Nigeria names squad for African Fencing Championship
By Vivian Ahanmisi
The Nigeria Fencing Federation has named a 12-member squad for the 23rd African Fencing Championships to be held at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25 and 29.
This marks only the third time the championship will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, after editions in Senegal (2002) and Mali (2009, 2019).
According to the Nigeria Fencing Federation, leading the team is U.S.-based Inkosi Brou, Nigeria’s first international fencing medallist.
Brou, aged 17, recently won bronze at the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, bringing valuable experience to the national team.
He has participated in several global tournaments this year, working towards qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Brou is also the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Also on the squad is UK-based Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, along with homegrown fencers Wisdom Okanlawon and siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit.
Other male team members include Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola.
The women’s squad comprises Peluola Akinbamiro, Somto Eribenne, Sara Idongesit, and Adebodunrin Thomas.
Team Nigeria will contest both individual and team events in the three fencing disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre.
National coach Ibrahim Alogba expressed optimism, noting that the team’s youthfulness could be an advantage.
“Our team is young in age and experience, which lowers pressure. We may surprise stronger teams.
“We are not afraid of reputations or records. This generation is ready to end Nigeria’s medal drought,” he added.
Italian coach Riccardo Bardin, who joined the team a week ago, praised the athletes but stressed the need for patience.
Besides Nigeria, other countries competing include Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and Benin Republic.
Others are Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the championship will feature 12 events: six individual and six team contests in foil, epee, and sabre. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
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