The Athletics Federation of Nigeria is targeting overall victory at the CAA Senior African Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, which begins on Monday, with technical director Gabriel Okon saying the federation’s ambitions stretch well beyond simply giving young athletes competitive exposure.
Nigeria are sending a 45-athlete squad, made up of 25 women and 20 men, to the University of Ghana Sports Complex for the five-day championships running from May 12 to 17.
The contingent blends experienced performers with emerging talents, and Okon said the goal is to dominate the continent while also using the championships to secure remaining qualification tickets for the 2026 World Athletics Championships.
“Our aim is not just exposing our young team but to win overall. Also, we want our athletes to set the tone with good performances for the Commonwealth Games, and most importantly, our men and women 4x400m who are yet to qualify for the World Championships have another chance to do so in Accra,” Okon said ahead of the team’s Friday training session.
World record holder Tobi Amusan headlines the women’s squad, aiming for a fourth African title in the 100m hurdles. She will be joined in that event by Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday. Sprint contender Rosemary Chukwuma, one of the fastest women in the world this season, will feature in the 100m and the 4x100m relay alongside Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Tejiri Ugoh.
Experienced quarter-miler Patience Okon-George, fresh from winning gold at a Continental Tour meeting in Abidjan earlier this week, will anchor the women’s 400m and relay squads. Long jumper Ruth Usoro and hammer specialist Oyesade Olatoye also feature, while the women’s squad is notably without four-time African long jump champion Ese Brume and former discus champion Chioma Onyekwere, who has recently shifted focus to weightlifting ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
In the men’s category, sprint star Favour Ashe and Africa’s leading shot put athlete Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who is also pursuing a fourth continental title in his event, will lead Nigeria’s challenge. The men’s relay squads will be anchored by Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli and Chidi Okezie, while the 100m team also includes 2020 Olympic finalist Enoch Adegoke and reigning National Sports Festival champion Chidera Ezeakor.
Decathlon national record holder Jami Schlueter, who switched allegiance from Great Britain and set a new Nigerian indoor heptathlon record in Indianapolis in February, will also compete, offering another contender for a podium finish in the combined events.
Athletes who represented Nigeria at the World Relays in Gaborone moved directly into a training camp at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos on returning home and are expected to be joined by the remaining squad members ahead of travel to Ghana.
