The Ghana U-19 men’s volleyball team delivered an outstanding performance to claim silver at the 2024 Men’s U-19 Nations Volleyball Championship held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

In the grand finale, the determined Ghanaian team faced Sierra Leone but fell short, losing in two straight sets with scores of 21-13 and 21-11. Despite the defeat, their second-place finish earned them a qualification spot for the 2024 Volleyball World Championship in China.

Led by their experienced head coach Seidu Ajanako, the Ghana team began their campaign with a victory over DR Congo in three sets. Despite a loss to Namibia in their second match (21-13, 21-18), they qualified for the quarterfinals. In a remarkable turn of events, Ghana avenged their group-stage defeat to Namibia by winning in straight sets (22-20, 25-23) in the quarterfinals and then defeating DR Congo again in the semifinals (22-20, 21-18) to secure a place in the final.

The final match against Sierra Leone was challenging, and the inexperienced Ghanaians struggled, resulting in a straight-set loss (21-13, 21-11). Nevertheless, the team, featuring standout talents like Emmanuel Abbey (blocker) and Ebenezer Anyetei (defender), left the tournament with a sense of pride and promise.

Accompanied by Mr. George Tettey, President of the Ghana Volleyball Association, and Mr. Mohammed Aputeog (Executive Board Member), the team also included senior players Kelvin Carboo, Phillip Amissah, and Emmanuel Adamitey.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Executive Board Member Mohammed Aputeog acknowledged the team’s inexperience but praised their effort, stating, “We could’ve won gold, but for their inexperience. It’s their first time competing on the national level.” He also mentioned the need for funding and support as the team prepares for the upcoming World Championship in China, with plans to start training after a week of rest.

The Ghana U-19 men’s volleyball team displayed great potential and resilience, and they aim to make Ghana proud at the 2024 World U-19 Volleyball Championships with support from corporate bodies for their preparation.