Poor results for TZ in Africa Games
What you need to know:
The KO defeat marks the end of the journey for Hofu in this year’s continental games.Earlier, another Tanzanian boxer, Ismail Issack, was outpointed by a Nigeria contender. The results meant Tanzania is remaining with only one amateur boxer in the tourney, Hamad Furahisha, in the games.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has continued to perform poorly in the ongoing All Africa Games after an amateur boxer, Saidi Hofu, was knocked out in the first round by Ghanaian pugilist Artmost Annan Appiah.
The KO defeat marks the end of the journey for Hofu in this year’s continental games.
Earlier, another Tanzanian boxer, Ismail Issack, was outpointed by a Nigeria contender. The results meant Tanzania is remaining with only one amateur boxer in the tourney, Hamad Furahisha, in the games.
Apart of the amateur boxers, Tanzanian swimmer Ammaar Ghadiyali failed to shine in the first heat of the competition, leaving only swimmer Hilal Hilal in the hunt for a medal.
Speaking from Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania’s head of delegation, Henry Lihaya, said Hofu showed poor performance in the bout which he lost in the first round.
“Hofu showed a poor standard boxing in the fight, he failed to cope with the pace of the Ghanaian, it was a bad day for the third time. Earlier, Isaack (Ismail) who is also an amateur boxer and swimmer, Ghadiyali recorded poor results,” said Lihaya.
Lihaya said Tanzania’ medals hopes remain in athletics, Paralympic, football and judo. The judokas, who represent the country in the games, are Ahmed Magongo, Geofrey Mtawaa, Andrew Thomas and their trainer, Zaidy Hamis.
Paralympic athletes are Ignas Mtweve, who will contest in cycling and Samson Konza, who will contest in throws. In athletics, Dickson Marwa, Emmanuel Giniki, who will compete in half marathon, Fabian Nelson (5,000m) and Ali Ghullum.
Meanwhile, Twiga Stars face a decisive match today when they play Nigerians. After losing 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire national women’s soccer team, Twiga Stars, today face uphill task against Nigeria as they play its second match in the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
The match at the New Kintele Stadium will start at 1900 hours East African time. Twiga Stars team manager, Furaha Francis, has promised not to repeat mistakes occurred in the first match.
Furaha said that the match is crucial for the team in order to revive their hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Twiga Stars will play the hosts, Congo Brazzaville in the final match while Nigeria will face Cote d’Ivoire.
According to her, a victory in today’s match will place Twiga Stars in a better position to qualify for the last four stage.
“Any results in the match between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will enable Stars to qualify for the last four stages,” said Furaha.
