Senegal reaffirmed its status as a West African wrestling powerhouse by defeating hosts Nigeria 4-1 in the team final to win the 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament in Abuja on Saturday.

Despite falling short in the final, Nigeria showed remarkable progress, improving on its third-place finish in 2023 to claim silver in its debut as tournament host.

The competition, held from March 6-8, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, also served as a landmark event celebrating ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary. Featuring 11 participating nations, the tournament delivered intense battles as athletes competed for regional supremacy.

Benin completed the podium, overpowering Guinea 5-0 in the third-place match, while defending champions Niger and Burkina Faso were absent due to their exit from ECOWAS.

Senegal’s Strength Overpowers Nigeria

In the much-anticipated team final, Nigeria started strong but struggled against Senegal’s more experienced wrestlers. The Senegalese secured victories in the 66kg, 86kg, 100kg, and 120kg weight categories, while Nigeria managed a single win in the 76kg division.

Meanwhile, Benin dominated Guinea across all weight categories in the third-place match, showcasing their depth and determination.

Nigerian Wrestlers Shine in Individual Events, But Senegal Secures Heavyweight Gold

While Senegal claimed the overall team title, Nigerian wrestlers made their mark in individual categories.

Ebipatei Lienbofa secured gold in the 66kg division with a victory over Senegal’s Safietou Goudiaby, while Ebi Bigos thrilled the home crowd with a hard-fought win over Côte d'Ivoire’s Youin Amy in the 76kg final.

However, Senegal’s dominance in the heavier categories proved decisive. Siny Sembene took gold in the 86kg class after defeating Benin’s Boni Iliassou, while Gora Niang triumphed over Benin’s Yacou Bou Sadath in the 100kg final. The biggest moment came in the 120kg final, where Senegal’s Ngagne Sene overpowered Guinea’s Gino Nitehala to cap off his country’s triumph.

Other podium finishes included Côte d'Ivoire’s Bakoyoko N. Celine Josee securing bronze in the 66kg category, Benin’s Bodirenou Rosine finishing third in the 76kg division, and Nigeria’s Musa Abdoolahi clinching bronze in the 86kg class. Togo’s Badaro Essorezah edged Guinea Bissau’s Caetano Anthonio for the 100kg bronze, while Ghana’s Issah Fuseini secured third place in the 120kg category.

Nigeria’s Improved Performance a Positive Takeaway

Despite finishing second, Nigeria’s rise from third place in 2023 to silver this year highlighted its steady progress in wrestling. Competing on home soil for the first time, the Nigerian team showcased resilience and talent, setting a strong foundation for future editions.

Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, commended the high level of competition and the unity fostered by the tournament.

“This was a remarkable improvement for Nigeria. Moving from third to second in just one edition shows growth and determination. Senegal may have won, but Nigeria proved they are a rising force in West African wrestling,” he said.

Beyond the competition, the tournament served as a cultural and sporting milestone. “Senegal proved they are the best in West African wrestling, but this competition is bigger than winning. It’s about celebrating our heritage and the strength of our region. This was a fitting way to mark ECOWAS at 50,” Njoaguani added.

Prize Rewards for Champions

For their triumph, Senegal received $10,000, while runners-up Nigeria took home $6,000. Third-place finishers Benin were awarded $3,000.

In the individual events, gold medalists earned $2,000, silver medalists received $1,500, and bronze medalists pocketed $1,000, providing extra motivation for the athletes.

As the tournament wrapped up in Abuja, Senegal celebrated another wrestling title, while Nigeria left with renewed confidence and valuable experience.