After experiencing disappointment in their previous attempts, Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay team is determined to embark on a crucial journey to Cotonou, Benin Republic, in pursuit of a ticket to the Budapest 2023 World Championships, News About Nigeria reports.
The team is set to depart from Lagos today (Tuesday), fueled by the desire to prove themselves on the global stage. Their recent performance in Togo showed promise as they came close to securing a qualification spot with a time of 38.72 seconds.
Although they displayed improvement during the semifinals at the Deji Tinubu/Lagos Series, clocking in at 38.56 seconds, they stumbled in the final, recording a time of 38.78 seconds and finishing in the 17th position in the qualification race.
Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), expressed optimism about the team’s chances in Cotonou. He acknowledged the team’s failure to secure the ticket at Yabatech but remained confident that they would succeed this time.
“It was unfortunate that our men’s 4x100m relay team couldn’t secure the ticket at Yabatech last Friday, but I am optimistic they will get it this time in Cotonou,” said Okowa.
The selected athletes expected to make the trip include Ashe Favour, Usheoritse Itsekiri, Alaba Akintola, Seye Ogunlewe, and Godson Brume. These athletes have been chosen based on their capabilities and determination to represent Nigeria at the global level.
However, the men’s 4x400m squad, which failed to secure their qualification ticket with a time of 3.02.64 seconds at the same competition, will not be part of the upcoming trip to Cotonou. The focus now lies solely on the men’s 4x100m team as they strive for redemption and the opportunity to compete on the global stage.
It is worth noting that, in contrast to the men’s team, their women counterparts were successful in securing the 4x400m ticket at Yabatech, bringing the total number of relay events the country has qualified for to three, including the women’s 4x100m and the mixed relay.
With another opportunity on the horizon, the men’s 4x100m relay team will now aim to secure their ticket in Cotonou on July 20. Their journey represents a chance for redemption and an opportunity to make Nigeria proud at the Budapest 2023 World Championships.
