MASERU, LESOTHO - Team Namibia yesterday added another medal to their tally at the ongoing African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games in Maseru, after boxer Martin Lilwenya put up a superb performance to beat South Africa’s Siseko Tiyesa to win bronze in the minimumweight division.

Expressing great delight with Lilwenya’s display, his trainer Joel Ngungu said he is happy with the performance and the fact that Lilwenya won his first medal at a major regional competition.

He added that his boxer has worked hard for this moment, and winning the medal is a step in the right direction for the young fighter.

“We are very happy for Martin as this is our first medal for boxing at the tournament. This weight class is a rare division and there were only four entries to it, meaning they all went straight to the semi-finals. I believe heading forward; we need to expose our fighters to such a level of competition and also give them enough to prepare. They have shown that we can do wonders if everything is put in place,” said Ngungu.

In other results, the Namibian women’s volleyball team yesterday defeated Eswatini 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals, where they were scheduled to face South Africa, but the South Africans failed to pitch for the match after some of their players tested positive for Covid-19. 

As a result, Namibia was awarded a walkover win, which saw them progressing to the semi-finals, where they are pencilled to square off against hosts Lesotho today.

According to Namibia’s volleyball coach Kristofina Bartromeus, the team is highly motivated and well prepared to face Lesotho, saying their objective is to win silverware. 

Bartromeus said they have observed their opponents play, and will know how to deal with the challenge at hand.

“We have observed our opponents and we are prepared to handle whatever they throw at us. I believe we will take them on without any fear. Our players are physically and mentally ready for the game.” 

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na