The semi-finals of the All Africa Games was held today in Brazzaville, Congo, where all 13 men’s and women’s weight classes were in action.

Bout of the day

Mauritius’ Kennedy St. Pierre is the defending Light Heavyweight (81 kg) All Africa Games champion, and is now one match away from winning another after victory over Ghana’s David Bawah Akankolim.

The Mauritian boxer boxed patiently throughout, and weathered the storm from the physical Ghanaian to ultimately win their entertaining contest.

St. Pierre’s victory sets up an amazing final against Nigeria’s team captain Efetobor Apochi.

Team of the day

Algeria celebrated a superb day, where six of their athletes reached the gold medal bouts.

20-year-old women’s Flyweight (51 kg)  Souhila Bouchene dominated her fight against South Africa’s National Championships silver medallist Ziqubu Bathabile, while APB boxer Mohamed Flissi edged a close contest with Flyweight (52 kg) rival Junior Mikamou Mayelet.

Bantamweight (56 kg) Khalil Litim then outclassed Angola’s African Zonal Champion Pedro Manuel Gomes, before Reda Benbaziz defeated Kenya’s experienced Nick Okoth Okongo at Lightweight (60 kg).

Two-time Olympian Abdelkader Chadi became Algeria’s fifth finalist after beating Botswana’s young Kagiso Bagwasi, while Light Heavyweight Abdelhafid Benchabla made it six by outpointing Uganda’s former WSB athlete Kennedy Katende.

Surprises of the day

Seychelles’ Keddy Agnes enjoyed a surprise victory over Algeria’s Mohamed Grimes at Super Heavyweight (+91 kg), before Nigeria’s Caroline Linus’ triumphed over Tunisia’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Rim Jouini in the women’s Flyweight class.

The Round-Up

Namibia’s Matias Hamunyela defeated Ethiopia’s African Youth Games silver medallist Muhamed Feysal to establish a Light Flyweight (49 kg) final against Congo’s Francel Moussiesse.

Nigeria’s Oyeleye Oluwafemi used great combinations against Mauritius’ Jean-Luc Rosalba in their Welterweight (69 kg) semi-final, and will now meet for the title with Cameroon’s Njikam Nsango.

DR Congo’s Glory Carlos L’Muala and Cameroon’s Seyi Ntsengue both reached the Middleweight (75 kg) final in entertaining fashion.

Nigeria’s London 2012 Olympian Edith Agu Ogoke and Egypt’s Rana Abdelhamid eliminated their rivals from Mozambique and Cameroon respectively to ensure a dream women’s Middleweight class (75 kg) gold medal bout.

Fact of the day

After the completion of the semi-finals, the following 11 nations have boxers in the finals:

• Algeria, Nigeria: 6 finalists
• Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Namibia, Tunisia: 2 finalists
• Congo, Mauritius, Seychelles, Togo: 1 finalist

Quote of the day

“I am very satisfied with my performance, as I tried to follow my coaches instructions and tried to punch first against my Algerian opponent. I made him busy, and I tried to also impress the judges. I will try to do my very best in the ring in the final,” said Seychelles’ 22-year-old Keddy Agnes.

Tomorrow’s program

The gold medal bouts will be held tomorrow in Brazzaville, Congo.

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