Team Nigeria once again demonstrated its sprinting supremacy by dominating the relay events at the 3rd CAA African U18/U20 Athletics Championships held in Abeokuta, thrilling home fans with gold medal performances, a new championship record, and a touch of controversy.
In one of the most surprising moments of the meet, Nigeria’s U20 men’s 4x100m relay team stunned favourites Botswana and Zimbabwe to capture gold. The victory was even more impressive considering that only one member of the quartet, John Caleb, had qualified for the 100m final earlier in the competition.
Botswana, heavily tipped to win thanks to the presence of 200m finalists Justice Oratile and Prince Phaezel, faltered as the Nigerian squad executed flawless baton exchanges and displayed remarkable chemistry, sealing an upset win and wrapping up Day 4 in golden fashion.
However, the team’s triumph is now hanging in the balance after officials received protests alleging a baton exchange violation during the final leg. If the protest is upheld, with a verdict expected on Sunday, the medal order could be reshuffled, placing Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa on the podium.
In contrast, the Nigerian U20 women’s team left no room for dispute. The quartet of Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, Anita Enaruna, and anchor Chioma Nweke delivered a dominant performance to secure gold ahead of South Africa and Botswana. Despite calling in a 400m runner to complete the team, Nigeria’s tactical gamble paid off. Nweke, already a gold medallist in the individual sprints, surged ahead on the anchor leg to seal victory.
The day grew even brighter for the hosts as Nigeria’s U18 girls claimed the Sprint Medley Relay title in emphatic fashion. The team, featuring Rosemary Nwankwo (100m), Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu (200m), Hafsoh Majekodunmi (300m), and Chioma Nwachukwu (400m) — clocked 2:08.16 to set a new championship record, erasing the previous mark set by a Nigerian squad at the 2015 edition in Mauritius.
Their record-breaking run left challengers South Africa and Botswana chasing shadows, as they settled for silver and bronze respectively.
In the U18 boys’ sprint medley relay, Nigeria fell just short of another gold. After a strong start and a brave surge from anchor Tosin Esan, South Africa’s Stiaan Myburgh ran a masterful final leg, overtaking Esan in the home stretch to snatch victory. Nigeria claimed silver while Namibia took bronze in a race that epitomized the tight margins and fierce competition seen throughout the championship.
With three confirmed relay golds, a new championship record, and a fourth gold medal hanging in the balance pending the outcome of a protest, Team Nigeria’s dominance on the track has become a standout feature of the championships.
As the event approaches its final day, Nigeria has sent a clear message: African sprinting still runs through green and white.