Team Nigeria once again proved their dominance on the track and field, emerging overall winners at the second edition of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II Senior Athletics Championships, which wrapped up on Tuesday at the University of Ghana Sports Complex, Accra.

The Nigerian contingent stormed to the top of the medal table with a commanding haul of 15 gold, eight silver, and two bronze medals a total of 25 improving on last year’s tally of 13 gold, four silver, and one bronze.

Nigeria’s strength shone brightest in the sprints and quarter-mile events, while athletes also secured podium finishes in throws and jumps to seal the crown.

Burkina Faso finished second overall with 21 medals (seven gold, 10 silver, four bronze), while Benin Republic placed third with 16 medals (six gold, four silver, six bronze). Hosts Ghana, despite fielding 30 athletes, settled for fourth place with three gold, 11 silver, and nine bronze medals. Togo, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia also registered medals at the two-day event, which featured over 250 athletes from across West Africa.

After setting the pace on the opening day, Nigeria closed out the championship in style with victories in the men’s and women’s 200m finals, as well as both 4x400m relays.

National Sports Festival 100m champion Chidera Ezeakor powered to a personal best of 20.77s to claim gold in the men’s 200m, ahead of Ghana’s Edwin Gadayi (21.14s) and Marizuk Shaibu (21.21s). Nigeria’s Audu Abdulgafar narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth.

The women’s 200m saw a Nigerian clean sweep at the top, with Anita Enaruna taking gold in 23.91s, followed by compatriot Maria Thompson (24.01s) for silver. Gambia’s Sey Isatou (24.25s) settled for bronze.

Earlier on Monday, Oloaolu Olatunde secured his first senior gold for Nigeria, winning the men’s 100m in 10.60s, while Chioma Nweke sprinted to her maiden senior title in the women’s 100m with a time of 11.62s.