Commonwealth Games: Nigeria boxers go spiritual

Nigeria athletes have decided to seek the face of God in their quest to ensure they win medals in the boxing event of the on- going Commonwealth Games.

This follows the defeat of two of their boxers on Thursday.

A source told Sportinglife.ng that, Sikiru Ojo who would begin his quest for a medal in the men’s 56kg on Saturday against Samuel Yaw Addo from Ghana has been training hard and at the same time praying hard.

“Generally the camp is serious, every athlete is wearing a serious look and it’s not lively, I must say because of the duo of Osita Umeh and Adeola Soyoye who were outclassed today,” the source said.

Ojo’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games was in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland where he failed to get past the round of 16.

Another medal hopeful for Nigeria is Lukmon Lawal who would face Regarn Simbwa from Uganda in the men’s 81kg Round of 16 on Monday.

Lawal, who is making his third appearance at the Commonwealth Games, has failed to get past the quarter-finals.

In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Millicent Agboegbulem will take on Salote Huni in the 75kg category of the Round of 16 on Friday. The 34-year-old is making her first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

In the 69kg Quarterfinal 2, Nigeria’s Itunu Oriola will take on Kaye Scot from Austrailia on Sunday.

Also Nigeria’s Ayisat Oriyomi will take on Carly McNaul from Northern Ireland in the women’s 51kg Quarterfinal 3 next Wednesday, the same day Yetunde Odunuga takes on Caroline Veyre in the women’s 60kg Quarterfinal 3.