Gambiaj.com—(Banjul, The Gambia) – The Gambia’s own Ebrima “Freezer” Manneh is poised for a major showdown in Johannesburg this Saturday as he takes on Angola’s Shido Boris “Machine” Esperanca in the co-main event of the inaugural PFL Africa Championship tournament.

Both fighters successfully made the 170.6 lb welterweight limit during Friday’s weigh-in, setting the stage for a thrilling contest at the Big Top Arena, Carnival City in Brakpan. The fight is part of the first round of the PFL Africa Welterweight Championship, which will see the winners progress toward the finals in Benin later this year.

Manneh, a seasoned competitor with a 14-5 record, faces a formidable opponent in Esperanca (9-1), who is known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.

The Gambian star, however, is determined to carry the country’s flag high in one of Africa’s most prestigious mixed martial arts (MMA) events.

The weigh-ins also brought drama to the featherweight division, as South Africa’s Elbert Steyn (3-0) and Morocco’s Abderahman Errachidy (4-1) both failed to make the 145 lb limit, weighing in at 148 lb.

The missed weight disqualified them from the tournament, although their clash will still go ahead as a catchweight showcase bout. Their exit opened the door for Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Razac Sankara and DRC’s Shadrack Yemba to officially enter the featherweight bracket.

In the night’s main event, Nigeria’s Patrick “Starboi” Ocheme (144.6 lb) will face Mohamed “Lamo Mohamed” Camara (145.6 lb) of Guinea in a featherweight clash.

Saturday’s fight card promises a blend of power, skill, and national pride, with Mané’s bout expected to be one of the evening’s highlights for Gambian fans following the action from home. The first fight begins at 6pm local time.