Nairobi 2026: Nigerian Female Boxers Win Three Gold, One Silver at African Championships
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s female boxers have delivered an impressive 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.
The Nigerian team staged a remarkable comeback on finals day, with Ajishola Khadijat, Precious Anine and team captain Blessing Orakwe winning gold medals, while Patricia Mbata secured silver.
Khadijat opened Nigeria’s gold-medal account in the women’s 51–54kg category, defeating Algeria’s Malak Noir E by a unanimous 5–0 decision.
Her commanding performance set the tone for Nigeria’s medal-winning outing as she secured the country’s first gold of the evening.
Precious Anine followed with another gold medal after defeating Algeria’s Benane Djouher in the women’s 60–65kg final, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in the competition.
The highlight of the evening came from team captain Blessing Orakwe, who produced a stunning performance in the women’s 75–80kg final, knocking out Kenya’s Akinyi Elizabeth in the first round.
The emphatic victory earned Nigeria its third gold medal and underscored Orakwe’s determination to make a strong impression at the continental championship.
Meanwhile, Patricia Mbata claimed silver in the women’s 70–75kg category after losing narrowly to Egypt’s Aboelfead Nabila by a 3–2 split decision in a closely contested final.
The four-medal haul represents a significant turnaround for Team Nigeria, which responded to earlier setbacks with a determined display of resilience and competitive spirit on finals day.
The performance also reinforced the confidence expressed by the team’s technical crew, including Cross River State head coach Mary Obo Ekpo, who had predicted that Nigeria would return from Nairobi with multiple medals.
The leadership of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, headed by President Adebayo Olawale Edun and Vice President Omonlei Yakubu, welcomed the outcome as an encouraging development for Nigerian boxing.
Nigeria’s three gold medals and one silver in the women’s finals highlight the determination of its athletes and provide fresh encouragement for the development of boxing in the country.
The statement was signed by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media in the Office of the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, on October 23, 2026.
