2025 PANASA President's Cup: D.Warriors Unveil Africa's power trio

Posted : 09 March 2025

D. Warriors, one of Nigeria's most vibrant scrabble teams, has unveiled three of Africa's tested medal winners for its campaign at the 2025 PANASA President's Cup.

The second President's Cup, tagged "Triumvirate Showdown," takes a fresh format, moving away from the individual category used in the 2023 edition to a team format.

Players have been given the freedom to form a team of three, either from the same nationality or different nationalities.

D. Warriors has confirmed its intention by opting for the multi-country option, signing two continental heavyweights and a young Amazon for the August journey.

Co-owner Khaleel Adedeji, while revealing details about the three scrabble stars, stated that the selection of Ghana's powerhouse Charles Tachie-Menson, Ugandan scrabble king Geria Richard, and Nicole Achan of Kenya aligns with D. Warriors' aspirations to make a mark on the continental stage, just as they did at the MGI Scrabble League in Nigeria.

"This year's President’s Cup initiative is a team format, and that excites me a lot because I believe so much in teamwork. Talent or individuality wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.

D. Warriors is a symbol we have upheld during the MGI League season, and our aim is not only to participate but also to channel the fighting spirit of a warrior into the games to secure the necessary wins to claim the championship."

Ghana's four-time Grandmaster and six-time national champion, Charles Tachie-Menson, has been enlisted as one of the team's dependable hands, with his proficiency in the mind game unquestionable.

The 2024 Lekki Scrabble Classic champion and Scrabblemania Liberia winner, with 2049 rating points, boasts a collection of trophies as proof of his skill and success on the letter-and-figure board.

Tachie-Menson is a 'give and take' specialist who is unafraid of taking calculated risks in a game where strategy is paramount.

Veteran Richard Geria, the Ugandan legend, has a 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) and led the East African country to a team gold and individual silver medal at the 13th African Games in 2023 in Ghana.

Geria, who has a rating of 2010, is known for his versatility—attacking aggressively and defending strategically based on the board situation.

He has won the Sajeki International, a contest between Uganda and Kenya, on six occasions and is regarded as the most successful Ugandan in the game.

He is respected for his ruggedness and tenacity.

Nicole Achan, the 13th African Games women's silver medalist, completes D. Warriors' triumvirate with her explosive style of play.

The Kenyan was a major discovery at the 2023 African Youth Scrabble Championship held in Lagos and has since progressed to competing against top players in the game.

Her rapid rise has drawn significant attention.

Achan, with 1672 rating points, has been one of the most consistent female players from the ‘Pride of Africa.’ Her calm demeanor has never betrayed her ambition to reach the highest levels.

"Knowing fully well that we had to select players from three pools, the team made selections based on character and attitude towards the game because we believe attitude is everything, and unity is strength.

Tachie’s resilience in the game has won him many tournaments both at home and abroad, and Geria’s calmness on the board is unmatched.

Achan, a Pool B player, is someone who strives for perfection, and we have made her the captain to oversee the team for a reason.

We will have to put in the work to win the championship, and the team members know their responsibilities and are ready to commit.

The management will support them as best as we can, and hopefully, together, we will win."

The President's Cup will take place at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 14 to 17 this year. It will serve as a precursor to the 2024 WESPAC, which will be hosted by Ghana in November.

2025 PANASA President's Cup: D.Warriors Unveil Africa's power trio

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