The secretary-general of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Dapo Akinyele, says the Nigerian team is ready for tough battles at the Paris 2024 Africa Boxing qualifiers starting on Saturday in Dakar.

“The boxing qualifiers will be tough,” Akinyele said in a telephone chat from Dakar. “There are many countries here competing.”

Akinyele said the team was ready to pick from the few slots for African countries despite the large contingent of boxers from different African countries billed to participate in the competition.

“I have no doubt that in spite of the large contingent of boxers, we are ready, but we are not sure of the categories yet,” he said.

Team Nigeria, already in Dakar, comprises nine boxers – six females and three males – and two coaches.

The boxers were selected from more than 20 boxers who had been in a two-week camping.

The Paris 2024 Africa Boxing qualifiers will end on September 15.

“We have been ready for the challenge right from Nigeria, and we have trained well,” the NBF secretary-general said. “We want to pick the Olympics ticket; that will make us happy.”

Adeleye said the team was confident that United Kingdom-based Patricia Mbata would secure an Olympics boxing ticket.

“Mbata trains at the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in England, the gym where superstar Anthony Joshua started as a teenager.

“Mbata is aiming to secure her ticket to Paris 2024 in Senegal,” he said.

The male boxers in the team are Omole Dolapo (57kg) featherweight, Fatai Moshood (71kg) welterweight, and United Kingdom-based Olaore Adams (92kg) heavyweight.

The female boxers in the team are Oyesiji Adeola (50kg) light-flyweight, Adesina Zainab (54kg) Bantamweight, Joy Ojo (57kg) Featherweight, Cynthia Ogunsemilore (60kg) lightweight, Damilola Shodipe (66kg) Welterweight, and Patricia Mbata (75kg) middleweight.

The coaches are Anthony Konyegwachie (Head Coach) and Adura Olalehin.

(NAN)