The Kenya trio of Nick “Commander” Okoth, Samuel Njau, and Elizabeth Andiego are through to the finals of the Africa Boxing Confederation Championships in Maputo, Mozambique after winning their respective bouts in the semis.Light middleweight Boniface Maina could not join his compatriots in the final after losing to Morocco’s Hamza El Barbai on points decision in the semis.Okoth is on course to defend his title having eliminated Algeria’s Walid Tarzout in the second round of the lightweight category, leaving his opponent not only with a loss but also with a dislocated shoulder, leaving the referee no chance but to stop the match on medical grounds.Team Captain Nick Okoth qualifies for the finals after defeating his Algerian opponent.Congratulations 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/TuXL3zZPfK— Boxing Federation of Kenya (@KenyaBoxing) September 15, 2022 It took Andiego only one round to stop her South African opponent Muriel Mkateko Sithole in the heavyweight semis, this being the Kenyan’s first shot in the category at the continental stage.The lethargic Andiego had the referee give standing counts against her opponent twice in just one round, which eventually led to the match being stopped and the Kenyan booked her slot in the final.Congratulations Deputy Captain Elizabeth for qualifying to the finals 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/MbPnbiWuun— Boxing Federation of Kenya (@KenyaBoxing) September 15, 2022 Featherweight Njau, who is the reigning Africa Zone III champion, eliminated Zambia’s Ben Banda in the second round, again the referee being forced to give standing to the Zambian thrice in the two rounds.Okoth will now face off with Zambia’s Andrew Chilata while Andiego has a mountain to climb against Morocco’s World silver medallist Khadija El-Mardi. Njau will face off with Armando Rugoberto Sigauque who will be enjoying home advantage.Team Captain Nick Okoth qualifies for the finals after defeating his Algerian opponent.Congratulations 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/TuXL3zZPfK— Boxing Federation of Kenya (@KenyaBoxing) September 15, 2022 All three Kenyans are guaranteed of at least Ksh 600,000 in prize money, which is the amount allocated for the silver medalist, with the winner taking home Ksh 1.2 million.
