Times Of Swaziland: AFRICAN CHAMPS: NO DREAM START FOR ESWATINI AFRICAN CHAMPS: NO DREAM START FOR ESWATINI ================================================================================ Sports Reporter on 09/06/2022 08:20:00 MBABANE – Unlucky. Eswatini athletes were off to an unpersuasive start in the 2022 Athletics African Championships being staged in Mauritius. Entrusted national sprinters, Bongiwe Mahlalela and Sibusiso ‘Swazi-Bolt’ Matsenjwa could not qualify for the next stage after the first heat and semifinals, respectively, in the 100 metres race. The latter was ranked eighth in the semifinals with a time of 10:41 seconds. A promising first start was cut short for Menzokuhle Msibi who was eliminated in the semifinals after placing fifth in the first heat of the men’s 100 metres. Athletics Eswatini (AE) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini said there was still hope for the local athletes in other categories, including the 200 metres for men and women as well as the 100 metres hurdles. “It’s a tough competition and the results show. Sibusiso and Bongiwe are still going to compete in the 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay, so we believe they will do their best and bring home positive results. They will fight until the end,” Dlamini said. According to the programme, ‘Swazi-Bolt’ and Mahlalela will return to the track this morning at 9:45am to fight for better standings in the ladies and men’s 4x100 metres relay.