Despite exiting in the knockout stage of the individual men’s sabre event at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Nigeria’s fencing sensation Inkosi Brou remains confident that his dream of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is still alive. Brou, Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer at both junior and senior levels, showcased his talent at the continental tournament, which concluded over the weekend in Lagos. He advanced from the group stage, competing against a field of seasoned athletes. In the preliminary round, Brou defeated Guinea’s Conte Aboubacar 5-0 in his opening bout and overcame Algeria’s Akram Bounabi 5-3. He then lost 0-5 to Egypt’s Ziad Elsissy, bounced back with a 5-1 win over Niger Republic’s Ali Djibo, and concluded the group stage with a 0-5 loss to African champion Ahmed Ferjani of Tunisia. Despite the mixed results, Brou finished among the top three in his group of six, securing a spot in the knockout stage. In the first-round bout, Brou took an early lead against fifth seed Evann Girault of Niger Republic. However, a tactical error allowed his opponent to stage a comeback and win the closely contested match 15-11. Though disappointed with the outcome, the bronze medallist at the 2025 African Junior Championships remains undeterred in his Olympic pursuit. “I believe my 2028 Olympic dream is still intact. It’s a step-by-step journey, and I just need to stay consistent,” he said. Brou, the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Dora Akunyili, described the recently concluded African Fencing Championships in Lagos as a positive development for the sport. He expressed hope that more events would be organized to raise awareness and participation among young Nigerians. “Hosting the continental tournament means a lot for fencing. It was well-organized and proved that Nigeria is capable of hosting more international fencing events,” he added. Acknowledging the challenges of competing in multiple international events, Brou—who made history as the first Nigerian fencer to win a medal at an international tournament—said: “Travelling and competing at this level is tough, especially with my Olympic aspirations. But with the support of my parents and coaches, I’m managing well. Hopefully, it will all pay off with a ticket to the 2028 Olympics.” He also acknowledged the enduring legacy of his grandmother: “Yes, my grandmother’s influence has opened doors for me. What she achieved continues to inspire and guide us. We’re trying to follow the path she laid down.”
