By Ben Efe
Day two of the African Athletics Champio-nships in Durban, South Africa had little prospect for Nigerian athletes, even as Cote d’Ivoire’s Ben Youssef Meite and Murielle Ahoure clinched the gold in the men’s and women’s 100m event decided yesterday.

It is highly unlikely that Nigeria that in the past dominated the sprint events with a 1,2,3 win in both categories, will produce a podium performance in Durban. There was no Nigerian sprinter in the men’s 100m clinched by Meite with a 9.95 seconds run. Mosito Lehata of Lesotho won silver with 10.04 secs while Akani Simbine of South Africa received the bronze with 10.05.

In the women’s race Nigeria’s Gloria Asumnu was out-classed by the race favourites. Ahoure topped the field with 10.99 seconds, she set a championships’ record in the process. South Africa’s Carina Horn clocked 11.07secs to finish second and Africa Games champion, Marie Jose Talou took the bronze with 11.15 seconds. Asumnu finished fourth with 11.45 seconds.

Nigeria’s best sprinters Blessing Okagbare, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Seyi Ogunlewe skipped the championships.

Also yesterday Patience Okon George and Regina George made it to the final of the women’s 400m. But they must beat Zambia’s Kabange Mupopo and Kenya’s Margaret Nyairera who had better qualification times in the semi-final. Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie will run in the men’s final. He posted a 45.8 secs in the semi-final.

So far Stephen Mozia’s two bronze medals in the men’s shot put and discus throw are the only medals in Nigeria’s name. Mozia a pre-championships favourite threw 59.16m in the event won by South Africa’s Victor Hogan with 61.68m. Compatriot Russel Tucker was second with 61.44m

But as the 4x100m relays are decided today, it is expected that Nigeria will be on the podium to at least get a silver or bronze.

In today’s events; the pressure will be on Ese Brume to repeat the 6.83m jump she did recently as the final of the women’s long jump comes off the ground. Uhunoma Osazuwa will also be in action heptathlon today and based on her performance at the Africa Games in Congo, she is a sure bet for gold in the event. Chinwe Okoro will compete in the women’s discuss throw and she is one of the top contenders for the gold.