Kwasi Ofori Asare, the head trainer of Ghana’s amateur boxing team, the Black Bombers, is setting his sights on a medal haul at the upcoming African Games, with the ultimate goal of securing the elusive gold for Ghana after 33 years.

The last Ghanaian boxer to win gold at the African Games was Steven Dotse Ahialey in 1991. Since then, Ghana has accumulated several medals in boxing at the competition but has been unable to clinch the coveted gold. Coach Asare is determined to break this three-decade jinx on home soil as Ghana hosts the event.

As the competition draws near, Coach Asare, along with five other trainers, is leading an intensive preparation program for the team of 20, consisting of seven female boxers and 13 male boxers. The African Games, scheduled for March 8 to 24, holds the promise of a historic achievement for the Black Bombers.

While aiming for success at the African Games, Coach Asare and his boxers are also eyeing qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris. They are set to participate in an Olympic qualifying event in Busto Arsizio, Italy, aiming to secure spots after facing challenges in the previous qualification attempts.

“We are focused, we have a game plan, and our boxers are well prepared for the Olympic qualifiers and the African Games,” Coach Asare emphasized, expressing optimism about their chances at the March 4 to 11 Olympic qualifying event in Italy.

Despite the dual focus on the African Games and Olympic qualifiers, the Black Bombers’ schedule allows them to compete in Italy before returning home to participate in the boxing contests starting March 15 at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.