How Hit Squad head coach Musa spots Kenya’s next champions

Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa/BFK

Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa says no punch will go unnoticed this season as he combs through local bouts in search of Kenya’s next national team warriors.

As the 2026 National Novices Championship kicked off a fortnight ago, Musa’s eyes were razor-sharp, scanning the ring for fighters with timing, reflexes, and the hunger to dominate.

“I watch every bout like a hawk. Footwork, defensive reads, counter-punching — that’s where you spot true potential,” he said.

For Musa, scouting is more than counting wins. He looks for fighters who can read a fight, adapt under pressure, and keep their guard tight when the punches start raining.

“It’s not just power. Boxing is a chess match at 180 beats per minute. I want athletes who think, who react, who control the pace,” he added.

Nairobi has long been a fertile ground for pugilistic talent. The clubs, school tournaments, and local circuits have produced champions over the past decade.

“The consistency here is remarkable. Fighters come through disciplined, hungry, ready to take the ring and make it theirs. That’s where you find the future of Kenyan boxing,” Musa said.

But identifying talent is only the beginning. Musa is a mentor as much as a coach. “I guide my fighters like a father, push them like a brother, and sometimes trash-talk them like a rival in the gym. That tension builds trust and toughness,” he said.

Preparation is king in Musa’s world. Fighters must have cardio, strength, and endurance, but the mental game is just as crucial.

“A boxer can have knockout power, but if he cracks under pressure, he won’t survive at the national or international stage. Mental sharpness wins fights before the first bell rings,” he noted.

Musa keeps his scouting net wide. Every novice bout, every regional clash, is a chance to spot someone with the right mix of aggression, defensive savvy, and ring IQ.

“I watch how fighters handle pressure, how they recover after a body shot, how they read their opponent’s rhythm. That tells me everything,” he said.

The competition for Hit Squad spots is fierce, and Musa ensures merit rules above all.

“Selection is not about favouritism. Every fighter has the same opportunity. You earn your place with discipline, performance, and grit. If you can’t handle the pressure in the gym, you won’t handle it in the ring,” he said.

Already, Musa has eyes on rising prospects like Javan Buyu, John Juma, Caleb Wandera, and George Onyango. “These fighters have the raw tools — speed, timing, knockout instincts. My job is to sharpen them, put them in the ring where they learn, adapt, and dominate,” he said.

The 2026 calendar is stacked, providing Musa with the perfect arena to spot and nurture talent. From the National Novices to the Kenya Open, every event is a proving ground. “Every punch thrown, every round fought, tells me who can go further. This system allows us to build depth and quality in the national team,” Musa said.

Under Musa’s gaze, Kenyan boxing is more than a sport; it’s a craft. Fighters leave the ring not just bruised, but wiser, sharper, hungrier. In his world, every jab, every combination, every slip and counter has a lesson.

“Boxing is a science. Talent is the raw material. My job is to mould it, refine it, and put it where it belongs — on the national stage, representing Kenya,” he concluded.

Kenya’s next generation of fighters is ready. With Benjamin Musa orchestrating their rise, the ring is set, the gloves are up, and every punch counts.