Three Kenyans led by Captain Nick Okoth progressed to the finals of the Africa Boxing Championships in Maputo, Mozambique after winning their semifinal matches on Thursday.
Four Kenyans were in contention for places in the final but middleweight boxer Boniface Maina who lost to Moroccan Hamza El Barbai on a point’s decision.
Making her first appearance in the category at the continental stage, Elizabeth Andiego needed only one round to stop South Africa’s Mkateko Sithole in their heavyweight bout securing a place in the finals as well.
On his part, Stylish featherweight Africa Zone III champion Samuel Njau also secured his spot after beating his Zambian opponent Ben Banda after the referee was forced to give standing counts thrice.
Defending champion Okoth, who represents the Kenya Defence Forces in the local league, sent home Algeria’s Walid Tarzout after the match was stopped on medical grounds.
Okoth will face Zambia’s Andrew Chilata in Saturday’s final while Andiego will take on Morocco’s World silver medallist Khadija El-Mardi.
Heading into Saturday’s finals, the three Kenyans are guaranteed hefty rewards after the AFBC African Elite Boxing Championships announced prize money of Sh1.2 million for the gold medalists, Sh600,000 for the silver medalists and Sh300,000 for the bronze medalists.