•Robert Okaka got his campaign off to a flying start after schooling Ugandan Idirisa Mukiibi in the light heavyweight division.
•Former Commonwealth Games flyweight medallist Christine Ongare received a bye to the last eight and will now flex their muscles with Moroccan Yas Mouttaki for a semifinals berth.
Image: HANDOUT
Boxing Federation of Kenya president Antony 'Jamal' Ombok has lavished praise on Hit Squad pugilists who began their campaign on a high note at the Africa Boxing Championships in Cameroon.
The preliminaries started on Sunday night with skipper Boniface Mugunde storming the quarters after securing a 4-1 win against Burundian Nestor Nduwarugira in the men’s light middleweight.
Three judges scored 28:29, 27:30, 27: 30: and 28:29 in favour of Mugunde while the fourth one awarded Nduwarugira 29:28.
Robert Okaka got his campaign off to a flying start after schooling Ugandan Idirisa Mukiibi in the light heavyweight division.
"It was a beautiful start for Team Kenya after our captain Mugunde defeated Burundian Nestor Nduwarugira on points," Ombok remarked.
"Okaka was simply brilliant. He punished Mukiibi like no man's business, proving to the world that Musa Benjamin, David Munuhe, and John Waweru did not make a mistake to select him as part of the Hit Squad," he added.
While celebrating his victory, Mugunde lashed out at the organisers for delaying his bout by almost eight hours.
"I faced a few difficulties because the fight was scheduled to begin at 1 pm, but it didn't work out. When told to return at 4 pm, we had to go back to the hotel to wait, but the battle didn't start until 10 night," Mugunde remarked.
"In the first round, I encountered some difficulties, but in the end, the coaches provided me with helpful advice, and I succeeded. That, I hope, will continue till I return home with the gold medal," Mugunde said.
His concerns were echoed by head coach Benjamin Musa who observed that the competition was marred by poor organisation.
The organisers sneaked in boxers after the draw was completed on Saturday, which is against the rules of the tournament," Musa said.
"The battles were supposed to start in the afternoon as well, but we ended up going into the ring at about 10 o'clock. However, we are appreciative of our successful start, having won our first two fights, and we intend to keep it up to the conclusion," Musa said.
Former Commonwealth Games flyweight medallist Christine Ongare received a bye to the last eight and will now flex their muscles with Moroccan Yas Mouttaki for a semifinals berth.
More Kenyans were in action on Monday with Teresiah Wanjiru battling Jeanine Mbala Amboki of Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the elite women 60-63kg light welter. Kyalo Abednego faced Tulembekwa Zola Livens in the elite men's 46-48kg category.
Ethan Maina was scheduled to face Ugandan Ssali Amiri Wasswa in the round of 16 of the lightweight division.
Amina Martha had a date with Sibisi Lethokuhle of South Africa in the quarterfinals of elite women 52-54kg bantamweight. Shaffi Bakari locked horns with Frontin Kewel of Mauritius in the elite men 51-54kg bantamweight.
Samuel Njau was pitted against Tchouta Mbianda Ignas Aristide of Cameroon in the elite men 54-57kg featherweight division.
Ramogi Fredrick Otieno tested his mettle against Kadi Mourad in the quarters of the super-heavy division.