The 2021 African Women’s Senior Nations Championship has been brought to a disappointing end abruptly by the Rwanda Volleyball Federation and Rwanda Ministry of Sports.
This comes on the heels of an order from the Rwanda Volleyball Federation to all the participating teams and officials to vacate the country within 24 hours.
Also Read: Africa Volleyball Championship: Nigeria lose to Cameroon in Quarter-Finals
Trouble started when the Federation Internationale de Volleyball, FIVB suspended the Rwanda Volleyball team, having fielded four ineligible players, Brazilian players.
The Rwandans played the group stages with four Brazilian players who did not meet the naturalization requirements of the International Volleyball Federation FIVB.
In a swift reaction to its expulsion, the Rwanda Sports Ministry denied the African Volleyball Confederation CAVB access to Kigali Arena for the continuation of the championship on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s head coach, Samuel Ajayi, received threatening phone calls at his hotel in Kigali, for filing a protest against the host, Rwanda.
In the meantime, FIVB says the 2 top teams Cameroon and Kenya will represent Africa at the 2022 World Championship while awaiting further information from CAVB.
Nigeria had broken a 16-year semi-final jinx following their progress to the semifinals of the 2021 African Seniors Nations Championship and was looking forward to an appearance in the final.
(Editor-Abaje Usekwe)
