Senior African Athletics Championship: I’m back and better, declares Favour Ashe

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra

An influential member of Team Nigeria’s silver-winning 4x100m relay squad at the Senior Africa Athletics Championship, Favour Ashe says the performance marks the beginning of a stronger phase in his career.

Popularly known as the “Nigerian nightmare,” Ashe said the relay result is only a glimpse of what lies ahead for him and Team Nigeria Athletics.

Although the quartet had to settle for silver, Ashe was upbeat about the podium finish, even as he admitted that gold had been the ultimate target. He pointed to a shaky final baton exchange as one of the key moments that denied the team top honours.

“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.”

For Ashe, the medal is more than just a metal, it represents a comeback after what he described as a difficult 18 months, one he believes has now become fuel for a renewed push.

“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 said.

With the Commonwealth Games now in sharp focus, Ashe said his attention is firmly on discipline, consistency and making the most of his God-given ability.

“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,” he added.