AFN Golden League in Benin City is set to reach its pinnacle with the highly anticipated men’s 400m final, where Samson Nathaniel and Samuel Ogazi are expected to vie for the top spot.
Despite the morning showers, the events at the Samuel Ogemudia Stadium proceeded smoothly, with athletes pushing themselves to the limit in order to qualify for the Golden League during the All Comers event held the previous day.
For athletes, the preliminary heats were akin to a final, as everyone had to give their all to
secure a place in the top four for the Golden League. The focus of attention, however, is on
the men’s 400m race, featuring Ogazi, Nathaniel, Nnamani Chidera, and Sikiru Adeyemi.
Coach Gabriel Okon expressed his anticipation of a fierce competition, with the possibility of
a sub-45-second run.
Notably, Chidera and Adeyemi, who have been training in Asaba, are also part of the formidable lineup. Ogazi had previously clocked 46.91 seconds in the Abuja leg of the Golden League, and it is expected that he will improve upon this time given the strong field in Benin City.
In the women’s race, Patience Okon-George is among the competitors. Her impressive
performance in Abuja, completing the race in 51.92 seconds, suggests that the competition
in Benin City will be relatively effortless for her. Coach Okon expressed confidence in
Okon-George’s training and looks forward to seeing how she performs in Benin City.
AFN Head Coach Seigha Porbeni believes that the home-based athletes will give their
foreign-based counterparts a run for their money in the forthcoming AFN national trials.
These trials will determine the composition of Nigeria’s team for the 19th World Athletics
Championships scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, in August. Porbeni
emphasized the need for the local athletes to continue working hard in order to achieve
success against their international competitors.
AFN Golden League in Benin City has captivated the attention of athletics enthusiasts, withnthe men’s 400m final at the forefront. As the competition unfolds, all eyes will be on the athletes as they strive for glory and a chance to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
