Team Nigeria Gears Up for CAA U-18/U-20 Championships as AFN Trials Wrap Up in Shagamu

Posted : 01 July 2025

Team Nigeria is in top shape as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) concludes its national trials in Shagamu, Ogun State, ahead of the 2025 CAA U-18/U-20 African Championships to be hosted in Abeokuta.

The trials, which began on Monday, featured outstanding performances by rising talents across sprints, hurdles, and field events.

In the U-18 Boys’ 100m, Destiny Egbon emerged victorious with a time of 11.19s (-4.1), edging out Adeniyi Adeola (11.26s) and Ajibare Ibrahim (11.33s) in a tightly contested race.

On the girls’ side, Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu clinched the U-18 100m title in 12.00s (-2.7), followed by Rosemary Nwankwo (12.11s) and Perezide Sigah (12.25s).

In the U-20 Girls’ 100m, Cynthia Chioma Nweke dominated with 11.77s (-2.9), ahead of Success Oyibu (12.00s) and Lucy Nwankwo (12.13s).

Pre-race favourite John Caleb delivered on expectations in the U-20 Boys’ 100m, storming to victory in 10.75s (-3.6). Mayowa Saliu (10.96s) and Oluwatobi Malik (10.98s) completed the podium.

Jecinta Lawrence will lead the U-18 Girls’ 400m team after running a new personal best of 55.42s in the final, while Toheebat Adebisi Jimoh claimed the U-20 Girls’ 400m title with an impressive PB of 54.04s.

In the U-20 Boys’ 110m hurdles, Christian Dickson impressed with a new PB of 14.46s (-2.8) to edge past Oseiwe Salami in a tight finish.

The standout in the field events was Emerald Makua, an SS2 social science student at Government Model College, Asaba, who won the Girls’ Shot Put with a throw of 13.60m.

Coach Lekan Soetan, a newly elected AFN board member, praised the athletes' performances and projected a strong outing in Abeokuta.

“Our greatest competition will come from countries like Egypt, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and Botswana in sprints and throws, while Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia will challenge in long-distance events,” he noted.

Coach Soetan emphasized that Team Nigeria’s strength lies in quality, not quantity:

“We are targeting about 90 athletes, but what matters most is taking along future stars and event winners. We're optimistic about an excellent performance.”

The CAA U-18/U-20 African Championships in Abeokuta promise to be a major test of Nigeria’s youth athletic depth, with high expectations following these standout trials in Shagamu.

Team Nigeria Gears Up for CAA U-18/U-20 Championships as AFN Trials Wrap Up in Shagamu

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