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Akinrinsola: Nigeria Must Believe as Netball Team Steps Up World Cup Push
Nigeria’s national netball team is stepping up preparations for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 African Qualifier, with head coach Alison Akinrinsola urging her players to believe in themselves and embrace the opportunity to make history for the country.
The team is currently training in London as preparations intensify for the African qualifier scheduled for September 19–26, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Read Also: Aluko: Nigeria Ready for World Cup Battle as Netball Team Steps Up London Preparations
Akinrinsola has been encouraged by the team’s recent international exposure, having faced Jamaica, Pakistan and Scotland in friendly matches before the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month.
The coach believes those encounters have given the players valuable experience and a better understanding of what will be required when they face some of Africa’s best teams in Nairobi.
“We have seen where we are, we know the areas we need to improve, and we are working hard to get better,” Akinrinsola said.
She added that the team is using every training session to improve its tactical understanding, build stronger combinations and develop the confidence required to compete against quality opposition.
Her message to the players has been one of confidence, discipline and unity as Nigeria prepares for a competition where two World Cup places are at stake.
“We are not going there just to participate. We are going there to compete and fight for Nigeria,” she said.
Nigeria will line up alongside South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania in the African qualifier.
South Africa and Uganda have already secured World Cup places through the ranking route, making the Nairobi tournament particularly important for Nigeria and the other teams chasing the remaining African opportunities.
With the players training in London, Akinrinsola and her technical team are focused on building a cohesive squad capable of handling the pressure and intensity of the competition.
The coach believes the team’s recent international experience, combined with the current preparations, can give Nigeria the confidence needed to challenge strongly in Nairobi.
For Nigeria, the mission is simple: prepare well, believe strongly and fight for a historic ticket to Sydney.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 15 kidnap victims and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Edo, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states.
An operational report indicated that the operations were conducted between October 1 and 2.
In Edo State, the report said the troops of 195 Battalion, responding to a kidnap incident along the Ekor-Ikakumo road in Akoko-Edo, rescued three victims.
It said the troops exploited the kidnappers’ withdrawal route and rescued the victims, including the driver of a passenger bus travelling from Makurdi to Ibadan, Oyo State.
In Kaduna State, the report said the troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), foiled a kidnap attempt along the Godogodo-Gidan Waya road in the Jema’a Local Government Area.
It added that the intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon a victim who sustained gunshot wounds and flee.
According to the report, the victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Gidan Waya, for treatment, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
“In another operation, troops of the same sector arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa Village in Sanga Local Government Area.
“Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations in Benue and Kogi.
“In Katsina-Ala, Benue, troops responded to kidnapping activities at Gbise, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon three victims,” it said.
The report addedthat troops operating in conjunction with vigilantes rescued three kidnapped herders at Agbadu Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It added that the criminals fled following the troops’ intervention, abandoning the victims and 21 cattle, which were also recovered.
In Rivers State, the report said the troops of 16 Brigade, in conjunction with 5 Battalion, discovered 60 sacks containing about 3,000 litres of illegally refined products and a drum at Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The report added that therecovered items were handled in line with extant regulations.
(NAN)
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