By Joel Ajayi
Nigeria’s representatives at the ongoing 2025 Women’s African Volleyball Club Championship Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) teams have both exited the tournament after failing to advance to the quarter-final stage.
Playing in the Round of 16 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the Nigeria Customs team fell to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in straight sets: 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-17).
Although NCS began the match with promise, KCB soon took control with consistent serving pressure and capitalized on unforced errors by the Nigerian side. NCS fought hard to close the gap with some impressive spikes and serves, but the Kenyan team held firm to take the first set 25-19.
The second set followed a similar trajectory. KCB raced to an early 11-4 lead, prompting NCS to call a timeout in hopes of regaining momentum. However, the Kenyan side proved too strong, securing the second set 25-17.
In the third set, KCB continued their dominance, extending a 5-2 lead to 17-12. Despite a spirited fightback from NCS, the Kenyan team sealed the match with another 25-17 win, completing a clean 3-0 sweep. Buoyed by enthusiastic home support, NCS now moves into the classification rounds following their exit from the main competition.
Earlier in the day, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) team also bowed out after a 3-1 defeat to Litto VC of Cameroon. The set scores were 25-22, 25-18, 18-25, and 25-17, in favor of the Cameroonian side.
The match was marked by thrilling rallies and fierce exchanges, with both teams showing determination. Litto VC edged the first set 25-22 and followed up with a dominant second set. CNS bounced back to claim the third set 25-18, but Litto sealed their quarter-final berth by taking the fourth set 25-17.
Though both Nigerian teams are out of title contention, their efforts earned applause from home fans, and they will now compete in placement matches to determine their final standings.
