In the 48kg category, locals Bathusi Mosojane and Michael Rantsho beat Anyway Gazi of Zimbabwe and Cassius Chinyanika of Zambia respectively. The match of the tournament between Luza and Kanyanta who conquered him at the 2002 Commonwealth Games lived up to expectations. Luza put up a sterling performance but failed to get the much needed revenge.
Other local winners include Sadimo Rabatho, Bonang Molapo, Kebonyethebe Ramaboana, Herbert Nkabiti, Thabo Thebe and Dirang Thipe. The irrepressible Nkabiti totally outclassed Pethius Kambembe of Zambia in the 64kg. Molapo’s opponent from Zimbabwe Lionel Green was disqualified on a technicality. Green was not serious from the start when he came to the boxing ring with a moustache, which is against the rules. Again his cap kept falling several times. In the 75kg, Botswana’s Lawrence Mbangiwa disappointed his fans when he received a technical knockout from Zambian Davis Mwale in the second round. Zambia won five bouts while the Zimbabweans went home without a win.
Before the international friendly, local boxing clubs warmed up the stage with action. Francistown Boxing Club, Thebephatshwa Air Base, Orapa, Selebi-Phikwe, Glen Valley, University of Botswana, Molepolole College of Education and Tsholofelo were some of the clubs in action.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport at the tournament, president of the Botswana Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) Aldrin Tayane said he was impressed about the performance of the boxers. He said that in the past, he received complaints that boxers were not given much exposure through international friendlies. He said they invited South Africa for a friendly early this year and this weekend Botswana takes on Namibia at Jwaneng. Commenting on Luza’s loss, he said the boxer had physically won the game but was done in by mistakes of the referee. Luza’s points were deducted for grabbing his opponent. “Generally he had won the fight, but people see things differently,” said Tayane who was not amused about the referee’s judgement in the match. He revealed that they invited Zambia because they have very experienced boxers with good technique. “We wanted to appreciate their techniques before we meet them at the Commonwealth Games.” He said that they are grappling with the problem of boxers who fail to attend training camps due to commitments. Thato Batshegi and Mmoloki Nogeng missed the tournament because they are writing their Form Five final examinations.
BABA official Healer Modiradilo urged coaches to train the boys even harder. “Our boys are less experienced and coaches must do their best to train them,” he said. The boxers are under the guidance of Johannes Dithabang and Bikkie Malaolo.
