Nigeria's Okezie Set to Compete in Upcoming African Championships

African Games 400m champion Chidi Okezie is eager to replicate his winning performance on Ghanaian soil as the African Senior Athletics Championships take place in the West African country from May 12 to 17, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

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Okezie's first individual gold at the senior level for Nigeria was won in Ghana, where he claimed the men’s 400m title at the 2024 African Games, a feat that marked the beginning of his successful senior career at 32 years old.

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Recently, Okezie played a crucial role in Nigeria's qualification for the mixed 4x400m relay event at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, securing the ticket through the repechage at the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.

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The US-based athlete achieved a new personal best of 32.05s in the men’s 300m at the Simbine Classic in Pretoria, South Africa, last week, demonstrating his impressive form ahead of the championships.

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Okezie has had a busy season, competing in various events across Africa, including the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya, where he finished seventh in the 200m with a time of 20.74s, as part of his build-up to the championships.

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He also finished third in the 200m at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, showcasing his versatility and endurance on the track.

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Despite being a target for other competitors, Okezie remains unfazed, stating "No pressure, just opportunities," and believes he excels under pressure, having won the last time he competed.

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His teammate, Samuel Ogazi, recently set a new national record in the event, and Okezie is confident that there is more to come from him and other quarter-milers ahead of major championships.

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Okezie praised Ogazi's achievement, saying "I told him, ‘Good job,’ and we have a running battle, a friendly competition that drives us to improve," and expressed his desire to see more records broken, stating "Records on records, everybody is stepping up, so we are ready."