African Games: Nigerian track stars dazzle on Day 1 of Athletics in Ghana

African Games: Nigerian track stars dazzle on Day 1 of Athletics in Ghana

Funmilayo Fameso 02:45 - 19.03.2024

Recap of Team Nigeria athletes performances on Day 1 of Athletics at the African Games in Ghana.

Team Nigeria representatives were the cynosure of eyes as they gave good accounts of themselves on Day 1 of athletics at the ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana.

Kicking off events for the day, the trio of Usheoritse Itsekiri, Consider Ekanem, and Israel Okon Sunday easily qualified for the men's 100m semifinals.

Usheoritse Itsekiri started brightly for Team Nigeria

Likewise, Olayinka Olajide, Justina Eyakpobeyan, and Blessing Ogundiran did the same in the women's category to set things rolling for Nigerian athletes on the day.

In the men's 400m, Chidi Okezie ran the second fastest time overall in a brilliant season's best of 45.89s to book his spot in the semifinal, Dubem Nwachukwu settled for second position in his heat in 46.29s to make it through, while Sikiru Adeyemi's time of 46.72s was also enough to make the semifinal.

Chidi Okezie winning his 400m heat

The women's category was more impressive as Esther Joseph clocked a blistering personal best of 51.81s to win her heat, Esther Okon finished second in her heat in 53.17s, and Brittany Ogunmokun third in 53.53s, all making it to the semifinals.

Itsekiri and Ekanem will later make the 100m final after winning their respective semifinal races, with Olajide and Eyakpobeyan doing the same in the women's category to make the final.

Comfort James qualified for the women's 800m final, clocking an equal Personal Best of 2:05.11. Running in heat 3, James finished fourth, enough to make her maiden international final.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the day for Team Nigeria was the quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Patience Okon-George, Samson Nathaniel, and Omolara Ogunmankinju posting a Season's Best and initial Games Record of 3:15.23 to advance to the final.

Nigeria's mixed 4x400m relay quartet

However, the record was short-lived as the Botswana team clocked a faster time of 3:14.36s to win their semifinal race, setting a highly anticipated final on Day 2.

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