WHILE many Zambians were still scratching their heads over when the national mourning would finally end, a group of military men were out in North Africa making sure the Zambian flag flew with honour and glory.
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A six-member team from the Zambia Defence Force has returned from the African Military Boxing Championship in Morocco with not just sweat and bruises, but three medals in the bag.
The army-punching battalion bagged two silvers and one bronze, putting some shine on the nation’s sporting cabinet at the just-ended continental boxing showdown.
Leading the charge was Patrick Chinyemba of the Zambia National Service, who brawled his way to the final of the flyweight category, only to lose to Moroccan boxer Chadghour Othman, settling for a well-earned silver medal.
Chinyemba, who also holds the IBA African Flyweight Champion title, showed once again why he is not to be played with in the ring.
Joining the medal club is Nene Mahonga of the Zambia Army, who earlier in the week sent boxers from Mozambique and Tanzania packing before facing Moroccan Bensayar Issam in the light flyweight final.
The judges gave it to the host nation, but Mahonga still walked away with Zambia’s first silver of the tournament.
Furthermore, Albert Ngulube, also of the Zambia Army, did not return empty either as he fought his way to a bronze medal after losing in the bantamweight category to another Moroccan fighter, Essamai Reda.
The team was supported by a squad of boxing coaches drawn from the defence forces who, together with the Ministry of Defence, were determined not to return home empty-handed.
By George Musonda
Kalemba June 21, 2025
