Sports
David vs Goliath: Nigeria’s Afeniforo Overthrows Armwrestling Queen Olaleye Marie in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
In a sensational turn of events at the 14th African Armwrestling Championship in Abuja, Nigeria’s Adefunke Afeniforo pulled off the shock of the tournament by toppling long-standing African champion Olaleye Marie of Benin Republic in the hotly contested 65kg women’s category.
Afeniforo, who only took up armwrestling in April 2025, defied all odds to defeat the heavily favored Marie — the same powerhouse who won double gold (left and right hand) at the last African Games and brought home Benin Republic’s first-ever gold medal.
But tonight in Abuja, the underdog became a champion.
The M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium erupted as Afeniforo’s hand was raised — a thunderous celebration of Nigeria’s rise in the sport and a defining moment of Abuja 2025, which continues to deliver surprises.
Speaking moments after her emotional win, Afeniforo said: “I still can’t believe this happened. I trained with everything I had, knowing I was up against a legend. I deeply respect Olaleye, but I came here to prove that no dream is too small and no champion is unbeatable. Nigeria believed in me and this victory is for everyone who never gave up.”
Olaleye, the reigning queen of African armwrestling, had dominated the division for years. But on this night, Afeniforo’s strength, strategy, and unshakable composure proved decisive — possibly signaling the beginning of a new era in African women’s armwrestling.
With medal rounds still ahead and more high-stakes matches on the horizon, the 2025 African Armwrestling Championship is shaping up to be a battleground of giants and fearless challengers.
Stay tuned as Abuja 2025 continues to deliver glory, grit, and unforgettable triumphs.
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Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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