Best athletes to compete at AFN-MoC Africa Games’ trials

Tima Godbless is among stars expected at the AFN/MoC trials in Asaba.

Nigeria’s best athletes are expected to hit Asaba on February 16 for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Making of Champions (MoC) trials billed to hold at the Stephen Keshi Stadium from February 17 to 20, 2024.

The trials, according to the AFN, will be used to select athletes for the Africa Games scheduled for Accra, Ghana, in March.

The focus will be on the Women’s 100m event, where Tima Godbless, Favour Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma are the favourites for the title.

Chukwuma ran a PB of 7.11 seconds in her debut 60m race of the season. Youngsters such as Faith Okwose and Tiana Eyakpobeyan will be hoping to cause an upset and perhaps, secure their first senior national call-up in the 4x100m relay team in Asaba Trials.

The men’s 400m is another highly anticipated event, having the presence of NCAA standout athlete, Dubem Nwachukwu.

Nwachukwu, who was exceptional in the NCAA in 2023, is expected to make a mark this time around, being the second time the US-based lad would be representing Nigeria.

He was at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where his target was to win his first Nigerian title and help the 4x400m relay team hit the standard. But that could not happen.

Also in the mix to win his senior title is new sensation, Samuel Ogazi, who was undefeated on home soil in the 2023 season. Ogazi blazed to sub-46seconds at AFN Golden League in Abuja, last year, and he is one of the US-based athletes expected to light up Asaba this weekend.

Ifeanyi Ojeli has found his groove back, just as Raphael Egbuchulem and Samson Nathaniel are also top podium contenders for Nigeria at the Africa Games.

In the field events, all eyes will be on Ese Brume and Ruth