What a dramatic finish: Three Gold Medals for Zambia in Kinshasa; no gold for Ghana Black Bombers at prestigious boxing tournament
Mwengo “1 on 1” Mwale of Zambia defeated Ghana’s Mohamed Amadu, aka Crawford Jr., by a narrow 3–2 split decision to claim the featherweight (54–57 kg) gold medal at the 2026 IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Carrying a cut sustained in an earlier bout, Mwengo faced a difficult contest against a familiar opponent who had previously beaten him at the 2024 All – African Games in Ghana.
But this time, Mwengo turned the tables in the fiercely contested final; three of the five judges awarded him victory, securing Zambia’s third gold medal of the championships.
He joins fellow gold medallists Albert Ngulube and Gerald “Boyka” Kabinda, while Catherine “Queen Catherine” Mwape brings home silver.
For five boxers to achieve four medals – three gold and one silver is not bad at all; they have really done well. It is an extraordinary achievement by a small but determined Zambian team.
Congratulations to Mwengo and his colleague. What a way to finish the championships, but still Amadu is super, and the Ghana Black Bombers deserve better.
It looks as if they are not motivated enough to go a further distance as compared to other boxers.
The Ghanaians are good, but they need something to boast about.
Ghana took three boxers and won one bronze and one silver, which is not bad; however, officiating did not favour the Ghanaians.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
