Chess players in tragic defeats

Both finished the event on four points from nine games, with Khetho placed 27th and Oatlhotse 28th. Khetho's woes started in round seven when he lost against the form player of the last two months and Grandmaster (GM) elect Amon Simutowe. Had Khetho won against the Zambian, he could have had a slight chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

A last round loss for Khetho against Zimbabwe's Rodwell Makoto summed up Botswana's performance at the tournament. Oatlhotse lost for the third time against FM Farai Mandizha of Zimbabwe in round seven, after which he chose to return home rather than play his last round game against Nigeria's Adu Odalapo.