Volleyball: Police defends Africa Zone 3A trophy

The Police male volleyball team thrashed the Nigeria Customs Service 3-0 to successfully defend the Zone 3A Africa volleyball club championship trophy.

They thumped the Nigerians in three straight sets of 25-22, 25-19, 25-17 to cement their status as champions at the just-ended event played at the Indoor Hall of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

The Ghanaians proved their superiority over the Nigerians, beating them to the ultimate for the second consecutive time since the revival of the championship.

It was the Nigerians who got off to a good start putting pressure on the Ghanaians in the first set but the Ghanaians regrouped quickly to win the set.

Unfazed by the home support the Nigerians enjoyed, the Ghanaian side strolled comfortably to claim the second and third sets.

The Ghana Police team announced their readiness to defend the trophy they won the previous year by recording a 3-0 win over Togolese opponents, OTR Volleyball Club and recorded similar victories against other opponents to make the final.

Police players Paul Akan was voted the Best Setter whilst Mustapha Marfo won Best Attacker with John Armah claiming Best Defender and Amarno Richard as the Best Server.

Coach of the Police team, Elisha Ayiku in a post-match interview said the win affirmed their grip on the tournament, having beaten them twice in their own backyard.

Coach Ayiku said the volleyball focus will shift to preparation for by the national side which has a large chunk of the Police players for the qualifications to the Africa games in Morocco.

The team is expected to return to Nigeria for the Africa games qualifiers.

In the Women’s division of the competition the Nigerian Customs defeated Nigeria Immigration 3-0 to lift the trophy.

BY NANA BENTSI ODURO