History making Nigeria’s beach volleyball pair arrive home to heroic reception

Nigeria’s beach volleyball history entered a new chapter on Sunday as Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa returned home to a rousing reception following their qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The pair were welcomed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by officials of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), supporters and members of the volleyball community, barely 24 hours after producing a landmark victory in Egypt.

Mbah and Bawa had defeated Morocco 2-0 (21-17, 21-10) in the final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria on Saturday, earning Nigeria its maiden Olympic ticket in beach volleyball.

Their triumph represents a breakthrough for a programme that has endured several unsuccessful attempts to reach the Olympics.

The celebration continued at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B Indoor Hall, where the NVBF hosted a special reception and dinner for the athletes.

NVBF President Musa Nimrod described the achievement as the culmination of a 16-year wait and credited God for finally ending Nigeria’s Olympic qualification drought in the discipline.

Nimrod recalled Nigeria’s unsuccessful attempts during the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 qualification cycles, saying the latest success finally brought an end to years of frustration.

“This is the fourth one. I want to say that it is God, it’s not a human being,” he said.

The federation chief said he had spoken with the players and prayed with them ahead of the decisive final against Morocco.

He also noted that the achievement carried special significance because Nigerian volleyball has been affiliated with the FIVB since 1969 without an Olympic appearance.

Despite the celebration, Nimrod immediately turned attention to the work ahead, insisting that Nigeria cannot afford to relax after securing its place in Los Angeles.

He said the players must compete regularly on the international circuit, recommending at least five World Tour appearances to improve their ranking before the Games.

A strong ranking, he explained, would be crucial to avoiding a difficult draw at the Olympics.

Beach Volleyball Commission Chairman, retired DCP Stephen Hasso, described the achievement as a defining moment for the federation and appealed for greater government investment in the team.

Hasso urged the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders to provide the resources needed for sustained training and international participation, stressing that Nigeria now has two years to build a competitive Olympic team.

For Mbah, the emotional welcome provided a fitting reward after the disappointment of the previous Olympic qualification campaign.

She recalled the defeat to Egypt during the Paris 2024 race and said the setback forced the pair to reassess their approach and develop a stronger mentality.

The experience ultimately helped them approach the latest championship with renewed determination.

“We had to reset and made up our mind to be resilient and go in for this competition because we want to make a name for ourselves and make our country proud,” Mbah said.

She also sent a confident message ahead of the Olympics: “We’ve qualified for the Olympics. The next stage is LA. See you in Los Angeles.”

Nigerian Olympic Committee President Habu Ahmed Gumel joined the growing chorus of congratulations, describing the qualification as a significant achievement for the nation’s sports sector.

Gumel pledged that the NOC would work with the National Sports Commission and the Federal Government to ensure the athletes receive a structured preparation programme.

He stressed that merely qualifying for the Olympics was not enough, noting that adequate preparation would be essential if Nigeria is to compete successfully in Los Angeles.

NVBF Anti-Doping and Medical Commission Chairperson Chinedu Odozor-Onikeku also urged stakeholders to begin the Olympic programme immediately, arguing that preparation for an event of such magnitude should start long before the Games.

For Mbah and Bawa, however, the immediate priority is to savour a moment that Nigerian beach volleyball has waited decades to experience.

Their qualification has transformed an elusive Olympic dream into reality and could provide a major boost to the development and popularity of beach volleyball across Nigeria.