African badminton champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and 11 others will represent Nigeria at the 2024 All African Seniors Badminton Championship in Egypt from 12th to 18th February, www.aclsports.com reports.
In a list obtained by www.aclsports.com, the team consists of 6 men, 6 women and two coaches. The team departs for Egypt from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Sunday.
The list of the men’s players is; Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Aliyu Shehu, Victor Ikechukwu, Emmanuel Joseph, Godwin Olofua and Musa Momoh.
Former African number one, Dorcas Adesokan; Zainab Alabi, Ramatu Yakubu, Jumoke Obasanmi, Deborah Uke and Sofiat Obanisola made the list of women’s team.
The head coach of Nigeria senior badminton team, Suleiman Tajudeen told www.aclsports.com that the target is to win the Thomas and Uber Cups at the African Championships.
He remarked that the team is in a good mood and expects at least four gold medals from the team.
Tajudeen said, “The players have been in camp for over one month and the training has been intense. I am happy that the players gave their all and are good to go.
The National Senior badminton
— Dare Kuti 'Gattuso' (@dkuti82) February 11, 2024team consisting of 11 players & 2 coaches depart the country ahead of the 2024 All African Senior C'ship in Egypt.
The players put their trip in God's hands before departing for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. #Obasanjo #Adeboye #AFCONFinal pic.twitter.com/O6Ekc9L01L
“We are going to win a minimum of four gold medals and our target are the men’s singles, the team (men) tagged Thomas Cup as well as the Uber Cup for women”.
Meanwhile, the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih believes the players can make the country proud due to their level of preparedness.
He said, “My expectations are very high and I strongly believe the team is going to do well. We have made a lot of efforts towards preparations; when you do prepare well naturally you should expect very good results. We are going with a lot of confidence that the players will deliver.
“I know the team can defeat any team in Africa because all the athletes we are parading are in top shape”.
