Nigeria kicked off its participation in the ongoing African Military Games held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja with an impressive performance, clinching gold medals in both the men’s and women’s handball events.
The male handball team showcased a dominant display, defeating their Ghanaian counterparts with a score of 31-23, while the female team achieved an even more commanding victory, triumphing 36-18.
Only two teams—Nigeria and Ghana—competed in the handball category, with Ghana earning silver medals in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Speaking after the team’s remarkable victory, Emeka Nnamani, the head coach of the handball squad, expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating that the players executed the strategy he had devised perfectly.
“I felt very happy and delighted to win,” Nnamani commented. “I planned with them very well, and they played exactly as I wanted them to. I am satisfied. We don’t need to score 100 goals to show I am satisfied; we will continue with the same pattern and system in future matches.”
In addition to the handball success, Tochukwu Okeke earned a silver medal in the men’s Greco-Roman wrestling 87kg category, overcoming Sobri Mmosria from Tunisia in his pivotal third match, concluding with two wins and one defeat.
However, in a twist of fate in the football segment, Nigeria faced a setback as they were narrowly defeated by arch-rivals Cameroon, who edged out a 1-0 victory. The only goal of the match came in added time, propelling Cameroon into the final set for Saturday.
The football competition features only four nations: Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, and Equatorial Guinea, vying for supremacy on the pitch.
The All African Military Games (AMGA) stands as the foremost sporting event dedicated to Africa’s elite military athletes, providing a platform for them to demonstrate their skills, endurance, and collaborative spirit across 19 diverse sports disciplines, including basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, and obstacle courses.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu officially inaugurated the second edition of the African Military Games (AMGA) on Wednesday evening at the Moshood National Stadium Abuja.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasized that no single nation can address its security dilemmas in isolation, which underscores the importance of these Games in fortifying Africa’s collaborative security endeavors.
“Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa,” he remarked.
“This occasion is more than just a gathering of extraordinary athletes; it serves as an undeniable reminder of the cooperation that unites military institutions across our continent.”
The day’s scheduled events include archery, basketball, boxing, football, and squash, alongside taekwondo, shooting, and wrestling.
