NVBF names 20 players for 2026 Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers

By Maxwell Kumoye

Nigeria have named a 20-man squad for the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers, with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) banking on a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging stars to secure a return to continental prominence.

The team will begin preparations in Abuja ahead of the qualifying tournament, which will take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 13 to 23.

The squad was selected following the first phase of the 2026 National Premier Volleyball League and an extensive scouting programme by the national coaching crew. The list also includes foreign-based professionals expected to strengthen the team's qualification bid.

Head coach Oladipupo Taiwo Gabriel will lead the technical crew, assisted by Tswevini Yohanna and Jonah Adamu.

Among those invited are setters Bruno Ibeh, Adeniyi Favour and Elisha Anebi, while the outside hitters include Jaiyeola Abdulquadri, Lucky Palmer, Ogunshina Obayemi, Izuchukwu Oforah, Emmanuel Udah and Anachuna Chukwuemeka.

The opposite hitters are Vincent Mathias, Oyedepo Dhikirullahi, Armstrong E. Udoka and Okonkwo Kingsley. Middle blockers Anele Timothy, Pascal Ozokoye, Mora Jibril, Army Ferdinand and Kazeem Mutiu also made the cut, while Abednego Hassan, Tiamiyu Ismail and Peter Precious were selected as liberos.

Chairman of the NVBF Technical Committee, Prince Tunde Omisore, expressed confidence that the squad possesses the quality needed to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup.

"The technical crew has assembled a solid team with the right blend of home-based talents and foreign-based professionals. We are confident that this team has what it takes to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup," Omisore said.

He added that the first phase of the National Premier Volleyball League provided an ideal platform to identify players capable of representing the country at the international level.

Omisore also praised Nigeria Volleyball Federation president, Engr. Musa Nimrod, for his continued support and commitment to creating the right environment for the national teams.

The invited players will camp at a secure facility in Abuja, with training sessions scheduled to hold at the Package B Sports Complex before the team's departure to Ivory Coast.

Nigeria will be aiming to secure qualification and re-establish themselves among Africa's leading volleyball nations when the qualifiers begin next month.

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