Soufianne El Bakkali ran WL of 7:58.15 for the steeplechase in Monaco on July 20, 2018, photo by PhotoRun.net
ASABA (NGR): Morocco is sending a team of 22 athletes to the African championships led by steeplechase world silver medallist Soufiane El Bakkali who ran a World lead in Monaco (7:58.15) and is the favourite for the win. Eight of the athletes (Smaili, Kaazouzi, Bouqantar, Essalhi, El Bakkali, Berrabah, Arafi and Akkaoui) were medallists at the Mediterranean Games last month in Tarragona but the runners will face a stronger challenge against the East African representatives in Nigeria.