Nigeria's Boxing Team Faces Tough Times in Glasgow

Team Nigeria's boxing team faced another setback at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. On Sunday, Ajishola Kadijat became the latest Nigerian boxer to be knocked out of the tournament. She lost a close split decision in the women's 54kg round of 16, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The 19-year-old lost 3-2 to Wales' Helen Jones at the SEC Centre. It was a tightly fought match with both boxers showing off their skills. In the end, the judges favored the Welsh boxer, who moves on to the quarter-finals.

Kadijat fought hard but could not keep her medal dreams alive. Her loss adds to Nigeria's challenges in boxing, as three other boxers had already been eliminated earlier in the competition.

Kadijat's exit came after Ayomide Foly Hassan and Abdulramon Abdulwahab were knocked out on Friday, and David Akintola on Saturday. Hassan lost 4-0 to Lesotho's Refiloe Thai in the men's 70kg round of 32. Akintola, seen as one of Nigeria's top talents, was defeated 4-1 by Tanzania's Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in the men's 80kg round of 32. Akintola struggled throughout the fight, as the Tanzanian controlled the pace with sharper punches and better scoring.

Now, with four out of six Nigerian boxers out of the tournament, the pressure is on the remaining fighters to save what is turning into a tough campaign. Patricia Mbata is set to face England's Mary Smith in the women's 75kg quarter-final on Tuesday, July 28. Blessing Orakwe will take on Australia's Lekeisha Pergoliti in the women's 70kg quarter-final on Wednesday, July 29.

While Team Nigeria has done well in other events, like para powerlifting, boxing has struggled. This sport has brought many medals for Nigeria in past Commonwealth Games, but so far, it has not produced any wins in Glasgow.

The remaining boxers now carry Nigeria's hopes of avoiding a medal-less outcome. Another loss could leave the team without any medals in a sport that has a strong history of success on the Commonwealth stage.