Nigeria Customs dominate as first phase of 3rd CGC Volleyball Premier League ends in Abuja

By Maxwell Kumoye

The first phase of the 3rd Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League came to an exciting conclusion in Abuja on Saturday, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) emerging as the team to beat in both the men's and women's categories.

In the men's category, NCS capped an unbeaten campaign with a commanding 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-20) victory over closest challengers COAS Spikers on the final day to finish top of the standings with 36 points from 12 matches.

The defending champions won all their matches, dropping just two sets throughout the first phase.

COAS Spikers finished second on 29 points despite the defeat, while CNS Spikers secured third place with 28 points after defeating Offa VC 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-12).

NSCDC ended fourth following a straight-sets victory over UCEM, while Nigeria Correctional Service defeated Defence Spikers 3-1.

Nigeria Police Force also recorded a convincing 3-0 win over Sunshine Spikers, and Life Camp VC edged Kano Pillars 3-2 in one of the day's most thrilling encounters.

The final men's standings:

• NCS

• COAS

• CNS

• NSCDC

• Kano Pillars

• Nigeria Correctional Service

• Defence Spikers

• UCEM

• Nigeria Police Force

• Life Camp VC

• Offa VC

• AVC

• Sunshine Spikers

The women's competition also produced a strong finish, although NCS suffered its first defeat of the campaign.

COAS Spikers rallied from two sets down to edge the league leaders 3-2 (25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 15-5) in the headline clash of the final day.

Despite the loss, NCS retained top spot with 34 points, finishing just ahead of COAS on 33 points, while NSCDC claimed third place with 31 points after sweeping aside Fire Service Spikers 3-0.

CNS Spikers sealed fifth place with a dominant 3-0 victory over NAF Rockets, while Vipers Spikers overwhelmed Benue Queens 3-0.

Lifecamp VC also ended their campaign on a winning note with a straight-sets victory over Olalomi Royal Angels, while Kada Emeralds defeated Excelsior VC 3-0.

The final women's standings:

• NCS

• COAS

• NSCDC

• Vipers Spikers

• CNS Spikers

• NAF Rockets

• Fire Service Spikers

• Anambra

• Benue Queens

• Lifecamp VC

• Olalomi Royal Angels

• Kada Emeralds

• Excelsior VC

With the first phase completed, attention now shifts to the next stage of the CGC Volleyball Premier League as teams look to build on their performances in the race for national honours.

Comments

Neymar skips Cleveland trip with Brazil as he continues recovery

Neymar will not travel to Cleveland for Brazil's World Cup warm-up match against Egypt ‌on Saturday as he continues to receive intensive treatment for a calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday. "Neymar will not ⁠travel with the delegation to Cleveland," the CBF said in a statement. "He will remain in New Jersey, undergoing physical therapy and intensifying his physical recovery program." Brazil's all-time leading scorer is sidelined by a Grade 2 ‌calf ⁠strain, a moderate muscle injury involving a partial tear. The Brazilian coaching staff remain hopeful that the 34-year-old will be ⁠available for their World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. The five-time World Cup ⁠winners will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Chelsea's new boss Alonso demands hunger and passion ahead of Premier League campaign

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants to see greater hunger and a desire to improve from his players as he prepares for his first Premier League season in charge. Chelsea finished tenth in the league last season following a disappointing, trophyless campaign and failed to qualify for European competition. "We need hunger, passion, we need to want to improve," Alonso ‌told reporters on Monday. "The Premier League is so competitive. We need to prepare ourselves, we need to be determined in the details, in how we want to play. But the most important bit is our game." SQUAD CHANGES Alonso also addressed the future of winger Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as the club look to reshape their squad. "There is interest in him from other clubs, so let's see how this develops. Hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all parties," ⁠he said. Garnacho struggled for form after his move from Manchester Uni...

Fenerbahce Land Mason Greenwood in €39 Million Transfer Move

Fenerbahce have made a major statement in the transfer market, completing the signing of English forward Mason Greenwood from Olympique de Marseille in a deal worth €39 million ($44.5 million). The Turkish giants confirmed on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with both the player and the French club. According to the club, the transfer fee will be paid in three equal instalments over the next three years, while Fenerbahce will also take care of any solidarity payments required under FIFA regulations. The move brings an end to Greenwood’s short stay in France, after he joined Marseille from Manchester United in July 2024 on a five-year contract. Now, the Istanbul side will be hoping the 24-year-old can bring goals, creativity, and much-needed firepower as they continue their push for a first Turkish Super Lig title since 2014. Greenwood scored 37 league goals in 66 appearances over two seasons for Marseille, and expectations will be high for him to make an instant impact. Will ...

Ogazi blazes to World Lead

...Smashes Nigerian record with stunning 43.82s By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye Nigeria’s sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi delivered another statement performance on Friday, storming to a remarkable new Personal Best and World Lead of 43.82 seconds in the men’s 400m at the NCAA East Regionals. The blistering run saw Ogazi reclaim the world-leading mark from Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi, who had clocked 43.92 seconds just last week. In the process, the Nigerian quarter-miler also shattered his own national record yet again, continuing a exceptional season in which he has consistently raised the bar with every outing. Ogazi’s 43.82s now stands as the fastest men’s 400m time in the world this year, further underlining his emergence as one of the most exciting sprint talents on the global stage. The performance adds to what is becoming a historic season for Nigerian athletics. Earlier, fellow Nigerian sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi clocked a stunning 9.84 se...

Messi's inexplicable feats no longer a surprise, says coach Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is no longer surprised by the "inexplicable" feats of Lionel Messi after he scored all three goals in their 3-0 ‌win over Algeria at the World Cup on Tuesday. Messi's hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium saw him equal the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose. Earning his 200th cap, the 38-year-old became the first man to ⁠compete in six World Cups and the oldest to score a hat-trick in the tournament's history — exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal on the global stage. While the victory was a boost to Argentina's hopes of successfully defending their title, Scaloni said there was no room for complacency. "This team knows that anyone can beat us," he added. "If you get a little overconfident, any ‌opponent ⁠can win. In this World Cup, strange and difficult things are happening. If we do things right it will be hard to beat us." Sc...

Z-PRO MEDIA

Search This Blog