Team Nigeria delivered a strong showing at the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, combining resilience, speed, and tactical execution to secure key qualifications and post impressive times on the global stage.
In the women’s 4x100m repechage, the Nigerian quartet of Chigozie Rosemary, Obi Jennifer Chukwuka, Maria Thompson, and Miracle Ezechukwu staged a remarkable comeback after an earlier baton setback. The team clocked 42.94 seconds to finish second in their heat, narrowly behind France, which edged the race in 42.93 seconds in a photo-finish sprint.
The mixed 4x400m relay team—Samson Nathaniel, Taiwo Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George—also impressed, posting a Season’s Best of 3:12.88 to claim second place. Their performance secured Nigeria a place at the World Athletics Championships 2027 in Beijing.
Nigeria’s relay squads further underlined their growing pedigree by clinching automatic qualification for the World Athletics Ultimate Challenge 2026 in Budapest after finishing sixth in the mixed 4x100m final—emerging as the only African nation to achieve that feat in the event.
Overall, Team Nigeria secured three qualification slots for the 2027 World Championships and one ticket to the Ultimate Challenge, marking a productive outing at the championships.
Elsewhere, host nation Botswana thrilled home fans with a historic victory in the men’s 4x400m relay. The team of Lee Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Collen Kebinatshipi stormed to gold in 2:54.47, defeating South Africa in a gripping contest. Their performance set new African and Championship records and ranks them as the second-fastest team in history in the event.
Reacting to the performances, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, described the outing as commendable, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to sustained investment in athletes as they build toward greater international success.
