Nigeria’s dominance in sprints powered them to the overall title at the just concluded Africa junior athletics championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The 12th edition brought together hundreds of athletes from 28 African countries.
South Africa finished second in the standings with nine gold medals, three less than Nigeria.
Hosts Ethiopia beat rivals Kenya in a number of middle and long distances to claim third place with six gold while Kenya could only manage sixth.
This next crop of Africa’s stars will now be hoping to move on up the ranks into the seniors level and with the Olympics set for next year, many of them will be eying a place in Rio.
The Nigerian team, led by Ese Brume and Divine Oduduru, finished top of the medals table with 12 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze medals.
Coming behind Nigeria was South Africa who scooped 9 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze medals.
Hosts Ethiopia settled for third spot in the final medal standings having garnered 7 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals.
