Akani Simbine's international season gained early momentum on Sunday, with the South African record holder taking second place in the men's 100m race at the World Athletics Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

Competing at the only Diamond League meeting held on African soil, the continent's top athletes did well to put up a fight against the global elite.

Simbine grabbed the runner-up spot in the short sprint in 9.99 seconds, just 0.05 off the pace of world champion Fred Kerley of the United States, who won the race in 9.94.

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala, the African record holder, finished third in 10.05.

Former SA champion Zakithi Nene took fourth position in the men's 400m contest in 45.58.

Olympic champion Steven Gardiner of Bahamas won the race in 44.70.

The third leg of the 2023 World Athletics Diamond Leagues series will be held in Florence, Italy on Friday 2 June.