Egypt continued their habit of taking gold medals from Nigerians at the African Games as in the male events, four of the medal winners were defeated by Egyptian athletes.

Ashton Mutuwa lost 12-0 to Youssif Hemida of Egypt in the 125kg final to settle for the silver medal. Simeon Enozumini also clinched a silver medal after suffering defeat to another Egyptian Gamal Mohammed in the 57kg final.

The last silver medal was won by Stephen Izolo in the 65kg event following a 10-0 loss to Mourad Omar of Egypt.

In the 86kg event, Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo settled for bronze after a walkover against Egypt’s Ahmed Khaled while Braveman Oyeinkeperemo claimed a bronze medal after losing his 74kg fight against Mukendi Andy of Congo.

Igali stated that the performance of the female athletes was as a result of hard work and dedication.

“I’m so excited for these girls because they deserve it. They worked hard enough and have been adequately rewarded,” Igali told our correspondent.

The NWF boss also defended the male athletes, explaining that it was their first international tournament.

“The male team is still very young as I am just setting them up. None of them have been to the African Games before and for the first time, they won medals and three got to the final, they have made me very proud.

“I didn’t expect them to win any medal or even get to finals, so I am very proud. I expect that in the next three, four years if they continue on this trajectory, they will become gold medallists for Nigeria,” Igali said.