Nigerian Para Badminton Stars Bolaji, Nnanna Dominate at Africa Championships, Reach Finals
UMUAHIA, Abia State, Nigeria – Paralympic bronze medalist Eniola Bolaji adn teammate Chigozie Nnanna led a strong nigerian showing at the Africa Para Badminton Championships, securing their places in Sunday’s finals with commanding semi-final victories. The performances underscore Nigeria’s growing strength in para-badminton and signal potential medal success at upcoming international competitions.
Bolaji, currently ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation, dispatched cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo 2-0 (21-4, 21-0) in Saturday’s women’s singles SL3 semi-final. Bolaji also advanced in mixed doubles alongside Nnanna, defeating Congo DR’s Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila and Cameroon’s Makeu Mouafo 2-0 (21-14, 21-8) in the SL/SU5 event. Both athletes recently claimed gold at the First Abia Para Badminton International, held September 30 – October 5 at the same umuahia venue, demonstrating consistent dominance on home soil.
Nnanna, Africa’s top-ranked player in the SL4 class, continued his winning streak with a 2-0 (21-5, 21-13) victory over Kenya’s Benson Mutiso in the men’s singles SL4 category.Fellow Nigerian James Akpan also progressed to the finals, defeating Cameroon’s Etienne Bidjoka 2-0 (21-5, 21-5) in the men’s singles SL4. In an all-Nigerian matchup, Ifeanacho Ohaeri overcame Okechukwu Ibeabuchi 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) in the men’s singles wheelchair 2 event.
Chukwuemeka Eze, Chinyere Okoro, and Gift Chukwuemeka also qualified for Sunday’s finals. Egypt’s Shaimaa Abdellatif secured a spot in the women’s singles wheelchair 2 final, defeating Cameroon’s Irene Nkwa 2-0 (21-12, 21-17).
Over 150 athletes from 12 nations – Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo DR, Egypt, Mauritius, mozambique, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia, zimbabwe, and host Nigeria - are competing across 19 events at the championships. The finals will be held Sunday in Umuahia.
