Commonwealth champion Ferdinand Omanyala suffered his first 100m loss of the year when he finished third in a star-studded line-up at the Diamond League in Rabat on Sunday.
American Fred Kerley powered to victory in 9.94s (MR) with former African record holder Simbine of South Africa second in 9.99s and Omanyala closing the podium places in 10.05s.
World Bronze medallist Trayvon Bromell was fourth and World Junior Champion Letsile Tebogo came fifth.
Organisers had put together one of the greatest 100m line-ups in recent memory including Olympic Champion Marcell Jacobs who did not compete due to a back issue.
Omanyala made a bright start on the night but lacked his signature top-end speed to keep up with the world champion Kerley before Simbine also flew past him in the final meters.
Commonwealth champion Mary Moraa was in a different class in the women’s 800m, following up her dominant victory at the Kip Keino Classic with another impressive win.
The reigning Diamond League winner clocked 1:58.72 for her win ahead of Australia’s Catriona Bisset and American Sage Hurta-Klecker in third.
Former world junior champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi continued his fine forms over 800m with a decisive victory in the Moroccan capital.
The teenager blew away an experienced field to claim top honours in 1:44.36 ahead of Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal who finished second.
Olympic and world champion Emmanuel Korir finished further back in eighth.
Kenya’s struggles in the men’s 3000m steeplechase persisted with Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali imperious at home in what was the last event of the night.
The Olympic champion ran a personal best of 7:56.68 – the fastest time this year – to finish well ahead of Ethiopian Getnet Wale (8:05.15) and Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot (8:05.51). BY THE CITIZEN DIGITAL