Team Nigeria returned home Monday after a memorable outing in Rabat, Morocco finishing second behind Egypt as the African Games came to an end today.
The North African country emerged top on the medal table with 99 gold medals, 96 silver and 69 bronze to bring their total medals to 264. Nigeria won a total of 121 medals: 46 gold, 33 silver and 47 bronze.
Close on the heels of Nigeria is South Africa who accrued a total of 87 medals.
On the eve of the final day of the 12th African Games, Divine Oduduru failed to add to the team’s gold tally as he lost to Siame Sydney of Zambia in the men’s 200m final. In the men’s 4x400m relays, Nigeria finished third behind Botswana and South Africa, who won gold and silver respectively.
Nigeria’s 46-year wait for a gold medal in the men’s football event of the Games continued after the Flying Eagles suffered a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final on Friday. Meanwhile, the Falconets defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 on penalties to claim gold in the women’s football category.
Nigeria continued their dominance in the wrestling category, where the wrestlers claimed five gold medals, one bronze and one silver to emerged champions.
Egypt dominated the weightlifting event with 31 gold, 20 silver and five bronze, compared to Nigeria’s 16 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze.
Nigeria failed to win a single medal in events like chess, judo and shooting.
The African Games comes to an end today with volleyball and tennis lined up as the only events for the day, before the closing ceremony.
