Sports
National Trials: Nigeria Set For Relay Ticket
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria on Saturday officially confirmed that the men’s 4x100m relay team will make a qualification push during the ongoing National Trials at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
This effort comes after Jamaica’s blistering 37.80s performance at the London Diamond League catapulted them into 15th place in the World Athletics relay rankings, pushing Nigeria out of the final qualification slot.
The Netherlands also edged Nigeria out, taking the 16th and final qualifying spot with their 37.87s run at the 2025 European Championships in Madrid in June.
Nigeria had previously held 16th place with the 38.20s time recorded at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but now must improve on that performance before the qualification window closes.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, AFN president Tonobok Okowa admitted that Nigeria’s absence from the World Relays in China earlier this year has left the country playing catch-up.
“We were not able to attend the World Relays in China, so because of that, none of our relay teams have qualified,” Okowa said.
The men’s 4x100m team had qualified in the past, but Jamaica just earned their spot and knocked us out of the top 16 countries. That has left us with a serious problem.”
Despite the challenge, Okowa said there is renewed optimism among the athletes in Lagos, with all eight finalists from the men’s 100m event registered to compete in the relay trials.
They include Israel Okon, Alaba Akintola, Adekalu Fakorede, Seye Ogunlewe, Olaolu Olatunde, James Emmanuel, Enoch Adegoke, and ThankGod Igube.
These athletes will be split into two teams to compete in a timed relay event that could determine Nigeria’s Tokyo 2025 fate.
“A lot of our sprinters, 100m and 200m specialists, are determined to beat the time we currently have. We also have very fast 400m runners in the country.”
I can tell you that they are all here and eager to do the nation proud,” Okowa added. “Nobody knows what will happen, but the athletes are in high spirits and ready to bring Nigeria back into the relay picture.”
The AFN president also confirmed that Ghana’s relay teams, both the 4x100m and 4x400m men’s squads, arrived in Nigeria for the event, and Saturday PUNCH confirmed they were present at the trials on Saturday to observe proceedings.
“We will see what our boys can do to qualify,” Okowa said.
“But even if we don’t succeed here, there’s still another window. The CAA Region II Championships, which will hold from August 13 to 17 in Ghana, offer another opportunity. That meet, involving West African nations, is expected to be very competitive.”
To book their place at the World Championships in September, the Nigerian team will likely need to better the 38.20s mark currently sitting on the edge of the rankings, and possibly aim for a sub-38s performance, surpassing the national record of 37.94s set in Athens in 1997.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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