African Games: What American Sprint Legend Michael Johnson Said After Watching Men’s 4x100m Relay

• Michael Johnson has shown keen interest in the African Games
• The retired sprinter was impressed with the men's 4x100m final
• In the said race, Nigeria edged Ghana by a mere microseconds

American sprint legend, Michael Johnson, found himself captivated by the extraordinary performances showcased by athletes at the ongoing 13th African Games.

Johnson, a former world record holder in the men's 200-meter race, particularly marvelled at the fierce competition witnessed between Team Nigeria and Ghana in the men's 4x100m relay final.

The Ghana vs Nigeria showdown in 4x100m relay final

The longstanding rivalry between these West African neighbours transcends various aspects of life, and on Wednesday, March 19, it took centre stage in athletics, specifically in the relay race, which some dubbed the 'Jollof Derby'.

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With Ghana holding the title of defending champions in the relay, having triumphed over Nigeria five years ago in Rabat, the home nation was determined to uphold their honour in front of their fervent supporters.

However, a sluggish baton exchange on the third leg left Ghana trailing, allowing Nigeria's Itsekiri Usheoritse to surge ahead and claim victory at the finish line.

Despite a valiant effort from Ghana's anchor leg runner, Joseph Paul Amoah, who closed the gap, the race remained fiercely contested until the very end.

Ultimately, Nigeria secured gold by a mere 0.02 seconds, clocking a time of 38.41s compared to Ghana's 38.43s, per the African Games.

Michael Johnson reacts to Ghana vs Nigeria 4x100m showdown

The thrilling race sparked discussions among fans worldwide, with many applauding the intense competition between these two rival nations.

Johnson, now 56 years old and serving as a television commentator, joined in the praise, commending both Nigeria and Ghana, along with all the participating countries, for delivering a captivating spectacle on the track.

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"Great race, great competition, excited crowd, excited announcer," he wrote on his official X page.

Michael was pleasantly surprised that the intense race didn't result in a record-breaking performance.

"How is this possible with no mention of World Record, National Record, African Record, etc? Because racing is exciting and people love it. #AfricanGames."

200m final to witness another Ghana vs Nigeria showdown

In what anticipates another thrilling clash between Ghana and Nigeria, the men's 200m final is poised to be a heated battle, as per Sports Brief.

After their close competition in the men's 4x100m relay, where Team Nigeria narrowly triumphed over their Ghanaian rivals, excitement is mounting for yet another intense showdown as the multi-sport event approaches its finale.