Ghana's 4×100m men's relay team is set to compete in Heat 2 at the ongoing Paris Olympic Games.
The squad, consisting of Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, Abdul Rasheed Saminu, Isaac Botsio, and Ibrahim Fuseini, must finish among the top three or secure one of the two fastest times to qualify for the final.
The team faces stiff competition from Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medallists and 2022 world champions, Canada; Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists, China; as well as the fourth and fifth place teams, Jamaica and Germany.
There will also be a rematch against 2023 African Games bronze medallists, Liberia; host nation France; and familiar rivals Brazil who were in Ghana's group during the World Relays in Bahamas.
Ghana set a national record of 38.08s in the last Olympics, which they subsequently broke at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, clocking 38.07s to finish fifth.
Two members of the previous Olympic team, Benjamin Azamati, who ran the back straight, and Joseph Paul Amoah, who anchored, are part of the current squad in Paris.
Although Sean Sarfo-Antwi and Emmanuel Yeboah are unavailable, the team appears bolsted with the inclusion of sharp sprinters Saminu, Botsio, and Fuseini.
Making his debut on this stage, Saminu reached the semi-final of the men’s 100m in Paris. He is expected to strengthen the relay team, having clocked impressive times of 10.02s, 10.05s, and 10.08s this season, with the latter achieved in Paris.
Team captain, Joseph Amoah, described the team's depth as a "beautiful headache."
In an interview with JoySports last month, he said, "I think this is like the first time where we have about five in the group running really fast and I will say it's a good problem to have for a coach."
He also highlighted their aspirations: "We are number seven in the world, but we actually want is to be in the finals because it's about eight or nine teams that would qualify to the finals.
"So are we going to say because we are seventh in the world, so any how we ran it we are still going to make the final? We can't say that!
"We have to go in there and make sure that the baton goes around so that we are able to make the finals.
"Taking it race by race, that will be the best way to approach. We don't want to get in there thinking about the finals. Our main focus is to be disciplined and then make it to the final and when we get there, we can start of medals.
"We are not satisfied being seventh and we don't just want to get to the final. We were in the final in Tokyo. We want to get to the final and get something out of it. We want to get on the podium."
The race is scheduled to start at 9:35 am Ghana time.
Latest Stories
-
Critical Ideas Limited secures Broker-Dealer License from Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission
3 hours -
Beyoncé locked out of Country Music Awards
4 hours -
Harvey Weinstein undergoes emergency heart surgery
4 hours -
‘Loving and being loved’: UK’s Princess Kate says she is grateful after finishing chemotherapy
4 hours -
James Earl Jones, voice of Mufasa in Lion King, dies aged 93
4 hours -
UTAG calls for immediate nationwide ban on mining
5 hours -
Trump ‘fine-tuning theatrics’ before Harris debate
5 hours -
Herbert Mensah exclusive: Fixing Kotoko, overcoming odds & changing the narrative
5 hours -
Real estate giant, Lakeside Estate retains title as ‘CIMG Real Estate Company of Year 2023’ for 4th time
6 hours -
Galamsey fight: AERC calls repeal of executive instruments endangering forest reserves
6 hours -
Niger 1-1 Ghana player ratings: Alidu seidu shines as Fatawu Issahaku struggles
6 hours -
Warning shots fired as ballot box was snatched in NPP Walewale primaries re-run
7 hours -
Six outstanding women-owned businesses awarded GHS936,000 at Standard Chartered Women in Tech Incubator Programme
8 hours -
Chief Imam, clergy pray for Bawumia ahead of filing of nomination
8 hours -
Gideon Boako files nomination for Tano North parliamentary seat
8 hours