Team Nigeria’s quest for Commonwealth Games sprint glory remains alive after Kayinsola Ajayi produced a sensational performance to qualify for the men’s 100m final, even as compatriots Favour Ashe and Adekalu Nicholas Fakorede suffered heartbreaking exits in the semi-finals at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
Ajayi lit up the track in Semi-final Two, clocking an impressive 9.94 seconds to win his race and secure automatic qualification for tonight’s final. The Nigerian speedster finished ahead of Wales’ Jeremiah Azu, who also progressed in 10.00 seconds, while Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu settled for third in 10.06 seconds.
Read Also: Favour Ashe Thinks Of Winning 100m Gold Medal, Declares: ‘I Want To Do Better In Semi-final’
The result further underlines Ajayi’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s fastest men. The Auburn University sprinter has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, highlighted by a wind-assisted 9.84 seconds in the United States and a series of sub-10-second performances that have established him as one of Nigeria’s brightest medal hopes heading into the Commonwealth Games.
While Ajayi celebrated, it was a night of disappointment for Favour Ashe, who narrowly missed out on the final after placing fifth in the opening semi-final with 10.07 seconds.
The race was dominated by Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who stormed to victory in a new national record of 9.89 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy followed in 9.94 seconds to claim the second automatic qualification spot.
There was more heartbreak for Team Nigeria in the third semi-final as Adekalu Nicholas Fakorede crossed the line in 10.06 seconds, the same time as Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, but finished fourth behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (10.02) and Australia’s Edward Nketia (10.03), ending his medal ambitions.
Despite the double disappointment, Nigeria will now pin its hopes on Ajayi, who has looked composed and explosive throughout the competition.
The 20-year-old has been one of Nigeria’s standout sprinters this season, and his commanding semi-final victory has strengthened belief that the country could be celebrating its first Commonwealth Games men’s 100m title in years.
All eyes will now be on Scotstoun Stadium at 9:14 p.m. tonight, when Ajayi returns to the track to battle Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, Wales’ Jeremiah Azu and the rest of the elite field in what promises to be one of the biggest races of the Games.
After a dramatic evening of triumph and heartbreak, Kayinsola Ajayi now carries the hopes of an entire nation as Nigeria chases Commonwealth Games sprint gold under the Glasgow lights.
