Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Khulekani Mavimbela
Published on 2024-04-17 13:42:39
Three local boxers from Eswatini are set to participate in the opening day of the 2024 Nelson Mandela Cup on Wednesday. The boxers, namely Lucia Groening, Phelindaba Gamedze, and Nito Latches, will be showcasing their skills in the ring at the Durban International Convention Centre. Groening will kick off the matches against Kutlwano Sekhulto, while Gamedze and Latches will face off against Joshua Aaron from Seychelles and Goma Afonso from Angola later in the day.
The squad manager, Emmanuel Du Pont, expressed confidence in the abilities of the Eswatini boxers, stating that they are prepared for the tournament. The Eswatini Boxing Association vice president, Du Pont, emphasized that the entire team is geared up for the competition.
President of the EBA, Webster Lukhele, extended gratitude to the Government and local companies for their support towards the Eswatini boxing team. Companies such as OK Foods and Dixie’s International have contributed to the team’s preparation for the tournament.
The technical bench of Eswatini comprises six coaches, including Head Coach Douglas Simelane, Mpendulo Mbingo, Maxwell Ngwenya, Muzi Shongwe, and Ndumiso Mthembu, alongside the legendary Simanga ‘De Boer’ Shiba. The national team departed for the six-day continental assignment on Sunday, with high hopes of success in the tournament.
Participating countries in the Nelson Mandela Cup include South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Kenya, Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and more. These countries will be competing for the E9 million prize money recently announced by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The full squad representing Eswatini includes male boxers such as Khaya Shongwe, Mukelo Dlamini, Andiswa Sibandze, Phelindaba Gamedze, Mitto Latches, Mayibongwe Mdluli, Nkosinathi Dvuba, and Nhlanhla Dlamini. Female boxers in the squad are Temalangeni Dlamini, Veliswa Magaya, and Lucia Groening. The team is managed by Emmanuel Du Pont, with coaching support from Ndumiso Mthembu, Muzi Shongwe, Douglas Simelane, Maxwell Ngwenya, Mpendulo Mbingo, and Simanga Shiba.
The anticipation is high as the Eswatini boxing team gears up to showcase their talent and compete against other nations in the prestigious tournament. With the support from the Government and local companies, the team is ready to make an impact in the 2024 Nelson Mandela Cup.
Read the original article on swazidailynews.com
