Kenyan boxers chasing gold in Rabat

Gilbert Kiprotich in Rabat, Morocco

Five Kenyan boxers will be in the ring this evening with slots in the finals on the line at the 12th edition of African Games currently underway here in Rabat, Morocco.

The Salle Al Amal arena will host all the semi-final matches scheduled for today, with Boniface Maina the first Kenyan boxer to enter the ring to face off with Nigeria’s Abdul-Afeez Osoba in the men’s Welterweight (69kg) at 4pm Kenyan time.

Later on, Gorge Ouma Cosby will take on Tarik Allali of host nation Morocco in the men’s middleweight (75kg) with Ouma exuding confidence ahead of the pulsating clash against the host.

“I am going to do my best and hope to win todays match in order to enter the medal brcket then we can see which medal I can win if I proceed o the finals,” said Ouma.

Fredrick Ramogi will battle it put for a finals slots when he takes on Kimbembi Tshikeva of Democratic Republic of Congo in the men’s Super-Heavyweight (+91kg).

At 8pm Kenyan time, Shaffi Bakari will exchange punches with Ethiopia’s Dawit Wibshet in the flyweight (52kg) as Elly Ajowi takes on Morocco’s Youness Baalla in the men’s Heavyweight (91kg) in the last bout of the semi-final.

The Kenyan team ‘Hit Squad’ assistant coach David Munuhe is upbeat Kenya will progress to the finals scheduled for Thursday.

“Our boxers are good and although some of them have been eliminated, we still have a lot of hope in the upcoming matches,” said Munuhe.