The third day of the WESPAC hosted by Ghana at The Palms Hotel brought in top notch players from Ghana’s arch rivals Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Kenya a country from the East of Africa. Africa remains unmatched on the Scrabble stage due to its dominance in championships.
Nigeria initiated the game with Timi Woko, an indomitable player sitting firmly atop the leaderboard like a seasoned commander but things started falling apart when Woko descended to 3rd. Backed by 17 victories, 7 defeats and a strong 1787 plus points spread he stays locked in the race. A fourth Nigerian forced his way into the Top 20, restoring the nation’s strength at the summit whiles Adam Logan of Canada tops the table after Day 3 with 18 wins and a draw, followed by Pakistan’s Waseem Khatri with 18 wins.
Ghana stood its ground before a charged audience refusing to fade into the background on its own soil. Their only top 20 representative, Stanley Ubiedi, rose to the moment, battling through elite competition with composure and Aura. Every challenge was a bold statement to the opponents and the World.
Sierra Leone’s entry into the Top 20 made it clear Africa’s push wasn’t just a Nigeria-Ghana affair but a point to the Scrabble World that West Africa is coming all out.
Players from Pakistan, Thailand, Canada, Singapore, the UK, New Zealand, and the US jostled for Top 20 spots in a global storm dominated by African thunder yet all eyes remain on Nigel Richards, the near mythical New Zealander who has ruled World Scrabble for almost two decades.
As Day 4 dawns, the hunt for the final two intensifies, 8 rounds stand between the contenders and a chance to dethrone the legend.
Two prizes awaits, The Individual World Scrabble Champion and the Best Country Award, based on top half finishes. Nigeria knows both well.
Wellington Jighere claimed them in 2015, in 2023, the USA narrowly took Best Country. On African soil in 2025, Nigeria aims to reclaim it all, Ghana hopes to disrupt and the rest of Africa is chasing its moment. Currently, Nigeria leads Best Country, with Ghana and Kenya close behind, while Gambia, England, and Liberia aren’t far off.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Nurudeen Abdul Malik
