NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 24- Samuel Ndung’u’s 83^rd minute goal handed AFC Leopards a vital 1-0 win over 10-man defending champions Tusker FC in a Kenyan Premier League clash at the Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday, giving them a vital bounce of confidence ahead of this weekend’s Mashemeji Derby.

The match was headed for a dull 0-0 draw by Ndung’u’s low finish inside the box from an Alex Kitenge cross from the right propelled Ingwe all the way to 12^th in the log from 15^th, resuscitating their slim hopes of a top half finish.

“It was a good game today Very tough but we managed to fight till the end. That is what is important and I am pleased we won today,” a smiling Robert Matano roared after the match, clearly ecstatic with the performance of his charges.

Tusker’s hopes of a title defense suffered a major blow, less than a week after they were dumped out of the GOtv Shield by National Super League side Vihiga United.

Having been deducted three points for an administrative error where they failed to produce players’ cards in a match against Zoo Kericho, the further loss to Leopards was a hard pill to swallow for head coach George Nsimbe.

“It is very disheartening to lose again and seeing the gap grow. But we will not give up. We will fight till the end. At least today we were better than last weekend, only that we can’t be able to score,” Nsimbe said after the game.

It wasn’t quite a spectacle of a game between the two giants who have between them 24 league titles. AFC Leopards’ Aziz Okaka and Victor Majid both had shots from distance well picked out by Duncan Ochieng in the Tusker goal in the only meaningful chances.

Tusker’s best was in the 43^rd minute when Stephen Owusu’s header from an Anthony Ndolo cross glided over the bar by inches.

In the second half, the pace of the game wasn’t ever going to pick up. Nine minutes after the restart, Tusker were reduced to 10 men when Marlon Tangauzi was shown red for a second yellow after a high tackle on Harun Nyakha.

The chances were little and far in between. In the 63^rd minute, Boniface Muchiri’s shot after cutting into the box went over while on the other end, Whyvonne Isuza wasted a glorious chance, placing a header wide unmarked inside the box.

In the 75^th minute, Hashim Ssempala attempted his luck with a low shot from distance but Gabriel Andika proved equal to the task with a decent save.

Tusker were giving Ingwe a push despite being a man down, but they found themselves trailing seven minutes from time conceding from a counter. Kitenge broke out on the left before crossing low with Ndung’u who had come on just a few minutes earlier shooting low into the bottom right.

Tusker almost made an immediate response with a quickly taken corner kick by Muchiri, but Mike Khamati’s clever flick at the near post went over.

Danson Kago had a brilliant opportunity at the death after being accorded space on the right but he blasted a shot wide with a clear view of goal.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 24– National Super League outfit Wazito and Division One (Zone B) side Shabana FC have become the first Kenyan football teams to earn partnership deals with Philippine based betting company Dafabet.

The two Kenyan clubs join an elite list of clubs under the betting firm’s sponsorship, including English Premier League side West Ham as well as Championship sides Burnley and Sunderland AFC and Scottish giants Celtic.

While Shabana, relegated from the National Super League last season will enjoy a season-long partnership, Wazito’s package is modeled differently.

The partnership will see the club get a 20 percent share from every bet placed on Dafabet with a Wazito FC tag. The primary agreement is set to develop into a sponsorship deal in future with the club also set to have the company’s logo at the back of their jerseys.

“We are look forward to making this deal a full sponsorship in future. With the way this deal is tailored, we call upon our fans to come out and use our code to support us. Also, the Government should not ignore the tremendous job the betting companies are doing to promoting sport in the country,” Wazito FC chairperson Kentice Tikolo said.

Dafabet Head of Business Development Chris Harley hinted they chose Wazito because of their youth structure and their desire to bring opportunities to the grassroot.

Shabana, meanwhile will be beneficiaries of full sponsorship from the Philippine company. Though the financial details of the deal were scanty, the fee is reported to be close to Sh4.5mn.

“With this type of support, Shabana is going to rediscover its lost glory. I am seeing a possibility of us going back to the Premier League in two years time. Shabana is not a new team; it’s a team that has great history,” Shabana Secretary General Peter Omwando told Capital Sport.

The Gusii based side is credited for giving rise to notable Kenya internationals like Mike Okoth, the father of Belgian and Liverpool forward Divock Origi, Henry Motego and Simon Mulama.

“We decided to pick on Shabana because it’s a team that has large following and is one that represents the face of community football. They are down there in the third tier because of finances. They have great history and we can’t just let the lion sleep,” Dafabet Business Development boss Harley said.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 – A lone excavator rumbles the quiet afternoon away at the Nyayo National Stadium VIP entrance, a typical day in the life of a Kenyan – last minute efforts to be 100 per cent ready.

Slightly over four months before 15 African countries land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) only one of the five proposed stadia, Moi Sports Centre Kasarani has ticked a few of the requisite requirements.

Work in the other four venues has just but started with the contractors having arrived from mid this month and the Sports Ministry as well as the Football Kenya Federation beaming in confidence they will be ready in time.

“There has been rumour here and there that CAF has already taken the games away. It is not true,” FKF boss Nick Mwendwa beamed on Thursday afternoon, at the height of rumours that South Africa and Morocco are already being lined up as replacements.

