The national boxing team Hit Squad recorded mixed results on the second day of the Africa Boxing Championships in Yaounde, Cameroon on Tuesday.
Two boxers romped to the semis while three others advanced to the quarterfinals, bringing the number of those who have made it past the preliminaries to six thus far.
However, four other Kenyan boxers crashed out of the competition. Featherweight pugilist Samuel Njau vowed to battle his way to the medal bracket after overcoming a vicious challenge from Tchouta Mbianda of Cameroon to advance.
Njau said he was forced to summon his inner beast to beat his cunning opponent, who cringed most of the time to ward off punches.
"I'm happy I'm proceeding to the quarterfinals. It wasn't an easy bout since my opponent was a tough fighter who stooped a lot to evade punches. That meant I had to change my initial gameplan of throwing straight punches," Njau remarked.
"However, after consulting my coaches, I changed tack and managed to disarm him. The training we went through came in handy in the bout. My goal is to proceed to the medal bracket," Njau added.
Bantamweight Shaffi Bakari equally expressed delight after dispatching Mauritian Frontin Kewel on unanimous points to secure a quarterfinal berth.
"We thank God for guiding us throughout our journey. It was a tough bout because my opponent was comparatively taller and I had to employ a lot of skill to score points against him," Bakari said.
"I'd like to thank the technical bench for giving me the tips that enabled me to win the bout. I'd also like to appreciate my teammates for roaring me on especially when I was on the back foot."
Bakari, however, predicted a tough journey, pointing out that his diminutive frame would likely disadvantage him.
"It might only get harder for me in my subsequent fights given most of the boxers in my weight category are taller than me."
Christine Ongare beat Cameroonian Christine Akoa in the quarterfinals of the women's cruiserweight. She joins Elizabeth Andiego, who got a bye to the semis.
While lauding some of his charges for recording impressive results, head coach Benjamin Musa lashed out at Ethan Maina for failing to adhere to the script.
"We could have registered another victory if Ethan had played according to instructions," Musa lamented.
Maina lost his light welterweight pre-quarterfinal bout against Amiri Wasswa of Uganda on split points.
In other bouts, Amina Martha qualified for the semifinals after defeating South African Sibisi Lethokuhle in the elite women's 52-54 kg bantamweight fight.
Teresia Wanjiru fell to Jeanine Mbala of Cameroon in the light welterweight quarterfinal on a referee-stop contest decision in Round Three of the fight.
Abednego Kyalo lost to Zola Livens Tulembekwa of DRC on split points. Fredrick Ramogi Otieno fell short against Algerian Mourad Kadi in the quarterfinal 92kg super heavyweight bout.