2026 CGC Volleyball League: Customs coach targets title as Fire Service hails young players
2026 CGC Volleyball League: Customs coach targets title as Fire Service hails young players
The head coach of Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Salisu, says his team is targeting victory at the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League final phase following its impressive performance in the competition.
Salisu spoke after his team defeated Fire Service 3-0 in the women’s category at the Indoor Sports Hall of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
He attributed the team’s performance to the support and encouragement of the Comptroller-General of Customs and the service’s sports secretary.
He said the sponsorship secured through the Comptroller-General had also provided opportunities for international exposure, contributing to the team’s improvement.
According to him, the team remains focused on winning the competition, although three matches are still left to play.
“Because of the sponsorship we are getting, we are improving, from all indications, it seems we are going to win. We still have three more matches. Every point and every match is important for us, but that is our target,” he said.
On the other hand, the Fire Service head coach described the competition as an encouraging experience for his young and relatively inexperienced team.
He said the tournament was the first league participation for most of his players, who were competing against opponents with several years of experience.
“My team is a young side, inexperienced and upcoming. This is our first league participation, eventually, for most of my players too.
“You can imagine somebody who is coming to meet veterans, we have been playing against: persons who have two years, three years, five years and six years of experience.”
“We hardly have six months of experience, and already we are becoming winners,” he said.
The coach commended the standard of officiating, describing it as fair in spite of what he called occasional human imperfections.
He, however, identified inadequate funding and team support as major challenges affecting his side’s development and ability to recruit more experienced players.
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According to him, limited resources have compelled the coaching staff to concentrate on teaching players basic techniques and tactical approaches alongside their overall game strategy.
He said the team was still developing its players’ understanding of ball control, covering, spiking and how to respond to opponents with different physical attributes and playing styles.
“We do not have these experienced players who could give in our attack to get what we are looking for, but with what we have, we are building.
“Even with that, I am impressed with their performance and their upcoming. That feeling, that spirit, is an encouraging one,” he said.
All the Day 11 matches were played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
However, today marks the match day 11 In both men and women category. In the Men’s category, Nigeria Customs Service defeated Kano Pillars 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 28-26), while COAS Spikers beat UCEM VC 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-18).
Defence Spikers defeated Life Camp 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 25-27, 25-21), while NSCDC beat Offa VC 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21).
Nigeria Police Force defeated Sunshine Spikers 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21), while Nigeria Correctional Service beat Ajase Ipo 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-23).
In the women’s category, VIP Spikers defeated Excelsior VC 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-19), while COAS Spikers beat Kada Emeralds 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-19).
Nigeria Customs Service defeated Fire Service 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-15), while CNS Spikers beat NSCDC 3-2 (25-23, 25-15, 23-25, 25-27, 15-10).
NAF Rockets defeated Benue Queens 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-14, 25-19), while Life Camp VC beat Anambra 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-22).