The contractors assigned to Nyayo Stadium, Lexis International arrived at the venue on Thursday and they have started preliminary preparations to give the facility a major overhaul. Kenyatta in Machakos, Kinoru in Meru and Kip Keino in Eldoret are also off to a start.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team is expected in the country on September 7 for a final make-or-break inspection tour and from this is where the decision will be made on whether or not the tournament comes to Kenya.

According to sources, CAF is said to be uncomfortable with the speed of work completion, despite having received a full government commitment during their last visit in June. The reality that the continental body might be forced to look elsewhere is turning out stronger.

“We are trying to make sure by the time CAF is here, work has began and we have to show that we will be ready in four months.”

“I have the confidence that with the commitment I have seen from the government and contractors, we will do this. I know we are at risk that if we do not show this by 12th, then CHAN will be taken away. That is something that CAF made clear and I have accepted myself,” Mwendwa said.

“The agreement I have with CAF is that when they come here, they need to find 24 hours work and what could have been done by that time is done and most importantly show a plan of doing the remaining work.”

“If we agree with them, they will have a delegation here every two weeks to oversee the work and furthermore, they will station someone here to make sure we don’t lag behind.”

On Thursday, the Sports Ministry and that of Public Works handed over plans of work to the civil engineers at Nyayo with strict instructions that everything should be complete in 14 weeks.

Acting Director General of Sports Kenya Saima Ondimu has confirmed that all contracts for builders’ works at all the five stadia have already been given out while the soft work contracts have been prepared and will be signed in due time.

Chandresh Babartya heading the Lexis International group at Nyayo has promised they will work day and night to ensure their share of work is complete.

The company is tasked with putting up a new VIP dais and office facilities which will mean an extension of the main office block. They will also be putting up new changing rooms as well as a new perimeter fence.

“Our target is 14 weeks and we are going to work day and night, we have done many projects like this before and we know we are going to do it. We have enough machinery and enough staff to do it,” Barbatya affirmed.

Close to Sh6bn has been set out for all the work needed to ensure Kenya is ready for the tournament with the civil works taking Sh2.6bn while the other administrative and soft work might take up to Sh3mn.

“We will start off with the main civil works to ensure the structures are in place which should all take a maximum of 14 weeks. From there, we will go on to the softer details like plumbing, pitch, floodlights, seating areas and ticketing which should not take a lot of time,” Sports Kenya boss Ondimu said.

Sports minister Hassan Wario had been scheduled to attend the Thursday evening activity at Nyayo, but was conspicuously missing with his representative, Deputy Sports Secretary Raphael Muiruri saying he had been unwell.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25- National Sevens Circuit defending champions Homeboyz RFC have been seeded first for the season opening Driftwood Sevens which takes place in Mombasa on September 2 and 3.

The deejays have been pooled in Group A and will face a tough Nakuru RFC side as well as Kenyatta University’s BlackBlad and Western Bulls.

Kenya Harlequins who won the Mombasa leg of the National Sevens Series last season will headline Group B and will square it out with four-time circuit champions Mwamba RFC as well as two guest sides, Menengai Oilers and Kisii RFC.

Impala Saracens, KCB, Mean Machine and hosts Mombasa make up Pool C while the Strathmore Leos, Kabras, Nondescripts and last year’s overall second division winners KCA will battle out in Pool .

Driftwood Sevens Pools

Pool A: Homeboyz, Nakuru, Blak Blad, Western Bulls

Pool B: Kenya Harlequins, Mwamba, Menengai Oilers, Resolution Kisii

Pool C: Impala Saracens, KCB, Mean Machine, Mombasa

Pool D: Strathmore Leos, Kabras Sugar, Nondescripts, KCA.

-KRU Website-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 – Despite failing to win a single match in their previous two fixtures on the road, Kenyan Premier League( KPL) side Nzoia Sugar’s head coach Bernard Mwalala is optimistic of recovering when they face Nakumatt on Saturday at the Ruaraka Complex.

The Bungoma-based side lost 1-0 away to Thika United at the Thika Sub-County Stadium last weekend and went on to lose 3-1 to 2009 champions Sofapaka in their midweek fixture on Wednesday in Nairobi.

They face fellow Premier League newcomers Nakumatt in their last of three games in a week away from home on Saturday with the hope of bagging a point in the least.

“It’s been a very difficult trip and we cannot afford to lose three games in row. This is a must win for us. The worst we expect is a draw. The boys have to be mentally strong and understand the nature of the league; we just have to perform because the league is very tight,” Mwalala told Capital Sport.

The two teams who faced each other last season in the National Super League played out to a 0-0 draw in the first leg tie staged at the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma, but Mwalala wants a better show and result from the return tie.

Nzoia are ninth on the KPL log and Mwalala has blamed their hot and cold performances this season on inexperience, though he commends them for putting up a good show in all their matches.

“We have to kill the game when we have chances to score. Against Sofapaka and Thika we played well but we missed several important chances which would have given us a different result. But it’s an experience we learn from,” the former Kenyan international revealed.

On the flip side Nakumatt, are placed 10th with 26 points, just one shy of Nzoia and have won only one of their last five league matches.

Head coach Anthony Mwangi is however optimistic that despite the financial difficulties the team is going through, they can bounce back with a win to boost their motivation ahead of a tough business end of the season.

