Five-star Hit Squad finishes second in AFBC Zone III fiesta

Despite a spirited home performance, Kenya’s “Hit Squad” finished second with five gold, tied with Uganda.

The women’s team led the charge, delivering stunning victories through Veronica Mbithe, Amina Martha, and Frizah Anyango, while men’s captain Boniface Mogunde struck gold in an all-Kenyan final.

The finals began with DRC asserting early dominance, but Kenya’s women turned the tide with electrifying performances. Veronica Mbithe bagged Kenya’s first gold in the women’s flyweight category, edging Uganda’s Muduwa Brenda in a tense 3-2 split decision.

“I knew my opponent was attacking, so I was ready to counter,” Mbithe said after the fight, her win setting the tone for Kenya’s golden day.

Moments later, Amina Martha unleashed her trademark aggression to knock out Tanzania’s Zulfa in the opening round, forcing a referee stoppage (RSC).

“I didn’t expect to win in Round One, but I knew I was going to win,” she said confidently.

Kenya’s third women’s gold came through Frizah Anyango, who outclassed DRC’s Muleketsi Nsii in the light middleweight final.

However, heartbreak followed for veteran Elizabeth Andiego, East Africa’s first female Olympian, who lost a narrow 3-2 split decision to DRC’s Lulua in the middleweight final. Rising star Lorna Kusa also fell 5-0 to DRC’s Malewu, confirming the champions’ tactical edge.

The men’s bouts were fiercely contested, with Kenya and DRC trading victories. Silas Onyango thrilled the home crowd by stopping DRC’s Mayala TSimba in the first round via RSC.

The night’s highlight was the all-Kenyan light middleweight final, where Captain Boniface Mogunde dominated teammate Alvin Oduor 5-0 to win his first regional gold after several near misses.

In other bouts, heavyweight Peter Abuti lost narrowly 3-2 to Uganda’s Aziz, while Chris Ochanda fell 4-1 to DRC’s Matter. Cameroon’s Mvongo shocked DRC’s Emo 5-0 in the super heavyweight final.

Final medal tally: DRC 12 golds, Kenya 5, Uganda 5, Cameroon 2, Tanzania 1.