Sports

Nigeria Customs clinches gold at 2024 National Beach Volleyball Star Tour

Published

4 days ago

November 16, 2024

… men’s team wins 2nd position

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) women’s beach volleyball team has emerged victorious at the 2024 National Beach Volleyball Star Tour, held in Bauchi.

The NCS women’s team, led by captain Tochukwu Nnoruga, triumphed in an intense final match at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, overcoming the Kada Emeralds 2-1 in a gripping contest.

The final scoreline of 19-21, 25-23, 15-9 reflected the determination and resilience of the Customs team, who were unbeaten throughout both the first and second phases of the Star Tour.

Despite losing the opening set 19-21, Tochukwu Nnoruga and her partner, Francesca Ikihide, displayed remarkable teamwork and grit to recover, taking the next two sets in thrilling fashion to clinch the championship.

In a post-match interview, Samuel Onikeku, the Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, expressed his pride in the team’s performance and highlighted the significant role played by the leadership of the NCS in their success.

“This victory is not just a reflection of the hard work and skill of the players, but also the continuous support we’ve received from our leadership. We are very proud of our women’s team, who have shown exceptional resilience and teamwork,” Onikeku stated.

Onikeku also extended gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his consistent backing of the team as well as dedicating the trophy to the CG and his management.

“We owe a great deal of this success to the leadership of the Comptroller General, who has been a pillar of support for the team. His commitment to ensuring the growth and development of sports within the Nigeria Customs Service has been invaluable,” he added.

The victory not only solidifies the NCS women’s team’s dominance in the competition but also signals the growing prominence of beach volleyball in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the NCS men’s team also delivered an impressive performance, finishing second in the Star Tour.

Though they were narrowly edged out in the final standings, their efforts were commendable, and they remain a team to watch in future tournaments.

Onikeku said the victory serves as an important milestone in preparation for the final phase of the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, where the NCS teams, both men’s and women’s, are expected to compete for more trophies.

“This triumph in the Star Tour is just the beginning. It’s part of our broader preparation for the upcoming phase of the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League, where we are aiming for even greater success and more trophies,” Onikeku emphasized.

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Sports

EXUIFA Urges NFF to Appoint Substantive Super Eagles Head Coach

Published

20 hours ago

November 20, 2024

The Gleamer

The Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association (EXUIFA) has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to expedite the appointment of a substantive Head Coach for the Super Eagles.

In a recent opinion poll conducted among its members, the association emphasized the need for a permanent coach to be appointed, ideally before the next qualifying match.

The consensus among EXUIFA members is that Coach Augustine Eguavoen should revert to his role as Technical Director, while a new foreign or local coach is appointed to lead the team for a minimum period of two years.

This recommendation is not a reflection on Eguavoen’s tactical abilities but rather a call for a fresh perspective, as the current team lacks the discipline required to succeed at the highest level.

By appointing a substantive Head Coach, the NFF can provide stability and direction for the Super Eagles, enabling them to reach their full potential.

They were of the opinion that the Federation should expand its scouting system to ensure that only the best players are given the opportunity to dorn the country’s colour, as some of the players in the team currently, have no business to be there.

The Association which is made of all the players that have passed through Premier University in the country, will hold its 10th Anniversary on 21 December 2024.

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