His dad Shaffi Bakari and mum Saida Salama are all looking ahead to this proud moment in their family
Kenya’s Lukeman Shaffi aka Jibaba is oozing confidence ahead of today’s (August 1) minimumweight final against Algeria’s Hesnaoui Mouhamed Amine in the African School Games in Annaba, Algeria.
Lukeman is among Africa’s Emerging Stars in action in the 10-bout card dominated by North African boxers.
Lukeman and Amine made it straight to the final without throwing a punch since the 46kg weight class has only two boxers.
“I want to win nothing but gold for Kenya,” Lukeman told boxersworld.co.ke
“If he’s underrating me he’s doing so at his own risk because I’m not scared of him even if he’s fighting at home. The ugali my mum has been cooking for me in Mombasa has made stronger .”
Lukeman’s dad Shaffi Bakari, one of Kenya’s top internationals, is calm and composed hoping his son wins gold.
“We’re all praying for him he’s capable of winning because he believes in himself,” says Shaffi, featherweight bronze medallist in the 2024 Africa Championships.
Lukeman’s mum, Saida Salama, is so excited his son is featuring in the finals in his first big competion.
“I’ve been so happy since my son travelled to Algeria to represent Kenya in the African School Games,” says Saida from her home in Mombasa.
“Wherever I am, I pray for him nobody is happier than me it’s a dream come true to our family. In my imagination already I’m seeing him in the ring punishing the Algerian boxer go! go! Lukeman attack don’t wait be fast my son hit him at all targets, InshaAllah he’ll win.”
The 13-year-old Lukeman, a grade six pupil at New Wisdom Preparatory School in Mombasa, is so far unbeaten in 10 fights.
North African boxers have dominated the boxing tournament in Annaba. In today’s men’s final, Algeria leads with eight boxers, Tunisia five and Egypt four.
Kenya and Ghana are the only two Sub-Saharan African countries in the finals with Ghana having two boxers.
The first Ghanaian in the ring is Laryea William who meets Algeria’s Boubliaa Yacine in the flyweight division while lightweight Abdul Rahman battles Tunisia’s Bouslimi Adam at lightweight.
The African School Games boxing tournament attracted 63 boxers from 13 countries.
Algeria entered 14 boxers, Tunisia 13, Egypt 11 followed by DR Congo six.
Ghana was represented by four boxers and Kenya two but it’s only Lukeman taking part after light-welterweight Sonia Atieno failed to get an opponent.
