‘Swazi Bolt’, Bongiwe lose out in African Games finals
It was so close yet so far for national athletes Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa and Bongiwe Mahlalela in the 2023 African Games.
The athletics duo both lost out in the 200m finals of the ongoing continental spectacle held at Accra on Friday.
Matsenjwa finished in position 5 with a time of 21.12s while Mahlalela settled for position 8 with a time of 23.96s.
Eswatini Chef de Mission Zakhele Zulu confirmed the results.
“Our track athletes have both failed to secure podium finishes in their respective races. We commend their commitment in the games by reaching finals,” he said.
He further stated that they are confident that the duo will do well in future assignments ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games slated for Paris, France in July. Eswatini has already been knocked out in four disciplines in the ongoing Games, Swimming, Boxing, Taekwondo (General category) and Karate. The Taekwondo Poomsae results could not be obtained at the time of compiling this report as the duo of Sizwe Mabuza and Nkosinathi Mthembu were in action on Friday evening.
The squad is funded to the tune of E1.7 million. The government contributed (E1.1 million) and the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association ( EOCGA) by E600 000.
The full team Eswatini Athletics
Sibusiso ‘Swazibolt’Matsenjwa
Bongiwe Mahlalela
Coach/ Manager : Thoba Mazibuko
Swimming
Simanga Dlamini Coach: Welcome Nhlabatsi
Boxing
Thabiso Dlamini Sibongiseni Shongwe Coach: Muzi Shongwe
Karate
Lwazi Dlamini Melusi Dlamini Coach: Victor Gwebu
Taekwondo
Carlotta Munave
Wandile Maziya
Saneliso Masuku Sivunolesihle Dlamini
Coach: Mancoba Motsa Nkosinathi Mthembu (poomsae) Sizwe Mabuza(poomsae) Chef de mission: Zakhele Zulu
General Manager: Zama Tsabedze Physiotherapist: Nomvula Dlamini