Nigeria’s representatives at the 2024 African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship (AWVCC) have crashed out of the tournament in the Round of 16, following disappointing defeats at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.

Despite playing on home soil, CNS Strikers and NCS Volleyball Club were unable to match the intensity and firepower of their opponents, bringing an end to Nigeria’s participation in the continental competition.

CNS Strikers fought valiantly against Cameroon’s LTV, forcing a fourth set, but ultimately fell short, losing 22-25, 17-25, 25-18, 17-25. The NCS Vball Club, on the other hand, was outclassed in straight sets (19-25, 17-25, 17-25), suffering their third defeat of the tournament after managing just one win in the group stage.

With their exit, Nigeria’s hopes in the championship now rest solely on fulfilling its role as a good host.

Nonetheless, the involvement of the Nigerian Navy (CNS Strikers) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS Vball Club) in such a prestigious competition has been commended. Their participation reflects a growing interest in volleyball within the nation’s security services—a step in the right direction for sports development.

However, observers and stakeholders have raised concerns over the structural makeup of the teams. Many believe that both services could have fared better if they had adopted a policy of recruiting athletes specifically for volleyball, rather than assembling teams from already enlisted personnel.

This strategy is common among the more dominant North African and East African teams, whose players displayed superior physical attributes—tall, agile, and athletic—better suited for the demands of modern volleyball. In contrast, Nigerian teams fielded older and often shorter players, with only a few meeting the ideal athletic profile. Some players were also described as lacking the mobility and physique required to compete at this level.

Volleyball, observers noted, is a fast-paced sport that favors lithe and leggy athletes. Without addressing the physical and structural gaps, it will be difficult for Nigerian teams to compete effectively on the continental stage.

Still, credit must be given to the leadership of the Nigerian Navy and Customs Service for establishing in-service volleyball clubs and investing in the sport. With strategic changes in recruitment and player development, both teams have the potential to achieve much greater success in future competitions.

For now, the experience gained from the AWVCC serves as a valuable lesson—and a call to action.