The 24th African Senior Athletics Championships kicked off yesterday in Accra, Ghana, but the event lacks many of the continent's biggest stars. Over the years, Africa's elite athletes, including Olympic and World Championships medalists, have often skipped this competition to pursue the Golden League jackpot. This edition is no different.
The Wanda Diamond League, starting this weekend in Shanghai/Keqiao, has lured away several of Africa's brightest talents. Kenya's Mercy Adongo Oketch, a 400m runner with a season's best of 50.14, is competing in China instead of Ghana. In distance events, double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon is confirmed for Shanghai in the 5000m, alongside Ethiopia's Medina Eisa. The women's steeplechase also misses top names like Uganda's Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai, Kenya's world junior champion Faith Cherotich, and Tunisia's Marwa Bouzayani, all opting for the Diamond League.
The men's middle-distance races are without Botswana's Kethobogile Haingura and Kenya's Wyclife Kinyamal, both set for Shanghai in the 800m. The sprints are similarly depleted, with South Africa's Gift Leotlela and Akani Simbine, Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala, and Botswana's Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo choosing the Diamond League over Accra. Ethiopia's teenage sensation Birke Haylom, who has run 3:53.22 in the 1500m, is also absent.
However, Nigeria's Tobi Amusan stands out. A former World Championships and Diamond League champion and the reigning world record holder in the 100m hurdles, she consistently answers the African call and is the headline act in Accra. Her presence underscores her loyalty, though some Nigerian athletics followers believe she should have been rested to allow younger athletes a chance.
The Guardian learned yesterday that many Ghanaian fans stayed away from the Accra stadium upon discovering most top stars were not competing. The men's and women's 100m and 400m races opened the competition, but the usual crowd noise was missing.
Among athletes representing Nigeria in the men's 100m is 2021 Olympic finalist Enoch Adegoke. Though not the favorite, his task is lighter without former champions Akani Simbine, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo. According to sportsnow.com, Nigeria has not celebrated a men's 100m champion since Olusoji Fasuba's hat-trick completed in 2008.
On the women's side, Rosemary Chukwuma leads a formidable contingent including Miracle Ezechukwu and Maria Thompson Omokwe. Chukwuma, the African leader with a season-best 10.95, is the overwhelming favorite to reclaim Nigeria's crown. Nigeria last won the women's 100m title in 2014, when Blessing Okagbare secured her second title in Marrakech, Morocco.
The redemption narrative extends to the 400m. Nigeria's men have endured a 28-year drought since Clement Chukwu won gold in Dakar in 1998 with a championship record of 44.65. Chidi Okezie, bronze medalist in 2018, leads the charge. He rewrote history two years ago on the same track, becoming the first Nigerian in 38 years to win the African Games 400m title after Innocent Egbunike's 1987 triumph.
For the women, veteran Patience Okon George anchors Nigeria's hopes. A bronze medalist 10 years ago, she seeks to upgrade to gold and become only the second Nigerian woman in 12 years to win the African 400m crown after Folashade Abugan. Okon George, with a season's best of 51.70, will rely on her experience in what could be her final bid for continental glory.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, a world top 10 shot putter, is not competing in Accra, as his name was missing from the start list. However, Nigeria is represented in shot put by 17-year-old Emmanuel Audu, who has a personal best of 17.85m set in February. Audu faces a monumental challenge, requiring a 'miracle' to reach the podium.
Amaechi Obiageri headlined Nigeria's charge yesterday and is the clear favorite to deliver gold in the discus throw. For Obiageri, the women's discus throw final represents a personal and national milestone. After securing bronze in 2022 and silver in 2024, she aims to complete the medal set with gold in 2026. A win would extend Nigeria's tradition of excellence in the event, a legacy dating back to Chinwe Okoro's victory in 2012 that ended South Africa's Elizna Naude's streak of four consecutive titles.