“We have a lot of challenges in the company. The effect is real; running football is very expensive and any constrain will directly affect the team even in the field but we will approach the next game with a view of fighting for top 10 in the back of our minds,” Mwangi told Capital Sport.

Nakumatt played out to a tough 1-1 result against Mathare last Wednesday and when they return to the same venue on Saturday, Mwangi hopes he will be leaving with all three points in the bag.

“My players have matured and they play according to instruction. We are going to approach this game just like we have approached all the other games and hopefully we will get a positive result,” Mwangi added.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 – World silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot finished off his season in style, bagging the 1500m Diamond Trophy after wading off stiff competition from World Champion and training partner Elijah Manangoi in the final on Thursday night in Zurich, Switzerland.

Cheruiyot who lost the World Title to Manangoi in London less than a fortnight ago maintained a strong finishing kick to cross the line in a time of 3:33.84, bagging not only the coveted Diamond Trophy but a cash reward of Sh5mn.

Contrary to previous seasons where the overall winner was determined by the number of points accrued throughout the season, the IAAF Diamond League adopted a championship style model in 2017.

According to the model, athletes earn points at the qualification meetings to qualify for the final of their respective disciplines.

Each of the disciplines is staged six or four times before the final. At each of the 12 qualification meetings, Athletes are awarded 8-1 points for ranking first to eighth respectively.

The top 8 or 12 athletes (depending on the discipline) will be awarded a start at the Final. In case of a tie, the best legal performance of the qualification phase wins.

The winner at the final of each Diamond Discipline will become ‘IAAF Diamond League Champion’ and be awarded a Diamond Trophy, a cash reward of Sh5mn (USD 50,000) and a wild card to the next IAAF World Championships.

Cheruiyot was the only Kenyan to win the Diamond Trophy on the first final night in Zurich but he had to endure extreme tough competition with five other Kenyans crossing the finish line respectively behind him.

Silas Kiplagat came in second in 3:34.26 while Manangoi crossed the line third in 3:34.65. Three-time Diamond Trophy winner Asbel Kiprop pulled up from the tail of the pack to cross the line in fourth ahead of Charles Cheboi.

Manangoi had hoped to cap his fine season with another diadem and he showed his intentions when he bolted out alongside the pace setters from the gun. However, he could not sustain the same tempo and at the bell, Cheruiyot and Kiplagat had caught up with him.

Cheruiyot kicked upfront at the back straight and he kept his surge till the final 50 meters with Manangoi losing hope and slowing off with the finish line in the horizon.

In the women’s 3,000m, Beatrice Chepkoech put off her London World Championships woes when she became only the fourth woman to run under nine minutes, finishing second behind Olympic champion Ruth Jebet in 8:59.24.

Chepkoech finished fourth at the London Worlds and embarrassingly forgot to skip over the water hurdle during the race, but she put all that behind to put up a spirited fight and clock a Personal best time.

Kenyan-turned Bahraini Jebet ran the second fastest ever race, smashing the meeting record and putting up a monstrous World Leading time when she clocked 8:55.29, a few second shy off her own World Record.

The two, Chepkoech and Jebet pulled off from the leading pack early in the race and maintained a two-pronged attack at the Diamond Trophy for most of the contest.

Chepkoech tried to pull away from Jebet at the final lap, but once the two of them stepped on the last water barrier, Jebet sprung up and employed a devastating final kick to win the race.

“It was a great race. I wanted to run this time in London but I wasn’t feeling good. It was three seconds from my personal best but the record is mine. Next year there is a new chance,” Jebet said after the race.

Norah Jeruto was third, knocking off more than 10 seconds off her PB to finish in 9:05.31.  Newly crowned World Champion Emma Coburn of the US finished second in 9:14.81, just ahead of 2015 World Champion Hyvin Kiyeng who clocked 9:14.93.

In the 800m, Caster Semenya once again proved her worth recording a 20th straight win in the two lap-race, powering ahead of Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba and Kenya’s Margaret Nyairera in a finish that has been way too familiar this season.

Nyairera who missed out on a World Championship medal in London had strode forward in the final 50metres after it seemed she would finish at best in sixth place.

– Mo Farah winds up in style (IAAF) –

Elsewhere, Mo Farah brought his track career to an end in the most fitting fashion, producing a dramatic 5000m victory with a dipping finish.

It was classic Farah and couldn’t have been scripted better, a performance athletics fans around the world have come to expect from the two-time double Olympic and world champion, with the Briton emerging triumphant from a scrappy homestretch brawl that left a small pile of bodies on the ground in his wake.

Biding his time near the middle of the pack in the early stages, Farah worked his way to the front with about 1400 meters remaining, taking turns at the lead with Canada’s Mohammed Ahmed.

He positioned himself in front at the bell with Ethiopians Muktar Edris, the world champion, and Yomif Kejelcha shadowing him closely.

Paul Chelimo of the US joined the melee over the final half lap, turning the race into a four-man skirmish over the final 200 meters.

Farah fought valiantly down the final straight, fighting off or charging back every move his opponents threw his way. Sprinting towards the line, eyeballs out and grimacing, he held firm, even in the blanket finish, to take the win in 13:06.05, just 0.04 ahead of Edris and Chelimo, who was later disqualified for obstruction.

