By Tayo Ogunseye
Nigeria men’s volleyball head coach, Taiwo Oladipupo, is confident the country can secure a podium finish at the 2026 African Nations Cup in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, if the team receives adequate preparation ahead of the continental championship.
Oladipupo spoke after Nigeria booked its place at the African Nations Cup by successfully navigating the CAVB Zone 3 qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The coach said the team’s performances at the qualifiers had strengthened his belief that Nigeria could compete against the best teams on the continent, but stressed that proper preparations would be crucial to the team’s medal aspirations in September.
“With good preparation, I believe we are set to finish on the podium, and that is why I am optimistic that we will make Nigeria proud,” he said.
Reflecting on the competitiveness of the Zone 3 qualifiers, the coach said all participating countries arrived in Abidjan with the determination to win.
“Everyone here in Abidjan came with one target, to win. No team came here to take it easy or to merely participate. Every country brought its best,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, only the best emerged as the winner, and that is what we are working hard to achieve.”
Oladipupo called for continued support and cooperation from CAVB Zone 3 as Nigeria begins preparations for the African Nations Cup.
“What we expect from CAVB Zone 3 is maximum cooperation and continued prayers for us,” he said.
“We also need some friendly matches, and if possible, a training tour. That will help us improve the team’s performance. I believe strongly in that.”
Nigeria will now shift its focus to the African Nations Cup in Kinshasa, where the team hopes to build on its successful qualification campaign and challenge for a podium finish. The competition will also serve as an important pathway in Nigeria’s quest for qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria and Ghana will represent CAVB Zone 3 at the Men’s African Nations Cup finals in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September, while Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso will fly the zone’s flag at the Women’s African Nations Cup in Kenya in August.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) President, Engineer Musa Nimrod, disclosed that the men’s national team is expected to begin camping next month as part of preparations for the continental championship.
