Day 2 World Athletics Relays: Redemption Seeking Nigeria Gets Tough Draws

Nigeria’s relay teams face a daunting challenge as they chase qualification for the Beijing World Championships on the final day of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.

Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m squad has been drawn against host country Botswana, South Africa, and Ireland, with only two automatic tickets available. The Netherlands and Germany are also in the same heat, making it a ‘winners‑take‑all’ contest.

The men’s 4x400m team will not have it easy either, as they line up in the first of two heats against Jamaica, Spain, Germany, and Kenya, four nations that posted faster times in the opening round.

Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team is equally in a tough heat, needing to surpass France, Jamaica, and Ireland, all of whom ran inside 3:30 in the first round. On paper, the rivals look stronger, but the Nigerians remain determined.

The Nigerian women’s 4x100m squad, who failed to finish on day one after a baton exchange error, must now battle for one of the two tickets against the USA, Belgium, France, and South Africa, the latter fresh from setting a new national record of 43.22 seconds.

The men’s 4x100m team, drawn in Heat 2, will face Jamaica, Japan, and Belgium in what appears to be a more open contest.

For the mixed 4x100m relay, the race is no longer about qualification but for medals and prize money. Nigeria has qualified for the final, where they will line up against: Netherlands, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Canada, United States, Jamaica, Germany, and Spain.

Jamaica enters with the fastest season best of 39.99, while Nigeria, drawn in lane one, will be aiming to upset the odds.