By Maxwell Kumoye in Accra
Day 2 in Accra ignited the 2025 World Scrabble Championship, bringing shocking upsets, dramatic wins, and a thrilling display of wordplay that left spectators on the edge of their seats.
And in the middle of the storm stood Nigeria, the Green Locusts, bruised, tested, nearly rattled but somehow climbing to the very top in the individual and team categories.
NIGERIA TAKES THE LEAD, BUT NOT WITHOUT BLEEDING FOR IT
The day began with Ghana sitting proudly at No.1 in the country standings and Nigeria at No.2. By the time the sun settled over Accra, the script had been rewritten with violent precision.
Nigeria stormed into the No.1 country position, displacing host nation Ghana, even though three of their top stars were kicked out of the Top 20. It was survival by grit, comeback by instinct, and dominance carved from chaos.
Leading Nigeria’s charge was a man playing like the board owed him money – Timi Woko:
TIMI WOKO OF BAYELSA — THE UNTOUCHABLE
With 13 wins and sitting regally in 1st place, Woko played with clinical power. Every rack he touched turned into artillery. Every opponent left the table slightly dazed. If there was a crown on Day 2, it sat on his head.
Behind him, still swinging with intent is Victor Godwin of Edo State with me11 wins, 9th place. Calculated, calm, lethal when he senses weakness.
Multiple National champion and current Continental Champion, Timi Doko is on 10 wins at number 16. Doko is a Qmquiet fighter, heavy scoring, waiting for a break to explode.
And lurking just outside, sharpening blades for Day 3, are four more Nigerians in 22nd spot is Emmanuel Umujose, Samuel Adebola at 24th, Ojior Osikhena at 25th, and Dipo Akanbi 26th. Nigeria is not merely competing; Nigeria is surrounding the battlefield.
AND THE WOMEN?
Nigeria’s queen of letters, Tuoyo Mayuku of Delta, sits in 31st, mm one good streak away from ripping into the Top 20.
TEAM GHANA — THE HOSTS WHO REFUSE TO DISAPPEAR
If Nigeria stole the spotlight, Ghana refused to fade into the shadows.
Their top star Edwin Boamah, the lone Ghanaian in the Top 20, held the line with grit, even as the team slipped from 1st to 2nd in the country rankings. But in Accra, the crowd does not sit silently. Every Ghanaian move is met with applause, every bingo with thunder.
Ghana might have lost the top spot, but they gained something more dangerous:
Day 3 will open with a host nation ready to claw its way back.
KENYA — SILENT, DEADLY, AND VERY MUCH IN THE HUNT
While Nigeria and Ghana traded blows in the spotlight, Kenya quietly built a storm of its own.
With two Kenyans Willy Mwangi and Richard Okechi, in the Top 20, the East African giants showed why they are one of the continent’s fastest-rising Scrabble powers. They didn’t shout. They didn’t flinch. They just kept winning.
Kenyan play on Day 2 was defined by efficiency: steady boards, tight defenses, and cold-blooded scoring. They aren’t just participating in this championship, they’re positioning themselves to break hearts on Day 3.
THE GLOBAL MELTING POT, SCRABBLE AT ITS BEST
The Top 20 after Day 2 is a map of the world:
3 Nigerians
3 Singaporeans
2 Kenyans
2 Brits
1 Canadian
1 Pakistani
1 New Zealander
1 American (Nigerian-born)
1 Thai
1 Ghanaian
1 Sri Lankan
1 Irishman (Nigerian-born)
1 Northern Irishman
1 Liberian
This isn’t just a competition. It’s international warfare with dictionaries.
THE FINAL VERDICT OF DAY 2
Nigeria leads, Ghana stalks and Kenya rises while the rest of the world tightens the noose.
If Day 2 was brutal. Day 3 will be a battlefield, action resumes by 9:00 a.m. GMT on Friday, November 14, the tiles will start clattering again and the world will discover who truly wants the crown.
The Green Locusts of Nigeria are ahead, but in Accra, nothing is safe yet.
