▪️Drums of war are beating as Zambia Boxing Federation President Boniface Sokoni sends a chilling message to their rivals in the Kinshasa battle
August 8, 2026
Zambia has announced a powerful 20-member provisional squad for the upcoming IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo scheduled for October 18–31.
The deadly contingent consists of 12 men and 8 women focused on one clear goal: securing the overall continental crown.
Drums of war are already beating with Zambia Boxing Federation President Boniface Sokoni sending a chilling message to their rivals: “Zambia is not going to Kinshasa just to participate. We are going to win the title and prove why we are the top boxing nation in Africa,” a bullish Sokoni told boxersworld.co.ke when announcing the squad.
He went on: “We will bring a full team for the Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Championship, and we are coming for gold.”
Commenting on the squad, Sokoni said: “The boxers constitute the provisional elite national team selected by the Zambia Boxing Federation to commence preparations for the Africa Championships in October 2026 and the All-Africa Games in 2027.
“The selected athletes are expected to maintain high standards of discipline, commitment, physical fitness, and consistent performance throughout the training programme. Final team selection will be based on performance during training camps, assessment tournaments, medical fitness, and technical evaluations by the Zambia Boxing Federation Technical Delegate, Coaching and Selection Committee.
The boxers were picked during the Agriculture and Commercial Show Lusaka 2-3 August,2026.,”
Zambia’s roster features elite podium finishers with proven global and continental pedigrees.
Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Catherine Mwape (bantamweight) and Emmanuel Katema (welterweight) anchor the team.
African Games silver medallist Mwengo Mwale (bantamweight) and bronze medallist Albert Ngulube (lightweight) bring explosive firepower.
African champions at the 2022 continental event in Maputo, Andrew Chilata and Felistus Nkandu are in the mix both tactical fighters with Nkandu bringing on board the military sharpness. Both have officially moved up to light-welterweight, flanked by ring warrior Nene Maonga.
Missing in action is their sniper Patrick Chinyemba, the African Games flyweight champion now pursuing a professional career in the United States.
This fierce confidence from the Zambians stems from recent achievements.
At the 2025 IBA Men’s World Championships, Zambia topped Africa fueled by Chinyemba who scooped a bronze medal alongside Emmanuel Katema, the unstoppable force with a tigerish approach in the ring.
Tactical maestro Mwengo Mwale punched his way into the world quarterfinals. The Dubai kings of Africa are locked, loaded, and coming to claim their crown in Kinshasa, the famous boxing city which hosted the memorable 1974 world heavyweight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Here’s the 20-member squad:
*MEN*
Minimumweight (46kg–48kg)
1. Elias Banda – Exodus Boxing Academy– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Flyweight (48kg–51kg)
2. Nene Maonga – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Bantamweight (51kg–54kg)
3. Mwengo Mwale – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Commonwealth Games Team Member
4. Fredrick Chilata – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Featherweight (54kg–57kg)
5. Gabriel Mukuka – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Lightweight (57kg–60kg)
6. Albert Ngulube – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army) -Commonwealth Games Team Member
7. Joseph Chanda Mapalo – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Light-welterweight (60kg–63.5kg)
8. Andrew Chilata – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Welterweight (63.5kg–67kg)
9. Emmanuel Katema – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army) – Commonwealth Games Team Member
Light-middleweight (67kg–71kg)
10. Gerald Kabinda – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
11. Gift Hanziba – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Middleweight (71kg–75kg)
12. Jonathan Mwiinga – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament.
*WOMEN*
Light-flyweight (48kg–50kg)
1. Johana Bwalya – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Flyweight (50kg–52kg)
2. Chipo Kapempe – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Bantamweight (52kg–54kg)
3. Catherine Mwape – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service) – Commonwealth Games Team Member
4. Agnes Tembo – Exodus Boxing Academy – Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Featherweight (54kg–57kg)
5. Violet Moonga – Red Arrows Boxing Club (Zambia Air Force)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Lightweight (57kg–60kg)
6. Charity Chilangisha – Red Arrows Boxing Club (Zambia Air Force)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Light-welterweight (60kg–63kg)
7. Felistus Nkandu – Green Eagles Boxing Club (Zambia National Service)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
Welterweight (63kg–66kg)
8. Maureen Tembo – Green Buffaloes Boxing Club (Zambia Army)– Selected from the Agricultural and Commercial Show Tournament
