By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) asserted its dominance in the 2026 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League, finishing the first phase of the competition at the top of both the men’s and women’s standings after the final round of matches in Abuja.
The Customs men’s team completed a perfect campaign, winning all 12 of their matches to collect the maximum 36 points. They sealed their unbeaten run with a commanding 3-0 victory over COAS Spikers, claiming the sets 25-23, 25-18 and 25-20.
Other results in the men’s category saw CNS Spikers defeat Offa VC 3-0, NSCDC record a straight-set win over UCEM, Nigeria Police Force overcome Sunshine Spikers 3-0, Nigeria Correctional Service beat Defence Spikers 3-1, while Life Camp VC edged Kano Pillars 3-2 in an entertaining five-set thriller.
At the end of the opening phase, Nigeria Customs led the men’s standings with 36 points, ahead of COAS Spikers (29), CNS Spikers (28), NSCDC (26), Nigeria Correctional Service (22), Kano Pillars (20), Defence Spikers (18), UCEM (14), Nigeria Police Force (14), Life Camp VC (11), Offa VC (8), AVC (5) and Sunshine Spikers (4).
In the women’s competition, Nigeria Customs suffered their first defeat of the season but still retained top spot with 34 points. COAS Spikers came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory after Customs recovered from two sets down to force a deciding set, which COAS dominated 15-5.
Elsewhere, NSCDC defeated Fire Service Spikers 3-0, CNS Spikers overcame NAF Rockets in straight sets, Vipers Spikers beat Benue Queens 3-0, Life Camp VC defeated Olalomi Royal Angels 3-0, while Kada Emeralds secured a 3-0 victory over Excelsior VC.
The women’s standings after the first phase saw Nigeria Customs finish first with 34 points, followed by COAS Spikers (33) and NSCDC (31). Vipers Spikers occupied fourth place with 25 points, ahead of CNS Spikers (24), NAF Rockets (19), Fire Service Spikers (16), Anambra (13), Benue Queens (12), Life Camp VC (10), Olalomi Royal Angels (9), Kada Emeralds (7) and Excelsior (1).
Speaking after his side’s victory over Nigeria Customs, COAS Spikers head coach Elishama Elam praised his players for executing the team’s strategy against the defending champions.
“Our target was to win 3-0, but Nigeria Customs are an experienced and quality team. I thank God my players followed instructions and played like champions,” Elam said.
He also hailed the steady development of volleyball in Nigeria, noting that the quality of local players has improved significantly.
“Nigerian volleyball is improving rapidly. If you compare the standard now with previous years, the difference is obvious. Very soon, international scouts will begin to come to Nigeria because the quality of our players keeps getting better,” he added.
Elam, however, appealed for increased corporate sponsorship of the sport, stressing that more competitions would help sustain player development and raise the standard of the league.
“We need more sponsors in volleyball. It is an exciting sport, and with more support, there will be more championships. Our players have played 13 matches consecutively, and many are exhausted. More competitions will keep them active and improve the standard of the game,” he said.
With the first phase concluded, attention now shifts to the Super Cup before teams return for the second phase of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League in the race for league honours.
