Nigeria’s badminton ace, Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori, reinforced his supremacy on the African stage, clinching his seventh continental title at the 2025 All-Africa Senior Badminton Championship in Douala, Cameroon. 

His victory in the men’s singles final against Egypt’s Adham Hatem Elgamal (21-7, 23-21) not only secured another gold medal for Nigeria but also highlighted the country’s growing prominence in African badminton.

Opeyori, who has now won the All-Africa Senior Championships five times consecutively (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), showcased his class throughout the tournament, dropping just one set en route to the title. 

His path to victory included straight-set wins against Algeria’s M. Ouchefoun and Reunion’s T. Cougouille, a hard-fought quarterfinal triumph over Mauritius’ J. Bongout, and a composed semifinal performance against Morocco’s Bourroum P. Nolem.

His success was part of a solid overall performance from Team Nigeria, which finished the competition with three medals—one gold and two bronze. The mixed doubles pair of Ukeh Deborah and Alhaji Aliyu Shehu secured bronze after a competitive showdown against Egypt, while Ikechukwu Victor and Emmanuel Joseph also claimed bronze in the men’s doubles against Algeria.

Reflecting on his latest triumph, Opeyori expressed gratitude for the support from his coaches, teammates, and the Nigerian Badminton Federation, emphasizing the importance of consistency and hard work. 

“This victory means a lot to me. It has been a tough tournament, but I stayed focused and gave my best in every match. Coming in as the defending champion, I knew I had a target on my back, but I was determined to retain my title.

“Winning my seventh African gold is a huge achievement, and I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, the Nigerian Badminton Federation, and the National Sports Commission for their support. I hope this inspires younger players to keep pushing for excellence,” he said. 

Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), praised Opeyori’s contribution to the sport, calling him an inspiration for the next generation of players.

“Anuoluwapo Opeyori has once again proven why he is Africa’s best. His dedication, discipline, and winning mentality continue to raise the profile of Nigerian badminton. This victory is not just for him but for the entire country. We are proud of his achievements and remain committed to supporting him and other players as we prepare for more international competitions.

“I also want to appreciate the entire Team Nigeria contingent for their strong display throughout the tournament. The effort and resilience of our coaches and players in all categories were commendable, and we remain confident in their ability to achieve even greater success on the global stage.”Orbih stated.

With the championship now concluded, Team Nigeria will set its sights on upcoming international competitions, aiming to build on their strong performance in Douala.