African middleweight champion Edwin Okong’o was the biggest casualty of the day as Silas Onyango and Faith Nafuna punched their way into the semifinals of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Zone III Championships yesterday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Indoor Arena.
Okong’o lost 5-0 to DR Congo’s Kinda Wetu in a one-sided bout.
Onyango and Nafuna lit up the gymnasium with electric performances that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Onyango, boxing in the men’s light flyweight, overcame compatriot Abednego Kyalo in a thrilling 3:2 split decision to book his spot among the final four, while Nafuna outclassed Tanzania’s Sarafina James 5-0 in the women’s flyweight division.
The Onyango-Kyalo bout was one of the most technical contests of the afternoon — a contest between two men who know each other’s rhythm, footwork, and jab angles. “This was not just another fight,” Onyango said, sweat dripping from his temple. The 24-year-old added that he had visualised this moment since his opening win. “Beating Ethiopia’s Abel Abatiye Alemu 4-1 on Monday gave me confidence,” he said.
“Kyalo is a friend and a teammate, so I had to stay disciplined. It was a war of willpower, not just punches. I just trusted my training.” Onyango’s sharp left hook and superior ring movement kept him slightly ahead throughout, even as Kyalo rallied late with an aggressive third round.
“The crowd made it even harder,” Onyango said, smiling faintly. “Every cheer was for both of us, so you could feel the tension. But that’s what boxing is about — pressure and pride.” He now turns his focus to the semifinals. “It’s only halfway done,” he said.
“I’m fighting for the flag, not just a medal. I want to prove that Kenyan boxing is alive and dangerous.” Kyalo said, “I left everything in that ring.”
Despite defeat, Kyalo, 28, walked out of the ring with his head held high. “I lost by a split decision, and that tells you how close it was,” he said.
“Onyango boxed brilliantly. I have no regrets. I left everything in that ring.” Kyalo had earlier stunned Tanzania’s Juma Athumani Juma with a knockdown in the third round, sealing a dominant 4-1 victory in the preliminaries.
“My fight with Juma gave me rhythm,” Kyalo said. “But facing a Kenyan, a teammate — that’s another kind of challenge. You know each other too well. Every move is anticipated.” He praised Onyango’s composure, saying, “Silas deserved this. He was patient and precise. I’ll be cheering for him in the semifinals because he’s carrying all of us forward.”
Kyalo vowed to return stronger. “Defeat doesn’t end a fighter’s journey. It refines it. I’ve seen what I need to fix. The next championship, I’ll be the one celebrating.”
Nafuna dominated in women’s flyweight, where she put on a master-class against Sarafina James of Tanzania, winning 5-0 to secure Kenya’s second semifinal slot of the day.
“I came here to make a statement,” Nafuna said moments after the referee raised her hand. “Every round, I kept telling myself: don’t just win — dominate.”
Her sharp combinations, fast counter-punches, and footwork left the Tanzanian struggling to find rhythm.
“I respect Sarafina. She’s strong and fearless. But today, my training under coach Musa and Wasao showed. We had a plan, and it worked perfectly,” said Nafuna. Sarafina admitted she was out-boxed but promised to bounce back stronger.
“Nafuna was faster and smarter in the ring,” she said. “Her jab and defence were hard to break. But this is how you grow — by facing the best.” Sarafina said the Kenyan’s precision made all the difference. “Every time I tried to move inside, she countered beautifully,” she said. “Next time, I’ll come with better timing.”
Despite the loss, she praised the atmosphere at Kasarani. “It’s beautiful to fight in Kenya,” she said. “The crowd is loud, but respectful. You feel the spirit of African boxing alive here.”
Kenya’s trainer, James Wasao, said, “Kenya is punching above its weight” National boxing trainer James Wasao credited the team’s recent progress to unity and renewed belief. “Kenya is punching above its weight in Africa now,” Wasao said.
“These athletes are rewriting the script. They’re not just fighting opponents — they’re fighting history, perception, and doubt.” Wasao described Onyango’s and Nafuna’s performances as “perfect examples of tactical discipline.” “Onyango knows how to read a fight like a book,” he said.
“He adjusts his tempo without losing control. Nafuna, on the other hand, fights like music — rhythm, flow, and surprise.” Wasao urged fans to rally behind the team. “We want the fans to know — we’re building a new generation. Kasarani is just the beginning.” As the Zone III Championships continue, Kenya’s momentum is building.
The nation’s young boxers are showing resilience, skill, and confidence on home soil — qualities that could define the future of Kenyan boxing on the continental stage.
With Onyango and Nafuna leading the charge, and veterans like Musa and Wasao guiding them, Kenya’s flag is fluttering higher in the boxing ring once again. “We’re not done yet,” Musa concluded. “The semifinals are just another step toward gold. Kenya is ready.”
