Nigeria’s golden generation of sprinters will again show their dominance on the tracks when they participate in the forthcoming 2024 Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroun.
The Nigerian contingent will depart Lagos today ahead of the championship which will run from June 21 to June 26.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has listed top stars for the championships with the view of topping the medals table. Speaking with AFN Media shortly after retaining her title at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin City, Record Holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan said they are going to Douala to display their talents.
“We are Nigerians, and we are going to Douala to show that spirit of ‘we can do it.’
Also speaking, newly crowned 100m champion, Favour Ofili said: “I am confident we will top the medals table in Douala.”
Long jumper, Ese Brume also promised to do her best to ensure Nigeria finish well in Douala.
In the same vein, Temitope Adeshina will be seeking to become the first Nigerian woman to be crowned African champion in the high jump event after silver medal finishes by Nneka Ukuh and Doreen Amata.
Amusan, on the other hand, is not only the defending 100m hurdles champion at the championships, she will also be aiming for a hat-trick of high hurdles titles after winning in 2018 and 2022. If she succeeds, she will become the third Nigerian nay African woman to win the event three straight times after Maria Usifo and Glory Alozie.
Also listed are sprinters Ushoritse Itshekiri, Kanyinsola Ajayi and Godson Oghenebrume for men and Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Tima Godbless for the women. While the men will be seeking to return Nigeria to the podium since 2008 when Olusoji Fasuba won for the third consecutive time, the women will be seeking a first for Nigeria since 2014 when Blessing Okagbare ran a then Championships’ record of 11.00 to win the title.
In the 400m, reigning African Games champion, Chidi Okezie has been listed alongside teenage sensation, Samuel Ogazi and Dubem Amene with the sole task of returning Nigeria to the podium as African champion 26 years after Clement Chukwu won the gold in Dakar, Senegal.
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