WAUG 2026: UDS Ghana Crushes ABUAD in Six-Goal Thriller as OAU, Lead City & FUTA Light Up Ile-Ife Opener

WAUG 2026: UDS Ghana Crushes ABUAD in Six-Goal Thriller as OAU, Lead City & FUTA Light Up Ile-Ife Opener

Ile Ife, October 5, 2026

The 15th West African University Games (WAUG) 2026 got off to an exciting start at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Monday, with a series of eye catching results across football, basketball and table tennis.

The opening day delivered plenty of action, including a six goal football thriller, commanding basketball victories and intense table tennis battles as universities began their campaigns in the 15th edition of the regional university sports competition.

One of the standout results came in the men’s football competition, where University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana defeated Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) 4–2

UDS produced an impressive attacking display to secure all three points in a game that saw six goals scored between the two sides. ABUAD managed to score twice, but the Ghanaian university maintained its advantage to seal a convincing victory and make an early statement in the competition.

For UDS, the result provides an ideal start to their WAUG campaign, while ABUAD will have to regroup ahead of their next football fixture.

ABUAD enjoyed a different outcome in the men’s basketball competition, where they secured a 59–41 victory over host institution OAU.

The 18 point victory gave ABUAD a strong opening result and demonstrated their ability to respond after the football defeat earlier in the day. OAU, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back when they return to the court in their next fixture.

The host university did, however, record a commanding victory in the women’s basketball competition, defeating ABUAD 73–29.

OAU controlled the contest from start to finish to secure a 44 point victory, producing one of the biggest winning margins among the basketball results recorded on the opening day.

There was also action in the men’s table tennis competition, where Lead City University defeated OAU 3–0, completing a clean sweep over the hosts.

The table tennis event also saw FUTA make an early statement, with Peter Ezuba emerging as one of the standout performers of the opening day. Competing in Group 3, Ezuba went unbeaten across his three matches, recording three victories with results of 3–0, 3–0 and 3–2.

His performance puts him in a strong position as the competition progresses and highlights FUTA’s growing presence in the table tennis event.

Another FUTA player, Akinduro Gabriel, also enjoyed a productive outing in Group 4. Gabriel recorded two wins from three matches, including impressive 3–0 victories over representatives from the University of Abuja and OAU.

The group stage also featured players from institutions including BIU, OAU, FUNATO, LASU, FUTA and UNIABJ, setting up a competitive battle for progression as the table tennis competition continues.

With several universities already showing their strength across different sports, the opening day has provided an early glimpse of the quality and competitiveness expected throughout WAUG 2026.

UDS Ghana have made an early statement in football, ABUAD have responded strongly on the basketball court, OAU have shown their strength in women’s basketball, while FUTA’s table tennis campaign has started with impressive individual performances.

As the Games continue in Ile Ife, attention now turns to the next round of fixtures, with athletes and teams looking to build on their opening performances, recover from early setbacks and strengthen their chances of competing for honours at WAUG 2026.