Nigerian athletes win more gold as curtain falls
By Ben Efe, Mauritius Nigerian junior athletes yesterday painted a rosy future at the African Championships, with spectacular performances leaving an impression that the dark days of Nigerian track and field are numbered. Omezie Akerele was the star of the evening as he practically rescued the 4x400m gold in the most sensational manner that is reminiscent of the heroics of Enefiok Udo-Obong at the Sydney 2000 Olympics where Nigeria won gold in the men 4x400m relay. Here in Bambous, Mauritius the Nigerian junior quartet found themselves playing second fiddle to Gambia after the third leg runner, Ugbochukwu Ottah failed to maintain the tempo Adedamola Adeniyi and Charles Okezie had started with. But Akerele who won silver in the flat stepped up to the plate. He chased down Tijan Keita the African youth champion at Warri 2013 and at the 200m curve, Akerele closed down the gap with a much determined push and at the home stretch he changed gear overhauling the Gambian. Not surprisingly, the...