Algeria, Burkina Faso and Kenya all cruised to a winning start in the volleyball event of the ongoing second edition of the African Military Games (AMGA) 2024 in Abuja on Day 5 of the competition yesterday.
In a thrilling and highly anticipated match, Algeria Armed Force team defeated host Nigeria in a 3-1 (26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22) in three sets at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Despite massive support from the home fans, Nigeria Armed Force volleyball team struggled to match up the superior skills and high firing power of their opponents.
Speaking after the match, head coach of the Nigeria Armed Forces Volleyball team, Solomon Zango, acknowledged the challenge but was optimistic about the team’s prospects going forward.
“We have to refocus and concentrate on the upcoming matches. There’s no room for complacency. Our next goal is to make sure we don’t drop any more points,” Zango said after the match.
He called for focus and determination reflects the competitive spirit within the Nigerian camp. “Every match counts. We’ll adjust and come back stronger,” he said, emphasizing the importance of not letting the loss to Algeria define their campaign.
In the second match of the day, Kenya came from behind to beat Ghana 3-2 (15-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-11) in three sets. While,
Burkina Faso swept Sierra Leone aside with an emphatic 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-15, 25-21) in just an hour.
The Burkinabe team’s precision and speed left little room for their opponents, making the match a one-sided affair from start to finish.
Burkina Faso will face Kenya at noon, followed by a crucial match between Algeria and Kenya at 2 pm. Host Nigeria will aim to bounce back when they take on Sierra Leone at 4 pm on Monday.
