Nairobi — Kenya has a good chance of retaining the 800m title after all their runners qualified for the final with fine runs on Thursday.

Defending David Rudisha, who bagged the continental crown while a Form Three Student at St Francis Kimuron Secondary School in Keiyo North, produced a solid run to win the second semi final round, stopping the timer at one 1;46.58 seconds ahead of compatriot and former world champion Alfred Kirwa Yego who timed 1:47.28.

Mouhcine Elamine of Morocco and South Africa's Windy Jonas posted 1:47.68 and 1:48.56 respectively. "I did not struggle as I just wanted to book a ticket in the semis.

I will not be eyeing the world record but need a win and make the cut to World Cup in Athletics in Split city in Croatia," said Rudisha.

Africa Junior Silver medallist Jackson Kivuva won the first round in a slower time of 1:49.48 beating Wola Gende of Ethiopia (1:49.53) and Mor Seck of Senegal (1:49.50.)

On Wednesday Kivuva showed little respect to World champion Muluudzi Mbulaeni of South Africa as he comfortably won heat three in 1:49.93 leaving the world champion to settle for the third place.

The South African however. failed to turn for the his semi final round with an injury.