Abuja – Nigeria’s women beach volleyball team on Thursday defeated Mauritius 2-0 in the Rio Olympic Games Qualifiers which got underway at the Jabi Lakeside in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 countries are participating in the event also known as the Continental Cup Women’s Finals.
They have been grouped into two, Pools A and B, with each country divided into two teams to have 20 teams in all.
The Nigeria 1 team of Franscisa Ikhiede and Tochukwu Nnoruga on court one defeated Mauritius 2 pair of Heidi Bauda and Maita Cousin 21-16, 21-11 for a 2-0 victory.
African champions Priscilla Agera and Isabella Laju, who are Nigeria 2, however experienced a rather tough game before beating Vanessa Chellumben and Angelique Ramdoss of Mauritius 1.
Agera and Laju, playing on court two, beat Chellumben and Ramdoss 21-12, 21-19 to end 2-0.
Charkuma Ismail, coach of the Nigerian side, praised his team for their performance.
“We are already on our way to Brazil. It is not going to be a problem for us to qualify because I have not seen any team that can match our team.
“We have no challenges, because I have given the players enough training needed to do well.
“There is no doubt that we will clinch the ticket,’’ he assured.
Reza Itoola, coach of Mauritius, on his part, said his team played well but the better side won.
“We had represented the continent in London 2012, and now I guess everyone wants to beat us.
“The sun and sand here (in Abuja) are also very hot and they are affecting my players.
“Also, Nigeria is getting support from the fans and it has helped them a lot.
“So, the game was good and the better side won,’’ he said.
In the opening match of the competition, Mauritius 1 had defeated Ghana 2 2-0 (21-12, 21-12), while Ghana 1 lost 2-1 to Mauritius 2 (15-21, 21-16, 11-15).
Also, Mozambique 1 defeated Namibia 2 2-0 (21-13, 21-17), while Namibia 1 also lost 0-2 to Mozambique 2 (9-21, 12-21).
NAN reports that the competition’s winners will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games scheduled for from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21.(NAN)