Nigeria’s beach volley ball girls eye Youth Olympics

Nigeria’s gold medallists in girls’ beach volleyball, Joy Lawrence and Pamela Bawa have said their next target is to qualify for the Youth Olympics billed for Senegal next year. The duo defeated Egypt 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) yesterday to add to Nigeria’s gold medals at the ongoing Africa Youth games in Angola. Speaking after the victory, […]

Nigeria’s gold medallists in girls’ beach volleyball, Joy Lawrence and Pamela Bawa have said their next target is to qualify for the Youth Olympics billed for Senegal next year.

The duo defeated Egypt 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) yesterday to add to Nigeria’s gold medals at the ongoing Africa Youth games in Angola.

Speaking after the victory, Joy Lawrence said

“We saw ourselves on the podium even before the competition started.

“We trained very hard for this and we are happy that our efforts were rewarded. We are happy to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians who watched us today and the ones back home.

“This has encouraged us to do more in future to make Nigerians happy. From here we will start preparing for the Youth Olympics. We will work hard to still be on the podium there,” she said.

The Kaduna-based beach volleyball sensation also recounted their journey to victory.

“The matches were tough but our toughest match was against Egypt in this final but we resolved that we will not lose.

“We told ourselves that after coming this far we will not leave without the gold,” said Joy.The legendary midfielder put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute with a well-taken free-kick, but the visitors fought back and equalised from the spot in the 40th minute.

However, “Pele” grabbed the match winner with his second from the penalty spot in first half added time after Pillars’ most influential player, Ahmed Musa, was fouled in the box.

Although they managed to record their fourth win of the season, Pillars are still rooted at the bottom of the table with 12 points from 16 matches.

Another Kano club, Barau FC also had a good day in the office after they forced hosts El-Kanemi Warriors to a goalless draw to improve their chances of escaping the drop.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Chidozie Iwundu hit a brace as Enugu Rangers crushed Bayelsa United 4-1 with all five goals coming in the first half of the match.

Iwundu opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and added the second in the 17th minute before Issa Yusuf reduced the deficit for the visitors in the 22nd minute.

However, Rangers completed the rout after Kenechukwu Agu and Chimobi Igwilo scored a goal each in the 33rd and 38th minute respectively.

Elsewhere, Rivers United forced Abia Warriors to a 1-1 draw in Umuahia. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 87th minute through Maclyn Biokpo Jenewari but Lawal Suraj drew Warriors level in the fifth minute of added time.

In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Tornadoes 2-0. Babatunde Bright scored the opener for the “Afonja Warriors” in the 15th minute, before the visitors gifted them the second when Ogunbribide scored an own goal in the 37th minute.

At the Jos City Stadium, Plateau United edged Warri Wolves 1-0 in an ill-tempered contest that saw each team ending the match with 10-men.

In Abeokuta, Victor Mbaoma scored a brace as Remo Stars defeated former African champions Enyimba 2-1, while Ikorodu City forced Wikki Tourists to a goalless draw in Bauchi to retain the top position with 28 points.

However, title contenders Nasarawa United with 27 points would topple the Lagos side if they beat 3SC at home today.