Holding at No 3
Egypt remains in third place at the All-Africa Games. Eric Asomugha reports from Nigeria
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Nigerians Mary Omagbemi (l) and Endurance Ojokolo hug at the end of the 100-metre dash. Omagbemi came first, Ojokolo second; Egypt's Ibrahim Ahmed (l) tangles with South Africa's Arnold Lottering who beat out Ahmed for the bronze
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South Africa continued to lead the standings at the All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria. Having collected 41 gold, 31 silver and 29 bronze for 101 medals, South Africa has stretched its lead over hosts Nigeria which has garnered 77 medals -- 31 gold, 33 silver and 13 bronze. Egypt follows with 27 gold, 31 silver and 43 bronze for 101, tied with South Africa but listed as third because of its fewer gold medals won.
Other countries making an impact on the Games, which come to a close on Saturday, have been Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and Seychelles.
The Egyptians have been putting on a great show in most of the events they have entered except for the unexpected early departure of the football team which lost 3-1 to Cameroon and 2-1 to Algeria before a meaningless goalless draw with Ghana in the group stages.
Among the events in which Egypt struck pay dirt was in weightlifting with six gold, six more gold medals in wrestling, gymnastics with four gold, athletics four gold and squash two gold.
In women's gymnastics, Nourhan Ahmed dominated the apparatus finals, winning gold on the beam and on the floor. She also took silver in the vault and bronze on the uneven bars. Mohamed Serour won gold in the men's individual gymnastics competition.
Despite South Africa's dominance in swimming, Egypt managed to win a reasonable share of the medals to confirm its position as the second best in Africa.
In track and field, which is being clearly dominated by Nigeria, Egypt has been able to snatch some medals as well.
Chess and men's hockey are among the remaining events Egypt hopes not to play second fiddle.
Speaking at a post-medal interview shortly after Egypt trashed Zimbabwe 10-0 in field hockey, Yasser Abdel-Moneim, Egypt's captain said he was focussed on the gold. "I know South Africa is strong. But we will not give up until we achieve our goal. We will win the gold."
Several big-name African athletes are missing the fun in Abuja of which their presence would have added more glamour to the Games. Among them are Mutola Maria from Mozambique who is the undisputed 800m world champion, South African world high jump champion Cloete Hestrie, Nigeria's former African 400m record holder Ogunkoya Fatilat and Ethiopia Gebrselassie who is the former world 10,000 champion.
However, the presence of Namibian 100-metre legend Frankie Fredericks, Paul Kosgei and Mary Onyali-Omagbemi is an indication that the Games remain the rallying point for all Africans.
Fifty-three African countries including Morocco, a notable absentee in previous Games, are participating in 23 events. There are over 6,000 athletes competing to win 1,700 medals. There are about 1,500 journalists, 1,200 officials, 2,000 VIPs and 7,000 volunteers present for the Games.
