Uganda will finish with two medals at this year’s Africa Boxing Championships in Mozambique's Capital Maputo. 

This after middleweight Yusuf Nkobeza stormed the Championships semifinals with his first-round knockout over Seychelles’ Aaron Joshua Cousin.

On the same day, light heavyweight Idris Mukiibi unanimously bowed out at the hands of the experienced Egyptian Salah Orabi Abdelg.

The two were vying to join featherweight Jonah Kyobe who become the first Ugandan boxer to reach the medal bracket.

But it was Nkobeza who managed to stand his ground.

The Nakawa Boxing Club pugilist, a gold medalist at the 2022 Mt. Kilimanjaro Boxing Championships took only two minutes to knock out Seychelles’ Cousin.

Nkobeza defeated Cousin by RSC1 (Referee stops contest) with the latter (Cousin) counted thrice in those first two minutes.

Seychelles National had lost consciousness as Nkobeza’s hard punches had caused damage to him.

Speaking to Vision Sports, Nkobeza attributed his victory over Cousin to his confidence and our game plan from the bomber’s technical team headed by Lawrence Kalyango alias ‘Coach Lora’.

“We had watched Cousin’s last two fights and discovered he prefers to fight from afar stance. He is difficult to contain if you allow him to use his jab. That is why my technical team advised me to fight a closer contest.” Nkobeza stated.

“My focus is now on my next fight where I will be battling a Moroccan and I promise to give in my best since I came for gold.”

What next for the bombers

Having stormed the semifinals, Nkobeza and Kyobe are both guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

Any victory to them would mean their chase for gold is still on and will await Saturday’s finals when real action is to climax.

Overall Uganda fielded a team of seven boxers.

The others include flyweight Teddy Nakimuli and light welterweight Joshua Tukamuhebwa who dubs as the bomber’s captain. Welterweight Owen Kibir and light middleweight Isaac Zebra Ssenyange Jr.