What are the African Games?
The African Games represent a monumental continental multi-sport event, tailored for and by Africans, occurring every four years and typically preceding the Olympic Games by a year.
Jointly orchestrated by the African Union, in partnership with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and the Association of African Sports Confederations, this quadrennial celebration of sport serves as a pivotal platform for African athletes to hone their skills and prepare for the global stage of the Olympics.
The 13th edition of this prestigious event, recently concluded in Accra, Ghana, featured 29 sports across three categories: Olympic qualifying sports (such as swimming, athletics, badminton, cycling, tennis, table tennis, wrestling, and triathlon), non-Olympic qualifying sports (including arm wrestling, basketball 3×3, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, and handball), and demonstration sports (eSports, mixed martial arts, sambo, and scrabble). With over 5,000 athletes from across the continent competing over 15 days, the event provided a tantalizing glimpse into the future of sports across Africa as well as a prospect for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Since its inception, only four countries have emerged as overall winners: Egypt, a dominant force with eight victories; South Africa, triumphant thrice (1995, 1999 and 2011); Nigeria, claiming victory once (2003); and Tunisia, also securing a single win in the 3rd edition of the Games.
Nigeria’s performance at the 2023 African Games
Nigeria’s performance in the 2023 African Games was particularly noteworthy. The nation dominated the athletics events, securing 11 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.
World record holder, Tobi Amusan, clinched her third consecutive African Games gold medal in the women’s 100-meter hurdles and also contributed to the gold medal in the women’s 4×100-meter relay.
Ese Brume defended her title in the women’s long jump, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi triumphed in the men’s shot put.
Nigeria’s prowess extended to boxing, where the team secured eight gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. Among the standout victories was 22-year-old Joy Ojo’s dominant performance against Algerian Selmouni Chahira in the women’s 57kg category, clinching the gold medal.
In another remarkable display, Dolapo Omole secured a round-one Knockout (KO) victory against Armando Rugoberto of Mozambique in the men’s 57kg category.
However, it was in the weightlifting category that Nigeria truly shone, achieving their most significant medal haul with a total of 32 medals, including 16 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze. Notable among the weightlifting medalists was Abayomi Adeyemi, who secured bronze in the total (341kg) and snatch (151kg) categories, as well as silver in the clean & jerk (190kg). Additionally, 19-year-old Joy Eze stood out with three gold medals, including a snatch of 90kg, a clean and jerk of 117kg, and a total lift of 207kg.
It is important to highlight the exceptional dedication of Nigerian weightlifters to their craft. Despite the challenging socioeconomic conditions faced by many Nigerians due to governmental inefficiencies, these athletes have shown unwavering commitment and determination in their pursuit of excellence. Their outstanding performance at the Ghana games is a testament to their hard work and resilience and is certainly deserving of celebration and recognition.
The exceptional performances of Nigerian athletes were highlighted by wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye’s ascent to the top spot on the world ranking in the 57 kg category, following her gold medal win at the games. However, amidst the jubilation and triumphs, a pall of disappointment hung over the men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, whose campaign fell short of expectations, leaving coach Ladan Bosso searching for answers amidst the disappointment.
Additionally, Nigeria’s Women’s football team, the Falconets, suffered a 2-1 defeat in the final against host nation Ghana.
Despite the setback, Team Nigeria’s performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring, a testament to their resilience and dedication in the face of adversity. In light of their remarkable achievements, it is lamentable that the accolades and recognition they rightfully deserve have been slow to materialize, underscoring the need for greater acknowledgment of their triumphs.
Based on this performance, it’s evident that if the federations overseeing the different sports at the African Games prioritize thorough preparations for athletes across various categories, the Nigerian team could surpass its recent achievements at the event. This could lead to a remarkable performance for Team Nigeria at the imminent Olympics and on the global stage.
Unfortunately, this sentiment has been echoed repeatedly within the country’s sports community, yet insufficient actions have taken place to improve the team’s tournament preparations. The raw talent is there in abundance, but there is a dire need for support and infrastructure to nurture and enhance it.
2023 Africa Games final medal standings
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| Egypt | 102 | 47 | 42 | 191 |
| Nigeria | 47 | 33 | 41 | 121 |
| South Africa | 32 | 32 | 42 | 106 |
| Algeria | 29 | 38 | 47 | 114 |
| Tunisia | 22 | 27 | 39 | 88 |
| Ghana | 19 | 29 | 20 | 68 |
