Olympics: Boxers rely on experience

The boxers jet off to Namibia today. The team consists of boxer of the year Herbert Nkabiti (64kg), Thato Batshegi (57kg), Moabi Mothiba (69kg), Bathusi Mogajane (48kg) and national team debutant Kgomotso Bok (51kg). Nkabiti and Batshegi failed to make it at the first qualifiers in Algeria last month when they were knocked out in the preliminary stages. Khumiso Ikgopoleng (54kg) became the only boxer to sail through to the Olympics for the second time. The highly experienced Ikgopoleng booked his ticket after beating South African Joseph Mhlongo.

After the first qualifiers, Botswana coach Johannes Ditlhabang conceded that the bouts were very tough for his boys. He complained about incompetent refereeing at the Algeria event.