Tayo Ogunseye
Nigeria emerged champions of the 2026 African U18 Beach Volleyball Development Cup after defeating hosts Senegal A 2-0 in the final on Thursday.
The Nigerian duo of Joy Lawrence and Ifechukwu Odoh produced a dominant display to overcome the hosts 21-8, 21-10 and claim the continental title.
Lawrence and Odoh made a strong start to the final, quickly taking control of the opening set and leaving Senegal A struggling to match their pace and intensity.
The Nigerian pair maintained their composure throughout the set to secure a convincing 21-8 victory.
The hosts returned for the second set with renewed determination, encouraged by home support and hoping to force a comeback.
However, Nigeria remained firmly in control as Lawrence and Odoh continued to dictate the tempo. They eventually sealed the championship with a 21-10 victory.
Coach John Iwerima praised the players for their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the competition.
The former international also commended the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) for its support in ensuring the team participated in the tournament.
“The players showed great resilience and determination throughout the competition. This victory is a clear indication that Nigeria has one of the best developmental programmes in Africa,” Iwerima said.
He added that the exposure gained from the tournament would be valuable to the young players as they continue their development and gain experience at international level.
Also reacting to the victory, NVBF President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, described the triumph as a positive sign for the future of beach volleyball in Nigeria.
Nimrod congratulated the players and coaching staff for their outstanding performance, stressing that sustained investment in youth competitions remains central to the federation’s plans for developing the sport.
“The future of beach volleyball in Nigeria is very bright. We will continue to focus on underage competitions because that is how we can build stronger senior women’s teams for the future,” Nimrod said.
The victory in Senegal further highlights Nigeria’s growing strength in beach volleyball development and provides another encouraging platform for the emergence of a new generation of players.
