The trio of Nigerian Boxers, Zainab Adeshina, Ifeanyi Onyekwere and Shukurah Kareem have secured spots in the semi-finals of their respective weight categories at the African Games in Accra, Ghana.
The matches which took place at the Bukom Boxing Arena saw Ifeanyi Onyekwere defeat Keddy Evans of Seychelles in the men’s 92+kg division, claiming victory by a unanimous points decision of 5-0 and securing his place in the semi-finals.
In the women’s 50kg category, Zainab Adeshina showcased her skill as she overcame her opponent, Mathiba Thandolwethu Truelove of South Africa with an impressive point decision of 5-0 to qualify for the semi-finals.
Shukurah Kareem secured her spot in the semis by defeating Sierra Leone’s Sara Haghighat-Joo 4-1 in the women’s 54kg quarter-finals. This means that the trio has been guaranteed at least a bronze medal in Boxing irrespective of their final bout.
National team coach Tony Konyegwachie while speaking to AAN said he has full faith in his boxers to go all the way and claim gold medals as long as there are no external interference. “These boxers are making me proud because they give their all in every fight and I expect a number of gold medals from this team that I have brought to the competition. “If all will be determined by their ability and there are no officiating problems, I am sure all of them who have advanced to the semi-finals will win gold medals.”