“It was important to go out with a victory,” Farah told the crowd, who were still on their feet clapping and paying tribute, several minutes after the race. “It’s every athlete’s dream to go out this way.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25- Hong Kong Rugby Union national coach Leigh Jones has maintained the same squad that played against Kenya in the first test match last week, making only two positional changes ahead of the second game on Saturday.

Sam Purvis, who earned his first cap last week, moves to the centres to cover for Tyler Spitz, who injured his hamstring in the first test. Purvis’ move inside opens space for Robbie Keith to start on the right wing.

Hong Kong is hopeful of getting a win against the Simbas and the tactician is optimistic they will put up a better show.

“We put in a very brave and courageous performance last week, particularly as we were coming into our first test off the back of our summer break,” said Jones.

“Full credit to the guys. It’s a good group to work with and there’s a lot of camaraderie in the squad. This group has worked hard together and has really bonded. I think it’s only fair that we reward that.”

“We put in a real good first 25 minutes of rugby and perhaps could have gone 25 or 28 points up but the game turned on Tyler’s injury. We lost our cutting edge speed and that helped Kenya come back into it. It’s natural that we ran out of steam a bit, as we are not yet battle hardened.

“At the end of the game we did well to hang on for the draw. We did that thanks to the courage of the guys,” Jones said.

“That is what this tour is about, getting these players battle hardened and exposing them to this level. From a physicality perspective, I expect that we will be 20% better this weekend because the guys will be battle hardened. With a game under our belts, we’ll just get better now.”

Jones’ main changes come in the reserves with Mike Parfitt, Tony Wong and potential first caps James Christie and Evi Saua all coming on to the bench, alongside front-rowers Dayne Jans, Dan Barlow and Alex Ng Wai-shing, who earned his 50th cap in the opening test.

Jones will start an unchanged forward pack, with the back-row of Nick Hewson and Matt Lamming on the flanks and Thomas Lamboley at No.8 once again crucial for Hong Kong’s hopes of keeping the Kenyan attack in check.

A stiffer challenge is expected after the hosts made 13 changes to their squad.

“They’ve strengthened their squad significantly. They tried a lot of bench guys in game one, which kind of backfired. This team looks more like the one that played Namibia in the Africa Cup. They’ve brought in their captain and several other players and there’s a message in there, I think,” Jones said.

The performance of the pack will again be a decisive issue:  “Our set piece has got to hold up. Our backs can take advantage given enough ball, so our teamwork has got to come to the fore in terms of working together to get a result.

“With Kenya bringing the cavalry in, we will have to work a lot harder to get our points. We feel they will be 20% better as well; so that’s where we are. This is great exposure and a good test for the guys to show them what international rugby is all about,” concluded Jones.

Hong Kong squad

1. Ben HIGGINS (Valley), 2. Jamie TSANG (Kowloon), 3. Jack PARFITT (Hong Kong Scottish), 4. Kyle SULLIVAN (HKS), 5. James CUNNINGHAM (Kowloon), 6. Nick HEWSON (captain, Valley), 7. Matt LAMMING (HKCC), 8. Thomas LAMBOLEY (Valley), 9. Liam SLATEM (HKCC), 10. Matthew ROSSLEE (Valley), 11. Marcus RAMAGE (HKS), 12. Lex KALECA (HKS), 13. Sam PURVIS (Tigers), 14. Robbie KEITH (Tigers), 15. Liam GALLAHER (Tigers).

Reserves: 16. Dayne JANS (Valley), 17. Dan BARLOW (HKFC), 18. Alex NG Wai-shing (Valley), 19. Fin FIELD (Edinburgh Uni.), 20. Tony WONG (Valley), 21. James CHRISTIE (Northumbria Uni.), 22. Evi SAUA (HKS).

-KRU Website-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26- Despite drifting 11 points off leaders Gor Mahia, Tusker FC head coach George Nsimbe has refused to let go of his ambition to retain the Kenyan Premier League title with 14 rounds of matches remaining.

The brewers are placed fifth in the standings and with only one win in their last five assignments, hope of winning a 12^th league crown continues fizzling away.

“I think there is still a chance because this is a marathon and there is still a long way to go. I believe we can still catch up with the leaders and we will not give up hope. We just have to continue working hard because you never know what might happen,” the Ugandan tactician said.

Tusker have already lost one of their two titles from last season, having been eliminated from the GOtv Shield by National Super League leaders Vihiga United thus piling pressure on Nsimbe to ensure they do not finish the season without a trophy.

The brewers have however been far from convincing this season but Nsimbe retains hope they can resuscitate their faintest of hopes.

Three days after their 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards, Tusker travel to Western Kenya to take on a tricky Kakamega Homeboyz side, hopeful of a bounce back up.

“In the last match against AFC we were better. We played more like a unit and the changes we made brought results. Our only problem is that we are not scoring. I am confident that we can address that issue and get three points in our next match,” the Ugandan further noted.

Meanwhile, third placed Posta Rangers are more realistic with head coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo saying the league title is now out of their hands.

Posta lost by a solitary goal to Gor Mahia in midweek, a result that dragged them nine points off the leaders.

