Nelson and Boseko Lokombo to face off as Riders meet Lions

It’s always a family affair when Nelson Lokombo heads back to B.C.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders safety’s family will be at the showdown between the green and white and B.C. Lions on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

“It’s always nice to be out there and play in front of my family and friends,” Lokombo said. “It will be a good matchup.”

What adds to the game is Lokombo who is 25, will see his older brother Boseko Lokombo who is 33, on the other sideline as a linebacker with the Lions.

“It’s still pretty cool. It never loses that special feeling every time I go back and see him on the field, maybe say a little something to him and just compete,” Lokombo said.

Boseko said it’s always special when the two brothers get to play, but this year has an extra element to it.

“(Our first game) might have been two years ago. It might have been a preseason game — it was after he came back from his ruptured Achilles,” Boseko said. “At the end of that game, we took a picture and that was pretty cool.”

“For the first time, we’re both starters … that’s going to be special for both of us to be starting and playing a prominent role in our respective defence,” said Boseko .

The Lokombo family is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living there until they moved to Canada when Boseko was a child.

“I remember the environment and remember the landscape – just a vast landscape,” Boseko said. “Being a four or five-year-old kid, we didn’t know anything about football. I didn’t learn about the game of football until I was 14 or 15 years old.”

Nelson, who is the youngest of seven siblings, was born in Abbotsford, B.C.

“It was cool, there was a little bit of favouritism for me,” Nelson joked. “I’m just playing. It was cool watching my brothers and sisters play sports and kind of led me to where I am at right now.”

Boseko described Nelson as being a quiet and smart kid growing up.

“I remember there was one time where he had some vision problems and he had to wear glasses and these glasses made him look like a nerd but it kind of fit him with his personality and everything,” Boseko said. “He was just a smart guy, funny and when he got going, you got him going. He was very enthused and just a good kid. I don’t remember him getting in any trouble or anything like that.”

Along with Boseko, Nelson’s other brother Boloy also played football and spent some time with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

Those two, along with his other siblings, helped drive him to want to aim higher in his goals.

“It kept me wanting to attain what they achieved,” Nelson said. “They kept me grounded and kept me humble.”

Nelson eventually left the West Coast and came to Saskatchewan to play football at the University of Saskatchewan with the Huskies.

Through it all, Boseko has been there to offer advice.

“The biggest advice I gave him was always be even-keel. Even when you are super successful or when things are going completely bad, just be level-headed. Don’t be too high or too low,” Boseko said.

That sort of advice came in handy early in Nelson’s career as the defensive back was one of four Riders who suffered torn Achilles tendons a day prior to the 2021 season – what would have been Lokombo’s rookie season after being the second overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft.

“It’s a testament to his hard work and him grinding through it and him going through all the things he had to go through,” Boseko said. “There’s going to be some days when you are just down and dealing with a lot of things and you’re going to have good days.”

“Right now he’s in his golden days when he can finally showcase what he is able to do.”

Boseko said their mom always tries to remain impartial when the two are playing.

“She just wants her boys to play and come out healthy but we’re going to have a lot of people coming to watch us play,” Boseko said. “(Our mom) tries to stay in the middle. I think she leans towards B.C. but Nelson is her baby so it’s a hard (choice).”

Nelson is looking forward to seeing his family once again.

“It’s always a good time to be back. I have been (in Saskatchewan) since my U of S days and I’ve always been away,” Nelson said. “It’s always nice to be back and see everybody and hang out beforehand.”

“It’s a good time,” said Nelson.