Team Nigeria delivered commanding performances in Gaborone, securing qualification spots in the Mixed 4×400m and Women’s 4×100m — setting the stage for a fierce assault on the World Championships in Beijing, China.
Nigeria’s relay athletes delivered a statement of intent on the final day of the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, clinching two more qualification spots for the World Championships in Beijing, China — bringing the country’s total confirmed tickets to three out of a possible six.
The performances, which came on the closing day of competition, underlined the depth and resilience of Nigerian relay athletics at the highest level — and sent a clear message to the rest of the world ahead of Beijing.
The Mixed 4×400m team — composed of Samson Nathaniel, Taiwo Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George — produced a superb season’s best time of 3 minutes 12.88 seconds to finish second in their heat and earn automatic qualification for Beijing. The performance showcased the versatility and tactical discipline that has become a hallmark of Nigeria’s mixed relay unit.
The women’s 4×100m squad produced an equally impressive showing, though their route to qualification came with added drama. The quartet of Chigozie Rosemary, Obi Jennifer Chukwuka, Maria Thompson, and Miracle Ezechukwu had missed out on automatic qualification on day one following a botched baton exchange — a costly error that could have derailed their campaign entirely. However, the women showed remarkable character and composure to return on day two and clock 42.94 seconds, finishing second only to France in the repechage heat to secure their place in Beijing.
The women’s recovery from a failed baton exchange on day one to a composed 42.94s repechage run on day two was arguably the most character-defining performance of Nigeria’s campaign in Gaborone.
Not all went to plan, however. Nigeria’s men’s 4×400m team fell short in the repechage, finishing third in a time of 3 minutes 1.43 seconds — missing out on a qualification spot and leaving the men’s event as one of three remaining berths Nigeria will need to chase through other qualification routes ahead of Beijing.
With three confirmed tickets now in hand, Nigeria’s relay programme heads into the Beijing World Championships with genuine momentum. The country has shown, across both days of competition in Botswana, that it possesses the raw talent and the competitive spirit to challenge at the very highest level of global athletics.
For Nigerian sports fans and the continent of Africa at large, these performances are a source of immense pride. The World Athletics Relays serve as a direct gateway to the World Championships, and Nigeria’s presence in Beijing will once again fly the Green-White-Green on one of sport’s biggest stages.
Idea Television will continue to track Team Nigeria’s preparations and qualification campaign as the countdown to the Beijing World Championships begins. Stay with us for all the latest in Nigerian and African sports. 🇳🇬🏃
