Nigeria,Egypt in Volleyball Gala Shield clash

Nigeria, hosts of the International Volleyball Gala Shield now holding in Abuja, are set to take on their Egyptian counterparts in a the decisive game to determine who eventually wins the trophy at stake. Both countries won their respective openers but, the Egyptians are on top of the table, courtesy of a three sets victory over England.

The Nigerian team defeated youthful Iceland 3-1 to trail Egypt that were really ruthless against England. So, tomorrow's final conflict would determine whetheror not, Nigeria's 3-1 victory over Iceland was not a mere dress rehersal. Both Nigeria and Egypt had met in various events, with the latter proving a tough nut to crack. The question many volleyball followers are asking is; "who wins in tomorrow's encounter - Nigeria or Egypt?"

The answer would be available after the conflict in the Indoor Hall of the Abuja National Stadium. Remarkably, players of both teams are no strangers to the Abuja Indoor Hall. A good number of them were there during the 8th All Africa Games, where Nigeria out- spiked the Egyptians. And recently, a sizeable number of the Egyptian junior players, who are still in their team for the Gala Shield Championship, were there for the African Junior Championship, which the North African won.So, their locking of horns tomorrow afternoon in the final to decide the champions, is being viewed as a repeat of their previous encounters.

This time, its going to be purely an exhibition of skills. Technically, the North African side has been ruthless and are technically sound to out-spike their Nigerian
counterparst for the shield. This is why the Nigerian coach, Terry Haaka is alreadydeveloping goose pimples. Remarkably, the North Africans have on parade, just a foreign-based professional, Laillah Sallini, who is based in Germany. Also, the Egyptianteam is dominated mostly by junior players, who featured in the recent African Championship held here in Abuja.

Aside the agile Sallini, the Egyptians parade enterprising players, who could hold any tough side in the world. Nigerian players, still basking in the euphoria of their victory over their guests at the All African Games, have been boasting of victory. Should their boasts be translated into action on the court, then the heat would be on the North African invaders. The regulars in the Nigerian team are Christie Amadi, Ladi Jalmet, Esther Duru, Dorothy Egbum, Doris Ogolo and Chinyere Onuoha among others.