5 Nigerian Boxers Reach African Championships Finals In Nairobi

Five Nigerian boxers qualified for the finals of the African Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, with the team targeting more medals at the continental competition.

The finalists are Ajishola Kadijat (54kg), Precious Anine (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (75–80kg), Patricia Mbata (70–75kg) and Ridwan Raheem (men’s 65kg).

Their progress into the finals strengthened Nigeria’s medal prospects at the championships, which brought together elite boxers from across Africa.

Kadijat impressed in the women’s 54kg division, while Anine advanced in the 65kg category. Orakwe and Mbata also secured places in the finals in their respective weight classes, while Raheem represented Nigeria in the men’s 65kg division.

However, Raheem settled for silver after losing 3–2 to Angola’s Bernardo Massimino in a closely contested bout.

The result took Nigeria’s medal tally to five, according to a statement signed by Kola Daniel, special adviser on media to the director-general of the National Sports Commission, on Friday.

Nigeria’s performance reflects the team’s competitiveness at the championships, with the remaining finalists seeking to add to the country’s medal haul.