Team Nigeria Arrives In Harare For African Youth Chess Showdown
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
TEAM Nigeria has touched down in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the 2025 African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC), marking the country’s latest bid for continental success in one of Africa’s most competitive youth tournaments. The championship runs from 6 to 14 December and features elite young players from across the continent.
Nigeria is fielding a six-player squad packed with promising talents: Deborah Quickpen, Chiamaka Nwankwo, Zita Agusionu, Jason Nwankwo, Olakitan Elegbede, and Adeola Elegbede. They will battle in various divisions from the Under-10 to Under-18 categories, seeking podium finishes against a strong field.
The delegation left Lagos over the weekend and is expected to face tough opposition from top chess nations such as Egypt, Algeria, Libya, and Ghana. The AYCC is widely regarded as a crucial development platform, offering young competitors a pathway to international recognition and future professional advancement.
With Nigeria’s rising profile in youth chess and the inclusion of several nationally acclaimed talents, the team enters Harare aiming to secure medals and further cement the country’s growing reputation in the sport.
