Boxers crush out of African Games on Day One action
Inexperience played a key part as Kenya’s two boxers were eliminated at the preliminary stage of the 12th edition of African Games in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday evening.
Coach Benjamin Musa was quick to lift the lid after Everlin Akinyi and Edwin Okongo became the first casualties on Day One of the Games at the Al Amal Indoor Sports Centre. The country has 10 boxers left in the Games.
“Akinyi gave her all. I think for someone representing the country for the first time, she did great. Maybe lack of experience contributed to her exit,” Musa said yesterday.
“She is a good boxer with a lot to learn and improve from,” Musa said, referring to Akinyi who lost 5-0 to Moulahi Khouloud of Tunisia in the women’s light welterweight (60kg).
Okongo was also eliminated by 5-0 points scoreline by Zambia’s Kaonga Mbachi in the men’s light heavyweight (81kg).
“Okongo’s case was more of tactical blunder, he failed to carry our game plan to the game,”added the coach.
Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) Nick Okoth was due to fight Iyanga Moliko of Equatorial Guinea in the men’s featherweight (57kg) later Thursday evening.
Coach Musa remains hopeful the captain who is the 2015 Games bronze medallist has been there long enough and therefore will be one of the medal prospects.
“Okoth comes with him a lot of experience, I am confident with his prowess,” he said.
Also expected in the ring is George Ouma who will battle Togo’s John Koudeha in middleweight (75kg).
From the draw conducted Wednesday morning, 2015 African Games bronze medallist Elly Ajowi (91kg) and Boniface Mogunde (69kg) reached the last eight through walkovers. In the women’s category, Lorna Kusa (welterweight 60kg), and Christine Ongare (flyweight 51kg) also stormed the quarters.
