Sports
Ajayi Ends 20-Year Commonwealth Games 100m Medal Drought
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria celebrated a memorable night at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi ended the country’s 20-year wait for a medal in the men’s 100 metres, while high jumper Temitope Adeshina added another bronze medal to the nation’s tally.
Early hour of Wednesday, Ajayi produced a superb performance to claim bronze in the blue-riband event, becoming the first Nigerian man to win a Commonwealth Games 100m medal since Olusoji Fasuba secured silver at Melbourne 2006.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme powered to gold in a new Games record of 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy claimed silver in 9.85 seconds, with Ajayi completing the podium to write his name into Nigerian athletics history.
Nigeria’s sprint challenge also saw Favour Ashe narrowly miss qualification for the final after placing fifth in his semi-final in 10.07 seconds, while Nicholas Fakorede finished fourth in his race in 10.06 seconds.
In the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina delivered another impressive performance to secure bronze after clearing 1.90 metres, finishing behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers. The medal represented a significant improvement on her 10th-place finish at her Commonwealth Games debut four years earlier.
Nigeria’s women’s 100m campaign was disrupted by injuries. Blessing Ogundiran was unable to start her semi-final after falling ill, while Rosemary Chukwuma sustained an injury during her race but bravely completed the event.
Seventeen-year-old debutant Miracle Ezechukwu impressed despite difficult rainy conditions, finishing fourth in her semi-final with a time of 11.23 seconds.
Sports
YellowGreens Thrash The Gambia by 160 Runs in Dominant Display
Joel Ajayi
Selim Salau’s century and a breathtaking late assault from Isaac Okpe powered Nigeria to a dominant opening victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, made a resounding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign, defeating The Gambia by 160 runs at the NCF Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria produced a formidable total of 262 for one in their allotted 20 overs, setting The Gambia a daunting target of 263 runs.
The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Selim Salau, who remained unbeaten on 105 off 58 deliveries, striking 12 fours and three sixes. Isaac Danladi provided excellent support with an impressive 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the pair laid the foundation for Nigeria’s commanding total.
Isaac Okpe then delivered a sensational finishing assault, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes. His remarkable strike rate of 350.00 propelled Nigeria beyond the 260-run mark and put the hosts firmly in control.
The Gambia faced an uphill battle in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs, handing Nigeria a comprehensive 160-run victory.
The result marked an emphatic opening statement from the YellowGreens as they began their campaign on home soil with an impressive all-round performance.
The victory also provides Nigeria with valuable momentum in a six-team competition featuring hosts Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. With the teams competing in a round-robin format, the top two sides will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.
Nigeria will look to build on this commanding start as the YellowGreens continue their pursuit of one of the two available qualification places, with their next fixture against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October, at the NCF Oval 1 in Abuja.
Final Score
Nigeria: 262/1 (20 overs)
The Gambia: 102 all out (17.2 overs)
Result: Nigeria won by 160 runs.
Key Performers
Selim Salau — 105 not out off 58 balls
Isaac Danladi — 86 off 48 balls
Isaac Okpe — 56 not out off 16 balls
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