclaim dominance on the African volleyball stage.
The NCS Head of Sports, Samuel Onikeku, said that, the ongoing revamp is focused on infusing young talent to address performance gaps and ensure long-term competitiveness.
Speaking in Abuja at the conclusion of a rigorous two-week screening and selection exercise, Onikeku explained the rationale behind the recruitment of younger players into the squad.
“Injecting young blood into the team is a deliberate step,” Onikeku said. “We observed that since our impressive outing at the 2021 African Club Championship, we’ve struggled to maintain that level. This screening allowed us to identify areas we fell short in the past and bring in players who can offer the energy, hunger, and technical depth needed to succeed again.”
He emphasized the need to avoid the kind of mass retirement that recently affected the men’s team, leaving a vacuum in experience and continuity. “We don’t want the same thing to happen to the women’s team. That’s why we’ve taken this proactive step—bringing in promising young athletes who can grow into the system and secure the team’s future.”
The selection process saw an initial pool of 20 players screened, with 16 advancing based on performance and potential. Onikeku noted that the final list of successful players would be announced soon.
“We are not just building a team for the next competition; we are building a team for sustained success,” he added. “When the next African Club Championship comes around, the volleyball world will see a different Customs team—young, dynamic, and proudly Nigerian.”
Supporting Onikeku’s position, Coach Ajaegbe, one of the team’s technical staff, acknowledged that the last outing at the African Club Championship did not reflect the team’s true strength. However, he said the new direction signals a turning point.
“Our aim is to produce a team that Africa will admire—a team that showcases Nigeria’s potential and spirit,” Ajaegbe stated. “We’re developing these young players technically and tactically to meet the standards that Customs is known for.”
He reiterated that only players who meet the high standards of the Nigeria Customs Service will be selected, expressing confidence in the future of the squad.
“With what we’ve seen from these young players, the future looks promising,” Ajaegbe affirmed. With renewed energy, clear planning, and a strong focus on youth development, the Nigeria Customs women’s volleyball team is poised for a powerful comeback on the African stage.
Sports
AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.
Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.
The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.
As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.
The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.
The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.
With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.
Africa is coming to Abuja.
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