Kenya Sevens players attending the first training under new head coach Innocent Simiyu.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4- New Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent Simiyu has named four debutants in his squad of 21 that will be contracted to do duty for the country this season in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Kabras Sugar duo of Aluda Beda and Brian Tanga who were top performers during the national sevens circuit have been rewarded with calls into the team and they will fight it out with the rest of the squad for a place in the first travelling squad to Dubai.

Also called in is Impala Saracens’ Derek Mayar and Kenya 15s star Darwin Mukiza who turns out for KCB with the speedstar now challenged to translate his form in the longer version of the game to the sevens.

Simiyu has also handed recalls to Dan Sikuta, Cyprian Kuto and Martin Owila who were overlooked for most of last season.

The new coach has also retained 14 players from the squad that played last season.

The four new players will be given a chance to prove they are ready to debut for the national team in the Dubai Sevens in December during the Safland Sevens to be held in Namibia between November 12 and 13.

Simiyu has named a squad of 16 players from his final 21 into the Safland Sevens team which will jet out of the country on Monday for a week-long training camp in the Coastal city of Swakopmund before the tournament.

The notable absentee in the final squad of 21 is Dennis Ombachi who has been dropped from the initial squad named last month.

The team, whose travel has been jointly facilitated by tournament sponsors Safland and The Swakopmund Dome, features twelve players with previous Sevens World Series experience led by captain Andrew Amonde.

Newly appointed strength and conditioning coach Ian Gibbons will link up with the side in Namibia.

Kenya Sevens season squad

Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Martin Owila, Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Dan Sikuta, Brian Tanga, Aluda Beda (Kabras Sugar), Cyprian Kuto, Alvin Otieno, Oscar Ayodi, Bush Mwale, Leonard Mugaisi, Augustine Lugonzo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz),Sammy Oliech, Derek Mayar (Resolution Impala Saracens), Oscar Ouma, Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Frank Wanyama, Eden Agero, William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Billy Odhiambo, Collins Injera (Mwamba)

Safland Sevens squad

Andrew Amonde (captain), Oscar Ouma, William Ambaka, Frank Wanyama, Nelson Oyoo, Leonard Mugaisi, Daniel Sikuta, Billy Odhiambo, Eden Agero, Bush Mwale, Martin Owila, Augustine Lugonzo, Brian Tanga, Aluda Beda, Darwin Mukidza, Derek Mayar

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Kenya Harlequins players don their new SportPesa branded jerseys. PHOTO/raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4- Kenya Harlequins, one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country has signed a partnership with local betting firm SportPesa who will be the club’s shirt sponsors for an initial five-year period, with room for a further five-year extension.

Both the club and the sponsors did not disclose the exact amount involved in the deal, though Capital Sports understands it might be in the region of over Sh50 million, with a percentage increment every year.

“The deal is wholesome, and so it will not be easy to quantify it. To say it lightly, we have given a blank cheque to Harlequins. It is a deal covering a range of things in the club from salaries, allowances to kitting and infrastructure,” Yvonne Namai, the SportPesa head of sponsorships said as the club unveiled the deal on Friday.

As part of the new deal, the team will now change its name to SportPesa Quins.

“We want to thank SportPesa for coming on board because this will change the way things are done at the club. I am proud because we have come a long way. This will go a long way in lifting Quins from where we are to where we want to be,” Mike Lucas, the Kenya Harlequins chair said as he unveiled the new partners.

Kenya Harlequins chairman Mike Lucas displaying their new jersey. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

This is the second partnership SportPesa has with rugby, having signed a Sh600mn partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union earlier on in the year and are set to be the Kenya Sevens shirt sponsors for the new season.

“Kenya Harlequins was a very key investment to have due to their global partnership because SportPesa is going global. Our focus is from Kenya to the rest of the world,” Namai added on why the firm chose to sponsor Quins.

According to Lucas, the betting firm has also committed to rehabilitating and upgrading the Kenya Rugby Football Union grounds along Ngong’ Road, the facility which also doubles up as the Quins home ground.

Sportpesa head of sponsorship Yvonne Namai unveil the new Sportpesa sponsored jersey with kenya Harlequins chair Mike Lucas. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

“This partnership will go a long way in ensuring the players are looked after. It will also ensure our facilities are up to date. They will be upgraded. Playing games here in the near future will be the choice. Hopefully we can bring Safari Sevens back here because we will raise the standards to the ones required at the highest level,” Lucas said.

The team is set to contract 40 of its 73 players as semi professionals and they will be entitled to better salaries and allowances.

Meanwhile, Quins will adopt two lower tier clubs, Dagoretti Bulldogs and Kitale RFC as part of their Community Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, giving them kitting, technical and financial support.

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Nairobi City Stars defender Arthur Museve challenges Ushuru’s Ebrimah Sanneh. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4 – Ushuru FC’s fight to remain in the Kenyan Premier League was dealt a major blow after they were held to a barren draw by relegated Nairobi City Stars at the Ruaraka Complex on Friday evening.

The result means Ushuru, placed 14th on the log are only four points away from the drop zone and if Sofapaka wins against Mathare United on Saturday afternoon, then the fight for survival will go down into the final day of the season.

Ken Kenyatta, the Ushuru FC head coach was incensed after the final whistle, insinuating that there might be forces outside trying to pull them off the league.

“Football is not like a letter which you can write and put in the drawer. Football is a game which is played and anybody can see. There are a lot of interests. This is more than football on the pitch,” an angered Kenyatta said before walking out of the post-match interview.

Ushuru will be keenly hoping Mathare does them a favour and at least holds Sofapaka to any kind of draw, a result that means they only need a point in their final match against Posta Rangers to survive.

But despite Kenyatta’s laments after the game, Ushuru struggled to show they are a team fighting to remain in top flight with City Stars who already had their fate sealed last week giving more of a fight than their hosts.

Nelson Marasowe came close for Ushuru in the 7th minute with a curling effort from a freekick which was inches wide before Dennis Wafula’s meek shot was calmly collected by Ronnie Kagunzi.

City Stars keeper Ronnie Kagunzi collects the ball in the air from Ebrimah Sanneh of Ushuru. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

City Stars who approached the match with calm and less pressure had a decent chance in the 22nd minute with Oliver Maloba’s snap shot from the edge of the box going straight into Shabaan Odhoji’s arms.

