Africa Boxing Championship: Bombers Learn Opponents, Three In Medal Brackets

July 28, 2023
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Three Bombers are already guaranteed of medals before stepping into the ring at the 2023 Africa Boxing Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon.

This, is after the Technical Meeting where the draws were conducted on Thursday.

Three of 17 Uganda boxers will start their journey at the semifinal stage, where a medal is already in the bag, bronze the least in case of a loss.

The three are Erina Namutebi, Grace Nankinga and Geko Solomon, already surpassing Uganda’s medal tally of two won by Jonathan Kyobe and Yusuf Nkobeza who both won bronze last year in Maputo, Mozambique.

Erina Namutebi’s category of 60-63 kg has five boxers, and she was one of the three who got a bye to the semis where she will face Mulungo Isabel Sandra of Mozambique.

And a win will send her to the final to have a chance to fight for Gold.

Grace Nankinga’s category of 50-52kg has six boxers, giving her a chance to start at semifinals where she will face winner between Bagao Helena of Mozambique and Nyembo Muamba Gisele of Congo.

Solomon Geko Kozaala’s 92+Kg category has Seven boxers, and after a computer system, the Ugandan got a bye at the Quarters.

He will start at the semis, awaiting on the winner between Zacharie Serge Mvogo (Cameroon) and Adegbola Adedeji (Nigeria).

A couple of boxers will be starting at the Quarterfinals (money bracket already), where even a loss comes with $1500 (about Sh5m) – While a win will guarantee them a medal (and more money as well).

Ronald Okello (71-75kg) will face Obama Mangue Raul Obaga of Equatorial Guinea, and a win will send him in the semifinals to face winner between Daniel Ilakunda (Tanzania) and Tsama David (DR Congo).

Ukasha Matovu (63.5-67kg) start at the Quarterfinals as well, waiting on the winner between Samil Barouf (Comoros) and Diop Chek Tidiane (Senegal).

James Baraka (86-92 kg) will face Senegal’s Kebe Karamba, with a place at the semis at stake.

If Baraka overcomes the Senegalese, his next opponent will be winner between William Mbago (Congo) and Nhlapo Bonginkonsi of South Africa.

Lawrence Kayiwa (80-86kg) also starts at Quarterfinals against Landu Mbeli Nathan (Congo), with winner between Changalawe Yusuf (Tanzania) and Antalika Emmanuel (Mauritania) the next opponent at the semifinals.

Zahara Nandawula (57-60 kg) will meet Hadjila Khelif of Algeria in the Quarters, with Amine Nisrine of Morcco awaiting at the semifinal after earlier exemption.

Sharua Ndagire (54-57kg) will face off with Hlioui Nouhala of Morocco for a place in the semis.

Nadia Najjemba (52-54kg) also start at the Quarterfinals against Abdelkader Fatma Zohra of Algeria.

Emily Nakalema (63-66kg), has Kate Isim of Nigeria in the Quarterfinals, with Gomes Moreif of Cape Verde awaiting in the semifinals.

Muzamir Ssemuddu (67-71kg) will go head to head with Muxanga Tiago Osorio (Mozambique), with the winner facing El Barbari Hamza of Morocco in the semifinal.

Standing in Joseph Kalema’s (46-48kg) way into the semifinals is Cameroon’s Wouang Marcial, while Issufo Yassine Nordine of Mozambique awaits in the semifinals.