“Before that game, the league was in our hands but now, we can only sit and wait for other teams to lose so that we can have a chance. But it is still not over. We will fight till the end and see what comes off the campaign,” Omollo, winner of the league title in 2012 with Tusker FC noted.

The mailmen will travel to Narok on Saturday where they take on high flying Sofapaka who have won four straight games. Batoto ba Mungu are second on the log with 37 points, three ahead of Posta and six behind leaders Gor.

Head coach Sam Ssimbwa is confident his team can continue with their positive run and win a fifth game on the trot, but he has refused to be drawn into discussion about the title.

“No, we are not after the title. For us we just want to win our games then whatever comes out of it is okay. It is tough but we have to work on. Right now we are playing very well and if we can maintain the consistency, then you never know,” the tactician offered.

KPL Weekend Fixtures:

Saturday: Muhoroni v Chemelil Sugar (Muhoroni), Nakumatt v Nzoia Sugar (Ruaraka), Sofapaka v Posta Rangers (Narok Stadium).

Sunday: Gor Mahia v AFC Leopards (Nyayo Stadium), Bandari v Mathare United (Mbaraki Complex, Mombasa), Kakamega Homeboyz v Tusker FC (Mumias Complex), Sony Sugar v Kariobangi Sharks (Awendo), Zoo Kericho v Western Stima (Kericho Green Stadium).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26- The Kenya 15s team was left ruing ‘schoolboy errors’ as they lost 43-34 to visiting Hong Kong Dragons in the second of two test series matches played on Saturday evening at the RFUEA Grounds.

Being their last match infront of the home fans this season, the Simbas had hoped to bow out with a win, but everything did not go according to script as Hong Kong came in a stronger side, running in four converted tries and five penalties against Kenya’s two penalties and four converted tries.

“We had some schoolboy errors today, lots of them and they showed all game. With less errors I am certain we would have been somewhere better. We really hoped to end the season on a high, but we slid a bit of ground with too many errors that led us to play catch up and we ended up losing,” team captain Wilson Kopondo said after the match.

Assistant coach Charles Ngovi was more philosophical with his post-match analysis, reckoning they were hugely undone by a poor first half.

“They fed off our mistakes. We had them on the back foot for most of the second half but we made a mistake which brought them back in the game. It is something we really have been telling the boys; at this level we can’t make such mistakes,”

“We expected a faster game and retaining the ball but they turned over lots of our balls in the rack which we didn’t expect but looking at second half it was more of what we wanted.” Ngovi said after the match.

Despite the Simbas making 15 changes to the team that played to a 19-19 draw in the first test last weekend, they still couldn’t pip a Hong Kong side that retained its entire squad.

Hong Kong tactician Leigh Jones was pleased with his side, saying their only strategy was to contain the most dangerous of Kenyan players, but it worked easier for them as Kenya hugely played below their level.

“I think probably Kenya underestimated us. They made 15 changes and that gave us great challenge and we responded well. We trained hard all week; we knew Kenya wouldn’t change the game plan much and we only wanted to stop the better players. But, some of them weren’t where they should be and they paid a price for it,” Jones noted after the game.

Kenya had a disastrous start to the game. Mathew Rosslee got the Dragons flying with a penalty within the first three minutes but Kenya’s star boy Darwin Mukidza responded in similar fashion, drawing the scores at 3-3.

But Kenya’s mistakes at the back gifted Hong Kong two quick penalties which were duly converted by Rosslee to give the visitors a 9-3 lead. They extended the scores to 16-6 with a converted try.

Kyle Sullivan touched down under the posts after some patient build up.

Just before conceding the try, the Simbas had a chance to rake in a try of their own. Darwin Mukidza picked the ball on the right, put through a cheeky kick and chase over a Hong Kong player.

However, Joshua Chisanga could not get a good hold of the offload, dropping the ball to gift the visitors possession.

The Dragons continued to pound the helpless Simbas in the second half and they stretched the lead to 33-6 with a penalty and two converted tries. Rosslee, their perfect kicker continued his prowess with an early penalty.

Marcus Ramage then touched down after Hong Kong used their strength to push Kenya well into their own 22 and into the try box. Substitute Alex Wai-Shing then added another try after Kenya lost possession from the scrum, with the burly sub bombing across the try line.

Rosslee converted both tries.

But the hosts responded grounding two converted tries of their own. Tony Onyango reduced the deficit with an electric run from the left drifting into the middle and a dive to dot down. Samson Onsomu added a second with a well taken effort, using his speed to glide across the Hong Kong backline.

Credit however was on substitute Oliver Mang’eni who had done exceptionally well to keep possession after a turnover from a Hong Kong line out. Mukidza converted both tries as Kenya moved to within 13 points, the game standing at 33-20.

But another lapse in defense gifted Hong Kong a penalty and Rosslee converted.

Davis Chenge kept Kenya’s slim hopes of a comeback with the third try of the game after Onsomu quickly started off a set piece, offloading to Chenge who powered across the line. Mukidza booted home the extras.

Hong Kong responded, using their physique again to bully the Kenyans a few meters off the try line with Matt Lamming dotting down and Rosslee converting.

Mukidza responded late on with his own converted try, but it was too little too late for the Kenyans.