The Kawangware based side had employed a high line of defence and more than five times, Ushuru were caught offside within the opening half an hour.

Jimmy Bagaye who had been a nuisance for the Ushuru backline with his pace came close to breaking the deadlock in the 32nd minute with his well taken shot from the edge of the area coming off the bar.

In the second half, City Stars continued creating more chances and Maloba should have done better with a 57th minute chance after being teed up by Bagaye, but his attempt at a fancy volley was awful, the ball going acres wide.

Ushuru midfielder Oscar Mbugua came close to scoring against his former employers in the 62nd minute but he could not hit the target with a lone header inside the six yard box from a Philemon Otieno cross.

In the 72nd minute, Rosevelt Blaty who had come on for Ebrimah Sanneh came close with his first touch of the ball but he skewed his shot wide from inside the area.

City Stars had the best chance of the game in the 89th minute but Manase Orao could not stretch his feet three yards out of goal to poke in a low cross from Robert Ndung’u.

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CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye addresses the media in a past event PHOTO/Timothy olobulu.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4- There is a growing uncertainty over whether the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup and in extension the Kagame Cup will be held in Nairobi with the Football Kenya Federation saying it is yet to hear from the organisers.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa has told Capital Sport they gave their conditions of hosting to the organisers but with barely three weeks to the tournament, they are yet to get any feedback and hence remain non-committal on whether they will host the tourney.

“It is minuted, I offered to host CECAFA in Cairo when we had the CAF General Assembly, but under certain conditions. We said that we are ready to host as long as the clubs pay for their own transport and accommodation. We will take care of local transport,” Mwendwa told Capital Sport.

He added: “But up to now, we have not heard from CECAFA. There is no circular detailing the dates and the venue. I heard there are sponsors being looked for, I am not sure where that has reached. We are ready to host and we are ready to play, but under those conditions.”

This comes even as CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye told AFP they are talking to Sudan to look at the possibilities of hosting the tourney there.

“Kenya has told us that they are not ready to host the championships which was scheduled to kick-off in late November to early December. We are now back to negotiating with Sudan again to see if they can agree to have the event back in Khartoum. Hopefully we should be able to get a conclusive reply by Friday,” Musonye was quoted by the news agency.

The recent development also throws into disarray the organization of the Kagame Cup which was also set for Nairobi after Tanzania declined hosting it in August due to a congested calendar.

CECAFA has been going through tumultuous financial times over the last three years with the Senior Challenge Cup failing to take off in 2014 due to financial constraints.

The tournament was however hosted last year in Ethiopia.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, under who the tournament is named usually sponsors to the tune of Sh6mn with all the amount going into prize money. CECAFA are usually tasked with finding running costs.

Last year, the regional soccer body signed up a marketing company to assist net sponsors to the tournament, but the same seems to be struggling in picking up.

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The lucky three will have a life time opportunity to train at the Beijing International Arts School in December.PHOTO/courtesy

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5- Kenyan based Kung clubs on Friday received intense training on the sport from China based Kung Fu masters.

The team of ten Kung Fu masters from the Beijing International Arts School conducted training for the Kenyan clubs at the KICC grounds in preparation for the StarTimes Kung Fu festival set to take place at the same venue on Saturday.

Local Kung Fu clubs from Kiambu, Muthurwa, Kangemi, Kayole and Majengo had an opportunity to sharpen their skills in Chinese Kung Fu – known as WuShu with the team of ten Kung Fu masters courtesy of StarTimes.

The visiting team of Kung Fu masters has won various Wushu championships individually as well as collectively in 2015 and 2016.

They combine martial arts and other arts genres and has previously successfully completed training foreign interest groups who have proceeded to win major championships.

The team performs Shaolin Chigong, with their head of delegation’s origin being from world famous Shaolin temple and equally performed during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games opening ceremony.

“We are excited to have this team of Kung Fu experts in the country and are confident that the contribution they will have on the local teams will go a long way towards developing the sport in Kenya,” noted StarTimes Vice President Mr. Mark Lisboa.

“We are privileged to have this opportunity to train with such an experienced team and it is our commitment to utilize the key lessons we derive from this to further entrench the sport in Kenya and possibly start representing the country in various international Kung Fu tournaments such as the World Cup in China in 2017,” noted Mr. Joseph Ngaruiya who is a representative of the clubs.

Beijing International Arts School Kungfu Group is composed of martial arts masters, who have gone through professional courses to learn a variety of martial arts genres and training methods and performance skills.

They team has won various Wushu championships individually as well as collectively in 2015 and 2016. They combine martial arts and other arts genres together to the stage. As an important arts talent training base and window for foreign cultural exchanges, the

Kungfu Group has successfully completed the task of training local and foreign interested groups who have proceeded to win major championships.

All of them have a championship in China a category reserved for the finest Kung Fu experts having taught martial arts routine at master level, national level and attained referee Martial arts routine grade 7.

The StarTimes KungFu festival will be a family fun day to be graced by music heavy weights including Jose Chameleon from Uganda, Jua Cali, Timmy Tdat, Gloria Muliro, Prof. Hamo and hosted by MC Oga Obinna. Entry will be free.

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Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych during their quarter-final match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tournament in Paris, on November 4, 2016 © AFP / Franck Fife

PARIS, France, Nov 5 – Andy Murray can depose Novak Djokovic as world number one on Saturday but the British star insists he won’t let the pressure of the historic occasion knock him off course.

The 29-year-old Wimbledon and Olympic champion will take over top spot in the rankings if he defeats Canada’s Milos Raonic in the Paris Masters semi-finals.

His path opened up on Friday after he saved seven set points in an extraordinary opening tie-break before clinching a 7-6 (11/9), 7-5 win over Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals.

Earlier, 12-time major winner Djokovic had lost 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to Croatia’s Marin Cilic, a defeat which looks likely to end the Serb’s 122-week reign on top of the ATP world rankings.

“Before the match there were a few more nerves maybe than there was earlier in the week. But once I got out there, I didn’t feel any different to any other match,” said Murray.

