Head coach of Nigeria’s beach volleyball team Francis Imoudu says the women’s team is one step away from qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Imoudu’s assertion came after Nigeria women’s beach volleyball team finished first at the Zone 3 2020 Olympic qualifiers in Laboma, Ghana.

Nigeria twice defeated Benin Republic 2-0 (21-3, 21-7) and 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) before also twice overcoming hosts Ghana 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) and 2-0 (21-12, 21-11).

Imoudu said his team’s performances so far show that they are odds on to seal qualification to the Olympics later this year.

“With the performance of the girls at the Zone 3 qualifiers emerging first, the signs are there that we will make it to Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we are just one step away from Japan,” the veteran coach said.

“I commend the women’s beach volleyball team for their resilience and determination. They played well and did the country proud in Ghana.

“The girls used tactical discipline to subdue Benin Republic and Ghana in their respective matches. The Ghanaian team was powering in the beginning of the matches but we had a game plan which was perfectly executed,” he added.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) Musa Nimrod commended the players for qualifying for the next round of the Olympic qualifiers.

He expressed great optimism that the players can shock their yet to be decided opponents in the final round and seal progress to Tokyo.