By Tony Ubani
Ghana’s hopes for medals in the ongoing All Africa Games in Maputo were dashed as promising swimmer Ophelia Swayne failed to impress.

Ophelia Swayne 14, placed 17th out of 23 competitors in the women’s 50 metre butterfly competition as she made a time of 32.05 at Stadio Zempeto in Maputo on Tuesday.

Swayne was however hopeful that Ghana will be a force to reckon with in the next 4 years.

Elsewhere, the General Secretary of Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation Mr. Dominic Kamkam said, he expects the boxing team to land a medal before the end of the games.

He said although reception at the games was not one of the best, he believes his charges will do the nation proud.

Contrary to the refreshing news coming from the other camps, Nuru Padi, a member of the cycling team says he is disappointed in how authorities have handled them.

He says he does not understand why their bikes are still locked up in South Africa barely some few hours to the start of their competition.

When asked if he was hopeful of winning medals at the games, Mr. Padi said nobody should expect any medal from them.

 South Africa above others in swimming

South Africa largely dominated the first day of the swimming events at the Maputo All Africa Games, by winning eleven medals with five gold.

Karin Prinsloo, freestyle specialist, was the swimmer of the day by dominating the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke. In the men’s, Cameron van der Bergh and Charl Crous respectively won the 100m breaststroke and 50m backstroke. Only the Tunisian Ahmed Mathlouthi (200 m Freestyle) and the Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry (400 m x 4) succeeded in disrupting the South Africa plans.