Team Nigeria have secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China after reaching the final of the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.
The Nigerian quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson Omokwedelivered an impressive performance, clocking 40.24 seconds to secure a spot among the finalists.
Their run also saw Nigeria set a new African record, underlining a strong showing against top global competition.
In the same race, Canada claimed victory with a world record time of 40.07 seconds, followed by Germany (40.15s) and the Netherlands (40.20s), with Nigeria finishing among the leading qualifiers.
The achievement provides a significant boost to Nigeria’s relay programme, even as the team continues to compete in other events at the meet with mixed outcomes.
Nigeria’s campaign has been affected by the absence of key athletes, including Rosemary Chukwuma, Blessing Ogundiran, and Anita Enaruna, who were unable to participate.
Their absence contributed to setbacks in the women’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m events, where Nigeria missed out on additional automatic qualification spots.
Despite these challenges, the team remains in contention through last-chance qualification rounds in the men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m events.
Nigeria’s strongest position remains in the mixed 4x100m relay, where qualification is already secured, and focus now shifts to competing for medals against leading sprint nations.
With countries like Jamaica, the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, and United Kingdom in the final, Nigeria will aim to build on their record-breaking performance.
As the competition concludes in Gaborone, Team Nigeria will look to secure further qualifications while targeting a strong finish in the mixed 4x100m event.