Canada’s Milos Raonic returns the ball to France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their quarter-final match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tournament in Paris, on November 4, 2016 © AFP / Miguel Medina

“If it happens this week, great. But if not, I’m not putting any extra pressure on myself this week because I still think I have an opportunity to do it in the future.

“But obviously I’d love to do it Saturday if I can.”

Cilic had lost all 14 previous meetings with Djokovic but snapped that miserable run with his victory.

Djokovic, the record four-time Paris champion, arrived in the French capital needing to reach the final to ensure he remained ahead of a rapidly approaching Murray.

But the Serb’s challenge fizzled out against an in-form Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion.

“Credit to Marin and congratulations. He definitely played better today, and he deserved to win,” said 29-year-old Djokovic.

Despite his disappointment in Paris, Novak Djokovic will have another chance to convince he is far from in decline at the World Tour Finals in London next week © AFP / Franck Fife

“I wasn’t on the level that I could have been on. Obviously, there are things I could have done better. And just in important moments I wasn’t able to deliver.”

Despite his disappointment, Djokovic will have another chance to convince he is far from in decline at the World Tour Finals in London next week.

“The drop of form is normal in sports. I’m not too concerned about how the future will go for me,” said the Serb, who has appeared a shadow of his former self since wrapping up a maiden French Open title in June which allowed him to clinch a career Grand Slam.

“You can’t always expect to win. In terms of what the future brings to me, that’s not in my hands. I’m going to obviously keep playing at this level as long as I feel like that’s the right thing for me.”

American John Isner faces Cilic in last four after he outlasted compatriot Jack Sock 7-6, (8/6), 4-6, 6-4.

Raonic defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in the late quarter-final, a result which allowed Austria’s Dominic Thiem to tie up the eighth and last spot in the World Tour Finals next week.

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2015 New York City Marathon winners Stanley Biwott and Mary Keitany (Getty Images) © Copyright

NEW YORK, United States, Nov 5- Reigning champions Stanley Biwott and Mary Keitany were in buoyant mood ahead of Sunday’s TCS New York City Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

The last time both the men’s and women’s winners retained their titles at the New York City Marathon was in 1995 when German Silva and Tegla Loroupe successfully defended their crowns.

Though both Biwott and Keitany have strong chances of doing likewise – and, in the process, securing a fourth consecutive Kenyan sweep of the men’s and women’s titles – the quality and depth of fields assembled for the final Marathon Major of the year mean neither can leave anything to chance.

At Friday’s press conference, Biwott was coy about his chances of retaining his crown, citing the shape of his rivals as an unknown. Yet he was not short of confidence about his own form, clearly buoyed from his win in the 2015 race.

“Last year it was my first race win in the big ones [Marathon Majors]. It has taken me to another level,” he said. “Since I won in New York last year I have improved so much.”

The 30-year-old competes in New York for the third time, having also finished fifth on his debut in 2013.

Earlier this year he clocked 2:03:51 – making him the seventh-fastest marathon runner of all time – to finish second at the London Marathon.

However, his most recent outing was less successful, as he dropped out of the Rio Olympic race late on.

Should he falter this weekend, Lucas Rotich could be the best Kenyan hope.

The 26-year-old will make his New York Marathon debut having won UAE Healthy Heart 10k in the same city in May.

Yet a more likely threat should come from Ghimray Ghebreslassie.

The 20-year-old finished fourth in Rio and makes his debut in New York, which will be his third marathon of 2016.

The Eritrean was just 19 when he won gold at the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015. He was fourth in London this year in a personal best of 2:07.46.

Another who should figure is Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa.

The two-time Boston Marathon winner finished third in New York last year and was second in 2014. The 26-year-old also has a World Championships silver medal from 2013 and will hope it’s a case of third time lucky in the five boroughs.

New York debutant Moses Kipsiro, 30, competes in his second career marathon, having clocked 2:15:48 in Hamburg in April. The Ugandan won World Championships bronze over 5000m in 2007, and bronze again at the 2010 World Cross Country Championships.

-Keitany tipped for third crown-

Mary Keitany after winning New York Marathon.PHOTO FILE

In the women’s race, Mary Keitany will bid for a third straight win – a feat not achieved since Grete Waitz won five titles in the 1980s.

Keitany, a two-time London winner and the second-fastest woman in history (2:18.37 in London in 2012), said she was fully focused on winning in New York after being overlooked for selection at the Rio Olympics.

“I’ve been training well. I’m ready to come to New York and defend my title,” Keitany said. Her record and personal best make her the favourite – even more so since the withdrawal of the injured Gladys Cherono – yet as her ninth-place finish in London earlier this year attests, nothing is assured over 26.2 miles.

Ethiopia’s Aselefech Mergia was second behind Keitany in last year’s race. The 31-year-old is a three-time Dubai Marathon winner, yet her sole Marathon Major win came in London in 2010 following the retrospective disqualification of the first two finishers.

A bronze medalist from the 2009 World Championships, her PB of 2:19:31 suggests she should figure at the front on Sunday.

Kenya’s Sally Kipyego is familiar to the US audience.

After a glittering career as a collegiate athlete out of Texas Tech, she won silver medals over 10,000m at the 2011 World Championships and London 2012 Olympics.

Though she failed to finish on her marathon debut in New York in 2015, her record from the track suggests she could be part of the equation if she has a good day.

Kenyan Joyce Chepkirui could also be a threat. She was third in Boston earlier this year, her best Marathon Major finish, and has a PB of 2:24:11 from winning in Amsterdam this time last year. The 28-year-old makes her New York Marathon debut after finishing second at the NYC Half in March.

The woman who beat her in that race was USA’s Molly Huddle.

She makes her debut over the classic distance after setting a North American 10,000m record to finish sixth in Rio. The 32-year-old admitted to having “some doubts” as to how she will perform, though there will be no doubting the vociferous support she is guaranteed every stride of the way come Sunday.

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Gor Mahia’s Jacques Tuyisenge with Meddie Kagere. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5- Kenyan Premier League defending champions Gor Mahia kept their pressure on league leaders Tusker FC, moving to within a point of the brewers after beating Muhoroni Youth 2-0 at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.  

Goals from Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge earned revenge for Gor who lost 1-0 to the sugar belt side in the KPL Top Eight final on October 16^th, moving them to 54 points on the standings.

