D.Warriors, one of Nigeria’s most vibrant scrabble team has unveiled three Africa’s tested medal winners for it’s campaign at the 2025 PANASA President’s Cup.
The second President’s Cup tagged “Triumvirate Showdown” takes a fresh format away from the individual category deployed at the 2023 edition to a team format.
Players have been given the freedom to form a team of three of the same nationality or different nationalities.
D.Warriors has subsequently confirmed it’s intention by taking the multi-country option with the signing of two continental heavyweights and a young amazon for the August journey.
Co-owner Khaleel Adedeji while revealing the details of the three scrabble stars said that the selection of Ghana’s powerhouse Charles Tachie-Menson, Ugandan scrabble King Geria Richard and Nicole Achan of Kenya matches the aspirations of D.Warriors to make a mark at the continental stage just like it did at the MGI Scrabble League in Nigeria.
“This years President’s cup initiative is a team format and that excites me a lot because I believe so much in teamwork a lot. Talents or individuality wins games but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. D. Warriors is a symbol we have flagged during the MGI League season and the aim is not only to participate but also channel the fighting spirit of a warrior in to the games in order to secure the necessary wins needed to win the Championship.”
Ghana’s 4-time GrandMaster and 6-time national champion Charles Tachie-Menson has been enlisted as one of the dependable hands whose proficiency in the art of the mind game cannot be wished away.
The 2024 Lekki Scrabble Classic champion and Scrabblemania Liberia winner with 2049 rating points boasts of a room of trophies as a proof of his guile and success rate on the letter-and-figure board.
Tachie-Menson is a ‘give and take’ specialist who is not afraid of taking calculated risk in a game where strategy is paramount.
Vintage Richard Geria, the Ugandan legend has a rich wealth of experience spanning over two decades.
He captained Team Uganda to a third-place finish at the 2017 World English Language Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) while he also led the East-African country to a Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 13th 2023 African Games in Ghana.
Geria who has a rating point of 2010 is known for his versatility when he attacks with aggression and defend depending on board situation.
He’s won the Sajeki International; a contest between Uganda and Kenya on six occasions and appears to be the most successful Ugandan on the board.
He’s respected in the game for his ruggedness and tenacity.
13th African Games women’s silver medallist Nicole Achan who packs some dynamites with her explosive plays completes the D’Warriors triumvirate.
The Kenyan was a huge discovery at the 2023 African Youth Scrabble Championship held in Lagos and she has moved onto big things by sharing boards with the big guns in the game.
Her quick ascendancy has drawn many attractions to her progress.
Achan ( with 1672 rating points) has been one of the most consistent female players from the ‘Pride of Africa’. Her calm mien has never betrayed her desire to reach for the highest heights.
“Knowing fully well we have to select players from 3 Pools. The team selected players based on character/attitude towards the game because we believe attitude is everything and unity is strength. Tachie resilience in the game has won him many tournaments both in his homeland and away from home and Geria calmness on the board is a trait that is second to none. Achan, a pool B player is an individual that craves nothing less than perfection and we have made her the captain to take care of the affairs of the team for a reason. We will have to put in the work in order to win the championship and the team members know all they need to do and are ready to do the work. The management will assist them as best as we can and hopefully together we win.”
The President’s Cup will take place at the Trademark Hotel Nairobi, Kenya from August 14 to 17 this year will serve as a precursor to the 2024 WESPAC to be hosted by Ghana in November.
Credit: Tayo Ogunseye
