Team Nigeria Shines in Boxing at African Youth Games, Clinch Two Golds in Angola

Team Nigeria’s boxing contingent produced a commendable outing at the 4th African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola, finishing as one of the standout teams at the tournament.

Led by seasoned coach Anthony Konyegwachie, the Nigerian boxers displayed skill, discipline and resilience, winning two gold medals and one bronze to underline the country’s rising profile in youth boxing across the continent.

Nigeria’s sole female representative, Ayomide Shakirat Mayowa, set the tone with a brilliant performance in the 48kg category, claiming the nation’s first gold medal. She defeated Algeria’s Bensallah Bouthenia via a split decision in a tightly contested final, showcasing composure and maturity beyond her years.

In the men’s 50kg division, Abijuwon Olalekan Farouq secured Nigeria’s second gold medal after receiving a walkover against Bofenda Mabela of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who failed to make the required weight.

Nigeria’s third medal came through Joshua Solomon in the 70kg category. He settled for bronze after narrowly losing by split decision to host nation boxer Wisdom Pedro of Angola in the semi-finals.

Following their impressive performances in Luanda, Ayomide Mayowa (48kg) and Abijuwon Farouq (50kg) have both booked qualification spots for the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal, from October to November 2026.

Reacting to the team’s success, Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Vivian Azimene, who led the delegation to Angola, praised the athletes for their dedication and commitment. She noted that the boxers justified the confidence placed in them by the NBF Board, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Nigerians, adding that their performances reflect a positive upward trend for boxing in the country.

Also speaking, NBF Vice President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian boxing, stating that the current board is focused on repositioning the sport through structured development programmes. He added that the achievements in Angola represent only a glimpse of what lies ahead, with broader initiatives set to roll out from January 2026.

The Nigerian boxing contingent returned to Abuja on Saturday and is expected to receive a grand reception in Lagos on Monday, hosted by the Nigeria Boxing Federation.