They will now shift their attention to the Hong Kong invitational four-nations tourney in November involving Chile, Russia and the hosts.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26- Within a spell of slightly over a month, AFC Leopards suffered identical 3-0 losses at the hands of their bitter rivals Gor Mahia, first in a Kenyan Premier league tie in Nairobi while the second was 824km away in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania during the Super Cup.

The twin losses spur Ingwe on as they prepare to meet K’Ogalo for the third time this season, each of the two sides with contrasting campaigns so far.

Gor Mahia, perched top of the standings with a five point buffer are chasing a record 16^th league title while AFC Leopards, 20 points behind are fighting to crawl into the bottom half of the table after a troubled spell that has almost been their signature year in year out.

There is a gulf in class between the two sides, but, as it is in the derby, form counts for nothing.

“We don’t want to remember about what happened last time. This is a new game and we will be going there to fight for our names and redeem our image. Gor are on top, yes, but this is a derby. You never know what will happen,” a confident AFC Leopards head coach Robert Matano said.

Matano and his nemesis Dylan Kerr were both not with the team during the past two derbies. However, Matano is not new to the Mashemeji Derby having coached Ingwe before.

“It is a game like any other but with some special attachment. This is a game that we have to win and we will work hard to win,” the tactician, oft referred to as ‘The Lion’ noted.

Ingwe come into the fixture on the backdrop of back to back wins, having beaten Wazito FC 7-1 to progress to the GOtv Shield final last weekend before building it up with a 1-0 over KPL defending champions Tusker FC in midweek.

Matano says the two victories have propelled their confidence and they will be ready to down Gor, who on paper are clear favorites.

The 15-time KPL champions are on a roll of five wins in a row and have shown class since the arrival of Kerr who previously managed Simba SC in Tanzania. The tactician already has a feel of what an East African Derby tastes having been on the touchline once in the Dar derby pitting Simba and Yanga.

“It was great. We lost 2-0 but we battered Yanga that day. Everyone in the stadium gave us a standing ovation,” Kerr joked as he reminisced on the experience.

He expects an equal atmosphere on Sunday afternoon when he leads his charges out at Nyayo Stadium, and has vowed to ensure the perfect run he has put under his coat continues.

“I have been told it has an electric atmosphere and definitely I know what a derby means to the fans especially having been involved in some myself. We need to get out there and give a fight and get a win; one to maintain our position on the table and two for our fans,” Kerr noted.

He expects lots of energy from AFC Leopards having watched them play a few times this season including their weekend 7-1 win over Wazito in the GOtv Shield, a game he says impressed him.

But the Englishman is already throwing jabs at his rivals, referring to them as a mid-table team.

“They have absolutely nothing to lose because they are mid table but I respect them because it’s a local derby. I know what it’s all about and we have to make sure we have the focus for the game to win and stay top of the league,” Kerr, with a fade of confidence on his smiling face added.

Over 18 league derbies since 2009, Gor Mahia has won half of them while AFC Leopards have managed only five victories. K’Ogalo are also the highest scoring team in the derby having found the back of the net 26 times against AFC’s 18.

AFC’s last win against Gor was in March last year, the first leg of their two league meetings.

-Key battles-

Gor Mahia’s biggest ammunition this season has been their water-tight midfield. Ernest Wendo, arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league has been a gem for K’Ogalo, ensuring that his back three is always shielded well.

Kenneth Muguna has been given the freedom to move courtesy of Wendo’s perfect run in the holding role and his performance against Posta Rangers in midweek was a master-class of what the reigning KPL player of the year can deliver.

AFC haven’t had a midfield as fluid as Gor’s and for them to stand a chance of winning on Sunday, they need to get the formula right at the centre of the pack.

Duncan Otieno missed the midweek win over Tusker but is expected to return on Sunday. The responsibility of breaking down Gor’s solid midfield solely lies on his shoulders. Matano might as well call upon Whyvonne Isuza who was Kenya’s third best midfielder last season.

Gor’s formation of three at the back with Karim Nizigiyimana and Godfrey Walusimbi as wingbacks has been one of the reasons they have been fluid. It is an area AFC have their work cut out.

Dennis Sikhayi has been deployed on the left side of defense despite being a right footed defender, but has done equally well in the new role. The former Western Stima man has been solid in the three games he has featured at left back.

He is expected to deal with the imminent danger brought in by Nizigiyimana and the re-born George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo.

The back three of Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava and Wellington Ochieng will have a new problem to deal with; Alexis Kitenge. The Burundian arrived at AFC in the second leg and with three goals in his name so far has proved to be the goal poacher AFC has always lacked.

Kitenge’s speed and persistence in the final third will be a headache for Gor, especially if he gets the supply he desires.

The post AFC Leopards eye revenge in Mashemeji Derby appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 27- Former Thika Queens tactician Richard Kanyi has been named new Harambee Starlets head coach, replacing David Ouma who has since taken over the role of Deputy Technical Director at the Football Kenya Federation.

Kanyi’s first job in charge of the national team would be leading them into the COSAFA Women’s Cup where Starlets is one of the invited teams.

The new tactician who will be assisted by Mary Adhiambo has already named a squad of 30 players which is expected in camp on Sunday evening to start preparations for the COSAFA tourney.

