Sports
African Games: Umoafia Claims Three Gold In Weightlifting
Weightlifter Edidiong Umoafia was the cynosure of all eyes at the 13th on-going African Games in Accra after he won three gold medals in weightlifting event to boost Team Nigeria’s medal haul.
He lifted a 135kg in snatch and 165kg in clean and jerk to record a total of 300kg which secured the three gold medals for team Nigeria.
His feat scaled Nigeria’s Weightlifting medal haul to eight after King Kalu (two bronze medal and Favour (two silver and a bronze medals) set the ball rolling on Sunday.
Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Dr Olakunle Musa Oshodi, has expressed optimism about the chances of Team Nigeria judokas to win medals at the African Games.
He disclosed in Accra that Team Nigeria’s judokas are in good shape and ready to go for gold in both male and female categories.
“We are in Ghana to compete with the favourites but I must tell Nigerians that we are not only in Ghana to compete but to go for gold in all categories. Our coaches and judokas are ready, and I believe that they would make the country proud at the end of the Games,” he said.
Oshodi also explained that the spirit in camp was high and urged the judokas, coaches to remain focused throughout their fights.
“What I saw among our athletes and coaches show that they are fully ready to win medals for Nigeria. It was unfortunate that we did not win medals in the last African Games although I was not in charge then but this time around, we want to surpass out last performance by reaching the medal zone and win it,” he said.
Nigerian judokas would begin their quest for medals today at the Africa’s flagship multi sports event as
10 judokas are billed to represent the country in the various categories.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
