Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team has been drawn in Heat Two of the World Athletics Championships, where they will line up against some of the world’s top sprinting nations, including South Africa, Great Britain, and Italy.

According to the qualification rules, the first three teams in each heat (Q), plus the two fastest times (q) across both heats, will advance to the final.

Ghana heads into the race with a season’s best of 38.32s but also holds a national record of 38.07s, set at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.

Both times are, however, slower than the marks posted by their rivals in this heat, making Saturday’s contest a major test for the quartet.

Opponents include Great Britain (37.36), Italy (37.50), South Africa (37.57), Japan (37.43), China (37.79), Netherlands (37.87), and Australia (37.87).

The team will race from Lane 2. To progress, Ghana will need a near-perfect run and avoid the baton challenges which have previously hampered the team to challenge for one of the three automatic qualification spots or a fastest-loser place.

The men’s 4x100m relay heats are scheduled for 11:34 a.m. (local time) on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.