Presby SHS Adeiso stages thrilling comeback to edge Wovenu in NSMQ 2026 preliminaries

Presby SHS, Adeiso, has secured a place in the one-eighth stage of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz following one of the preliminaries' most gripping encounters, after staging a remarkable recovery from the brink of elimination.

The Eastern Region school appeared to be in control after dominating the opening rounds, establishing a lead over both Vakpo SHS and Wovenu SHTS. However, their position unravelled dramatically in Round Three when competitors from both rival schools performed exceptionally well on the Problem of the Day, each scoring nine points compared to Presby's three.

The momentum shift

This unexpected turn saw Vakpo SHS surge into first place with 33 points, while Presby found themselves level with Wovenu SHTS on 31 points — a precarious position that left supporters deeply anxious about their team's prospects. The tension escalated further during Round Four as Wovenu SHTS seized command of the contest, accumulating 44 points to take the lead, with Presby trailing at 41 points and Vakpo slipping further back on 37 points.

With only the final round remaining, the outcome appeared genuinely uncertain. The contest had completely shifted from Presby's early dominance to a genuine three-way battle, with elimination a distinct possibility for the Adeiso contingent.

The riddle rescue

The turning point arrived during Round Five's riddle segment, where Presby SHS delivered a decisive performance. The school added nine crucial points to finish on 50 points, a margin sufficient to overtake Wovenu SHTS, who could only reach 44 points, whilst Vakpo SHS remained stuck on 37 points. The celebration that followed the final announcement reflected the emotional rollercoaster supporters had endured throughout the contest.

What this means for NSMQ 2026

Presby SHS, Adeiso's progression adds to the growing roster of schools advancing to the knockout stages as the preliminary round draws to a close with just two days of contests remaining. The 2026 NSMQ has already demonstrated its capacity to produce unpredictable and thrilling matches, with several schools mounting impressive comebacks or facing unexpected defeats. This particular contest exemplifies why the competition remains Ghana's premier academic quiz championship, attracting national attention and showcasing the intellectual prowess of the nation's secondary school students. As more schools secure their spots in the one-eighth stage, the anticipation builds for the knockout phase, where margins of victory are likely to be equally tight.