African Champion Nwali Proves Status At Ultimate Scrabble Showdown

 

African Champion Enoch Nwali has won the maiden edition of the Ultimate Scrabble Showdown after he recorded a slim victory with a 11-10 result against Timilehin Doko over the weekend in Lagos.

 

 

Just like opposing generals plotting their strategies on the their maps in the War Room, both players high on intelligence, guile and quick thinking, Nwali and Doko who bestrode the West African scene were both locked in a duel of 21 games and it indeed lived beyond expectations.

 

Pairs of eyes from different part of the globe observed every move, shuffling, word landing, and the sound of the scrabble bag for what to expect from the unusual encounter between the two continent’s heavyweights.

 

Both players knew what was at stake as the electronic timer reminded them that the friendship the Nigerians shared across levels even as undergrads of the same school, University of Lagos, paled into insignificance during the three-day 21-game showpiece on the letter-and-number board.

 

 

At the grand apartment in the choicest corner in Lekki which served as the venue, Nwali quickly settled in on the first day as he snatched four wins from six games on offer.

 

Nothing changed on resumption on Day Two as the current national champion added two more blocks to his castle.

Sensing danger, Doko conjured a 409-383 win in Game 9 from his bag of tricks to slow down rampaging Nwali who pushed back with a victory in Game 10.

 

But Doko was relenting.

 

He scored three straight wins (zat) in Game 11, 12 & 13 to reassert some confidence from his admirers.

 

But again, Nwali rallied back with Game 14 while Doko picked the next game.

 

The duel was put on hold as Doko had stomach discomfort and was attended to by the medicals.

 

On resumption, Nwali pounced, picking two more wins in Game 16 and 17.

 

He took the momentum into the last game of the day but his rival had a surprise package to deliver.

 

Against most permutations and expectations, Doko turned around the game in a dramatic fashion as he somewhat created a surge and wrestled himself to victory to the admiration of the global audience as the score stood at 8-10.

On the final day and with three games left, both Strategists knew a single error of margin would be costly.

 

The West African champion must win all three to stand a chance of coming top.

 

He wasted no time as he showed intent and grabbed the first match of Day 3 to close the gap to 9-10.

 

In the penultimate match, Nwali pushed for the final kill with the word, LIBRAIRE as he put the title to bed to become the champion of the Ultimate Scrabble Showdown.

 

Doko did not however, shy away as he pick the last game to end the exciting and highly entertaining bout on a respectable 10-11 result.

 

For their performances, the two elite players were granted wildcard to the next edition which will be an expanded version with other champions.

 

“I’m very happy and excited to have won the first edition of the Ultimate Scrabble Showdown. It’s a very good platform and it’s going to be better. Doko is a very good player and I expect the tough challenge and this happens when two top players meet. I had to give it my all.”

 

 

Both players received various prizes and will be paid stipends for the next eight weeks according to the organisers.

 

 

 

The Ultimate Scrabble Showdown tournament, a brainchild of former national champion Olatunde Oduwole has been receiving praises for pushing the game to a new height.

 

The closing ceremony was attended by the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) Players’ Representative Segun Durojaye, Scrabble promoters; Ebikeme Adowei, Charles Uzamere, Lagos State Scrabble Coach Ayomiposi Akinf

emisoye and other enthusiasts.