Team Nigeria delivered standout performances in the 100m finals at the African U18 & U20 Championships, clinching medals in all four sprint finals and making history along the way.
For the first time in the history of the African Junior Championships, one nation swept the women’s 100m podium — and it was Nigeria. Leading the charge was Miracle Ezechukwu, who blazed to GOLD in the U18 Girls’ final with a time of 11.88s (-0.4). Close behind was her training partner, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo, who took Silver in 11.96s as the duo pulled away from the rest of the field.
Mariam Jegede added to Nigeria’s medal haul, powering past South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze in the closing meters to claim Bronze in 12.20s, edging Ndubueze’s 12.29s.
In the U18 Boys’ final, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela stormed to victory in 10.62s (0.1), claiming GOLD ahead of teammate and pre-race favourite Jaydon Fourie. Fourie, who had to dash over from the Long Jump pit to make the 100m final, settled for Silver in 10.76s, a commendable effort given the circumstances. Nigeria’s James Clifford surged late in the race, closing hard in the final 30 metres to take bronze with a time of 10.89s.
The U20 Women’s final saw another dominant display from Team Nigeria. Chioma Cynthia Nweke pulled away from the field to win GOLD in 11.65s (-1.9), with Success Oyibu not far behind, clocking 11.78s to complete a Nigerian 1-2. Cote d’Ivoire’s Lou Yonan edged out Lucy Nwankwo for Bronze, finishing in 11.87s.
Kenya’s Clinton Owatinya who has been in supreme form since he arrived Abeokuta won the U20 men’s race, running 10.42s to win the 100m title ahead of the fastest man in the field Karabo Letebele who was heavily taped for the final in 10.54s. Nigeria’s John Caleb managed to get away with Bronze, timing his dip to brilliant perfection in a time of 10.67s.
One of the standout moments of Day 2 came in the mixed 4x400m relay, the final event of the evening, which lived up to its billing as a blockbuster showdown between continental heavyweights Nigeria and South Africa.
Both teams were neck-and-neck at the first exchange, with Nigeria gaining a slight edge before being overtaken by South Africa. David Akhalu worked hard to reel the leaders back in, but was again passed just before the next handoff, leaving Nigeria chasing once more.
With the GOLD medal hanging in the balance, Favour Onyah took the baton for the final leg. She stayed close, shadowing the South African anchor down the backstraight. Then, in a stunning twist at the 200m mark, the South African runner broke form and stumbled to the track — opening the door for Onyah to surge past and bring Nigeria home to a thrilling victory in 3:22.07.
Despite the fall, South Africa held on for Silver in 3:28.30, while Botswana claimed Bronze with a time of 3:29.38.
Jaouad Khchina smashed his Personal Best (PB), running 3:38.17 on the biggest stage of his career so far to win the U20 men’s 1500m GOLD for Morocco. He sat at the back of the leading pack and moved up gradually as they hit the bell, staying with Kenya’s Logorodi Owan who had the lead from the start. With about 200 metres to go, he burst into a sprint with the Kenyan athlete unable to find a response.
Owan got Silver in 3:39.07, while the Bronze medal went to Sande Jacob of Uganda in 3:39.24.
Uganda’s Nancy Cheppwuriu led the women’s 1500m from start to finish, clocking 4:10.31 ahead of Kenya’s Sheila Chepngetich who ran a good last lap for 2nd in 4:10.79. Brenda Chepwemoi got 3rd place for Uganda in 4:13.07.
The women’s 3000m was a race between Yeko Bentalin of Uganda and Sheila Chepngetich who had won Silver in the 1500m moment before. Bentalin prevailed over the diminutive Kenyan in 8:45.49 to 8:48.98. Bassou Asmaa got the Bronze for Morocco in 8:49.48.
