Kenyan trio eye gold in African Boxing Championships

Hard-hitting Boniface Mogunde and warhorse Elizabeth Andiego and newcomer Clinton Macharia will line up against formidable pugilists at the Stade des Martyrs on Friday and Saturday in search for top honours.

Mogunde takes on Burundi’s Nestor Nduwarugira in an all-East African affair final on Saturday.

 “Now I am fully focused on the final. I believe I will win because God has given me the strength and guided me through all the exercises I’ve done. My hard work, with the help of my coaches, will not go to waste,” said Mogunde.

The Kenyan has been in sparkling form and punched his way to the light-middleweight final after a split points victory over Morocco’s Abidine Amroug in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Mogunde first saw off DR Congo’s Anderson Manzongo in the quarterfinals and then in the semi-finals he outpointed Morocco’s hard-hitting Abidine Amroug who survived a second-round knockdown after Mogunde’s right punch exploded on his jaw.

This will be the second time Mogunde faces Nduwarugira. The two previously met at the Zone 3 tournament in Kinshasa two years ago, where Mogunde emerged victorious.

Andiego and Macharia both face Moroccans in the finals on Friday night with the former meeting newcomer Hassna Larti and her compatriot will be fighting against Younes Bouhdid in the super-heavyweight division.

Kenya last won African Championships gold back in 2017 in Congo Brazzaville with lightweight Nick Okoth’s success.

“I dedicate my semi-final win to all Kenyans, and I thank them for their support. The bout was tough because my opponent had the crowd on her side, but I used my experience to keep her at bay, score points, and move around the ring. Now, I’m going for gold,” Andiego said.

Meanwhile, Amina Martha, Abednego Kyalo, Shaffi Bakari, Vincent Ochieng, and Robert Okaka will return home with bronze medals after being eliminated in their respective semi-final matches.