Okoth and Njau join the list of winners at the Africa Boxing Championships

Christine Ongare (red) of Team Kenya competes against Priyanka Dhillon (blue) of Team Canada during the Women's Boxing Over 45kg-48kg Minimum-weight Quarter-Final on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at NEC Arena on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

After a foul start on Monday, Kenya still has a chance for her boxers to finish within the medal bracket after two of her boxers cruised into the semifinals of the Africa Boxing Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.

Africa lightweight champion Nick Okoth and featherweight debutante Samuel Njau won their respective bouts to resuscitate Kenya's hopes in the continental showpiece with convincing wins against their opponents.

As Okoth recorded a unanimous points decision win over Jean Jerry Agathe of Mauritius to romp into the last four to sound a stern warning of his seriousness to retain the title, the victory inspired Njau who was also never disappointed in the next match.

Njau was in a class of his own when he forced Aly Doumbouya of Guinea opponent into submission for the referee to stop the contest (RSC) in the second round to save the Guinean from further punishment.

However, in the third match, former Commonwealth Games flyweight bronze medalist Christine Ongare lost the minimumweight contest on a split points decision against Margaret Tembo of Zambia who won 4-1.

"The two victories bring to three the number of boxers who have won their matches in the ring. It's also an inspiration to those who are yet to take the ring. This development has given us high hopes on some of them winning medals," head coach Musa Benjamin told Standard Sports.

2019 All African Games welterweight bronze medalist Boniface Mogunde opened the path to victories in the Kenyan camp when he beat Raul Mangue of Equatorial Guinea on a unanimous points decision in the light middleweight (71kg).

And with the three victories in the semifinals, Benjamin appealed for prayers from boxing fans back at home.

"We just need your prayers as we take a match at a time in the showpiece that is competitive due to the cash awards," he added.

Gold winners will pocket USD 10,000(Sh 1 million), silver medalists USD 5000(Sh 500,000) and bronze medalists USD 2,500 (Sh 250,000).

Africa Zone Three light heavyweight gold medalist Elizabeth Andiego also qualified for the semifinals without taking a jab. She takes on Mkateko Sithole of South Africa today.

Out of eight boxers who travelled to Maputo, four have lost their matches and are out of the tournament.

They are Africa Zone Three flyweight gold medalist David Karanja, national bantamweight champion Amina Martha, former Commonwealth Games flyweight bronze medalist and Africa Zone Three bantamweight gold medalist Shaffi Bakari.

Karanja was beaten by Sinovuyo Mtintelwa of South Africa, Martha lost to Egyptian Yomna Ahmed, Ongare lost to Margaret Tembo of Zambia and Bakari fell to George Molwantwa of Botswana.

A total of 179 boxers - 121 men and 58 female boxers from 25 countries are taking part in the weeklong tournament.