A second medal for Uganda at the 2015 All Africa Games, this time from boxing’s Kennedy Katende.
Again, like was the case with Edwin Ekiring two days ago, we will have to wait and see whether it will be better than the bronze Katende guaranteed after reaching the semifinals of the light heavyweight category with a resounding victory over Nigeria’s Ekelle Damenoko Wednesday night at the Revolution.
Since there are no third-place playoffs at the All Africa Games, both losing semifinalists win bronze medals except in sports where the top three places are usually clear, for instance athletics.
For a place in the final, Katende faces defending champion and favourite from Algeria Benchelba Abdelhafid today at the Revolution in their second meeting since 2000.
“I played him five years ago and he is a very good fighter,” the genial Katende told the New Vision after his 3-0 win over Damenoko.
“It will be a very tough fight but he is beatable. I will go for it and we see what happens.”
Whatever happens against the two-time Olympics quarterfinalist, Katende and the rest of Team Uganda for that matter are satisfied that the Bombers are not returning home empty-handed. After five of the seven Bombers were defeated before the medal rounds and the other (Basir Nasser) was comically disqualified by a referee for a barely invisible moustache, the pressure was on Katende to save Ugandan boxing.
“The president of our boxing federation called me before the fight and told me I should do everything to win a medal for Uganda.”
He did, helping his coach and namesake to huge sigh of relief.
“It’s a big consolation for us,” said Bombers coach Dick Katende. “I have the reputation of always bringing Uganda medals and Katende helped save it. I am a bit relived now.”
Greater joy may be awaiting the Katendes.
All Africa Games
Results
Boxing
Katende 3 – 0 Damenoko
(Katende in semis, sure of medal)
Friday, semis
Katende v Benchelba
By Charles Mutebi, The New Vision