Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance at the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, securing three qualification spots for next year’s World Championships. With a largely home based squad, the athletes rose to the occasion and ensured Nigeria will be represented in multiple relay events on the global stage.
Nigeria’s biggest highlight came in the mixed 4x400m relay, where the quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Taiwo Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon George ran a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second in their heat. That result was enough to secure a ticket to the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and underlined the country’s growing strength in the one lap relay.
The women’s 4x100m team also secured qualification after bouncing back from an earlier setback. Following a baton mishap that cost them in their first outing, the quartet of Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo, Jennifer Chukwuka Obi, Maria Omokwe Thompson and Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu produced a clean and composed run in the repechage to book their place at the Worlds.
Nigeria also earned a third qualification spot through another relay squad, giving the country three berths from six events entered. Officials described the outcome as a solid return that shows both progress and the need for further technical work, especially on baton exchanges.
Despite some heartbreaking moments, including baton errors and missed chances in other races, coaches and analysts praised the team’s fighting spirit. They highlighted the performances as proof that Nigeria can compete with the world’s best when preparation, organisation and execution come together.
The Debswana World Relays in Gaborone served as a major qualification pathway for the 2027 World Championships and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. With three relay teams now through, attention will turn to refining technique, improving depth and keeping athletes healthy and motivated ahead of Beijing.
Sports authorities and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria have been urged to build on the momentum from Gaborone by investing in more relay camps, better domestic competitions and stronger support systems for both home based and overseas based athletes.
About the author
Shank sparks debate with story of mum’s reaction to tattoo
Nigerian skit maker and comedian Adesokan Emmanuel, popularly known as Shank, has stirred debate on social media after sharing how his mother reacted when she discovered he has a tattoo. In a recent video, he narrated that the revelation immediately turned into a Bible quoting session at home. According to Shank, he had kept the tattoo hidden from his mother for some time. When she finally found out, she was visibly upset and began citing Bible verses and religious teachings to express her disapproval. His story quickly went viral, with many Nigerians relating it to broader arguments in Christian circles about whether tattoos are acceptable for believers. The conversation has revived earlier debates triggered by comments from Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, who previously said during a live broadcast that there is no specific Bible verse that outright forbids tattoos for Christians. […]
Funke Akindele explains why she stopped attending church services
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed why she no longer attends physical church services on Sundays. She said she stopped going because her presence often turns into a distraction, with people and media teams focusing more on her than on the worship. In a video shared on her Snapchat story, Akindele explained that whenever she attends church, cameras and congregants tend to concentrate on recording or looking at her instead of paying attention to the sermon and the message. She said this made her uncomfortable and convinced her that staying away from the physical building was better for everyone. The actress stressed that her decision does not mean she has abandoned her faith. According to her, she still maintains a personal relationship with God, prays regularly and follows services online rather than in person. Akindele added that she […]
Lizzy Anjorin accepts Iyabo Ojo boxing match, sets conditions
Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin has announced that she has accepted a long standing celebrity boxing challenge to fight fellow actress Iyabo Ojo, but with fresh conditions for show promoter Paulo Okoye. The actress confirmed her decision in a social media post on Sunday, years after the bout was first proposed. Anjorin said she is now ready to step into the ring for the N10 million boxing showdown that Paulo put forward as a way to settle the bitter rift between her and Ojo. In her words, “As at today, 3rd May 2026, I accept your challenge,” signalling her agreement in principle to the contest. However, she introduced a major new condition: Paulo must first fight her husband, Chief Lawal, in a 10 round, non stop boxing contest. She said only after that bout is held will she enter the ring […]
Impressive Team Nigeria secure three World Relays spots in Gaborone
Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance at the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, securing three qualification spots for next year’s World Championships. With a largely home based squad, the athletes rose to the occasion and ensured Nigeria will be represented in multiple relay events on the global stage. Nigeria’s biggest highlight came in the mixed 4x400m relay, where the quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Taiwo Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon George ran a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second in their heat. That result was enough to secure a ticket to the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and underlined the country’s growing strength in the one lap relay. The women’s 4x100m team also secured qualification after bouncing back from an earlier setback. Following a baton mishap that cost them in their first outing, the quartet of Rosemary […]
Super sub Iheanacho delighted after firing Celtic to the summit
