Interesting morning at African Athletics Champs

South African Willem Coertzen opened his account with a 11.07 second 100m - the second fastest in the field of 11 multi discipline athletes. Egypts Ahmed Awad posted the fastest time of the day with a 10.07, and South African Fredriech Pretorius third in 11.10.

Coertzen improved his position in the long jump with a best of the day of 7.27m, with Pretorius 1cm adrift and Ghana's Atsu Nyamandi third in 7.09m

Ivory Coast's Marie Ta Lou surprised herself in the 100m heats when she ran a 11.36 to win the 4th of 5 heats. Ta Lou was injured after the Doha Diamond league and has been out of racing for close to six weeks, only making her return in Stockholm where she ran a relatively lack lustre 200m. 

Today she recorded the second fastest qualifying time behind Swaziland's Phumile Ndzinisa's second heat 11.11. African record holder Murielle Ahoure was well clear in the third heat running 11.42, while Carina Horn facing the strongest wind of the day at 1.8m/s posted 11.46 to secure here semi final place from the fifth heat. 

Alyssa Conley was disqualified by false starting in the third heat - although it is understood that it has always been her intention to focus on the 200m later in the championships.

An Ivorian again supplied the fastest qualifier of the morning when Ben Meite out dipped Gerald Phiri of Zambia to secure the fourth heat qualifier with 10.22.

Liberia's Matadi Emmanuel outclassed the final heat with a 10.24 for the third fastest qualifier, while South African Akani Simbine was out clear in the second of the six heats posting 10.27.

Simbine's team mate Gift Leotlela settled for the second of the three automatic qualifying spots in the first heat which was won by johs Swaray of Senegal in 10.44 seconds.

The afternoon and evening sessions promise some feature events.

World 400m champion and African record holder Wyade van Niekerk has opted to focus on his speed and will compete in the 200m event and the relay only. 

However Shaun De Jager and Pieter Conradie will also be out to qualify for the 400m finals.

It is an important final for shot putter Orazio Cremona who will be keen to get over the 20.50 Olympic qualification.

Stephen Mokoka and Gladwin Mzazi will be pleased with today's cool, windless conditions when they commence their bid to beat the 28 minute qualifying mark in the gruelling 10,000m at 17h00.

Although Kenyan World Record holder David Rudisha is missing from the Championships, Botswana's Nigel Amos the commonwealth Gold Medalist and Olympic Silver medalist should ensure some fast times in the double lapper which commences with the heats at 17h35. 

South African interest lies with Rynhardt van Rensburg, Jacob Rozani and Kabelo Mohlosi who will target the 1:46 Rio qualification.

Its going to be an exciting first night of international athletics in Kings Park stadium tonight with the highlights package on Supersport.