Moorosi Tsiane
LESOTHO has made a slow start at the ongoing Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco with most athletes failing to rise to the occasion.
Up to yesterday, Lesotho had only managed one medal at the games which started on 16 August and are expected to end on the 31st.
Multi-talented Michelle Tau had to settle for a silver medal after to Soukaina Sahib of Morocco in the female taekwondo final early this week.
From there it has been series of loses for her compatriots.
Although she had a great start beating Mahonza Aldine Brenda of Côte d’Ivoire, Rethabile Tjotjo’s joy was short lived as she later lost to Radwa Nada of Egypt in the quarterfinals.
In the male category, Marumo Moloisane, Ramosoeu Nkuebe and Lemohang Mokhobo all found the going tough in their first match.
Maloisane lost to Abdurahman Sefa Umer of Ethiopia, Nkuebe was beaten by Tunisian Yassine Khemazi while Neyi Esrom of Cameroon was just too hot to handle for Mokhobo. The second successive losses earned the locals their expulsion.
However, boxers also had a promising start with Thloholelo Mokhesi (52kg) beating his opponent Hal Hal of South Sudan in his first match. Moroke Mokhotho (57kg) was the second to register a victory beating Botswana’s George Molwantwa while Arena Pakela (75kg) also got off to a flying start beating Bambo Rodrigue of Chad.
It was however, a poor outing for Qhobosheane Mohlerepe (63 kg) and Mokhachane Moshoeshoe (69kg) who were both knocked out in their first fights. Mokhotho was also knocked-out in the quarter-final by Algeria’s Aossama Mardjane yesterday.
In cycling, Tumelo Makae finished fifth while his countryman Phethetso Monese finished ninth in the cross country before they both lost in the mountain bike marathon finishing 15th and 16th respectively.
Zimbabwean Mehluli Don Ayanda Sibanda defeated United States based Nyathi Motlojoa 6-2, 6-0 while Mpaleng Sempe lost 6-1, 6-1to Wilfrid Lebendje of Gabon.
The team’s chef de mission Tšepang Mantutle said despite all the losses he was proud of his charges’ performances given their poor preparations.
“Considering our poor preparations, I am proud of this team and I believe this the best they could have offer,” Mantutle said.
“We left the country late and the athletes failed to acclimatise because the weather is hot and that has taken a toll on the athletes.”
Mantutle said he was still hopeful that they will still win some medals in the remaining medals.
“We still have a chance to do well and I believe in my team and hope things will not change. There are just so many challenges here,” Mantutle said.
Lesotho is still yet to compete in athletics and weightlifting.