Okwiri, considered one of his country's main prospects to reach Tokyo 2020, recorded a unanimous points win at the Dakar International Expo Centre.

Top seed, Uganda's Kavuma David Ssemujju, awaits for Okwiri, competed at Rio 2016, in the next round on Sunday (February 23).

Angola's Eduardo Zola Daniel also progressed at middleweight as he beat home hope Pape Mamadou Ndiaye of Senegal.

Ndiaye was given a standing count in the first round and, although he recovered and fought his way back into the contest, he fell to a unanimous points defeat.

Ghana's Abubakari Kwasi Quartey proved too strong for Somalia's Adan Ahmed Mohamed to join Okwiri and Daniel in round two.

David Tshama Mwenekabwe of the Democratic Republic of Congo is also through after defeating Mali's Mohamed Diaby.

In the flyweight category, Patrick Chinyemba of Zambia produced an impressive display to overcome Uganda's Disan Mubiru.

There were also victories for the Democratic Republic of Congo's Doudou Ilungu Kabange and Mick Mikamou Mayelet of Gabon over Marco Jerome Andrianarivelo, of Madagascar and Lesotho's Tiholohelo Mokhesi, respectively.

Ivory Coast's Sedja Sanogo beat Sarra Kali of Algeria and Bernadette Keuye of Cameroon dominated the Democratic Republic of Congo's Jorbelle Malewu Teksala in the first two bouts in the women's welterweight category.

The tournament, being organised by the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force owing to the suspension of the International Boxing Association as the governing body for the sport, is due to continue tomorrow.