David GOMBE
Three Bombers are assured of medals at the 2023 Africa Boxing Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Erina Namutebi, Grace Nankinga and Geko Solomon will start their journey at the semifinal stage.
This means that the trio is already assured of at least a medal at the championship in Cameroon.
The development came after a technical meeting where the draws were held on Thursday.
Namutebi in the 60-63Kg category will face Mozambique’s Mulungo Isabel Sandra at the semifinal stage and a win will see her enter the gold medal bracket. Her category only has five boxers.
Nankinga in the 50-52Kg category that has six boxers will battle the winner between Bagao Helena of Mozambique and Nyembo Muamba Gisele of Congo for a place in the final.
Geko on the other hand (92+Kg) will take on the winner between Zacharie Serge Mvogo from host nation Cameroon or Adegbola Adedeji (Nigeria) in the semis.
At the previous edition in Mozambique, Uganda only managed two medals with Yusuf Nkobeza and Jonathan Kyobe both scooping bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Ukasha Matovu (63.5-67Kg) will begin his journey at the Quarterfinal stage and will battle the winner between Samil Barouf (Comoros) and Diop Chek Tidiane (Senegal).
Muzamir Ssemuddu (67-71kg) will face off with Muxanga Tiago Osorio (Mozambique), with the winner facing El Barbari Hamza of Morocco in the semifinal.
Ronald Okello (71-75Kg) will lock horns with Obama Mangue Raul Obaga from Equatorial Guinea with a win sending him to the semis.
James Baraka (86-92Kg) will face Senegal’s Kebe Karamba and a win will see him land the winner between William Mbago (Congo) or Nhlapo Bonginkonsi from 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.
Sharua Ndagire (54-57Kg) will battle Hlioui Nouhala of Morocco for a Semifinal place.
Zahara Nandawula (57-60Kg) will battle Hadjila Khelif of Algeria at the Quarterfinal stage with the winner facing Amine Nisrine of Morocco who got a bye to the semis.
Meanwhile, four other boxers will begin their campaign at the round of 16.
Bombers Captain Joshua Tukamuhebwa (63.5Kg) will lock horns with Collin Louis Richarno of Mauritania at the round of 16 to enter into the money bracket. Victory will see him face Kenya’s Antony Maina in the Quarterfinal.
Ssali Amir Wasswa (57-60kg) will meet Irungu Ethan Maina of Kenya at Round of 16 for a place in the Quarterfinal.
In the 75-80Kg category, Kenya’s Robert Oraka Nehemiah stands in Idriisa Mukiibi way to the Quarterfinal. A win will land him to another Kenyan Fotouo Totap Junior.
Khassim Murungi (54-57kg) will face Sigauque Armando Rugoberto of Mozambique in R16 for a place in the Quarterfinals.
206 boxers are contesting in the Championship of which 142 are male and 64 female from 26 countries. The opening ceremony will be held tonight.
Prize Money:
•Gold – $15,000
•Silver – $10,000
•Bronze – $5,000
•Quarterfinalist – $1,250