Volleyball: Onikeku hails Customs team’s dominant league victory , sets sight on Africa glory
Volleyball
By Aderonke Ojo
Abuja, Dec.11, 2025 ( NAN) Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Samuel Onikeku, praised the women’s volleyball team’s outstanding performance, securing the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs Volleyball Premier League title with three matches to spare.
Onikeku who spoke in a interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, reflected on the team’s impressive journey this season.
He said that deliberate restructuring and the infusion of younger talents played a pivotal role in their success.
“We opened camp to try to change our team. We brought in younger players, and this is the first time that with three matches to go, we’ve already won the league.
“Last season, the women’s team won the CGC Volleyball League on the last day.
“I’m very proud of the team, the coordinators, the coaches, the team managers, and the players.
“ It’s been a long way coming—going through the first phase unbeaten in 10 matches, and now achieving this milestone. It means a lot, especially coming from our victory in Ghana,” he said.
Onikeku said that in spite of the early triumph, the team is focused on bigger ambitions as they continue to build a squad capable of excelling beyond the domestic and regional levels.
“As we have always said, we want to do well, and we are still in the process of fortifying our team.
“ We don’t want to be just national champions or regional champions. We believe Nigeria should be able to stand and face the North Africans,” he stated.
He added that the team’s long-term development strategy will begin to show clearer results in 2026 when preparations intensify for major continental competitions.
With the league crown already secured, the Nigeria Customs team is now setting its sights on consolidating its dominance and mounting a strong challenge on the African stage.
NAN reports that NCS beat Anambra Queens 3-0( 25-13,25-14,25-21) at the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, on Day 10 of the final phase of the championship.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
STJ/JPE
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Edited by Joseph Edeh