Sprint comeback fuels Ashe’s renewed Commonwealth ambition

Posted : 17 May 2026

Fresh from helping Team Nigeria secure silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Senior African Athletics Championships, Favour Ashe has declared that he is rediscovering top form after a difficult period in his career.

The sprinter, widely known as the “Nigerian nightmare,” described the relay performance as a major step in his comeback journey and believes bigger achievements still lie ahead for both himself and the national team.

Despite missing out on gold, Ashe expressed satisfaction with the podium finish while admitting that the team had aimed for the top prize.

According to him, a shaky final baton exchange cost Nigeria the opportunity of claiming victory in the race.

“Firstly, I want to give thanks to God Almighty for the win. We wanted gold, but I’m happy we made it to the podium,” Ashe said.

“There are a few rooms for improvement. We could have gotten the gold. The last baton exchange was a bit shaky.”

The silver medal, however, carries deeper meaning for the athlete, who revealed that the last 18 months had been one of the toughest periods of his career.

Ashe said the challenges have only strengthened his determination to return to the elite level and remind the world of his ability on the track.

“The last year and a half has been rough for me, so I’m using this year to get back on my feet and show the entire world why I’m called the Nigerian nightmare,” he stated.

With attention now turning toward the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the Nigerian sprinter said he is fully focused on discipline, consistency, and maximizing his talent.

“The Commonwealth Games is the big goal for me this year. I want to be disciplined, I want to take my career seriously, I want to fully harness my talent,” Ashe added.

The relay success at the continental championships serves as a vital springboard for the sprinter as he transitions past recent career struggles. By shifting his focus toward rigorous preparation and structural discipline, the athlete aims to transform his past challenges into podium success on the global stage. Ultimate triumph at the Commonwealth Games will require rectifying minor technical errors like baton exchanges, but his renewed confidence signals a promising trajectory for Nigerian athletics.

Sprint comeback fuels Ashe’s renewed Commonwealth ambition

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