Africa has been allocated only 14 direct qualification spots for the boxing event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a reduction from the 18 slots the continent received ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

The allocation, confirmed by the International Olympic Committee and World Boxing, gives Africa and Oceania one quota spot each per weight category, while Asia, Europe and Pan-America receive two spots per weight class per gender.

The 14 weight categories are split equally between men and women. The women’s classes are 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg and 75kg, while men will compete at 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and above 90kg.

African boxers will have multiple opportunities to secure qualification across four phases. The 2027 World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, scheduled for April 2027, will be the first qualifying event, offering 44 spots in total.

Semi-finalists in the first four Olympic weight categories for both men and women will earn quotas, while only finalists will secure spots in the remaining categories.

Following the World Championships, each continent will hold its own qualifier. Africa’s continental qualifier will offer one spot per weight class.

A further 46 spots will be available at the first World Qualifier, while a second World Qualifier will serve as the final opportunity, offering between 28 and 36 places depending on how many host country spots the United States has already secured.

The host nation, the United States, is guaranteed a maximum of six quota places, three per gender, with any already earned through other routes deducted from that total.

Eight universality spots, four per gender, will also be available for eligible nations, though the nominated boxer must have participated in at least one of the listed qualification tournaments. Athletes must have been born between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 2009, to be eligible.

At Paris 2024, Africa sent 22 boxers to compete after a last-minute withdrawal and a doping exclusion reduced what was initially a group of 24. Algeria led the contingent with five athletes, while Morocco and Egypt had three each.

Alhassan Yusuf, and Igoh Ogbuh have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in London for the Unity Cup invitational tournament.

Yusuf, a midfielder and centre-back Ogbu breezed into the team’s camp on Monday morning.

The duo’s arrival increased the number of players in camp to 19, with the remaining players expected in camp today.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samson Tijani, Ebenezer Akinsamiro, Akor Adams, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Raphael Onyedika are among the players yet to arrive in camp.

The Super Eagles opened camp for the invitational tournament last Saturday with 14 players before Chibuike Nwaiwu, Francis Uzoho and Rafiu Durosinmi joined the squad on Sunday.

The team will continue preparations for the encounter against Zimbabwe with another training session tonight at Cray Valley FC, Middle Park Avenue, London.

The official training session will start at 4pm.

Head coach Éric Chelle and goalkeeper Uzoho will address the media on Monday morning ahead of the clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

The interactive session will hold at the Charlton Athletic Stadium.

The Super Eagles will kick off the defence of their title against Zimbabwe on Tuesday at The Valley, the home ground of Sky Bet Championship side Charlton Athletic.

Reggae Boys of Jamaica and India will clash in the second semi-final at the same venue on Wednesday.

The Valley will also host the final of the invitational tournament on Saturday 30 May.

Players in Camp:

Junior Ayobami, Al Ameen Tijani, Michael Atata, Adeoye Aderemi, Oputa Chibueze, Ighoke Obinna, Ocholi Elias, Oyedokun Tosin, Philip Otele, Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez, Owen Oseni, Nnadi Tochukwu, Terem Moffi, Francis Uzoho, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Igoh Ogbuh and Alhassan Yusuf

Former Shooting Stars Sports Club Coach Fatai Amoo has criticized the state of Nigerian football, citing the poor performance of Nigerian national teams as evidence of regression.

Ina chat, Amoo called for immediate reforms and a long-term, youth-focused rebuild for the national team ahead of 2030.

He also blamed the condition of pitches in some parts of the country and also said there is a need for leaders to address long-standing issues.

“I think our football is retrogressive in terms of players and results,” Amoo said.

“For me, I have tried my best.

You do your best and leave the rest. Nobody can be a champion forever. From my understanding, the reason why we aren’t doing well is that we have left so many things undone, and we aren’t trying to do it right — especially those that are taking charge of football in Nigeria today,” he said.

“And of course, it’s the Nigeria Football Federation, isn’t it? I think if we can go back and look at what and what we have not done well, and try to correct them, I think we will bounce back.

“For example, we want to talk about our football pitches, especially at the national level. You’re talking about hosting, most of the time they say Nigeria doesn’t have the pitches. It’s part of our problems. It shouldn’t be that.”

He also charged the Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, to rebuild the team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Amoo noted that Nigeria can follow the same blueprint as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta if the team must be successful.

“Now we should get our bed ready first to make sure they (senior players) feature in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, and for us to qualify. That’s very important, we can’t gamble with that.

“Those playing who have established themselves in the national team, we know what they can do.

“When we qualify then we will start looking for both Nigerian players home and abroad, it won’t be bad if we take a gamble every now and then during the qualifiers; introducing one or two new players at least in the squad even if not starting.

“But we must ensure we qualify first and we have the players to qualify in the group we have found ourselves in if we don’t joke with it.”