Sports

India 2022: Gusau to lead support for Flamingos against Colombia on Wednesday

Published

4 years ago

October 24, 2022

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will be at the forefront of the support group when the country’s U17 girls, Flamingos tackle Colombia in the semi-finals of this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Goa on Wednesday.

The NFF boss, who has spoken with the players and officials severally during their earlier games in the tournament, will physically witness the semi-final showdown at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. It is the first semi-final, starting at 4pm (12noon Nigeria time) with the second semi-final between Germany and Spain to kick off three-and-half hours later.

Victory over Colombia – who defeated the only other African team to make the knockout stage, Tanzania 3-0 in the last eight – will shoot the Flamingos into Sunday’s final.

The Flamingos’ odyssey in India has had an uncanny resemblance to that of the Nigeria U20 girls, Falconets in Germany 12 years ago, at least from the quarter-final stage.

In 2010, in what was the first international tournament for any Nigeria team under the presidency of Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the Falconets had beaten the United States 4-2 in a penalty shootout in a FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-final after both teams tied 1-1 in regulation time in Augsburg.

Four days later, a 2^nd minute goal by Ebere Orji at the Bielefelder Alm in the city of Bielefeld condemned Colombia to defeat in the semi final, and the Falconets squared up to Germany in the final.

The Flamingos are the first Nigeria team to be involved in a tournament during the presidency of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. They have beaten the United States in a penalty shootout after 1-1 draw in a World Cup quarter-final, and now await Colombia in the semi-finals.

It is also remarkable that Germany, Nigeria’s opponents in the final in Germany 12 years ago, are also in the semi-finals in India. They play Spain in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

Share on Facebook

Sports

First Lady Tinubu Tees Off AACT 2026, Calls for African Women’s Unity

Published

1 hour ago

November 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged participating African Ladies golfers to uphold sportsmanship, integrity, and African unity.

She spoke at the ceremonial tee-off of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Tinubu noted that the championship’s theme, “Uniting Africa Through the Greens”, reflected golf’s ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries while promoting friendship, sisterhood and a shared African identity.

She urged the participating golfers to compete with passion and integrity, adding: “To our remarkable female golfers, you are an inspiration to women everywhere. Play with passion, compete with integrity and let sportsmanship guide every stroke.”

The First Lady welcomed foreign delegates and participants, encouraging them to explore Nigeria’s landmarks, culture and hospitality during their stay.

Senator Tinubu commended LGAN President and Chairperson, Local Organising Committee, 2026 AACT, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, the Association’s executive council, and local Organising Committee for their efforts in bringing the continental championship to Nigeria.

She also commended the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) for its initiative to introduce 300 girls to golf as part of AACT programmes.

Tinubu said the Girls in Golf initiative Legacy Project would create opportunities for young girls to participate in the sport and develop the next generation of female golfers.

“As a mother and advocate for women and girls, I commend the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria for the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, which will introduce 300 young girls to golf across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria and open new opportunities for the next generation,” she said.

She subsequently declared the championship open and performed the ceremonial tee-off.
Earlier, Lami Ahmed said hosting the championship for the third time was both an honour and a responsibility for Nigeria.

She said the tournament provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships among African countries through golf, despite differences in nationalities, languages and cultures.

“Though we compete under different flags, we remain united as one African family,” she said.
Ahmed described the Girls in Golf initiative Legacy Project as a major part of the association’s long-term commitment to growing the sport, saying it would expose 300 girls across the six geopolitical zones to the opportunities and values of golf.

She added that while the championship would produce winners, its lasting significance would lie in the friendships established, unity strengthened, and young girls inspired.

“As we begin this historic championship, let us remember the trophies will find their winners, but the friendships we build, the unity we strengthen and the young girls we inspire will remain our greatest victory,” she said.

Nigeria is hosting the continental women’s golf championship for the third time, bringing together female golfers from across 20 African countries to compete and promote the development of the sport.

Share on Facebook