Nigeria qualified for the 2027 World Championships in China after a historic run in the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Relays in Gaborone. The Nigerian quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor and Maria Thompson clocked 40.24 seconds to place fourth in Heat 1. The time set a new African record for the mixed 4x100m relay. Despite finishing behind Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, Nigeria's performance secured their spot at the next World Championships. Canada won the heat in a world record time of 40.07 seconds. Germany finished second in 40.15 seconds, while the Netherlands took third in 40.20 seconds. Nigeria remained competitive throughout the race, maintaining position among the top four for the full distance. The achievement adds to the country's growing momentum in relay events at the global level.
Nigeria's qualification came not from a win but from a loss, finishing behind three nations that all ran faster than the previous African record. The team's success is built on speed that outpaced every African nation before them, yet still wasn't enough to medal in this race. Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor and Maria Thompson now carry both the record and the weight of higher expectations. Their performance proves Nigeria can compete at the front—but not yet at the very front.
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