Sports

Flamingos trash New Zealand 4-0, ready to face Chile

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2022

Nigeria bounced back into contention at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Friday after a 4-0 trouncing of New Zealand in Goa. The scoreline would have been much higher had the girls from Nigeria converted more of their scoring opportunities.

The Flamingos, who lost narrowly 2-1 to Germany on Tuesday, started spritely and had come close a number of times before Aminat Omowunmi Bello headed into the net after a sweet pull-out by left-back Tumininu Adeshina.

Right-back Miracle Usani, whose marvellous free-kick put Germany on the back-foot on Tuesday, scored her second of the tournament and Nigeria’s second in the 34^th minute to make it 2-0 in favour of Africa’s best team at the interval.

Ajakaye, the team’s top scorer in the African qualifying campaign, headed powerfully from Adeshina’s corner on the hour mark, but the New Zealand goalkeeper punched the ball away.

Substitute Edidiong Etim and Ajakaye missed opportunities within a minute, but in the 75^th minute, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi scored Nigeria’s third by swinging the ball into the top right corner from 20 yards.

Substitute Etim would have the last say with five of six additional minutes played, when she capitalized on a defensive blunder to lift the ball past the opposing keeper.

Victory gave Nigeria three precious points, and stand them in good stead for qualification if they defeat Chile on Monday afternoon at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

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Sports

Vipers VC celebrate captain Esther Mbah on birthday

Published

17 hours ago

November 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Vipers Volleyball Club have felicitated with their captain, Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.

In a statement signed by the Vipers VC Team Manager, Suraj Abiodun Jabar; the club described Mbah as a leader who has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the court.

The statement also praised the Nigerian international for her valuable contributions to the club.

The statement mentioned her role in guiding Vipers to a second-place finish at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Club Championship in Ghana.

It read: “The management of Vipers Volleyball Club wants to celebrate Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.

“She has been an asset to Vipers since joining the club, demonstrating outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership.

“Her contributions to the growth and success of the team have been invaluable.

“We appreciate her efforts, professionalism and the positive influence she continues to have on her teammates. We wish her more successful years ahead, good health and greater achievements.”

The club concluded its birthday message by wishing the experienced player continued success as she leads the team towards achieving more honours.

Beyond her achievements at club level, Mbah won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, further establishing herself as one of the country’s accomplished volleyball players.

She has also secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding another milestone to her growing career.

In their separate messages, board members of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, James Datuhun and Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) as well as Coordinator of Vipers VC, Samuel Onikeku wished the Nigeria international a glamorous birthday.

They hailed Esther Mbah for exhibiting a high level of leadership trait since joining the team.

The stakeholders prayed for good health and ultimately success as she prepares for the Beach Volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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