Head Coach of the Nigeria Women’s Team, Samuel Ajayi, on Thursday, said the selection of players for the African Games qualifiers cuts across age grades to allow for inclusiveness.

Mr Ajayi who stated this in an interview in Lagos, named 12 players for the upcoming African Games Qualifiers scheduled for Lagos.

“Because of the developmental programme of the federation, we pulled the selection of players from U-17, U-19 and U-20; we are able to see some potential in the underage group.

“This will afford us to have a formidable team that can win medals for the country. The federation has done the best it could. The board led by Musa Nimrod has taken care of our camping in Lagos and other essential logistics,” he said.

The 2024 African Games Qualifiers is scheduled to start from January 4 to January 8 at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

Ijeoma Ukpabi has been selected to captain the team, while Jumia Bitrus is the new assistant captain.

The Nigerian volleyball team has the twin ambition of qualifying and winning a medal at the African Games in Ghana

The last time Nigeria secured a podium finish was when the country hosted the All-African Games in 2003.

The list included, Sharon Achi, Aliyah Usman, Ijeoma Ukpabi (Captain), Maryam Ibrahim, Mirabel Onyegwu, Happy Wushilang, Blessing Unekwe, Deborah Chukwu, Ifunanya Udeagbala, Kelechi Ndukauba, Albertina Francis and Jummai Bitrus.

(NAN)