Nigeria women boxers

Nigeria women boxers delivered a memorable performance at the 2026 African Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, winning three gold medals and one silver in the women’s finals.

Ajishola Khadijat, Precious Anine and team captain Blessing Orakwe emerged as Nigeria‘s gold medallists, while Patricia Mbata secured silver after a narrow defeat in her final.

The achievement marked a significant turnaround for the Nigerian contingent, which had endured a difficult start to the continental competition before producing stronger performances in the decisive bouts.

According to a press release issued by the National Sports Commission (NSC), the results demonstrated the fighters’ resilience and determination to finish the championship on a high.

 Nigeria women boxers open gold account

Khadijat set the tone for Nigeria’s success by defeating Algeria‘s Malak Noir E. 5–0 in the women’s 51–54kg final.

The Nigerian boxer earned a unanimous decision from the judges to secure the country’s first gold medal of the women’s finals.

Her victory provided an important boost for the team as the remaining finalists pursued continental honours.

Precious Anine subsequently claimed Nigeria’s second gold medal after overcoming Algeria’s Benane Djouher in the women’s 60–65kg category.

Anine’s victory strengthened Nigeria’s medal haul and continued the country’s impressive showing in the women’s competition.

 Nigeria women boxers celebrate Orakwe’s knockout

The most emphatic victory came from captain Blessing Orakwe, who stopped Kenya’s Akinyi Elizabeth in the first round of their women’s 75–80kg final.

Orakwe’s knockout sealed Nigeria’s third gold medal among the female boxers and provided a fitting highlight to the team’s campaign.

The captain had entered the final determined to deliver for Nigeria, having already demonstrated her finishing ability in the earlier stages of the competition.

Her victory also reinforced the importance of her leadership as the Nigerian team recovered from its disappointing opening results.

 Mbata adds silver to Nigeria women boxers’ haul

Patricia Mbata completed Nigeria’s women’s medal tally with silver in the 70–75kg division.

She lost 3–2 to Egypt‘s Aboelfead Nabila in a closely contested final that could have gone either way.

Although Mbata narrowly missed out on gold, her run to the final ensured Nigeria finished the women’s competition with four medals.

The broader Nigerian contingent also secured another silver through Ridwan Raheem in the men’s 65kg category, taking the country’s overall championship tally to three gold and two silver medals.

 Nigeria women boxers vindicate coaching crew

The results also provided encouragement for the Nigerian technical crew, including Cross River State head coach Mary Obo Ekpo, who had expressed confidence in the team’s ability to recover from its early setbacks.

Reflecting on the difficult opening phase, Ekpo told PUNCH Sports: “Sunday was not a day I would want to talk about.”

The coach explained that the team worked to motivate the boxers, with their subsequent performances demonstrating a marked improvement.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation, led by president Adebayo Olawale Edun and vice-president Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, will also take encouragement from the results as preparations continue for future international competitions.

The National Sports Commission, through the statement signed by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media to the Director-General, celebrated the boxers’ achievements as a positive sign for Nigerian boxing.

For the three gold medallists, Nairobi provided an opportunity to turn early disappointment into continental success. Their performances, alongside Mbata’s silver, gave Nigeria a strong finish and renewed momentum on the African boxing stage.

The post Nigeria’s women boxers claim three gold medals in Nairobi appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Despite challenging results at the ongoing African Boxing Elite Championships 2026, Nigeria’s Head of Delegation, Capt. Rasulun Kashim, has expressed confidence in the country’s boxing prospects, insisting that sustained support and international exposure will produce stronger performances.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation board member made the declaration during an exclusive interview with Sports247 in Nairobi, where he praised the federation’s leadership for supporting the Nigerian contingent.

Kashim particularly commended the NBF president for the commitment demonstrated towards the team’s participation in the continental championship.

“I must commend our federation president. With the kind of support we are getting, I think we will surely do well,” he stated.

According to him, Nigeria arrived at the competition with strong belief in the abilities of its boxers and determination to compete favourably against other African nations.

Although some results have not gone Nigeria’s way, Kashim maintained that the athletes have demonstrated encouraging qualities.

“The boxers are good, and they are doing very well,” he said.

The delegation leader explained that developing successful athletes requires patience, regular competition and continuous investment in training and exposure.

He stressed that international tournaments offer important opportunities for Nigerian fighters to assess their abilities against opponents with different technical approaches.

Kashim also highlighted the importance of teamwork among federation officials, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.

He believes that consistent institutional support will help Nigerian boxing overcome challenges and build a stronger foundation for future competitions.

The delegation leader’s comments come after Nigerian boxers Aishat Gbadamosi and Abdulramon Abdulwahab experienced disappointing decisions against opponents from Algeria and Egypt.

Rather than allowing those setbacks to define Nigeria’s participation, Kashim expressed confidence in the athletes’ abilities and future development.

He maintained that the federation’s support remains vital to helping the country’s boxing talents realise their potential.

For Kashim, the Nairobi championship is not simply about immediate victories but also about building experience, strengthening confidence and preparing Nigerian boxers for future success.

The post “Our Boxers Are Good, We Will Surely Do Well” — Capt. Kashim Backs Nigerian Fighters, Praises NBF President in Nairobi appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

The Head of Nigeria’s delegation to the African Boxing Elite Championships 2026, Capt. Rasulun Kashim, has applauded the Kenyan government and tournament organisers for creating an important platform for African boxers to develop their skills and gain valuable international exposure.

READ ALSO: “Nigeria Must Take It’s  Place In African Boxing Politics” — Delegation Leader Capt. Rasulun Kashim Speaks Out in Nairobi | Sports247 Nigeria

Kashim, who also serves on the board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, delivered the commendation during an exclusive interview with Sports247 in Nairobi.

According to him, continental competitions provide opportunities for athletes from different African countries to test their abilities, exchange experiences and prepare for greater international challenges.

“I must start by commending the organisers and the government of Kenya for putting up this kind of tournament,” Kashim stated.

“This is giving African boxers the chance to come together. From everything we have seen, this is a platform for our boxers to improve, and we look forward to more of these kinds of competitions.”

The Nigerian delegation leader explained that regular championships are essential to strengthening boxing development across Africa.

He noted that competing against opponents from different countries helps athletes understand various fighting techniques, improve their confidence and become more familiar with international competition standards.

Kashim believes that African boxing will benefit significantly if more countries commit resources towards organising similar championships.

He also acknowledged the importance of providing young athletes with opportunities to compete beyond their national borders.

For Nigerian boxers participating in Nairobi, the championship represents another stage in their professional development, regardless of individual results.

Kashim maintained that exposure remains a critical ingredient in building competitive athletes capable of representing their countries successfully at major international tournaments.

He expressed optimism that the experience gained in Kenya would contribute positively to the development of Nigeria’s boxing contingent.

The delegation leader further encouraged continued collaboration among African boxing stakeholders to sustain opportunities for athletes across the continent.

His message was clear: Africa needs more competitions, stronger cooperation and consistent investment in platforms that allow its boxers to grow.

The post “Kenya Has Given African Boxers a Big Opportunity!” — Nigeria’s Delegation Leader Hails Nairobi Championship appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.