NVBF calls up 44 players for continental junior volleyball showdown

By Maxwell Kumoye

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has invited 44 of the country's brightest young volleyball talents to national camp as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 African Junior Volleyball Championships in Egypt.

The federation named a 22-player squad each for the U-19 Girls and U-18 Boys teams, with the players drawn from clubs competing in the Nigeria Premier Volleyball League, National Division One League and National Division Two League.

The national camping exercise will commence on Friday, July 10, at the High Performance Centre, where both teams will begin intensive preparations for the continental showpiece.

The federation expressed confidence in the quality of the selected players, noting that they arrive in camp in excellent competitive shape after participating in the recently concluded first phase of the 2026 National Volleyball League.

Beyond competing for continental honours, the NVBF believes both teams possess the quality required to secure qualification for the FIVB World Championships.

Particular attention will be on Nigeria's U-18 Boys team, which heads to Egypt with an enviable record after winning the African title three consecutive times.

The team has also represented Africa twice at the FIVB U-19 Boys World Championship, and the federation is optimistic that the new generation can continue that impressive tradition.

The U-19 Girls team is also expected to mount a strong challenge for honours, with the selected squad featuring promising talents from some of Nigeria's leading volleyball clubs as well as an overseas-based player competing in Benin Republic.

Among the invited U-19 girls are:

SETTERS

• Theresa Hans-Epang

• Agape Sunday

• Adeyemo Favour

• Mertha Anebi

OPPOSITES

• Grace Ajike

• Rosemary Sunday

• Chinaza Magdalena

• Iyolo Omolara Yewande

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

• Lateef Opeyemi Ganiyat

• Chioma Osuji

• Ewulum Theresa

• Adu Atinuke

• Favour Onyema

OUTSIDE HITTERS

• Abodunrin Barakat Damilola

• Joy Samuel

• Ifechukwu Faustina

• Chidinma Nnaji

• Jennifer Chisom Akpa

• Toyosi Adeyele

LIBEROS

• Chukwura Chinwe Okwu

• Elizabeth Joseph

• Omah Chioma

For the U-18 Boys, the invited

SETTERS

• Adeniyi O. Favour

• Mohammed Usman

• Balaben Balatowe

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

• Emmanuel Ben

• Daniel Iyaji

• Bakare Olamilekan

• Okafor Samuel

• Destiny Uriah

• Nnaji Oluebube Martins

The OUTSIDE HITTERS are:

• Dakoru Godwin Wisdom

• Bilyamimu U. Hassan

• Isaac Agwam

• Emmanuel Stephen

• Adamu Samuel Majoro

• Israel Micah

OPPOSITE SETTERS

• Sapele Best

• Kingsley Ebuka O

• Abolajoko Feranmi

• Peacemaker Victor

LIBEROS

• Abennago Hassan

• Abraham Ige

• Wasiu Taoreed Adisa

The NVBF commended the commitment of players, coaches, clubs and other stakeholders towards the development of volleyball in the country and appealed to Nigerians to rally behind both teams as they seek continental success in Egypt.

The federation also wished the athletes and their technical crews a productive camping programme and a successful campaign at the African Junior Volleyball Championships, where Nigeria will be aiming not only for medals but also qualification to the next FIVB World Championships.

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