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Countdown to the African Games in Accra, Ghana, March 8-23
African Games Accra 2023: Brigitte Mbabi wants Gold in Accra
Mozambican Africa champ Alcinda Panguana is her major stumbling block in the African Games
Brigitte Mbabi (pictured) has won six medals – three silver and three bronze – for DR Congo since 2018 when she made her international debut.
Now she’s focusing on next month’s African Games in Accra to win her first ever gold medal for DRC.
“This is the first time I’m taking part in the African Games, and my goal is to win a gold medal,” Mbabi told AFBC Communications
Mbabi however faces one major stumbling block to achieve her goal in Accra.
She singles out two-time Africa light-middleweight champion Alicinda Panguana Dos Santos as only opponent standing on her way to win gold in Accra.
She has tried in vain to overcome Panguana, losing four times to the southpaw Mozambican boxer, one of Africa’s 18 boxers who have qualified for this year’s Paris Olympics.
Mbabi’s latest defeat to Panguana was last year during the Olympic Games qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal.
“Honestly Panguana is a big headache to me, everytime I’m in the gym I’m thinking on how to beat her in Accra because I know we will meet again,” says the determined DRC boxer who has now become Panguana’s customer.
Mbabi explains why Panguana has been dominant in the four times they’ve met in the ring.
“She has more experience than me, nothing else that’s why she defeats me,” says Mbabi.
But she has vowed to silence Panguana in Accra through a new strategy.
“I’ve corrected my mistakes, and I also have a better game plan now to beat her when we fight again.
“She’s the only threat to me in the African Games, there’s no other boxer in light-middle who can beat me apart from the Mozambique boxer.”
Mbabi started boxing in 2016 at Ali Boxing Club in Lubumbashi.
She was inspired by her father, Buffalo Emmanuel Blaise Mwika, to take up boxing.
“My father has helped me a lot in boxing, he’s also my coach,” says Mbabi.
We wish the DR Congo boxer the best of luck to win her first ever gold medal next month in Accra.
✍🏼 AFBC Communications