By Tayo Ogunseye
Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has been urged to create a comfortable and friendly atmosphere that will enable players to bond effectively as the country targets success at the 16th Africa Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia.
Reigning Lekki Scrabble Classics champion Abdulmumeen Jimoh said strong team bonding and players’ comfort would be crucial to Nigeria’s quest to retain its dominance at the continental championship.
Jimoh, who recently defended his Lekki Scrabble Classics title with an impressive record of 15 wins and three defeats, believes the right team environment could make a significant difference in the players’ performances.
According to him, Nigeria’s experience at the 2025 World Scrabble Championship in Ghana, where the team won the Best-Country Trophy, demonstrated the importance of unity among players.
“Comfortability!” He declared during the exclusive interview. “Just allow the players to be comfortable with themselves. We all know who we are friends with in the camp and who we are with. Allow the players to bond,” Jimoh said.
“That’s what we did at the 2025 World Championship in Ghana. The players bonded very well and we won the Best-Country Trophy. So, if that’s going to be in place, we can definitely win the title in Monrovia, Liberia, by God’s grace.”
The Nigerian star also expressed confidence ahead of the championship, insisting that he was not under pressure despite the expectations surrounding his participation.
24 countries are expected to crowd the field in the West African country for best honours on the African continent in few days.
Jimoh said he would approach the continental competition with the same determination that earned him success at the Lekki Scrabble Classics, while working to eliminate the mistakes that cost him some games.
“I’m not under pressure going into the Africa Scrabble Championship. I’m going to give it my best! I’m going to play like I played in the Lekki Scrabble Classics,” he said.
“I know I made a couple of errors that made me lose some games, and I’m going to work on that by playing more games to put myself in great condition before the championship.”
Highlighting the physical and mental demands of the competition, Jimoh noted that players would need considerable stamina and resilience to remain competitive throughout the tournament.
With 32 games scheduled, he explained that competitors must be prepared to maintain their concentration and fight their way back into contention whenever they fall behind.
“There are going to be 32 games. You need a lot of stamina. If you are there, you need a lot to stay up there, and if you are in the middle or at the back, you need to work your way back to the top. That’s what I’m going to do, by God’s grace,” he added.
The 16th Africa Scrabble Championship is scheduled to hold in Monrovia, Liberia, from October 22 to 25, 2026, with Nigeria seeking to maintain its impressive record at the continental competition.
With preparations gathering momentum, Jimoh believes that a united team, combined with adequate preparation and individual determination, could give Nigeria the edge needed to emerge champions once again.
