World record holder Tobi Amusan headlines Nigeria’s 45-athlete team for the CAA Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirmed a squad of 25 women and 20 men for the championships, scheduled for May 12 to 17 at the University of Ghana Sports Complex.
Amusan is set to contest the women’s 100m hurdles alongside Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday. Sprint sensation Rosemary Chukwuma returns after missing the World Relays in Gaborone and will run the 100m and join the 4x100m relay quartet featuring Miracle Ezechukwu, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Tejiri Ugoh.
The women’s squad also includes Patience Okon-George in the 400m, Ruth Usoro in the long jump and hammer thrower Oyesade Olatoye.
Notably absent are long jump star Ese Brume and discus thrower Chioma Onyekwere, who recently explored weightlifting ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
On the men’s side, sprinter Favour Ashe and shot put powerhouse Chukwuebuka Enekwechi lead the charge.
The sprint squad also features Enoch Adegoke, Usheoritse Itsekiri and Chidera Ezeakor, while Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli and Chidi Okezie anchor the 400m and relay teams. Field event hopefuls include Romeo Bernard, Emmanuel Audu and javelin thrower Adams Samuel Kure.
A major talking point is the inclusion of decathlon national record holder Jami Schlueter, who will make his championship debut for Nigeria after switching allegiance from Great Britain.
He recently set a national indoor heptathlon record with 5,871 points in Indianapolis, moving to second on Africa’s all-time list.