African Games: Nigerian Duo Qualify For Men’s 100m Final

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s current champion, Usheoritse Itsekiri and this season’s Africa fastest, Consider Ekanem, have qualified for the African Games men’s 100m final

Itsekiri, making his second appearance at the African Games after winning a bronze medal in Rabat five years ago is in brilliant form and has his sights set on winning the gold medal.

In the semifinal race, despite a series of false starts and delays, the Nigerian champion held his own and showed his experience with a composed race, good enough to see him win in 10.29s (-2.1) and make the final.

Ekanem, Nigeria’s current fastest man this season, proved he is in Ghana for serious business with 10.46s in his heat race and lowered it to 10.37s for another victory in the semifinal.

The Nigerian duo clocked the second and third-fastest overall times to qualify for the final, led by top favourite and world indoor finalist, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme in 10.23s.

With the 100m final set to be a firecracker, Itsekiri will be gunning to win his first African title and second consecutive gold medal for Nigeria in the event, while hoping to outrun Ekanem, who can stun him to an upset as his personal best of 10.10s is the fastest by an African sprinter this season.