Team Nigeria has arrived in Oran, Algeria, ahead of the 15th African Archery Championships, where the country will field its largest and most balanced contingent yet in a bid to challenge for continental honours.
The six-day championship will take place from July 21 to 26 at the Mediterranean Village in Oran, bringing together some of Africa’s top archers in the compound, recurve and barebow disciplines.
Nigeria’s delegation comprises 18 athletes competing across six divisions in both the men’s and women’s events. The team is led by the President of the Nigeria Archery Federation (NAFED), Mohammed Baba Abdullahi, alongside the federation’s Vice President, Augustine Obiefuna Chigbolu, and national coach, Aliyu Garga.
The men’s compound team includes Aliyu Abubakar, Ogheneovo Odjuwuederhie, Seun Emmanuel Oyeleke and Damilola Bartholomew Sholademi, while Kachollom Larai Enyenihi and Haareke Evans will represent Nigeria in the women’s compound event.
In the recurve category, Tobi Bello, Tosin Junaid and Francis Okechukwu Okwu will compete in the men’s event, with Dara Dorcas Banjo representing the country in the women’s division.
Nigeria’s barebow team features Abdul Rahman Obasa, Abdulbasit Sanni, Arulogun Segun Joseph and Abubakar Usman in the men’s category, while Faith Adekogbe, Aminat Adeyemi, Mandu Eteidung and Precious Fanny-Amun will compete in the women’s event.
The Nigerian team heads into the championships with growing confidence following a series of impressive performances on the continental stage. The country won medals at the African Championships in Pretoria in 2022 and Nabeul, Tunisia, in 2023, before claiming gold medals at the 2025 African Championships in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where it also triumphed in Africa’s first Run Archery Tournament.
Speaking ahead of the competition, NAFED’s Director of Marketing, Emmanuel Oyeleke, called on corporate organisations to support the sport, noting the financial demands of preparing and sending national teams to international competitions.
According to the championship schedule, official practice and equipment inspection will take place on July 21, followed by qualification rounds on July 22. Individual elimination matches are scheduled for July 23, while team and mixed-team eliminations will be held on July 24. The competition will conclude with the finals and medal ceremonies on July 25 and 26.
