By GEORGINA ADEGBIE

Some fencing coaches in the country have expressed optimism in the ability of Team Nigeria athletes to spring surprises at the 23rd African Fencing Championships in Lagos.

The coaches who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the athletes had the potential of doing well at the championships, considering their underdogs status.

NAN reports that a 12-member squad will represent Nigeria in the championships taking place from June 25 to June 29, at Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in West Africa.

No fewer than 150 fencers from 18 countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Benin Republic, C?te d?Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius are expected to participate in the 12-event tournament.

Other participating countries are Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and host Nigeria.

Ibrahim Alogba, a national fencing coach, said he had strong confidence in the youthful team considering the various training sessions the athletes passed through.

?These athletes are young and have the potential to surprise more experienced opponents.

?Our team is the youngest in terms of age and experience, which reduces the pressure on them.

?This can work in our favor. We may be young, but we are not intimidated by records or reputations.

?We are ready to break Nigeria?s medal drought in this tournament,? Alogba said.

An invited coach, Riccardo Bardin, an Italian, said Nigeria had a good set of athletes to compete in the competition.

He commended the athletes? potential, noting that they were good enough to propel good performance in their games.

?The sport is still developing in the country, and the athletes who are used to competition are ready to demonstrate what they know in their various competitions.

?With the interest of the federation and the athletes at this time, the game will become well known in Nigeria,? he said.

NAN reports that the tournament which will feature 12 events, is made up of six individual and six team events in foil, epee and sabre.

This marks only the third time the continental tournament will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous editions in Senegal (2002) and Mali (2009). (NAN)

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