Andiego and Mogunde punch their way into Africa Boxing Championships finals

Kenya's Elizabeth Andiego (left) in action against Joelle Marie Mwika of Democratic Republic of Congo during their light heavyweight bout in Kinshasa on October 23,2024. [KBF]

With determination to improve on their performance in all continental events, two more Kenyan boxers stormed into the finals of the ongoing Africa Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday night.

Experienced captain Elizabeth Andiego and her deputy Boniface Mogunde who plied in the light heavyweight and light middleweight respectively won their bouts in split-points’ decision.

Andiego hammered Joelle Marie Mwika of DRC as Mogunde walloped Amrouge Zine El Abidine of Morocco.

The duo joins national super heavyweight champion Clinton Macharia who was the first Kenyan boxer to cruise into the finals of the showpiece.

The finals will be played today and tomorrow in the Central African capital.

Andiego faces Larti Hasna of Morocco on Saturday with Mogunde taking on Nduwarugira Nesta this evening.

“It was a tough match and difficult to beat a home girl in her backyard but I did it. My strategy was on throwing lots of jabs while keeping my distance, a technique that worked in my favour,” Andiego told Standard Sports on phone from Kinshasa.

On her final match, Andiego, who is ranked second in the light heavyweight division by International Boxing Association (IBA) globally, said she will not underrate her opponent.

“Although I have an ambition to win a gold medal, I will not underrate my opponent in the finals at the end of the day,” she explained.

Clinton Macharia will battle with Bouhdid Younes of Morocco in the finals on Friday.

Head coach Musa Benjamin is looking forward to snatch at least three gold medals in the tournament.

“As we hope to bag the three gold medals, the six minutes in the boxing ring are crucial to all boxers and very tricky to any of them as anything can happen in the bout,” he said.

Benjamin praised the five boxers who lost in the semifinals hence scooping bronze medals.