The squad has seen a return of strikers Neddy Atieno and Mwanahalima Adam who missed Starlets’ African Women’s Cup of Nations campaign. While Adam was finalizing her KCSE exams, Atieno was away in military training.

Missing from the squad is last year’s top scorer Esse Mbeyu Akida who has taken some time off football to concentrate on her job in Kilifi with Moving The Goalposts (MTG), the Non-Governmental Organization which gave her a footballing chance.

Also conspicuously missing from the squad is goalkeeper Samantha Akinyi and midfielder Christine Nafula.

Starlets have been placed in Group B of the COSAFA Cup alongside Swaziland, Mozambique and Mauritius. They begin their campaign against the Mozambicans on September 14 at the Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo.

Defending champions Zimbabwe have been placed in Group A and will face off with Zambia, Madagascar and Malawi while South Africa who won the preceding three tournaments in 2002, 2006 and 2008 headline Group C alongside Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.

With 12 teams competing this year, it is the biggest ever field assembled for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and shows the tremendous growth in women’s football in the last decade.

At the same time, the national under-20 team will be leaving for Jordan later Sunday for a week-long training camp where they will play two friendly matches with the hosts.

The junior Starlets are using the camp to prepare for their second FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia next month. Kenya qualified for the second qualification round after Botswana failed to show up for the second leg having lost 7-1 in the first leg at home.

Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation has terminated its contract with Singapore apparel company Mafro Sports barely three months after a mouth-watering Sh75mn-a-year deal was signed.

According to FKF, Mafro never honored their end of the bargain. They were supposed to deliver at least 600 pieces of uniform to all the national teams but they haven’t done that as well as a monetary addition to the deal.

The company was also supposed to provide replica jerseys for sale to fans but the same is yet to be done. The kit was used only once, during Harambee Stars’ 2-1 loss to Sierra Leone in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

This was the second kitting deal signed by the federation in the recent past. Sam Nyamweya’s reign saw the federation sign a kit deal with Joma.

Harambee Starlets COSAFA Squad

Goalkeepers: Vivian Akinyi (Soccer Queens), Jenipher Adhiambo (Mathare United), Jane Achila (Oserian), Pauline Atieno (Makolanders);

Defenders: Wendy-Ann Achieng (Spedag), Irene Ogutu (Oserian), Dorcas Shikobe (Oserian), Doris Anyango (Spedag), Lillian Adera (Vihiga Queens), Gerereder Akinyi (Mombasa Olympic), Juliet Auma (Thika Queens), Esther Nandika (Soccer Queens ), Jackline Musula (Mathare);

Midfielders: Carolyne Anyango (Spedag), Cheris Avilia (Spedag), Jacky Ogol (Spedag), Lydia Akoth (Thika Queens), Winfried Achieng (Mombasa Olympic), Winnie Kanyotu (Gaspo), Florence Awino (Gaspo);

Strikers: Neddy Atieno (KDF), Mary Kinuthia (Unattached), Mercy Achieng(Thika Queens), Sharon Bushenei (Spedag), Lucy Mukhwana (KDF), Teresa Engesha (Vihiga Leeds), Phoebe Oketch (Vihiga Queens), Janet Moraa (Nyamira Starlets), Judith Musimbi (Soccer Queens), Mwanahalima Adam (Mombasa Olympic).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 27- Arch rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards played out to a 1-1 draw in a highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

At the end of 90 minutes, nothing could separate the two eternal rivals with Meddie Kagere cancelling out AFC Leopards’ early goal. Samuel Ndung’u’s shot from the left was deflected by Musa Mohammed into his own goal.

Ingwe’s hope of revenging for the twin 3-0 losses suffered at the hands of their rivals this season was not to be, but Robert Matano’s men left the Nyayo Stadium proud of their performance especially against a side that has failed to lose in the last five matches.

This was the first time Dylan Kerr was dropping points in the league since joining the side in July.

An entertaining first 45 minutes of football saw the two teams go to the breather tied at 1-1 and for the neutrals, it was a well deserved result for both of teams..

AFC Leopards, hugely the underdogs heading into the fixture had gotten themselves into the lead after 20 minutes when Gor skipper Musa Mohammed turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear away a low hard shot from Samuel Ndung’u.

The winger had found space on the left after being released by Duncan Otieno in midfield and he set himself up with the first touch before shooting low and hard with his second.

Before that, it was the hosts who had the better scoring chances. In the seventh minute, Karim Nizigiyimana’s cross found Kagere inside the box but the Rwandese forward took way too many touches on the ball, moving away from goal in the process.

Kagere had a second bite of the cherry when AFC’s clearance went back to Nizigiyimana, the Burundian floating a cross which Kagere headed wide.

In the 12^th minute, Kenneth Muguna who had been deployed just behind the two strikers found space at the edge of the box, curling a shot goalward but it was deflected for a corner.

Immediately after conceding, Gor picked up pace to get back into the game with Philemon Otieno’s shot from distance being easily collected by Gabriel Andika in the 25^th minute. Kagere had another goa at goal after being put through by Muguna but his shot went wide.

Ingwe had grown in confidence and were playing with better precision, were more comfortable on the ball and spread out passes better. However, their biggest undoing was timing of their runs with Alexis Kitenge being caught in three offside positions, killing promising moves.

