By Sibusiso Masilela
The African Boxing Council (AFBC) has announced new dates for the rescheduled 2024 Zone IV Championships.
The regional games will now take place between February 26 and March 2, 2025, in Maputo.
The games were halted by the recent political turmoil in Mozambique.
Eswatini Boxing Association (EBA) Secretary Nkosinathi Dlamini confirmed the news.
“We have received new dates for the Zone IV championships and will continue preparing the team for the assignment,” he said.
The local squad includes reigning national male champions Thabiso Dlamini, Andiswa Sibandze, Mphilo Dlamini, and veteran boxer Sifiso ‘Ommo’ Ngwenya.
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Two upcoming female sensation pugilists Veliswa Magaya and Temalangeni Dlamini also form part of the squad.
Veliswa and Temalangeni recently silver medals during the Mandela African Cup held at Durban.
The national team will be led by a three-member technical bench led by Douglas Simelane who will be assisted by Mpendulo Mbingo and Nkhosinathi Dlamini.
The squad manager will be Muzi Shongwe.
Simelane also headed the technical bench during the Mandela Cup.
Eswatini recently missed out on the 2024 African championships held in DR Congo in September due to budget constraints.
The national team will also attend seven international assignments this year.
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The assignments include the Global Boxing Cup (Morocco), the World Women’s Championships (Serbia), the African Youth Championships (Guinea), the Ondimba Challenge (Gabon), the World Championships (venue still to be confirmed), and the Region v youth games, among others.
The Zone IV championships will take place early next month in Maputo, followed by the Global Boxing Cup in Morocco (February) and the World Women’s championships in March at Belgrade.
The full squad:
Males
Thabiso Dlamini
Andiswa Sibandze
Mphilo Dlamini
Sifiso ‘Ommo’ Ngwenya
Khayelihle Mkhabela
Females
Veliswa Magaya
Temalangeni Dlamini
Tebesutfu Nkambule
Nothando Dlamini
Coaches
Douglas Simelane, Mpendulo Mbingo, Nkhosinathi Dlamini
Manager: Muzi Shongwe
