By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 30, 2026

Team Nigeria will remain in Gaborone to compete at the Botswana National Trials from April 3 to 5 as they seek additional qualification spots for the World Athletics Relays, following a strong showing at the Lefika International Relays, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The decision was confirmed by the National Sports Commission, which stated that the country had already moved into qualification quota in three of the six relay events and would utilise the extended window to pursue the remaining tickets.

The commission explained that the move was aimed at maximising Nigeria’s chances within the qualification period, noting that approval had been granted for further participation at the Botswana event.

“Nigeria has now secured qualification in three of the six relay events, with further opportunities still open,” NSC wrote on X.

“To maximise this window, the Commission has approved the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s request for additional participation at the Botswana National Trials, allowing remaining squads another opportunity to qualify.”

The Botswana trials, scheduled for three days at the National Stadium, will feature 95 titles across U-18, U-20 and senior categories, with organisers promising a highly competitive atmosphere as athletes battle for national honours.

The event is expected to draw top local talents alongside international participants, with Olympic and world champion Letsile Tebogo confirmed to compete in the 100m and 200m, with a possible appearance in the 400m.

Nigeria’s continued stay in Botswana comes after an impressive outing at the Lefika International Relays on Saturday, where the team recorded significant gains in their qualification campaign.

The highlight performance came in the mixed 4x100m relay, where the quartet of Chidera Ezeakor, Maria Thompson Omokwe, James Emmanuel and Jennifer Chukwuka set a new African record of 41.44s to win the event and move into qualification position.

That result lifted Nigeria from 22nd to 12th in the global rankings, placing them firmly within the top 24 required to secure a place at the World Relays.

In the men’s 4x400m, Nigeria also boosted their chances with a season’s best of 3:02.98 to finish third behind Kenya and Zimbabwe, moving up to 22nd position globally, while the men’s 4x100m team secured victory in 38.98 seconds to maintain momentum in the qualification race.

However, the mixed 4x400m team missed out on a qualification mark after running 3:16.33, leaving their hopes in that event uncertain heading into the final days of the qualification window.

Nigeria had earlier secured a place in the women’s 4x400m with a time of 3:31.14 at the MTN Champs Athletics Classics, although they have since slipped to 23rd in the rankings, just above the cut-off mark.

The Botswana trials will run concurrently with another qualification attempt in the United States, where Nigerian athletes will compete at the “Battle on the Bayou” meet at the LSU Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge from April 3 to 4.

With the qualification window closing on April 5 and global competition intensifying, the AFN is pushing to secure representation across multiple relay events, with performances in Botswana and the United States expected to determine their final standing.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 30, 2026

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