All twelve of Ghana’s amateur boxers faced defeat in the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers held in Senegal, thus dashing their hopes of securing berths for the forthcoming Paris Olympics next year.

Ghana had set lofty goals of securing several slots in the international event, with a representation of six boxers from both the Black Bombers and the Black Hitters (Ghana’s female amateur boxing team). This contingent also included two foreign-based competitors, namely Seth Gyimah, known as Freezy MacBones, and Ornella Sathoud.

However, the team’s aspirations crumbled as Freezy MacBones suffered a loss to his Senegalese counterpart, Seydou Konate, on a fateful Saturday, triggering a string of defeats for all his teammates against their respective opponents.

In the Flyweight division (51kg), Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey was the twelfth fighter to endure defeat, succumbing to Tunisia’s Ala Zidi Eddine.

“All of them are new, except Ornella Sathoud. Sathoud, however, got sick here and affected her performance,” Ofori Asare, the Black Bombers coach said after the game.

“For now, we know that, we have created a good base and our next qualification, it shall be well for us.

“At least, both Boxers who came here are new [Freezy MacBones & Ornella Sathoud], some of them have never been to the African competitions before,” he added.

The coach, however, remained optimistic about the team’s prospects for the future and remarked, “I believe this qualification event in Dakar will prove to be a valuable experience for our boxers in the upcoming qualification series.”

During the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020, Ghana secured its sole medal through the commendable performance of Samuel Takyi, who earned a bronze medal in the Men’s Featherweight category, bringing pride and recognition to Team Ghana.

The Ghanaian boxing team will have another opportunity to compete in additional qualification matches slated for November.