Boxing Coach Hopeful For Nigeria’s Gold Win

Glasgow (Scotland) – Anthony Konyegwachie, Head Coach of Team Nigeria’s boxers at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday said Nigeria could still win a gold medal in spite of questionable officiating.

Konyegwachie told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after Nigeria’s first fight of the day against Wales that the level of officiating which saw Nigeria lose the fight was lamentable.

NAN reports that Waheed Shogbamu lost 0-3 to Zack Davies from Wales in the men’s light welterweight division through a unanimous decision of the judges.

 “We were robbed in our first match today (Sunday). Everybody saw it.

“Shogbamu won his fight clearly, but it was awarded to his opponent. It was a clear win, but they chose to make it a broad daylight robbery.

“We all know why it happened. Wales is part of the UK. But we thank God, and so far there is no problem,’’ Konyegwachie said.

He alleged that every strategy was being adopted by the organisers to ensure boxers from the UK get into the semi-finals, saying however that Nigerian boxers would not be deterred.

The coach commended Efetobor Apochi, the Team Nigeria boxing captain, for knocking out his Isle of Man opponent, Krystian Borucki, in the 91kg weight.

Konyegwachie said he would now want Team Nigeria boxers to go for the kill just like Apochi did, in order not to give the judges no room to play any antic.

NAN reports that Apochi technically knocked out Borucki, in two minutes 33 seconds, in a Round of 16 men’s heavyweight bout at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow.

NAN also reports that Waheed Taiwo lost his Round of 16 fight against Andrew Maloney of Australia in the men’s flyweight (52kg), through a unanimous decision.

Taiwo’s fight was Nigeria’s third bout for the day, and Kehinde Ademuyiwa will face Daniel Lewis of Australia on Monday in the Round of 16 of the welterweight division.

Ademuyiwa had defeated Salemani Kidunda of Tanzania to reach the Round of 16.

Another Nigerian boxer, Efe Ajagba, will step into the rings on Tuesday to fight Schaffer Paul of South Africa in the Round of Eight of the men’s super-heavyweight (+91kg).

NAN recalls that the trio of Marks Jelks, Monzavous Edwards and Ogho-Oghene Egwero had earlier in the day qualified for the semi-finals of the 100 metres men’s event.

Oluwatoyin Adesanmi also won gold in the female weightlifting 63kg category.

Obioma Okoli also picked silver in the same category to place Nigeria in the ninth position on the medals table with two gold, three silver and one bronze.