Can Nigeria break the gold medal jinx at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, which starts today at the Charterhouse Lagos? That is the question that the 12 stars selected to represent the country at the continental fiesta will try to answer when they enter the ring against some of the best fencers in the world.

According to the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF), over 150 of the continent’s finest fencers are participating in the championships, which runs from today to June 29, 2025.

This prestigious five-day, 12-event tournament will be officially declared open by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This year’s championship promises high-stake drama and elite competition, with 50 women and 100 men from 18 nations vying for continental glory.

It also marks another milestone for Charterhouse Lagos, which successfully hosted Nigeria’s first Fencing World Cup in 2024.

The tournament will feature a thrilling mix of regional, continental, Olympic, and world champions. Preliminary rounds will build up to intense medal showdowns, highlighting a dynamic blend of rising stars and seasoned veterans.

In Team Nigeria’s squad are the United States-based United States-based Inkosi Brou, and Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, who is based in the United Kingdom (UK).

They are joined by Wisdom Okanlawon; siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit, Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola, who are home-based.

But they will be faced with battles against such tested stars as Mohamed El-Sayed of Egypt, the 22-year-old bronze medalist from Paris 2024 and defending African champion in the men’s Epee. Mohammed’s younger brother, Mahmoud El-Sayed, the reigning world junior champion, is also in that class.

Also in the mix is Shamel Youssef (ranked 10th in junior men’s épée), alongside fellow Egyptians Osama Eslam and Elkord Houssam. Egypt’s dominance in this category makes them the team to beat in the men’s team épée.

The women’s epée also has such tough stars as defending champion Alexandra Ndolo of Kenya, a 38-year-old Germany-based fencer, will be aiming to retain her title, as well as Tunisian and Egyptian contenders in what promises to be a tightly contested event.

Nigeria’s 12-man squad heads into the African Fencing Championships with a determination to break their medal drought at the continental showpiece. For many team members, the tournament presents a crucial opportunity to earn valuable ranking points in their quest to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.