Two Nigerian sprinters, Ushoritse Itshekiri and Seye Ogunlewe, could not survive their 100m semifinal events yesterday.
While Ogunlewe placed 5th in his semifinal race with 10.12secobds, Itsehekiri finished 8th in his semifinal with a time of 10.19secs.
AFN board member and Performance Director, U.S.-based Victor Okorie, told The Guardian shortly after the race that the athletes may not have prepared themselves adequately for the championships.
“Nigeria need to borrow a leaf from Jamaica and some other countries in preparing for a championship of this magnitude. Jamaica athletics team spent three weeks in Belgium for this championships. They also spent additional 10 days in Budapest before the commencement of this championships. Tell me why they won’t do well.
“The government of Nigeria must step in to help the AFN in giving the athletes the best of preparation. But I also believe our athletes have to help themselves. There are some positives the AFN had taken from here. All hopes for a medal is not lost yet,” Okorie stated.
The best Nigeria has achieved in the 100m came from Olusoji Fasuba in 2007.
