Team Nigeria Set for African Fencing Championships with Youthful 12-Member Squad
The Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) has officially unveiled Team Nigeria’s 12-member squad for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, taking place from June 25 to 29, 2025, at Charterhouse Lagos.
This edition marks only the third time the tournament will be held in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous championships in Senegal (2002) and Mali (2009, 2019). With fierce competition expected from Africa’s fencing elite, Nigeria’s young squad is preparing to make history on home soil.
Inkosi Brou Leads Nigeria’s Charge
Headlining the squad is U.S.-based 17-year-old fencer Inkosi Brou, Nigeria’s first international fencing medalist and a rising star on the continent. Brou recently claimed bronze at the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, cementing his status as a top talent to watch.
A consistent performer on the global stage this year, Brou is already gunning for qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He is also notably the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Dora Akunyili, adding legacy weight to his aspirations.
Nigeria’s Youngest-Ever Fencing Team Carries Bold Ambitions
National coach Ibrahim Alogba expressed optimism about the team’s chances, highlighting the squad’s youthfulness as both an advantage and a source of unpredictability.
“We are the youngest team in terms of age and experience, which reduces pressure. We’re not intimidated by reputations. We’re here to break Nigeria’s medal drought,” said Alogba.
Italian coach Riccardo Bardin, who joined the camp just a week ago, has already been impressed with the athletes’ commitment and discipline.
Continental Showdown in Lagos
The 2025 African Fencing Championships will feature 12 events: six individual and six team competitions across the three disciplines—foil, epee, and sabre.
Participating nations include fencing powerhouses Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria, alongside countries like Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Angola, Senegal, Mauritius, Rwanda, Niger, Libya, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, and hosts Nigeria.
With home advantage and fresh talent, Team Nigeria’s African Fencing Championships 2025 journey could mark a turning point for the sport in the country.
