Ajilore praises Nigeria after 2-1 Egypt win at African Championship

Nigeria’s women’s beach volleyball pair Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa defeated Egypt’s Dina and Yakki 2-1 in the African Beach Volleyball Championship quarter-finals in Alexandria. The Nigerian duo won the deciding set 15-11 after the match finished 21-17, 15-21, 15-11.

Coach Kayode Ajilore praised the players after their victory and said their performances had shown the quality they possess. Nigeria will face Mozambique in the semi-finals on Saturday as Mbah and Bawa continue their bid to secure Africa’s only qualification place for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria made the stronger start against Egypt, taking the first set 21-17. The hosts responded by claiming the second 21-15, but Mbah and Bawa recovered their control in the final set and closed out the match 15-11.

Ajilore said the players’ progress over time had helped them perform at a high level and described them as capable of competing successfully anywhere. He also highlighted their status as Zone 3 champions while praising the character they showed after Egypt forced a deciding set.

The win has placed Nigeria in the championship’s last four, with Mozambique standing between the pair and a place in the final. Ajilore said the team would respect its opponents but expects Mbah and Bawa to produce another strong performance in the semi-final.

Nigeria’s run in Alexandria has therefore moved from a quarter-final test against Egypt to a direct fight with Mozambique for further progress in the continental competition. The result also keeps the pair’s Olympic qualification ambition alive as the championship reaches its decisive stage.