Conquer Africa first, Fasuba tells Ajayi, Ashe

Former Nigerian sprinter and African record holder in the men’s 100m, Olusoji Fasuba, has said the duo Kayinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe, who represented Nigeria in the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, still have a lot to offer the country, and they must show that by first dominating the continent, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Ajayi and Ashe fell short of the qualifying spots in the men’s 100m semi-finals Sunday, with both men finishing sixth in their respective races. The final, which was described as the deepest 100m race in history, was won by America’s Noah Lyles.

Ashe, 22, improved on his performance in the heats and ran 10.08s, while the 19-year-old Ajayi, who stunned the field in his heat on Saturday, produced a time of 10.16s in the second semi-final, which wasn’t enough to get him through.

Reflecting on their performances, Fasuba noted that both men still have a lot to offer Nigeria despite missing the final and also said Godson Brume, who has a personal best of 9.90s but didn’t run at the Olympics due to injury, will bounce back.

“Favour had a very good start. From the start he had, I think from then on he slowed down a bit. Was that his energy finishing? A lot must have been going through his mind at that moment,” Fasuba said during a review hosted by Making of Champions on X.

“Running a 10.00 in that race shows he has a lot in him and a lot to offer for Nigeria; all Nigeria have to do is support him.

“For Ajayi, he was impressive as a freshman, and for him to do what he is doing, all he can do is go back; don’t wait for Nigeria to keep working hard. If possible, get into Europe for some experience.

“And I think the third guy, Brume, three of them have a lot to offer. Because he didn’t run, we shouldn’t forget about him.

“All they need to do is keep their heads down, believe in themselves, and the three of them can put Nigeria back on the map. But first things first, they need to realise they need to conquer Africa first before the world.”

Fasuba won the African Championships title in 2004 and was also a member of the Nigerian team that won bronze in the 4 x 100 m relay at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.