07 Aug 2018

Botswana 4x400m men’s relay team was hit by a catastrophe on Sunday, after failing to finish the race due to an injury in the second leg of the 21st Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) African Senior Championships.

Nijel Amos pulled a hamstring at the 150metre-mark after receiving the baton from Leaname Maotoanong.

Botswana’s quartets, who were the defending champions, watched on the sidelines helplessly as Kenya cruised to the finish line to dethrone Botswana its bragging relay rights.

Amos, who just recovered from an injury, was tipped to help Team Botswana defend the title they won two years ago in Durban.

The women 4x400m finished in position four with a time of 3:42.16. Nigeria were crowned champions after stopping the clock at 3:31.17, followed by Kenya with 3:35.45 and Zambia won a bronze after finishing on 3:38.18.

Twenty three countries participated in the championships. Team Botswana in overall finished on position eight after winning three medals, with 400m runners Baboloki Thebe and 800m specialist, Nijel Amos successfully defending their titles.

Christine Botlogetswe managed to win a silver medal for Botswana to take medal tally to hree for the country.

According to Team Botswana manager, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba , the team managed to defend some of the events they won in Durban.

He said Botswana had won three gold three medals in 2014, but this time relay medal eluded them due to injury.

He however said the three athletes who made it to the podium in Asaba had made it through to Team Africa that would represent the continent at the IAAF Continental Cup in Ostrava, next month.

The team is expected to touch down 1 pm at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. ENDS