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed his excitement after coming off the bench to score the decisive goal that lifted Celtic to the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The Nigerian striker was once again the hero as his late strike sealed a 2 1 comeback win away to Hibernian at Easter Road. Celtic went ahead in the first half through Daizen Maeda, but Hibs captain Joe Newell levelled the game before the break despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men following Jamie McGrath’s red card. The visitors then piled on the pressure in the second period, creating chances but struggling to find a breakthrough until Iheanacho stepped up. Introduced as a second half substitute, Iheanacho made his impact in the 72nd minute when he calmly finished inside the box after Celtic forced another opening against the tiring […]
2026 World Cup: Switzerland eye another deep run
Switzerland will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States targeting another deep run after years of consistency on the biggest stage. The Nati have quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most organised and reliable tournament sides and now want to move from respected outsiders to genuine contenders. The 2026 finals will be Switzerland’s 13th appearance at a World Cup and their sixth in a row since 2006. Historically, they reached the quarter finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954 and, in the modern era, they have advanced from the group stage in five of their last six World Cup campaigns. Granit Xhaka, fresh from a title winning season and enjoying some of the best form of his career, is expected to captain the side and set the tempo in midfield. Around him, […]
Related
Super sub Iheanacho delighted after firing Celtic to the summit
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has expressed his excitement after coming off the bench to score the decisive goal that lifted Celtic to the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The Nigerian striker was once again the hero as his late strike sealed a 2 1 comeback win away to Hibernian at Easter Road. Celtic went ahead in the first half through Daizen Maeda, but Hibs captain Joe Newell levelled the game before the break despite the hosts being reduced to 10 men following Jamie McGrath’s red card. The visitors then piled on the pressure in the second period, creating chances but struggling to find a breakthrough until Iheanacho stepped up. Introduced as a second half substitute, Iheanacho made his impact in the 72nd minute when he calmly finished inside the box after Celtic forced another opening against the tiring […]
2026 World Cup: Switzerland eye another deep run
Switzerland will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States targeting another deep run after years of consistency on the biggest stage. The Nati have quietly built a reputation as one of Europe’s most organised and reliable tournament sides and now want to move from respected outsiders to genuine contenders. The 2026 finals will be Switzerland’s 13th appearance at a World Cup and their sixth in a row since 2006. Historically, they reached the quarter finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954 and, in the modern era, they have advanced from the group stage in five of their last six World Cup campaigns. Granit Xhaka, fresh from a title winning season and enjoying some of the best form of his career, is expected to captain the side and set the tempo in midfield. Around him, […]
Moffi, Sanusi win Portuguese league title with Porto
Super Eagles duo Terem Moffi and Zaidu Sanusi have been crowned champions of the 2025 2026 Portuguese league with FC Porto. Their team sealed the title after a decisive home win that put them out of reach of rivals Benfica and Sporting on the Liga Portugal table. Porto went into the crucial fixture needing one more victory to confirm their status as champions, having already opened a seven point lead at the top with three games remaining. The Dragons delivered the required result in front of their home fans, securing their 31st Portuguese league title and their first since the 2021 2022 season. For left back Zaidu Sanusi, the triumph marks his second league championship with Porto, adding to the title he won in 2022. The defender has enjoyed another strong season, contributing at both ends of the pitch and […]
Moffi, Sanusi win Portuguese league title with Porto
Super Eagles duo Terem Moffi and Zaidu Sanusi have been crowned champions of the 2025 2026 Portuguese league with FC Porto. Their team sealed the title after a decisive home win that put them out of reach of rivals Benfica and Sporting on the Liga Portugal table. Porto went into the crucial fixture needing one more victory to confirm their status as champions, having already opened a seven point lead at the top with three games remaining. The Dragons delivered the required result in front of their home fans, securing their 31st Portuguese league title and their first since the 2021 2022 season. For left back Zaidu Sanusi, the triumph marks his second league championship with Porto, adding to the title he won in 2022. The defender has enjoyed another strong season, contributing at both ends of the pitch and […]
CAF announces AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule
The Confederation of African Football has announced the key dates for the qualifiers of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The schedule sets out when the draw will hold and how the qualifying matches will be spread across upcoming FIFA international windows. CAF confirmed that the draw for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers will take place on 19 May 2026. Forty eight teams will be placed into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the 24 team finals in East Africa. The qualifiers will be played in three main FIFA windows. Matchdays 1 and 2 are scheduled between 21 September and 6 October 2026, while matchdays 3 and 4 will be played from 9 to 17 November 2026. The final round of group games, […]
Watford Sack Head Coach Ed Still After Poor Run
Watford Football Club have parted company with head coach Ed Still after a short spell in charge at Vicarage Road, ending his tenure after less than three months. The 35-year-old Belgian was appointed on 9 February on a two-and-a-half-year contract following the departure of his predecessor Javi Gracia. At the time of his arrival, Watford were 11th in the table and only three points outside the Championship play-off positions. However, results quickly declined. The team won just three of their last 15 league matches under Still, eventually finishing 16th in the table. They ended the season 16 points adrift of the play-off places and only 10 points above the relegation zone. Still’s final match in charge was a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Champions Coventry City. It marked Watford’s fifth consecutive loss, during which they conceded 16 goals and scored […]
Be the first to leave a comment