Nigeria’s para badminton stars, including Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji, have booked their spots in the finals of the ongoing Africa Para Badminton Championships taking place in Umuahia, Abia State.
Bolaji, ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation, cruised past Cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo 2-0 (21-4, 21-0) in the women’s singles SL3 semi-final on Saturday.
She also teamed up with Chigozie Nnanna to defeat Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon’s Makeu Mouafo 2-0 (21-14, 21-8) in the mixed doubles SL/SU5 event.
Both players had earlier claimed gold medals in their categories at the recently concluded First Abia Para Badminton International, held from September 30 to October 5 at the same venue.
Nnanna, Africa’s top-ranked player in the SL4 class, continued his impressive form with a 2-0 (21-5, 21-13) victory over Kenya’s Benson Mutiso in the men’s singles SL4.
In other matches, Nigeria’s James Akpan overpowered Cameroon’s Etienne Bidjoka 2-0 (21-5, 21-5), while Ifeanacho Ohaeri defeated compatriot Okechukwu Ibeabuchi 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) in the men’s singles wheelchair 2 event.
Other Nigerians who secured final berths include Chukwuemeka Eze, Chinyere Okoro, and Gift Chukwuemeka, all eyeing podium finishes on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Shaimaa Abdellatif advanced to the final after defeating Cameroon’s Irene Nkwa 2-0 (21-12, 21-17) in the women’s singles wheelchair 2 category.
No fewer than 150 athletes from 12 countries, including Benin Republic, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and host Nigeria, are participating in 19 events at the championship.
