Nigeria shines at All Africa Senior Badminton Championship, wins seven medals

Nigeria’s badminton team delivered an outstanding performance at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championship in Cairo 2024, securing a total of seven medals. 

Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Nigeria’s top badminton player, claimed his fifth African title and secured a third consecutive victory.

Opeyori’s achievements include previous titles such as the All Africa Senior Championships Men’s Singles in Port Harcourt (2019), All Africa Games in Morocco (2019), All Africa Senior Championships in Uganda (2022), and All Africa Senior Championships in South Africa (2023). His recent triumph in Egypt marked his fifth African title.

Despite a narrow loss to Algeria in the Men’s Team event finals, the Nigerian male team secured a silver medal. 

The Women’s team added to Nigeria’s medal count with a valuable bronze after losing to the Ugandan women’s team in the semifinals.

In the individual event, Anuoluwapo Opeyori emerged victorious by beating Victor Ikechukwu in the semifinals and overcoming Mauritian Georges Julien Paul in the finals. 

Opeyori’s triumph marked his third consecutive win in the individual event and his fifth African title overall.

Nigeria also showcased its talent in doubles events, with Yunusa Momoh Godwin Olofua earning a silver medal in the Men’s Doubles event. The Women’s Doubles category saw Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan and Sofiyat Obanishola securing a bronze medal.

Aliyu Alhaji Shehu and Deborah Ukeh-Divine added another bronze medal to Nigeria’s impressive medal tally in the mixed doubles event. 

Nigeria secured one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, showcasing the team’s strength and potential.

Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, expressed gratitude for the team’s performance and acknowledged the support from the Ministry of Sports Development.

Orbih pledged continued support for players across categories and levels, emphasizing the commitment to developing badminton in Nigeria.