Nigeria’s aspirations for boxing glory at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have taken another significant hit. Teenager Ajishola Kadijat has become the fourth Nigerian boxer to be eliminated from the competition following an agonizingly close split-decision defeat in the women’s 54kg division.
Split-Decision Heartbreak for Kadijat
The 19-year-old put on a spirited performance at the SEC Centre, trading rapid combinations with Helen Jones of Wales in their Round of 16 bout. Despite showing immense promise and fighting valiantly, the judges narrowly ruled the contest 3-2 in favor of the Welsh athlete, bringing an early end to Kadijat’s medal aspirations.
A String of Early Exits
Kadijat’s departure continues a frustrating run of form for the West African nation’s boxing team in Scotland. Her exit follows three previous defeats during the opening days of the tournament:
- Ayomide Foly Hassan: Suffered a 4-0 points loss to Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai in the men’s 70kg Round of 32 on Friday.
- Abdulramon Abdulwahab: Eliminated during Friday’s preliminary rounds.
- David Akintola: Widely regarded as a major medal prospect, Akintola fell 4-1 to Tanzania’s Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in the men’s 80kg Round of 32 on Saturday after struggling to cope with his opponent’s clean scoring punches.
Can Mbata and Orakwe Rescue the Campaign?
With four of Nigeria’s six-member boxing squad now out of the running, the pressure heavily shifts to the final two athletes left in the competition. Historically, boxing has been one of Nigeria’s most reliable medal-producing sports at the Commonwealth Games, making the current slump particularly concerning for sports officials.
The responsibility of avoiding a completely empty-handed campaign now rests on the shoulders of:
- Patricia Mbata: Scheduled to fight England’s Mary Smith in the women’s 75kg quarter-final on Tuesday, July 28.
- Blessing Orakwe: Set to clash with Australia’s Lekeisha Pergoliti in the women’s 70kg quarter-final on Wednesday, July 29.
While Team Nigeria has celebrated achievements in other disciplines in Glasgow most notably securing multiple podium finishes in para powerlifting the pressure is now on Mbata and Orakwe to ensure the boxing team returns home with silverware.