Hosts DR Congo will have to stage a spirited comeback in today’s semi-finals after Morocco upstaged them in the first semi-finals on Tuesday, October 22.
Of the 10 Moroccans in action, nine punched their way to the finals, joining the two who had received byes to make it 11 in total the number of boxers from the North African country in the finals.
DR Congo’s seven boxers led by two-time Africa champion Peter Kabeji made it to the last two and suffered three casualties. In total, 10 boxers are so far in the final for the Central Africa country as defending champions Morocco led by their mercurial captain and world champion Khadija Mardi fired on all cylinders to make no secret about their intention to retain the overall title.
War is war! DR Congo are now strategizing on how they will fire back at the mighty Moroccans armed with new effective weapons as the one-week Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships enters the fifth day at the Stade des Martyrs.
Kenya is on top of their game in the East African Region bragging rights battle but head coach Musa Benjamin is not yet celebrating though satisfied with the performance of his boxers.
“There’s still work to be done but I’m not complaining with one boxer in the final and seven fighting today,” said Musa who’s planning a carpet bombing approach in today’s semi-finals.
With two Ethiopians out, and Burundi and Tanzania having only one boxer each in the semis, the Kenyans are ruling East Africa. Even if Uganda – Kenya’s rivals from the 1950s – were here they would have been annihilated by the super-charged Kenyans. The best way the two East African countries can settle scores is to have a two-leg contest. The Kenyans have said Uganda are scared to meet them in an open contest.
The Southern Africans are offering peripheral challenge after entering skeleton teams in Africa’s most glamorous boxing event. African governments will have to take this tournament seriously and enter full teams in future.
Biased officiating has also reared its ugly head in the tournament with ring analysts wondering whether some judges are watching darts or pure boxing.
Among the victims include Tanzania’s tough bantamweight Zulfa Macho “Kamacho” who vehemently protested her questionable points loss to DR Congo’s Merveille Bisambu.
“I couldn’t just believe it being robbed openly in broad daylight, it’s unacceptable,” said a fuming Macho Kamacho.
Some boxers have bathed in their tears in their dressing rooms protesting what they feel is unfair officiating in some bouts but generally the going is good.
Full semi-final results first session
Women flyweight: Rabab Cheddar (Morocco) outpointed Ncube Ntandoyenkosi (South Africa), Nyembo Gisele (DR Congo) stopped in the second round Tina Mora Andriamiarisoa (Madagascar).
Women middleweight: Onguene Tsimi Victorine (Cameroon) outpointed Grace Tshabalala (DR Congo).
Women heavyweight: Khadija Cisse (Senegal) lost on points to Bernadette Keuye (Cameroon), Khadija Mardi (Morocco) stopped in the first round Sila Tshimwanga (DR Congo).
Bantamweight: Manuel Banguine (Mozambique) outpointed Nuno Antonio Ribeiro (Angola), Bakora Kolongo (DR Congo) outpointed Kombo Bakana (Republic of Congo).
Welterweight: Abdelhaq Nadir (Morocco) outpointed Masuasua Ilunga (DR Congo), Diallo Mouhamed (Senegal) outpointed Amene Marquis Zoele (Mauritius).
Cruiserweight: Ahmed Badrani (Morocco) outpointed Adriano Kiana (Angola), Pita Kabeji (DR Congo) outpointed Abeb Georges (Cameroon).
Second session semi-finals results
Women light-flyweight: Carine Nkelani (DR Congo) outpointed Essele Jael (Republic of Congo), Yasmine Mouttaki knocked out in the second round Mathiba Thandolwethu (South Africa).
Women welterweight: Toutir Mounir (Morocco) stopped in the second round Maimouna Ndong (Senegal).
Light-flyweight: Zola Tulembekwa outpointed Tomas Elfas (Namibia), Martial Wouang (Cameroon) outpointed Hamza Essaadi (Morocco).
Lightweight: Ngollo Ngasay (Republic of Congo) outpointed Diop Abdou Mbacke (Senegal), Zouhair Fadel (Morocco) outpointed Abubeker Redwan (Ethiopia).
Middleweight: Yassine El Ouarz (Morocco) stopped in the first round Mitiku Temesgen (Ethiopia), David Tshama (DR Congo) outpointed Traore Djibril (Mali).
Super-heavyweight: Younes Bouhdid (Morocco) outpointed Apanu Anyisa (DR Congo), Clinton Macharia (Kenya) outpointed Luvo Jordilson (Angola).
Credit: AFBC Communications
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