19 Mar 2024

Monday was a bad day in office for some of the athletes as they did not manage to proceed to the next round of the African Games competition held in Accra, Ghana.

 In the women 100 metres semi-final heat, Nancy Budzani missed a place in the final after she finished in position eight with a time of 12.29. 

In the men’s 100 metres semi-finals, Thuto Masasa clocked a time 10.59 and finished in position seven, while Calvin Omphile finished sixth with a time of 10.59. 

National team coach, Meleko Ndolo said he had hoped that some of the individual athletes would register their Personal Best times, adding that although they did not proceed, they did well considering that the season was still new.

“Yes, there is a lot that needs to be done, but as they compete with the best in Africa, they continue to gain experience and confidence,” he said. 

Ndolo said he was also happy that quite a number of athletes managed to make it to the next round, adding he was of the view that as coaches they needed to do more in 100 metres sprints, so that local athletes could be in a position to compete with the rest of the world. 

In boxing, Keamogetse Kenosi won her bout after the referee stopped the bout due to injury in round three. 

She was up against Mguni Sbusisiwe of South Africa. 

Pheki Bhele lost 5-2 to Kenyan Faki Martha, while young and promising boxer Mmoloki Sekwaipe lost to his Zambian opponent, Alert Ngulube by spit point 4-1. 

In taekwondo, Shadi Mokopotsa of 73kg  lost 2-0 to Mouenga Urgence of Gabon. Ends