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Gold Dust, Dollar Rain: Team Nigeria Takes Care of Business, With Weightlifting Gold Sweep and Sprint Surge on Day 4

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Team Nigeria continued its outstanding campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, producing a memorable Day Four performance highlighted by three gold medals in weightlifting and impressive displays on the athletics track as the country’s medal charge gathered further momentum in Glasgow, Scotland.

Edidiong Joseph Umoafia set the tone early, powering to gold in the men’s 71kg weightlifting event with a Commonwealth Games record total of 319kg. The Nigerian lifted a Games record 147kg in the snatch before adding 172kg in the clean and jerk to finish ahead of Samoa’s Joseph Tafi (314kg) and Nauru’s Elgin Moses (310kg). The victory delivered Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the Games.

Nigeria’s golden run continued in the women’s 53kg event as Onome Didih did the incredible, with a commanding performance to claim the country’s fifth gold medal. Didih rewrote the record books, setting new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch (93kg), clean and jerk (113kg) and total lift (206kg). India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav finished with 199kg to take silver, while Canada’s Rebeka Groulx claimed bronze with 178kg.

Team Nigeria’s golden run continued in spectacular fashion Monday evening, as Rafiatu Folashade Lawal delivered the country’s sixth gold medal of the Games with a record-shattering performance in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event.

Lawal swept all before her, setting new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch (103kg), clean and jerk (126kg) and total lift (229kg). Her combined total left her a commanding 14kg clear of Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau, who finished with 215kg for silver.

Just as promised by the National Sports Commission, each gold medal winner received $5000 instant cash reward and additional $5,000 performance bonus paid into their accounts.

On the track, Team Nigeria’s sprinters also made a strong statement by securing multiple semifinal places in the men’s and women’s 100 metres.

Favour Ashe comfortably won the opening heat of the men’s 100m in 10.10 seconds (+1.5) to book his place in Tuesday’s semifinals.

Nicholas Fakorede followed with an impressive second-place finish in Heat 10, clocking 10.21 seconds (+1.4) behind Lesotho’s Mojela Koneshe, whose 10.07 seconds established a new national record. Fakorede joins Ashe and national record holder Kayinsola Ajayi, who received a bye, in the semifinal lineup.

In the women’s 100m, 17 year old Commonwealth Games debutant Miracle Ezechukwu announced herself in style, winning her heat from lane eight in 11.32 seconds (-1.5). She crossed the line ahead of Barbados’ Kishawna Niles and Ghana’s Deborah Acheampong to qualify automatically for the semifinals. Ezechukwu will be joined by Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Chukwuma, giving Team Nigeria three athletes in the women’s semifinal.

Sade Olatoye endured a difficult start after finishing 10th in Group A of women’s Hammer Throw. She held her head up after not getting the finish she hoped for. Olatoye threw a mark of 62.75m on her second attempt, with two faults in three attempts.

Olatoye threw a mark of 62.75m on her second attempt.

With five gold medals already secured and more medal events to come, Team Nigeria continues on its path to deliver on its promises at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

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YellowGreens Thrash The Gambia by 160 Runs in Dominant Display

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Joel Ajayi 


Selim Salau’s century and a breathtaking late assault from Isaac Okpe powered Nigeria to a dominant opening victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.


Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, made a resounding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign, defeating The Gambia by 160 runs at the NCF Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.


After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria produced a formidable total of 262 for one in their allotted 20 overs, setting The Gambia a daunting target of 263 runs.


The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Selim Salau, who remained unbeaten on 105 off 58 deliveries, striking 12 fours and three sixes. Isaac Danladi provided excellent support with an impressive 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the pair laid the foundation for Nigeria’s commanding total.


Isaac Okpe then delivered a sensational finishing assault, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes. His remarkable strike rate of 350.00 propelled Nigeria beyond the 260-run mark and put the hosts firmly in control.


The Gambia faced an uphill battle in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs, handing Nigeria a comprehensive 160-run victory.


The result marked an emphatic opening statement from the YellowGreens as they began their campaign on home soil with an impressive all-round performance.


The victory also provides Nigeria with valuable momentum in a six-team competition featuring hosts Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. With the teams competing in a round-robin format, the top two sides will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.


Nigeria will look to build on this commanding start as the YellowGreens continue their pursuit of one of the two available qualification places, with their next fixture against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October, at the NCF Oval 1 in Abuja.


Final Score


Nigeria: 262/1 (20 overs)


The Gambia: 102 all out (17.2 overs)


Result: Nigeria won by 160 runs.


Key Performers


Selim Salau — 105 not out off 58 balls


Isaac Danladi — 86 off 48 balls


Isaac Okpe — 56 not out off 16 balls
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