Commonwealth Games: African Champion, Nine Others Secure Tickets

Commonwealth Games: African Champion, Nine Others Secure Tickets

Sampson Adedeji

African champion Patricia Mbata at the weekend defeated national champion Blessing Orakwe to qualify for the boxing event of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Mbata sealed her place after overcoming Orakwe during the national trials organised by the Nigeria Boxing Federation at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Sports Complex, located inside the National Stadium Lagos.

Aside from Mbata, nine other fighters also booked their places for the Games following four days of entertaining bouts at the trials.

The competition featured 128 boxers 121 men and 27 women who battled across 10 weight categories, with the champions in each division earning the right to represent Nigeria at the Games.

In total, five male and five female boxers will fly the country’s flag in Glasgow, while additional fighters have been invited to camp as sparring partners to help sharpen preparations for the tournament.

Nigeria will be hoping to surpass its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where nine boxers led by captain Abdul-Afeez Osoba returned with four medals.

The medals haul included a silver won by Elizabeth Oshoba, while Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere secured bronze medals.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow. 

Boxing will feature 14 events seven for men and seven for women alongside athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, netball, bowls, and basketball.