K’Ogalo will now be banking on their eternal rivals AFC Leopards who play Tusker on Sunday as either a win or a draw for Ingwe will give the 15-time champions a realistic chance as they play the brewers in the final game of the season.

“We have done our part and now we hope that AFC leopards do the same as well. Today we play very well. We played football; one-two touches and this is what I want to see. Now we only wait, but keep our hope alive,” Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira said after the match.

Retaining the same team that won last weekend against Mathare United, Ferreira showed just how much he was yearning to push Tusker to the wire as the club hunts for a record 16^th Kenyan Premier League title.

Gor started strongly and in the second minute, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo had the first opportunity with a left footed shot going over after a quickly started free-kick.

A minute later, Francis Kahata forced a full stretched save off Farouk Shikhalo after the midfielder rose well at the edge of the box to head in a cross from Kagere who had done well to beat his markers with pace on the right.

The defending champions’ bright early start bore dividends in the 10^th minute when Tuyisenge blasted home his 10^th goal of the season at point blank after Kagere nodded down a cross from Kahata.

Muhoroni would have drawn level four minutes later but Benjamin Mosha missed a glorious opportunity when he side footed the ball wide unmarked inside the box from a Sammy Ndung’u cross.

With Muhoroni sounding the siren on Gor’s complacency, the visitors immediately reverted back to their commanding selves with Godfrey Walusimbi and George Odhiambo combining well on the flanks to try and open up the Muhoroni defense.

They doubled their lead in the 32^nd minute, this time Tuyisenge playing provider to Kagere who had the simplest of tasks to tap into an empty net.

From a quick break, Tuyisenge burst into the box, wheeled past Paul Muchika with some intelligent step overs before cutting back to his fellow Rwandese.

The two goal cushion gave Gor the much needed comfort and in the second half, they were more relaxed and passed the ball with ease.

Muhoroni upped the pressure, in search of goals but their tact of using long balls in an attempt to pick out Lwamba Bebeto were thwarted by an aerially strong Gor Mahia defense.

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Mathare United midfielder Whyvonne Isuza takes on Sofapaka’s Erick Ochieng. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5- Whyvonne Isuza scored a penalty in the 11^th minute of added as Mathare United came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Sofapaka, dimming Batoto ba Mungu’s hopes of survival.

Sofapaka remain 15^th on the log after the result, three points off Ushuru and heading into the final game of the season, the 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions must beat Thika United and hope Posta Rangers beat the tax men for them to survive.

“It is unfortunate we had to drop points from a late penalty, but all the same we have ourselves to blame because we threw away so many chances. We still have a chance and it is that hope that will keep us fighting,” Sofapaka coach John Baraza said after the match.

There were 17 minutes of added time in the match, coming on after Francis Kimanzi refused to leave the field of play early in the second half after being sent off for remonstrating with the match referee.

Kimanzi only had to go to the stands after the intervention of chairman Bob Munro who came down to the pitch to ask his coach to leave.

After the match, Kimanzi was still fuming with the officiating and accused the referee of ‘trying to balance play’ after sending him to the stands.

Mathare United chairman Bob Munro had to intervene to convince Francis Kimanzi to go to the stands after being sent off. PHOTO/raymond Makhaya

Sofapaka had a dream start to the match, opening the scores after ten minutes with Paul Odhiambo hitting into the net from close range after the mathare defense struggled to clear away a Noah Abich freekick.

They doubled their lead in the 39^th minute from the penalty spot, Noah Abich scoring against his former side after Robinson Kamura axed Odhiambo inside the box after the striker broke into the area from a quickly executed counter attack.

Mathare drew level though three minutes from the break through Duke Abuya who blasted home from a Chris Oduor pass.

In the second half, Sofapaka should have had the game wrapped but Odhiambo missed a flurry of chances with the Mathare side caught flat out.

He missed an opportunity one on one with Mboya before meekly heading straight to Robert Mboya from a Moses Odhiambo cross.

Isuza then melted Sofapaka hearts with a late penalty, taking responsibility on his own shoulders after being brought down by keeper Mathews Kigonya from a quickly executed counter attack.

Elsewhere, Posta Rangers who only this week sent their two coaches Zedekiah Otieno and John Maina ‘on leave’ bounced back from a run of four winless matches with a 2-1 result over Sony Sugar to seal a top eight finish.

Heading into the final games of the season, all the top eight slots have been filled and save for the title and relegation fights, all other matches will be for pride.

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Athletes participating in a past baringo Half Marathon event. PHOTO/IAAF

BARINGO, Kenya, Nov 5- Fukuoka Half Marathon runner up Edith Chelimo (women) and Kericho’s Isaac Kipkoech (men) won the Lotto Foundation Baringo Half Marathon in Kabarnet on Saturday.

Chelimo clocked 1:11.02  to win the women’s race while Kipkoech posted 1:02.51 to win the men’s race with both winners pocketing Sh200, 000.

The race kicked off at Kabartonjo and took the athletes through sections of the cool Ossen Forests before culminating in Kabarnet town.

In the women’s race, Chelimo beat Lucy Cheruiyot to second place in 1.11.42 with Paskalia Chepkorir placing third in 1.11.55.  Esther Chelang’a (1.13.04), Naomi Rotich (1.13.14) and Lydiard Orange (1.14.27)  completed the top six.

“Victory came as a surprise for me because I just came to participate. This is my first victory here although I have been a regular participant and I’m happy to have won,” Chelimo said after cutting the tape.

 She said she is using the event as a build up for the cross country season which is already in motion. “I dedicate my feat here to my daughter Sherry Cheptoo, who turns two in two months time,” she added.

Kipkoech, who won the Chemususu Half Marathon two months ago, beat Kurui Chesang (1.03.08)  to second place with  Sammy Kurui placing third in 1.03.08..

Kennedy Rimengia placed fourth in 1.03.with Hosea Mwok (1.03.37) and Luke Kibet (1.03.44) placing fifth and sixth respectively.

Philomen Cheboi (1.04.08), Samuel Naibei (1.04. 24) and Shadrack Kiplagat (1.04.28)  and Barnes Koskei  ( 1.04.55) completed the  top 10 places.

