The head coach of Nigeria women’s volleyball team, Samuel Ajayi has expressed confidence in the team, despite losing to Cameroon on Thursday.

Nigeria lost to Host Cameroon 0-3 (16-25, 13-25, 18-25) in their second match at the ongoing 2023 African Senior Women’s Nations Volleyball Championship in Yaoundé.

Nigeria started the first set on a high note but the much experienced Cameroonian team suppressed the aggressiveness of Nigeria 25 to 16 points.

The Cameroon team wasted no time in sending a strong signal in the second set winning by 25 to 13 points.

Nigeria led the third set by 8 to 0 points but the Cameroonians caught up and won by 25 to 18 points.

Reacting to the game, Ajayi said his players gave their best and deserved more from the game.

“I am impressed by the performance my players put up against Cameroon. My team did not give the Cameroonians any respect throughout the game.

“The Cameroon women’s volleyball team are more exposed than my team and are just returning from a three months training tour in Malabo. Cameroon are the defending Champion, Olympians and World Championship attendee.

“With the performance of the Nigerian team, Cameroon got lucky to have won us by three straight sets in the encounter.”​

Nigeria will face Burundi in their next game, and Ajay states that the girls will take every set with total seriousness.

“I do not expect anything less than three points in the match against Burundi today. We are not going to take it likely and I have informed my players not to underrate any team in this championship because there are lots of surprises.”