NVBF invites 20 players for 2026 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers

NVBF invites 20 players for 2026 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has unveiled a 20-man squad to commence preparations for the 2026 CAVB Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to hold in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 13 to 23, 2026.

Following a successful first phase of the 2026 National Premier Volleyball League and an extensive scouting exercise, the national coaching crew has selected a balanced squad comprising the country's finest talents, including experienced foreign-based professionals, to represent Nigeria at the crucial qualifying tournament.

The selected players are:

Setters

Bruno Ibeh (COAS)

Adeniyi Favour (Customs)

Elisha Anebi (CNS)

Outside Hitters

Jaiyeola Abdulquadri (Customs)

Lucky Palmer (Kano Pillars)

Ogunshina Obayemi (NPF),

Izuchukwu Oforah (NSCDC)

Emmanuel Udah (Customs)

Anachuna Chukwuemeka (NPF).

Opposites

Vincent Mathias (COAS)

Oyedepo Dhikirullahi (NSCDC)

Armstrong E. Udoka (Light Spikers)

Okonkwo Kingsley (Customs)

Middle Blockers

Anele Timothy (Customs)

Pascal Ozokoye (NSCDC)

Mora Jibril (CNS)

Army Ferdinand (CNS)

Kazeem Mutiu (NCS).

Liberos

Abednego Hassan (Customs)

Tiamiyu Ismail (Customs)

Peter Precious (CNS).

The technical crew is led by Head Coach Oladipupo Taiwo Gabriel, with Tswevini Yohanna and Jonah Adamu serving as assistant coaches.

Speaking on the team's prospects, Chairman of the Technical Committee, Prince Tunde Omisore, expressed confidence in the squad's ability to secure qualification for both 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. The quality displayed during the first phase of the National Premier Volleyball League gave us an excellent platform for player assessment and selection."

Prince Omisore also expressed the committee's profound appreciation to the President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr. Musa Nimrod, for his unwavering support and visionary leadership and also for providing the opportunity and enabling environment that made this selection process possible. The first phase of the National Premier Volleyball League offered an outstanding platform to identify the best players for national assignment."»

The invited players will be camped at a highly secured facility in Abuja, where they will undergo intensive preparations, with training sessions taking place at the Package B Sports Complex, Abuja, ahead of their departure for Ivory Coast.

The Nigeria Volleyball Federation calls on volleyball stakeholders, fans and all Nigerians to rally behind the men's national team as they strive to secure qualification and restore Nigeria's prominence in African volleyball.