Zakari Isah, Kaduna
The head Coach of the Nigeria Volleyball U21 Girls, Rakiya Muhammed says the team has prepared well, with long camping amidst excellent facilities.
Coach Muhammed told www.nespanorama.com.ng at the team camp that the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) had ensured they lacked nothing for the entire duration of the training here in Kaduna.
"We are physically and mentally ready for the championship because we have prepared well with long camping amidst well-arranged facilities and the President of NVBF Engr Musa Nimrod ensure that we had a good preparation, so we don't have anything to complain about that".
The former U17 African Youth Games and Assistant Coach of Nigeria's U18 team who doubles as the Plateau State Volleyball Association, noted that Nigeria would be presenting a U19 team to use the continental championship as a training tour to prepare them for the world championship in Croatia scheduled for August this year.
"We are taking the under-19 girls who are also preparing for their world championship in Croatia, to serve as a training tour for them, but we are not going to use that as an excuse not to win the championship, coupled with their high spirits I can see these girls are winning insha'Allah".
"This is not our first time going to zone three, the last edition we are in Benin Republic we came victorious, and we know each team that is going there has promised their various countries that they are going to lift the trophy, we are also not left out in this promise therefore we know Ghana are strong, Benin Republic are strong, Burkina Faso, and also Nigeria".
"The only thing is that when we focus and our rhythm, these girls the way they are playing throughout our friendly matches we don't have any problem than to bring the trophy to Nigeria insha'Allah".
On the girl's motivation, coach Rakiya Muhammed said the federation has done everything to motivate the players, " you need to see us during sallah, when the President came we all dance together".
"The President of the federation took us by surprise by giving us ram to slaughter as our "Layyah" here, we did it and enjoyed ourselves together with all the Christians in the team since we are one".
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