Nigerian boxers dealt further setbacks in Glasgow

Team Nigeria's boxing campaign at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, has hit another roadblock, with Ajishola Kadijat's elimination in the women's 54kg round of 16 marking the team's fourth consecutive setback on Sunday.

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Kadijat, just 19 years old, fell to Wales' Helen Jones by a narrow 3-2 split decision at the SEC Centre, where both fighters showcased impressive skills but the judges ultimately favoured the Welsh boxer, who advances to the quarter-finals.

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Despite her valiant effort, Kadijat was unable to keep Nigeria's medal aspirations alive in the discipline, compounding the team's struggles after three other boxers had already been knocked out in the early stages of competition.

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Kadijat's exit follows the earlier eliminations of Ayomide Foly Hassan and Abdulramon Abdulwahab on Friday, as well as David Akintola on Saturday, with Hassan suffering a 4-0 points defeat to Lesotho's Refiloe Thai in the men's 70kg Round of 32.

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Akintola, one of Nigeria's most promising young boxers, was beaten 4-1 by Tanzania's Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in the men's 80kg Round of 32, with the Tanzanian dominating the contest through his sharper combinations and cleaner scoring punches.

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With four of the six-member Nigerian boxing contingent now out of the running, the onus is on the remaining two fighters to turn the team's fortunes around in a discipline that is rapidly becoming a disappointment.

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Patricia Mbata is set to face England's Mary Smith in the women's 75kg quarter-final on Tuesday, July 28, while Blessing Orakwe will take on Australia's Lekeisha Pergoliti in the women's 70kg quarter-final on Wednesday, July 29.

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Although Team Nigeria has already enjoyed significant success in other areas of the Games, including multiple medals in para powerlifting, the country's boxing team is still waiting for its breakthrough in Glasgow.

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Nigeria's remaining boxers now carry the burden of the country's dwindling hopes of avoiding a medal-less outing in the discipline, with another defeat likely to leave the team empty-handed in a sport that has historically produced memorable performances on the Commonwealth stage.