“The victory has also inspired me after I dropped out of the Toronto Half Marathon in Canada last month,” pointed out Kipkoech.

The post Chelimo, Kipkoech rule Baringo Half Marathon appeared first on Capital Sports.

Kwizera Maurice one of the winners during selection.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5 – Three Kenyan based Kung Fu players have earned themselves a trip to world renowned Beijing International Arts School for an intense training course courtesy of Pay Television company StarTimes media.

The three, Peter Kibe, Maurice Kwizera and Aphrodice Bakorubusa will leave the country next month to sharpen their skills in Chinese Kung Fu – known as WuShu. The team will be taken through Shaolin Chigong among other Kung Fu genres.

“We conducted intense screening from the over 60 contestants who came forward to showcase their talent with the three emerging the best candidates to proceed to Beijing for an all-expenses paid training come December. It is our hope that this will go a long way towards developing the sport in Kenya,” noted StarTimes Vice President Mr. Mark Lisboa.

“We are privileged to have this opportunity to train with at the Beijing International Arts school and it is our commitment to utilize the key lessons we derive from this to further entrench the sport in Kenya and possibly start representing the country in various international Kung Fu tournaments such as the World Cup in China in 2017,” noted Mr. Peter Kibe who is one of the winners.

The event was organized to celebrate the Kung Fu channel on StarTimes. A channel dedicated to the martial arts sports genres.

Kenyan Kung Fu clubs during selection on Saturday at KICC.

The event took place on Saturday at the KICC Comesa grounds between where Kung Fu professionals showcased their talents.

The Beijing International Arts School is a key vocational training institution in Beijing. It is the oldest art school with international martial arts exchange programmes.

 The school has majors including Kung Fu, acrobatics, sports training, dance performances, art painting, theater performances and musical performances with internationally recognized qualifications.

The school has also provided martial arts training courses for students from Russia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Korea, Japan, the United States and other European countries.

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Tusker FC players celebrate Shafik Batambuze’s winner at the Afraha Stadium in nakuru. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

NAKURU, Kenya, Nov 6- Tusker FC are the 2016 Kenyan Premier League champions after a 1-0 win over AFC Leopards at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru pulled them four points clear of defending champions Gor Mahia with a match to spare.

Shafik Batambuze scored the all-important goal in the 69^th minute as Tusker broke a three-year dominance by Gor Mahia, handing Paul Nkata a second title in his first year in charge at Ruaraka.

Heading into the match, Tusker needed three points to guarantee the title at their stable and ensure the final game of the season against defending champions Gor will be just but a mere formality.

K’Ogalo who on Saturday won 2-0 against Muhoroni Youth needed a favor from their arch rivals AFC to hold Tusker to either a draw or beat them, handing them an opportunity to win a fourth consecutive title on the final match day on November 19.

Against a much improved Ingwe, Tusker at times struggled to assert their authority and they never showed as much they were fighting for the title.

They had to wait till the 24^th minute to have their first chance at goal, Allan Wanga sneaking in at the blind side of the AFC defense to poke the ball marginally wide from an Anthony Ndolo cross from the left.

AFC Leopards’ winger Allan katterega attempts to find a way past his Ugandan counterpart Hashim Ssempala. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

On the opposite end, Allan Katterega who had enjoyed a decent game for Ingwe had a snap shot from distance go inches over, catching Tusker keeper David Okello off guard.

On the counter, AFC Leopards came close to opening proceedings in the 32^nd minute but Alfred Wekesa’s shot from a Mungai Kiongera through pass was feeble, Okello managing an easy catch.

Five minutes later, Wekesa had another chance but his header from a teasing Mousa Sissoko cross was well picked by Okello.

Towards the end of the half, Tusker who were a pale shadow of their title-chasing selves came close to getting the opener, but Ian Otieno stuck his foot out to block a shot from Noah Wafula who had broken on the right from a Mieno through pass.

In the second half, Leopards started stronger and Okello had to take one for the team 10 minutes into the half when he was forced to bring down Kiongera at the edge of the box after the forward broke through to pick out an Andrew Tololwa through pass.

Nkata read all the signals that his side was in for a long ride and on the hour mark brought on Clifford Alwanga for Ndolo who had all afternoon struggled to assert his presence.

Batambuze came close for Tusker in the 62^nd minute with his freekick from the edge of the box being pushed to the crossbar by Ian Otieno. Five minutes later, Alwanga saw his header from an Osborne Monday corner go inches wide after out-jumping the entire Ingwe defense.

New AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall with his keeper trainer Iddi Salim and strength and conditioning expert Mike Shamiah. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

Tusker kept the pressure as the clock ticked and it finally paid off in the 69^th minute when Batambuze struck low from the edge of the box after Monday spread a corner to his path.

Two minutes later, Katterega came close to taking Tusker down to earth with a sweetly struck volley from the edge of the box but the effort went over.

Despite the scare, Tusker grew in confidence and began to boss the game, playing it calm and restricting Stewart Hall’s side into their own half.

The brewers managed to run down the clock and there were tears and jubilation when referee Raphael Nduati blew the final whistle.

The post Batambuze goal hands Tusker 2016 KPL title appeared first on Capital Sports.

Mary Keitany of Kenya crosses the finish line to win New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016

NEW YORK, United States, Nov 6 – Kenya’s Mary Keitany became only the third woman in history to win the New York Marathon thrice in a row after defending her title, winning this year’s event in 2:24:26.

Compatriot Stanley Biwott could however not replicate the feat in the men’s race, dropping out within the first 15kms, just like he did during the Rio Olympics in August.

Reigning world marathon champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea won the race on his debut in an official time of 2:07:51, only five seconds off his personal best set in London.

“Winning the New York Marathon is one of my best dreams,” Ghebreslassie said. “I’m really proud of my victory. Nobody from Eritrea has won this marathon before. I’m really proud.”

Eight days shy of his 21st birthday, the prodigy accelerated at the halfway mark and pulled away to become the first men’s champion since 2010 from outside Kenya.

Kenya’s Lucas Rotich was second in 2:08:53 with 39-year-old American Abdi Abdirahman third in 2:11:23 and Japan’s Hiroyuki Yamamoto fourth in his first marathon outside Japan, another 26 seconds adrift.

