By Joseph ODOEKWU
Accra – Team Nigeria will be looking forward to winning their first gold after failing to do so in table tennis and wrestling as the North African sides which consist of Egypt, Algeria and Morocco takes early lead at the ongoing 13th African Games taking place in Ghana at the end of day 2.
With five medals which consist of three silver medals and two bronze garnered in table tennis and a late bronze in wrestling, Nigeria is seated at sixth position on the table as at time of filing this report but will be looking forward to better their performance when the game continues.
Egypt have taken an early lead with 23 medals so far which consist of 13 gold, 4 silver ,6 bronze, followed by Algeria who have 15 medals consisting of 3 gold, 3 silver and 9 bronze medals, while Morocco have 9 medals, consisting of 2 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze.
Meanwhile, South Africa have garnered 8 medals so far after winning two gold medals in swimming today to minimize the dominance of the North Africans lead in top four, but are still tied on number of gold medal with Tunisia who also have 2 gold medals.
While Nigeria seek her first gold and are hoping that wrestling will deliver it, reports coming from the Nigerian camp are indicating that the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh met with the athletes at the Games Village today, and that meeting could ignite team Nigeria’s passion to win their first gold when they resume play tomorrow.
Furthermore, there are also strong indications that aside wrestling, disciplines such as weightlifting, badminton, scrabble, female football among others could help lift team Nigeria to winning gold, while male football where the team started poorly after losing to Uganda in their opener does not seem to be a source of hope for medal in the continental showpiece.
As at the time of this report, African champion, Esther Kolawole has joined Blessing Oborodudu to secure final slots.
Four finals for team Nigeria and still counting.
Also, Adekuoroye has become the latest to book final slot, making a total of five finals in female Wrestling. (vitalnewsngr.com)
