Malawi’s Africa games hopes fade

Malawi’s prospects of winning medals at the Africa Games in Ghana looks bleak after star athlete Asimenye Simwaka failed to make it to the finals of the 400 metres (m) race on Tuesday evening.

The short distance runner finished third in 53:14 behind second-placed Quincy Malekani of Zimbabwe who clocked 52:18 and winner Mary Moraa from Kenya who finished in 51:55.

But in an interview yesterday, Malawi Athletics president Kondwani Chamwala expressed optimism that Simwaka can do well in today’s 200m event.

He said: “It’s unfortunate we missed out in 400m. She was on third position in the semi-finals, but she failed to qualify for finals.

“But there is still hope. Asimenye and Stern Lifa have another competion tomorrow [today] in the 200m. May be something may come out.”

Athletics coach Pachisi Nyasulu said in an interview yesterday that he stills hopes his charges will sail through.

“We are just appealing for support from Malawians because we believe all is not lost and we can salvage something,” he said.

Malawi Boxing Association president Pyson Likagwa said he feels cheated after the controversy that marred Elias Bonzo’s fight against Namapao from Burundi.

The Burundian retired in the third round after suffering a deep cut on his left eye. However, the judges penalised the Malawian boxer allegedly for head-butting his opponent.

Likagwa said they have since appealed against the judges’ decision, saying video clips from the fight do not show any evidence of head-butting.

“We feel let down and cheated. But we will see how it pans out,” he said.

Leader of delegation Joseph Mazaza has said they do not expect the Games’ technical committee to act on their request to review the result of Bonzo’s bout because the fights are still continuing as planned.

Meanwhile, most of the countries from the southern African region, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia have already bagged medals at the event.

Malawi is one of nine countries out of 49 yet to win a medal at the continental event.

So far, 10 countries from the southern African region, namely South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Mauritius, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo have won medals.