By John Egbokhan
After the woeful performance of her athletes at the recently concluded IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, Team Nigeria’s contingent to the 11tth All Africa Games starting today in Brazzaville, will be seeking a better outing at Africa’s premium multi-sports competition.

A colourful Opening Ceremony is expected to herald the start of the Games  today.

. NIGERIAN SPECIAL ATHLETES BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE FOR THE 11TH ALL
AFRICA GAMES, IN ABUJA ON MONDAY

Set to end on September 19, this edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Games, as well as their return to Brazzaville, which hosted the maiden edition in 1965.

Athletes from various countries will be battling for medals in various sports, with Nigeria fixing her sights on emerging top of the medals table on September 19. The last time the country finished top was in the 2013 edition held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Successive attempts by the Ministry of Sports and National Sports Commission to tinker Team Nigeria to the summit of the All Africa Games have failed, as South Africa ad Egypt maintained their stranglehold on the top two positions.

54 countries will be jostling for medals in 22 separate sports with two additional disability sports of Athletics and Swimming.

The separate sports comprise Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Handball, Judo, Traditional Karate, Karate, Pétanque, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.