Nigeria has emerged champions of the sixteenth African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia, after Abdulmumin Jimoh claimed the person identify and the rustic secured the Highest Nation award forward of Kenya and hosts Liberia.
Jimoh produced a outstanding comeback to best the 110-player box, completing with 23 wins and a cumulative unfold of one,760 issues. His compatriot and reigning Nigerian nationwide champion, George Ezinore, additionally recorded 23 victories however settled for 2d position with a variety of one,005 issues, whilst Emmanuel Umujose finished an all-Nigerian podium in 3rd place.
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Jimoh demonstrated resilience during the four-day festival. He completed the hole day in twelfth place with 5 wins sooner than mountaineering to 3rd on day two. Regardless of shedding to 6th on day 3, he fastened a overdue fee to transport into rivalry for the identify.
A the most important victory over Larry Etuwa in spherical 31 bolstered his place on the best of the standings. Even if he misplaced his ultimate sport to Ezinore, Jimoh’s amassed unfold proved decisive in securing the continental crown.
His triumph continues Nigeria’s sturdy custom in African Scrabble and sees him prevail clubmate Oluwatimilehin Doko, who gained the championship in Kigali two years in the past. Doko persevered a hard marketing campaign in Monrovia after falling sick all over the contest.
Nigeria’s good fortune prolonged past the person standings, with the rustic claiming the Highest Nation award to underline its dominance on the continental championship.
Reacting to the success, President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engineer Vibrant Idahosa, recommended the athletes for his or her exceptional performances and praised the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) for its fortify of Nigerian sports activities.
“I commend our gamers and the Federation normally for the decision proven during this tourney and for flying Nigeria’s flag top at the continental degree. This success displays the ability, dedication and aggressive spirit inside of Nigerian Scrabble.”
“I additionally sincerely respect the Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-Normal, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for his or her fortify. The Director-Normal constantly known as to investigate about our effects, assess our development and talk about the best way ahead. This demonstrates authentic pastime and intentional management in Nigerian sports activities,” Idahosa stated.
Within the girls’s class, Ghana’s Betty Kyeremateng emerged Highest Feminine Participant after recording 20 wins from 32 video games. Nigeria’s Sophia Ekeruche, identified because the International’s Highest Feminine Junior Participant in 2025 and 2026, completed 2d within the feminine standings with 18 wins.
The Nigeria Scrabble Federation is anticipated to construct at the success because it continues efforts to maintain the rustic’s good fortune at continental and global competitions.