Motsi eyes Nelson Mandela gong

RUSAPE-BASED heavyweight boxer, Anesu Motsi, who received US$3 000 from Johane the Fifth of Africa International leader, Andby Makururu on Tuesday, will be out to justify the support that he is getting when he meets other pugilists from the region in the inaugural Mandela African Boxing Cup in Durban, South Africa.

The Nelson Mandela African Boxing Cup will be staged from April 15 to 21.

Zimbabwe national boxing team head coach, Alexander Kwangwari last week announced 12 boxers — three women and nine men — who will represent Zimbabwe in the Mandela African Boxing Cup.

The 12 boxers were selected after trials held in Victoria Falls and Mvurwi a fortnight ago.

“This is one of the best teams selected for an international event,” said Kwangwari, a former international boxer who represented the national team from 1993 to 1996, winning bronze medals at the 1994 Africa Championships in South Africa and 1995 African Games in Harare.

Kwangwari said of the 12 boxers named, seven of them — five men and two women — will be making their international debut in Durban.

The newcomers are bantamweight, Mashal Shiri, welterweight, Lenox Brain Nyawasha, middleweight, Paidamoyo Leandre Chakwenya, cruiserweight, Takudzwa Kambini, female lightweight, Nomatheba Ncube and welterweight, Hilda Kaye.

Among the regulars retained in the team are featherweight, Wisdom Dube, lightweight, Luckmore Kamoto, super-heavyweight, Anesu Motsi and female flyweight,

Agnes Kwashi.

Kwangwari will be assisted by Marko Sibanda and Tobias Mupfuti, with Fortune Dube accompanying the team to Durban as the team manager.

Langton Mawungu is the team doctor. However, it is the Rusape-based super heavyweight Motsi who continues to get financial support with the assistance of Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza.

“I am really grateful with the assistance that I have been getting of late. This is the kind of support that I have been yearning for, and I will do my best to justify it. I am going to South Africa to win and not to lose. I want to raise the country’s flag high,” said Motsi.

On Tuesday, the boxing star confirmed Johane the Fifth of Africa International leader, Andby Makururu as his sponsor and manager at a brief ceremony held at Government Complex in Mutare.

During the ceremony, Makururu handed over US$3 000 to the boxer.

Motsi recently received US$2 000 from Inter Africa Bus Company and Lenon Quality Hotel proprietor, Leonard Mukumba.