South Africa relay team (L) and Nigeria relay team (R)
Team Nigeria has been disqualified from competing in the Men's 4x400m relay final for a lane violation while South Africa progressed after winning their appeal.
Nigeria initially qualified for the final after finishing second in their Heat with a time of 2:59.81.
However, upon review, it appeared that third-leg Dubem Amene violated the lane by stepping on the line during the race. Therefore, Nigeria has been stripped of their slot for the final.
Nigeria’s quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathanial, Dubem Amene and Chidi Okezie's time of 2:59.81 was their season best but it has been ruled invalid following the disqualification.
Their slot has been handed to South Africa who won the appeal, claiming they were impeded causing their fourth leg to fall during the Heat.
Hence, despite finishing last in the semi-finals, South Africa will compete in the final.
They will join Botswana, and Zambia as the three African countries to appear in the Men's 4x400m relay final slated for Saturday, August 19, 2024.
EE
