By Maxwell Kumoye
Team Nigeria will be among the contenders when Africa’s finest chess players converge on Botswana for the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships scheduled for June 18-27 at the Debswana Jwaneng Mine.
Nigeria has entered a seven-player squad for the prestigious continental competition, with five players competing in the men’s category and two in the women’s section as they seek honours and qualification spots for the FIDE Chess World Cup.
The Scribe of Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), Mrs. Ejiro Thukson, stated that, Nigerian men’s team is made up of Abdulrahmam Abdulraheem Akintoye, Odion Aikhoje, Adeyinka Adewole, Paul Eloka and Tennyson Ewomazino Olisa, while Ofowino Toritsemuwa and Bridget Michael will fly the country’s colours in the women’s event.
Adeyinka Adewole the Vice President of Nigeria Chess Federation is expected to lead the team to Botswana and he will also compete for honours at the Championship.
The championship, regarded as Africa’s premier individual chess tournament, is expected to attract some of the continent’s strongest players, including Grandmasters, International Masters and a host of emerging talents. The event also serves as a qualification pathway to the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup, raising the stakes for all participants.
According to the Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), 25 African countries have confirmed participation in the championship, which will be hosted for the first time in Botswana. The tournament coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), adding further significance to the competition.
BCF president Kutlwano Tatolo described the event as Africa’s most prestigious individual chess championship and said the presence of elite players from across the continent highlights the growing strength and popularity of the game in Africa.
For Team Nigeria, the tournament presents another opportunity to showcase the country’s growing influence in African chess and challenge for continental honours against the best players on the continent.
Beyond the competition, the championship is expected to celebrate five decades of African chess development while promoting unity and sporting excellence across the continent.
With qualification for the FIDE Chess World Cup on the line, Nigeria’s representatives will be aiming to make a strong impression when the championship gets underway in Jwaneng later this month.
TEAM NIGERIA
Male
• Abdulrahmam Abdulraheem Akintoye
• Odion Aikhoje
• Adeyinka Adewole
• Paul Eloka
• Tennyson Ewomazino Olisa
Female
• Ofowino Toritsemuwa
• Bridget Michael
