The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has warned American coach Dennis Shaver to desist from ‘misleading’ Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili.

Shaver had declared a few days ago that Ofili will not compete in the ongoing AFN National Commonwealth Games Trials, which will end today at the YABATECH, Lagos.

Ofili was allegedly listed for one of the sprint events to enable her join Team Nigeria’s party to Glasgow in July.

Delta State-born Ofili has been at the centre of controversy in Nigerian athletics following a failed nationality switch to Turkey earlier this year.

She filed for a change of allegiance from Nigeria to the Gulf nation last year, citing the circumstances that caused her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the failure of the AFN and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to register her for the women’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

However, Ofili’s application was blocked by World Athletics over concerns about the implications for the integrity of international competition. The decision fuelled speculation that she could make a U-turn and represent Nigeria again.

“Favour has not and will not be competing or entering the Nigerian Commonwealth Games Trials,” Coach Shaver wrote in a post on X while reacting to reports linking Ofili to the National Trials in Lagos.

“If she is entered by someone, or AFN, we request the entry be removed. To make it clear, neither Favour nor any representative of Favour has entered her, and we request that her entry be removed today.”

Though, The Guardian did not see Ofili’s name on AFN’s programme of event for the national trials, the official said Shaver declaration is misleading to the Nigerian sprinter.

“Since Ofili’s application to switch allegiance to Turkey was blocked by World Athletics, the option left for her is to return to Nigeria. I am sure Ofili is willing to come back home, but her coach is misleading her. He should stop.

“Ofili has competed in over five events this season, and Nigeria’s name appeared as her country. How come the coach didn’t stop her from entering those races as a Nigerian?

“The World Athletics has taken a decision regarding the change of allegiance by Ofili and some other athletes from Kenya and Jamaica. As we speak, Kenya and Jamaica are waiting to take on anybody that will block their athletes from returning home. Why should Ofili’s coach block her from competing for Nigeria? I agree we have some other young athletes coming up, but we won’t allow the coach to continue to block Ofili from returning home. It is not good for her career,” the official said.

Shaver has been Ofili’s long-time personal trainer, dating back to her time at Louisiana State University (LSU), where she earned an athletic scholarship.

It was not clear, yesterday, if the AFN and the National Sports Commission (NSC) are taking another step to include Ofili in the team to Glasgow.