Brou, Akinyosoye lead Team Nigeria to African Fencing tourney
United States-based totally Inkosi Brou, and Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, who's based totally within the UK (UK) are among the 12-member sturdy crew assembled by the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, billed to withhold at Charterhouse Lagos, from June 25 to 29, 2025.
They are joined by Wisdom Okanlawon; siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit, Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola, who're home-based totally.
Also within the squad are four females, Peluola Akinbamiro, Somto Eribenne, Sara Idongesit, and Adebodunrin Thomas.
Brou, who currently clinched bronze on the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, brings indispensable experience to the squad despite being beautiful 17 years aged.
He has competed in several worldwide tournaments this year as allotment of his fling in direction of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Video games.
Particularly, he is the grandson of the dreary NAFDAC Director Overall, Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Group Nigeria will compete in every particular particular person and crew events all around the three fencing disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre.
Speaking sooner than the championship, Nationwide Coach, Ibrahim Alogba, expressed confidence within the youthful crew, noting their potential to surprise extra experienced opponents.
“Our crew is the youngest through age and experience, which reduces the force on them. This could well presumably work in our desire. We is seemingly to be younger, but we're no longer intimidated by records or reputations. We are ready to interrupt Nigeria’s medal drought in this occasion,” he mentioned.
Italian coach, Riccardo Bardin, who has been coaching the crew since his arrival a week ago, also praised the athletes’ potential, but entreated persistence as they proceed to produce.
Moreover to to the host nation, Nigeria, varied taking part worldwide locations are Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde. The occasion will characteristic 12 events, like six particular particular person and six crew events in foil, epee, and sabre.
