Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa has exuded confidence ahead of their trip to Maputo, Mozambique for the Africa Boxing Championships.
Eight boxers have been named to fly the country's flag at the premier annual showpiece, organised by the continental governing body Africa Boxing Union between September 9 and 18.
The star-studded squad (five men and three women) includes lightweight Nick Okoth, bantamweight Shaffi Bakari, minimumweight Christine Ongare and light-heavyweight Elizabeth Andiego.
The quartet held down the fort for the country at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games last month.
Musa has pledged a medal haul, insisting that the Kenyan pugilists possess the mojo to bask in continental glory.
“We are most definitely expecting medals. The boxers we've picked for the competition are full of experience. For example, we have our captain Nick Okoth, who boasts of a wealth of experience from many tournaments,” Musa said.
The seasoned tactician said they limited their sessions to aerobics for lack of sufficient time.
“We were concentrating on strength and conditioning. We did a lot of aerobics, shuttle runs and speed work. Generally, we didn't have enough time to get to the nitty gritty of preparation,” Musa said.
Musa expressed hopes they would travel on Wednesday despite the team not having received air tickets by Tuesday afternoon.
“We are still waiting for tickets, but most definitely, the trip is set for tomorrow (Wednesday),” Musa said.
The boxers have been stropping their talons for the past week at the Mathare Depot in Nairobi.
They were all identified after a rigorous selection process conducted at the Kaloleni Social Hall in Nairobi a fortnight ago.
They will be accompanied to Maputo by the technical bench comprising head coach Benjamin Musa and his assistants David Munuhe and John Waweru.
Musa was forced to trim down the squad from an initial provisional list of 72 boxers, who were further whittled down to 29 before the final team of eight was unveiled.
The team received a shot in the arm last week following a Sh2.5 million boost from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to cater for their trip.
Traveling party
Men
1. 51kgs: David Karanja.
2. 54kgs: Shaffi Bakari.
3. 57kgs: Samuel Njau.
4. 60kgs: Nick Okoth.
5. 71kgs: Boniface Mogunde.
Women
1. 48kgs: Christine Ongare.
2. 54kgs: Amina Martha.
3. 75kgs: Elizabeth Andiego.
Technical bench
Head coach: Benjamin Musa
Deputy coach: David Munuhe
Coach: John Waweru
