Team Nigeria have moved up one place on the medal table after winning two gold medals to reclaim their second spot at the ongoing African Games in Ghana.
Having stayed in second position since the commencement of the event, Nigeria dropped to third position on the medal table on Thursday with South Africa claiming the second spot.
Nigeria ended Day 10 of the event in third position with 76 medals (27 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze) to overtake the South Africans who occupied third place with 25 gold, 29 silver and 38 bronze medals.
Though Nigeria sit above South Africa on the medal table having claimed more gold medals, they have fewer total medals won compared to the South Africans who have won a total of 92 medals.
While both countries are at each other’s throats, they are some distance off Egypt, who lead with 154 medals, which comprises 90 gold, 35 silver and 29 bronze medals.
Despite failing to add to their medal haul, Algeria remained in fourth position with 22 gold, 30 silver and 37 bronze medals, totalling 89 medals.
Also, Tunisia maintained their fifth position with 10 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze medals.
The hosts, Ghana, continue to climb up the medal table after picking up their ninth gold of the event to move from eighth position to sixth on the log to displace Mauritius who now occupies the seventh spot.
Eritrea, Madagascar, Morocco and Cameroon complete the top 10.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria will hope to continue its dominance in track and field at the African Games as athletes begin to burn the tracks on Monday (today) at the ongoing 2023 edition in Ghana.
Since the first edition of the African Games at Congo Brazzaville in 1965, Team Nigeria has dominated the athletics event, winning a total of 309 medals comprising 141 gold, 104 silver and 64 bronze.
While other events continue at different venues, attention will shift to the University of Ghana Sports Complex, where eight events will commence and enter the semi-finals.
Team Nigeria will compete in the men’s and women’s 100m, 400m, 800m as well as mixed 4x400m relay while 110m hurdles will also take place.
Nigeria’s first involvement will be the men’s 100m heats at 10:50 am while the women will follow by 11:20 am before they return for the semi-finals in the evening.
There will be more action for Nigeria in the evening as the men’s and women’s 400m heat will also take place just as the 800m heats and the mixed 4x400m relay which will round off the day at 8:35 pm.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria on Monday released a strong 50-athlete contingent for the event including world 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro.
Others include reigning national champions in the 100m and 200m for men Okon Israel and Consider Ekanem, as well as Tokyo 2020 Olympics 100m finalist Enoch Adegoke.
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, charged the athletes to make it count for Nigeria on the track.
“I am charging the entire contingent to keep the chase on Egypt and steer clear of the others behind them”, said Enoh.
“I am sure in athletics, our athletes will bring their A-game and show their dominance”, Enoh added.