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea wins the New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016

In the women’s race, Keitany also pulled away to an overwhelming victory, the 34-year-old mother of two winning in 2:24:26.

“I feel good,” Keitany said. “I’m very excited. Winning three times consecutively means a lot to me.”

Keitany, the second-fastest woman in marathon history behind Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, has the longest New York women’s win streak since Norway’s Grete Waitz took five in a row from 1982-1986.

Kenya’s Sally Kipyego was second in 2:28:01, 12 seconds ahead of American Molly Huddle, third in her marathon debut. Kenya’s Joyce Chepkirui, third in Boston this year, was fourth in 2:29:08.

Each champion over the 26.2-mile distance took home a top prize of Sh10mn ($100,000).

Ghebreslassie’s triumph came after fourth-place finishes at London and the Rio Olympics.

At the halfway mark, Ghebreslassie, Kenya’s Lucas Rotich and Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa, last year’s Boston Marathon champion, pulled away.

In the 20th mile, Ghebreslassie surged away from Rotich and Desisa, accelerating ahead to leave behind his last threats.

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea (C) poses with Lucas Rotich from Kenya and Abdi Abdirahman from the US after the New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016 © AFP / Timothy A. Clary

The Eritrean shared a high five with Rotich, running back down the course to greet him before the finish.

“I wanted to shake hands with him,” said Ghebreslassie.

Abdirahman was thrilled to make the podium after a previous best showing of sixth in New York.

“I was a believer anything could happen,” he said. “I did what I was supposed to do. I did what I could control. I was ready to run.”

– Biwott out early again –

Biwott, last year’s New York champion, was out before the halfway mark in another disappointment. He dropped halfway into the Rio Olympic marathon, saying he was given the wrong water bottle and that caused stomach issues.

With plenty of time to prepare for her Big Apple run after not being selected to compete at Rio, Keitany outclased the field.

In a pack of 14 after five miles, Keitany picked up the pace and by the 10-mile mark had trimmed the lead group to herself, Chepkirui and Ethiopia’s Aselefech Mergia.

By mile 12, Mergia was falling back and at 15 miles, Keitany had opened a 10-second lead. By mile 16, Chepkirui’s gap was 33 seconds back and growing as Keitany surged to the finish alone.

“I started to run my own race at 15 miles and started to follow my tactics and continue with my race,” she said.

The post Keitany defends New York Marathon title appeared first on Capital Sports.

Jaspreet Singh Chatthe drives his Mitsubish EVO X through a water hole during the KCB Safari Rally. PHOTO/File

KAJIADO. Kenya, Nov 6- Tapio Laukkanen will have to wait for a decision from the Kenya Motor Sports Federation appeals court which will meet this week to decide whether or not he is the new Kenya national rally champion.

The Flying Finn had sealed the KNRC title at the penultimate stage today but his title celebrations were put on hold when defending champion Jaspteet Chatthe lodged a protest against the former’s air flow box which he termed illegal.

But in a strange turn of events, Tapio countered the move with a protest that Chatthe was towed out of the last section when his Mitsubishi Evolution developed mechanical problems in the latter stages of the rally.

Senior officials of the event confirmed that the verdict on the protests would be made this week.

Meanwhile, Rajbir Rai clocked 1:06.59 hours to emerge the winner in the Equator Motor Club organized event.

The son of legendary Sarbi Rai had his campaign effectively sewn up when the front runners Carl Tundo, Tapio and Chatthe suffered mechanical problems in the latter stages of the rally.

Manvir Baryan finished second overall, as he repeated the same performance he had in Eldoret last month. Laukkanen navigated by compatriot Pasi Torma came in fourth behind Chatthe.

Tapio, who is racing on a Kenyan competition licence, is seeking to enter his name in the annals of KNRC history books by being the first foreign driver to win the KNRC title.

The Finn who was chasing his fifth win of the season had to however contend with two early punctures, which dipped him to fourth.

Chatthe, who had led the rally at the halfway mark came in third overall after he stopped to fix a puncture on the last stage.

Tapio had this to say after checking into last service at AIC Girls Kajiado: “We got two punctures in the first and third stages and lost quite some time. Of course, it was a hectic and scary day. We started the rally while trying to monitor Jassi’s progress.”

Tundo led the rally after the opening stage, but was time-barred as he tried to repair the damage under his car.

With Tundo crawling through the first loop, Chatthe took over the lead and had a good run, but surrendered it on the very last dash.

“About 10kms to the finish of the last stage we picked up a front right puncture and drove on it. But then we had a slight engine problem before the end of the stage,” said Chatthe’s navigator Gurdeep Panesar.

Eric Bengi emerged the winner in the Two Wheel Drive class while Taiti Wachira claimed his career best 10th overall position.

The technical nature of the stages saw several competitors including Ian Duncan, Tash Tundo, and Baldev Chager fall by the wayside.

The post Chatthe protests Tappio’s KNRC win as Rai triumphs in Kitengela appeared first on Capital Sports.

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Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga celebrating after scoring a goal for his Swedish club IF Djugardens. PHOTO/courtesy.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- “Oooh! Ooooh! Olunga! Olunga! Olunga! Ooooh!”…. IF Djugardens fans chanted after the final whistle of the club’s last league match of the season, a 5-2 rout over GIF Sundsvall in which Olunga scored a brace and gave an assist.

The twin goals at the Norrporten Arena took his season tally to 12, ranking him as the fifth best scorer in the Swedish top tier in his debut season five off top scorer Nigerian John Owoeri who turns out for Hacken.

“I want to thank God for everything he has done in my life. Thanks for the two goals today and for finishing my first season with 12 goals for my team Djurgadens IF. I want to thank all my fans who have stood by me during the bad times and good times,” Olunga posted on his Facebook page after the match.

Djugardens finished the season seventh on the log with 43 points, with Malmo winning the title after finishing the season with 66 points, six ahead AIK and Norkoping who finished second and third respectively.

The former Tusker and Gor Mahia forward endured a difficult start to his first stint outside Kenya, but managed to settle in well at midseason and has been banging goals for fun for the side, endearing himself to the club’s faithful who in turn responded to chanting his name.

