Team Nigeria is primed for fierce competition at the Paris 2024 Africa Boxing qualifiers, commencing this Saturday in Dakar, according to Dapo Akinyele, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF). Akinyele expressed this confidence in a telephone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Dakar.
Team Nigeria, already on the ground in Dakar, comprises nine boxers—six females and three males – accompanied by two coaches. These boxers were meticulously selected from a pool of over 20 participants who underwent a rigorous two-week training camp.
The Paris 2024 Africa Boxing qualifiers will culminate on September 15.
Akinyele acknowledged the formidable competition, with numerous countries from across Africa participating in the event. Nevertheless, he affirmed Team Nigeria’s readiness to secure coveted slots for African countries.
“The boxing qualifiers will be tough. There are many countries here competing. I do not doubt that despite the large contingent of boxers, we are ready, but we are not sure of the categories yet. We have been ready for the challenge right from Nigeria, and we have trained well. We want to secure the Olympics ticket, and that will make us happy,” he declared.
Akinyele highlighted the team’s confidence in Patricia Mbata, who is based in the United Kingdom, to secure an Olympic boxing ticket. Mbata trains at the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in England, the same gym where boxing superstar Anthony Joshua began his career as a teenager.
The male boxers representing Team Nigeria include Omole Dolapo (57kg) in the featherweight category, Fatai Moshood (71kg) in the welterweight category, and Olaore Adams (92kg), a heavyweight who is based in the United Kingdom.
The female boxers in the team consist of Oyesiji Adeola (50kg) in the light-flyweight category, Adesina Zainab (54kg) in the bantamweight category, Joy Ojo (57kg) in the featherweight category, Cynthia Ogunsemilore (60kg) in the lightweight category, Damilola Shodipe (66kg) in the welterweight category, and Patricia Mbata (75kg) in the middleweight category.
The coaching staff is led by Anthony Konyegwachie as the Head Coach, supported by Adura Olalehin.
