AMGA 2024: Nigeria wins Burkina Faso in volleyball
By Tosin Omojola
Nigeria dominated Burkina Faso with a 3-0 victory (25-10, 25-16, 25-19) in the men’s volleyball event at the African Military Games 2024, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
This emphatic win marked Nigeria’s second triumph in the tournament.
The match was one-sided, with Nigeria asserting their superiority early on. SLT Seiyefa Dikiyai’s powerful spikes proved too much for the Burkinabe team, securing a commanding 25-10 win in the first set.
Burkina Faso showed more determination in the second set but struggled to withstand Nigeria’s relentless firepower. Elisha Anebi delivered precise sets to Emmanuel Briggs and Cyril Iritabor, helping Nigeria close the set at 25-16. The third set followed a similar pattern, with Nigeria sealing the game 25-19. SLT Seiyefa Dikiyai was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his exceptional performance.
Head coach MWO Solomon Zango praised his team’s performance, stating:
“The team showed great determination and teamwork, executing our strategies well, especially in the first set. The boys played with confidence, and we maintained control throughout the match.”
He added, “We’ve been working hard on our attack, and it’s clear the hard work is paying off. SLT Seiyefa Dikiyai’s performance was outstanding, and the team supported him well. We need to keep this momentum going for the upcoming matches.”
Zango emphasized the importance of consistency:
“It’s crucial that we stay focused and maintain this level of performance. Tougher challenges lie ahead, but if we continue to play as a unit, we can go far in this tournament.”
In other games, Ghana defeated Sierra Leone 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-10), with Gyamerah Augustine earning the MVP honor for his excellent performance.
Meanwhile, Algeria secured a 3-1 victory over Kenya (25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 26-24). Algeria’s Dour Djabir was named MVP for his standout contributions during the match.