The striker is expected to lead the line over the next international break for the national team Harambee Stars when they take on Liberia and Mozambique in Nairobi.

He has been named in head coach Stanbley Okumbi’s 12-man foreign based players list which also includes the returning Clifton Miheso who has been impressive for his South African club Golden Arrows.

Rama Salim has been excluded from the squad to take care of matters between him and his Slovakian club while Belgium based winger Ayub Timbe will miss the two matches with injury. After missing the last friendly match against DR Congo, skipper Victor Wanyama returns to the squad.

The team started training on Sunday evening and is set to play Mozambique on Saturday with the second match against Liberia being played three days later on Tuesday.

The post Djugardens fans chant Olunga’s name as Swedish league ends appeared first on Capital Sports.

AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall gives instructions to Cresten Mwanzo at half time. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- The under-performers at AFC Leopards have been put on notice after new head coach Stewart Hall promised a radical surgery at the club as he seeks to return them to their glory days.

The Englishman, formerly with Azam FC in Tanzania said journeymen and players who won’t work for the team have their days numbered, adding he will take no prisoners in ensuring the credibility of the club is restored in 2017.

“Well league tables don’t lie. They (Tusker) are champions because they are the best. We are 13th because that’s where we are. There’s going to be a radical change. I haven’t come here to mess around I have come here to win things.”

“I have never finished 13th with any team I have coached. I have always been top two. Surely, looking at this season’s performance, there will be a radical overhaul,” the tactician told Capital Sport after taking charge for the first time in the side’s 1-0 loss to Tusker FC on Sunday.

Already, the side has sacked four players in Lucas Indeche, Edwin Wafula, Yussuf Juma and Kepha Aswani and Capital Sport understands more are on the line to leave the club after failing to impress Hall in the last week of training.

AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall gives his half time pep talk during his first match in charge against Tusker FC on November 6, 2016. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

The tactician supported the executive’s decision to axe the four players and said it was no problem for him to have a leaner squad for the Tusker match, instead choosing to focus on next season and not on the single game remaining this season.

Leopards produced a much improved performance against Tusker and Hall was impressed much with how his side performed, only lamenting their poor defending on set pieces.

“I watched the Sofapaka performance and I thought this was ten times better. We showed good discipline and a good team shape. I didn’t think they would break us up because we defended very well. I told them at half time the biggest danger is set pieces because they are a big team. We ended up conceding from the same,” the tactician offered.

Ingwe will play their last match of the season at home against Muhoroni Youth in Mumias and from there, Hall will begin the process of cleaning up the club.

The coach was non committal however on the targets next season, only promising they will do better and get into ‘at least one final’.

‘We have to do better, really. We have no choice otherwise I will not be here at a time like this next season,” Hall told Capital Sport.

The post Massive clear-out looms as Hall promises radical surgery at AFC appeared first on Capital Sports.

Rajbir Rai clocked 1:06.59 hours to emerge the winner in the Equator Motor Club organized event in Kitengela

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- After months of waiting, Tapio Laukkanen has finally laid his hands on the coveted Kenya National Rally Championship title after Team Kibos of Jaspreet Chatthe and Gugu Panesar withdrew their earlier protest and appeal.

The matter had been referred to the Kenya Motor Sports Federation appeals court after protest and counter protest by Chatthe and Tapio respectively.

Tapio sealed the KNRC title at penultimate stage after finishing fourth behind winner Rajbir Rai, Manvir Baryan and Jaspreet Chatthe but was compelled to cool his heals pending the verdict of the two protests.

Tapio’s championship celebrations were put on hold in Kajiado Sunday when Chatthe lodged a protest against what he termed an illegal airflow box on Tapio’s Subaru GVB13 R4 car.

But Tapio counter protested against Chatthe being towed out of the last stage by one of the rally drivers when his car stalled.

“We refer to our protest lodged Sunday against car No. 2 and the subsequent appeal. In the interest of harmony and competitor relations, we have reconsidered our position and herewith officially withdrew our protest and appeal.”

“We feel that harmony will play a bigger role in the sport than “Championship’ and towards a better spirit of competition. We congratulate Tapio and the entire MRT,” Chatthe’s navigator Panesar said in an Email to the KMSF secretariat.

Meanwhile, Tash Tundo and Chantal Louise Young have the KNRC Division 3 championship title in the bag after a consistent drive in the season.

The Hai Rally Chix entered their names in the annals of rallying history as the first ever all-female crew to lay their hands on the Division 3 diadem.

“I am so happy about it and I’m proud of the whole team! I think we have been so consistent this season and Chantal and I have got a partnership going now,” said Tash.

They had their campaign effectively sewn up when the closest challenger Osman Abdullahi retired.

“We retired 8 km from end of rally when the front right wheel studs sheered and the tyre was recovered some 300 meters away in the bush,” said Osman.

Onkar Singh Rai and his co-driver Gareth Dawe won the KNRC Division 1 championship title after attaining an unassailable lead at the penultimate stage as his closest class adversary Jasmeet Channa can’t catch even by winning the last round in Naivasha at the end of the month.

Shamba Boyz driver Mahesh Halal was all smiles after sealing the KNRC Division 2 diadem incidentally in the absence of his nephew and regular navigator Ketan Halai.

Eric Bengi who is also gunning for 2WD honors is assured of second position even if he skips the last round.

Ian Duncan won the Group N Driver championship despite not finishing. Duncan’s navigator, Amar Slaatch has a tougher competition in the co-drivers championship.

Chandu Devji skipped the rally and will now be compelled to fight for the Group S honors on homestretch with Edward Maina. Kitengela had two S class drivers in Maina and Taiti Wachira who never scored points as for not raising a quorum of three.

Maina is just four points behind Chandu.

Asad Khan and his navigator Harshil Limbani were all smiles with the SPV Class title already in the bag.

The KCB Guru Nanak Rally on November 26 will bring down the curtains on the KNRC 2016.

The post Tapio racks up KNRC title after Chatthe withdraws protest appeared first on Capital Sports.

Tusker FC head coach paul Nkata watches from his technical area as the brewers took on AFC Leopards at Afraha Stadium on November 6, 2016. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- With a bit of pride and self entitlement, Tusker FC head coach Paul Nkata was in a world of his own on Sunday afternoon as he led the Ruaraka-based club to their first Premier league title in three years.

