Team Nigeria has touched down in Harare, Zimbabwe, ahead of the 2024 African Youth Chess Championship (AYCC), which runs from December 6 to 14.

The contingent features six promising talents, Deborah Quickpen, Chiamaka Nwankwo, Zita Agusionu, Jason Nwankwo, Olakitan Elegbede and Adeola Elegbede, who will compete across the U10 to U18 categories as they chase continental honours.

The players departed Lagos over the weekend and will battle rivals from Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Ghana and several other countries, all vying for supremacy in one of Africa’s most competitive youth chess events.

Attention naturally turns to Bayelsa prodigy Deborah Quickpen, one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects on the continental stage.

Speaking before departure, she expressed confidence and ambition: “I’m excited and looking forward to the championship. My aim is to come tops.”

The tournament begins Friday, with Team Nigeria aiming to improve on past performances and assert its presence among Africa’s elite youth chess nations.