Accra 2026: Heartbreak for Ghana as Eseme Beats Rasheed Saminu, Joe Paul Amoah to 100m Gold
- Ghana endured heartbreak in the men’s 100-metre final at the ongoing 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra
- Home hopes rested on Abdul Rasheed Saminu and Joseph Paul Amoah, but the duo ultimately fell short as Cameroon’s Eseme stormed to victory
- Saminu and Amoah will now look to bounce back in the 4x100m relay, where Ghana are strongly tipped to challenge for gold
- A Ghanaian journalist who covered the event expressed disappointment in the outcome of the race but was confident about other events
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Emmanuel Eseme crushed Ghana’s hopes of a memorable home triumph after storming to gold in the men’s 100m final at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships on Wednesday, May 13.
Inside a buzzing University of Ghana Stadium, the crowd expected a coronation for hometown stars Abdul Rasheed Saminu and Joseph Paul Amoah.
Source: Getty Images
Instead, it was Eseme who delivered the defining moment, powering to victory in 10.25 seconds. For the Cameroonian sprinter, the result carried extra meaning.
After narrowly missing out on gold on home soil in the previous edition, he returned with purpose and finally got his revenge against the Ghanaian pair who had entered the race as favourites.
According to GNA, South Africa's Bradley Nkoana finished second with 10.31 sec, while Nigeria's Chidera Ezeakor claimed bronze with 10.31s.
Eseme blazes past Saminu in 100m final
Heading into the final, confidence around the Ghana camp was sky-high.
Saminu and Amoah had cruised through their heats with authority and looked ready to ignite celebrations in Accra.
Source: Getty Images
The race, however, unfolded differently. Saminu exploded out of the blocks and briefly looked in control during the opening metres.
But as the field gathered momentum, the Ghanaian faded late, allowing rivals to surge past him down the stretch.
Eseme, running from lane seven, timed his finish to perfection and burst through the field in the closing metres to grab top spot in superb fashion, per Africa Athletics.
The result left Saminu, Ghana’s national 100m record holder, down in sixth place with 10.32 seconds, while Amoah – who also owns the country’s 200m record – finished fourth with 10.32 sec.
Watch the 100m final race, as shared on X:
Below are the official men’s 100m results, as shared by journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo:
1. Eseme 10.25s
2. Nkoana 10.31s
3. Chidera 10.31s
4. Joe Paul 10.32s
5. Makarawu 10.32s
6. Saminu 10:32s
7. Kone 10:37s
8. Simao 10:55s
Journalist weighs in on Ghana's 100m heartbreak
Ghanaian journalist Fitman Jaarah, who covered the 2026 African Athletics Championships in Accra, expressed disappointment over the result from Ghana’s perspective during an interview with YEN.com.gh:
“On a personal note, I must admit I was disappointed with the outcome of the race from a Ghanaian point of view. Abdul Rasheed Saminu and Joseph Paul Amoah were considered the favourites, despite Emmanuel Eseme being one of the continent’s top sprinters.”
Speaking further on Saminu’s performance on home soil, Jaarah admitted expectations were extremely high heading into the race.
“Considering it was Saminu’s first time racing in Ghana, many expected him to lead the way, but somehow he fell short on the day.”
He, however, believes both Ghanaian sprinters still have the opportunity to bounce back strongly in the relay and 200m events.
“Hopefully, Saminu redeems himself by anchoring Ghana to gold in the 4x100m relay. The same goes for Amoah, who is expected to run the back straight in the absence of Benjamin Azamati while also pushing for gold in the men’s 200m event.”
Ghana eyes redemption in 4x100m relay
The outcome brought visible disappointment among supporters who had hoped for a historic sprint victory on the home track.
Still, Ghana’s attention will quickly shift toward the men’s 4x100m relay, an event where the nation has consistently established itself as one of Africa’s strongest forces.
With pride wounded and expectations still high, Saminu and Amoah now have another opportunity to deliver a response before the championship concludes.
The inspiring rise of Abdul Rasheed Saminu
Earlier, YEN.com.gh highlighted the inspiring rise of Abdul Rasheed Saminu, whose rapid progress is putting Ghana on the global athletics stage.
Before his breakthrough on the track, the talented sprinter worked as a driver’s mate and pushed trucks in Ashaiman while chasing his dreams.
Source: YEN.com.gh