Just 11 months ago when it was announced he would be taking charge of the club, no one gave him a chance to succeed where many had failed, the most recent being Francis Kimanzi who was sacked towards the end of last season.

“I said when I first spoke that at the end of the season I will have won a trophy or two. Very many people doubted, but here I am today. We have won not one, but two. I have proved everyone wrong,” the tactician, in pauses of excitement told Capital Sport at Afraha Stadium.

He savored the taste of success as he was tossed by his players most of who described him as a ‘humble father figure’ crediting his methods for seeing Tusker punch into their 11th Premier League title.

“Most people said I would crumble under pressure and I wouldn’t succeed here. Remember, I have been coaching many big clubs in Uganda like Express and Villa. They said I can’t contain the pressure. Where’s the pressure now?” an excited Nkata posed.

He has heaped praise on his squad’s team work and discipline, attributes he said were key in securing the league title as well as the GOtv Shield.

Tusker FC right back Osborne Monday attempts to go past AFC Leopards’ John Ndirangu in a KPL match on November 6, 2016. he provided the assist for the winning goal. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

“I feel so proud of the players. We have worked together throughout the season and the level of discipline and team work has been great. There has also been motivation from the management and those are the core reasons we are here celebrating the title,” the Ugandan tactician added.

His sentiments were shared by Shafik Batambuze, scorer of the winning goal against AFC Leopards who said the squad has been like family and it was the reason they managed to wade off stiff competition to win the trophy.

Batambuze, who earlier this week was named for the first time in the Uganda Cranes squad, termed November as the best month of his career.

“I can’t even start expressing how happy I am. Things have been good for me and hopefully, it is a start of better things,” the left back said.

At the same time, the side’s decent record away from home this season has been credited to their Uganda pre-season tour with Nkata saying the team became more accustomed to playing on unfamiliar ground when they camped in Jinja.

Tusker have picked 33 of their 58 points away from home, only losing once and managing ten wins and three draws from their 14 matches on the road.

Nkata now hopes to translate the same success to the continental scene when Tusker lines up for the CAF Champions League next season.

“If I will still be in Tusker, I will work hard to ensure we do our best as well. It is a big stage and we must prepare well for it,” the Ugandan added.

The post Nkata: I have proved my doubters wrong appeared first on Capital Sports.

Tusker FC players and staff pose with KPL Managing Director Jane Karuku at the club’s training base in Ruaraka. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- Just 24 hours after completing a season double winning the Kenyan Premier league title, Tusker FC have been handed a Sh1 million cash reward by their sponsors Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL).

The team was hosted to a luncheon by the sponsors on Monday afternoon to celebrate their win in both the league and the GOtv Shield with KBL Managing Director Jane Karuku making the announcement that the players and staff will be handed the reward.

“On behalf of KBL, I would like to congratulate you on the completion of a historic season, winning both the league and cup titles, for the first time in our 47 year history. We have promised the players a Sh 1 million bonus on top of the salary bonuses in recognition of their achievements. These will be paid out at the end of the season.” Karuku said as she addressed the players at their Ruaraka headquarters in Nairobi.

Knowing only too well the burden of continental football, the MD promised the team 100% support as they seek to conquer Africa after their splendid season.

“I wish you all the best as you start your campaign on the continental stage in the CAF Champions league, on behalf of KBL, I promise that we will continue supporting you in the coming season and in the future.”

“This is only the start of our great journey as we work towards cementing Tusker FC’s place at the top of local and continental football.”

Karuku attributed the successful season to a collective plan that was set out at the beginning of the season by the players, technical bench and sponsors.

“After the last season, I must commend the technical bench and the players for the great turn around.”

“I am aware that at the beginning of the season, you set out specific targets together with the brand team and put up measures to ensure that these targets were met. I am happy to see that those measures have bore fruit,” she added.

Tusker will lift the much coveted title on the final day of the season on November 19 after their match against holders Gor Mahia.

Skipper James Situma who has been out injured since their match away to Bandari in Mombasa mid last month can’t wait to lay hold of the league title despite the fact he is stil spotting crutches.

“I am happy to be the first captain to deliver the league and cup double for Tusker FC, I could not do this alone, I am proud of the team who have worked hard throughout this season,” he said.

The post Tusker rewarded with Sh1mn for season double appeared first on Capital Sports.

Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma was pleased with the side’s dominance over Cameroon despite playing in a packed stadium. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7- Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma is not worried despite his side losing 2-1 to Cameroon in their return friendly game played on Sunday in Yaounde ahead of the African Women’s Cup of Nations which kicks off on November 19.

Cameroon picked the win through goalkeeper Samantha Akinyi’s own goal coming after Christine Nafula had pulled Starlets level early in the second half cancelling out Michelle Akaba’s first half penalty.

Ouma, speaking to Capital Sport from Yaounde however said the team gave in a superb performance and blamed a blunt attack force for the loss.

“It was just a replica of the first leg because we dominated Cameroon infront of a packed stadium. They scored their first from another very weak penalty and had the winner with an own goal. We showed our character and had up to four clear cut chances in the first half which we could not convert,” Ouma said.

The Harambee Starlets technical bench handling the team in Limbe, Cameroon. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

The team traveled to Limbe on Monday afternoon where they will hold a two-week camp with Ouma set to address several weak areas the side has before they begin their Nations Cup campaign on November 20 against Ghana.

“Scoring is an area we need to address and in the next two weeks, we shall work hard on that. All other aspects of the game are much improved. We hold possession well, pass well but when it comes to the final killer instinct, we fall short,” Ouma admitted.

Another key area Ouma is keen to address is the physicality noting they will be facing up with West African opponents.

The tactician agreed they can’t match up with the physique of the West Africans but remained confident they can find another way to get round them.

“We know that our girls are small and therefore it will not be easy going head to head physically with our opponents. But we have our strategy laid out. We have to ensure we play the ball faster off our feet and also avoid conceding set pieces because that’s where we will be hit from,” the coach added.

Starlets will have two weeks to acclimatize to the coastal kind of weather in Limbe and Ouma is confident the two weeks will be of essence to help the girls brace up for their debut in continental football.

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