Hit Squad off to winning start at African Boxing Championships

National team debutant Odhiambo opened Kenya’s campaign on a winning note, edging Angola’s Noel Luemba 4-1 on a split decision in the men’s bantamweight preliminary bout.

Odhiambo demonstrated composure and determination in his first appearance for the national team, overcoming a tough challenge from Luemba to announce his arrival on the continental stage in style.

His victory was followed by another encouraging performance from Aloice Vincent, who also secured a 4-1 split-decision win over Uganda's Amoke Innocent, ensuring Kenya maintained its positive start at the championships.

The results have raised hopes for the Kenyan team, popularly known as the Hit Squad, as it seeks to make a strong impression against some of Africa’s leading boxing nations.

In other opening-day contests, Uganda’s Samuel Msubuga dominated Benin’s Osias Agbotoney with a unanimous 5-0 decision in the 50-55 kilogramme category while Algeria’s Ismail Bekhsis also recorded a commanding 5-0 victory over Benin’s Houinnon Mateo in the 60-65 kilogramme category.

Angola’s Bernardo Massimino defeated Lesotho’s Manaheng Khebe 5-0, while Nigeria’s Abulbulramon Abuldul overcame Gambia’s Johanna Omar by the same margin in the 65-70 kilogramme category. Rwanda’s Valentin Ntabanganyimana also edged Nigeria’s Qudus Later 3-2.

As the championship enters the second day Sunday evening EAT, Kenya will be seeking to build on its promising start, with three key boxers scheduled to represent the hosts.

Hit Squad captain Boniface Mugunde will open the day’s action against Uganda’s Matovu Ukata in the men’s lightweight division.

Edwin Okong’o will then face Nigeria’s Emmanuel Chuwuka in the middleweight contest, before Stephen Onyango concludes Kenya’s day-two programme against Angola’s Ramiro Dos Santos Zadel in the men’s light heavyweight category.

With home support behind them, the Kenyan boxers will be targeting more victories as they pursue continental honours.