Team Nigeria has opened its medal account at the ongoing 17th Africa Aquatics Championships in Oran, Algeria, with Collins Ebinga clinchimg a bronze medal in the men’s 100m butterfly, and setting a new personal best of 50.68 seconds. The result underlined his rising profile on the continental stage.
In another commendable performance, India Kate Brown also secured a bronze medal, further boosting Nigeria’s early medal tally and highlighting the team’s strong start on the opening day of the continental championships.
Nigeria maintained a strong presence in the finals with impressive qualifying performances. Collins Ebinga advanced to the final of the 50m butterfly, while Dorcas Oka qualified for the final of the 100m breaststroke, showcasing the team’s growing depth across events.
In the 50m butterfly final, Collins Ebinga delivered a strong performance but narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing 4th, just behind competitors from Egypt and South Africa, who occupied the medal positions.
Despite determined efforts, Dorcas Oka also finished outside the podium places in the 100m breaststroke final. Nevertheless, both athletes’ progression to the finals reflects Nigeria’s increasing competitiveness at the continental level.
Federation Response
The Nigeria Aquatics Federation commends all athletes for their resilience, discipline, and commitment to excellence.
“These performances demonstrate clear progress, with podium finishes, personal bests, and multiple final appearances signaling a positive trajectory for Nigerian aquatics,” the Federation stated.
Team Nigeria remains focused and motivated as the championships continue, with several events still ahead and strong medal prospects in sight.
The Federation reaffirms its commitment to supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence and elevating Nigeria’s profile in aquatic sports across Africa.