They were undone 10 minutes to half time when Kagere drew the sides level, capitalizing on a slip by Robinson Kamura. The AFC defender slipped as he tried to clear a pass from Muguna and Kagere took the ball, picked his spot and picked his spot to convert calmly.

Immediately after going ahead, Gor had a chance to double their lead, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo seeing his half volley on the weaker left foot kiss the outside of the upright. Kagere had another chance three minutes to half time, shooting wide from a Muguna pass.

Muguna had a go at goal himself a minute later, his cheeky curling effort from inside the box being tipped over for a corner by Andika.

In the second half, both teams started from where they had left in the first half. In the 57^th minute, Kamura curled a freekick over the Gor Mahia wall but Boniface Oluoch made a decent save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

From the resultant set piece, Mudde found the ball unmarked at the far post but he could not beat Oluoch who spread himself well infront of him to block the effort.

Six minutes later, Walusimbi had an effort from a freekick as well, striking a stinging shot from 30 yards out but it could not hit the bull’s eye. Gor had an even better chance in the 71^st minute when Kagere’s tap from a Nizigiyimana cross went straight to Andika.

Later on, Tuyisenge broke into the box after picking up a pass from Muguna, but a backtracking Sikhayi made a superb tackle to deny him as he prepared to pull the trigger. On the other end, Musa almost scored into his own net in an effort to clear away a Ndung’u cross, but lucky for him the ball went over.

The post Gor, AFC play to entertaining Mashemeji Derby draw appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Eldoret Youth head coach Peter Milombe believes the lessons picked from the humiliating 5-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Kenyan Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks in the GOtv Shield quarter-final last weekend will spur them to fight for promotion.

The Division One side resumed their league duties with a 1-0 win over Bondo United over the weekend, clearly washing away the hangovers from the unproductive trip to the city.

“The loss was devastating but the team learned a lot from the game. We started the second leg on the right foot. I think the boys have moved on and with such a mentality we can play in the National Super League next season,” Milombe told Capital Sport.

Eldoret Youth are three points below leaders Transfoc in the Division One standings and they will be travelling to Baringo this Friday to face bottom side Poror Mote.

Malombe has urged his players to replicate the same performance away in Baringo with their hosts having won only one game this season.

The Uasin Gishu County side has managed to pick a healthy 23 points from 11 matches to sit second, but Malombe is not yet comfortable especially with stiff competition expected from leaders Transfoc and 4th placed Shabana who were boosted with sponsorship last week.

“We have to sustain the pressure especially from Shabana who I know are more motivated by the sponsorship they secured. It’s obvious they will try very hard to close the gap. For us we need to focus on our goal which is promotion,” the tactician affirmed.

He says the club’s officials have as well intensified their search for sponsors to aid in their promotion campaign and he notes there has been some progress.

“Based on our performance, I am glad the management has started reaching out to potential sponsors from various business communities around and the county government as well. It would give us some good motivation,” he added.

The post Sharks loss a motivator for promotion, say Eldoret appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – The recent upturn of results at AFC Leopards has been down to discipline and an attitude change among the players, head coach Robert Matano has revealed.

Matano who joined AFC in July from National Super League side Bidco United believes that they will finish within the top 10 positions even as he looks to close the season with a trophy, having qualified for the GOtv Shield semi-finals.

“Day by day every player is improving. They realize they have to play and perform and that’s why there is a bit of consistency. When I came in they were not training as a team; sometimes players were not even coming to training. But now we are more like a unit and the mentality and attitude has changed. It becomes easier to plan,” Matano has said.

Matano’s discipline axe has already been wielded on Ugandan forward Allan Katterega who crossed paths with the tactician referred to as ‘The Lion’ in Nakuru during their 1-0 loss to Bandari.

Katterega openly argued with the coach after he was substituted despite coming on in the second half and Matano said he would not work with him again.

Goalkeeper Ian Otieno is also reported to have fallen prey of Matano’s tough regime having missed a training session.

The tactician is confident that with renewed spirit, the team has the capability to fight to finish the season on a high.

“Of course we can’t win the league now but the plan is to play each of the remaining 13 matches well and see what comes out at the end of the season. We have to play to win and if we continue like this, we will achieve our target. We have to finish above top 10. AFC is a big team and we can’t afford to finish lower,” the tactician noted.

Ingwe put up perhaps their best performance on Sunday evening when they played to a 1-1 draw with arch rivals Gor Mahia, a result that Matano is confident will spur them on as they aim to finish the season on a high.

“For me, these are not two dropped points. Coming from two 3-0 losses to draw 1-1 is a good result. Of course Gor is on top at the moment and this is a very important point for us. If you compare us to Gor, they are better,” Matano offered.

After the international break, Ingwe will shift their hunt to fast rising Zoo Kericho in Nakuru.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – The 43-34 loss at the hands of Hong Kong on Saturday evening has proved costly for the Kenya 15s team as they have dropped two places in the latest World Rugby Standings, moving to 27th from a previous rank of 25th.

The Dragons who drew 19-19 with the Simbas in the first test a week ago have climbed two places courtesy of the decent result on the road, moving to 22nd.

Kenya had hoped to wind up the season at home on a high when they faced Hong Kong on Saturday, but a series of errors saw them finish just as they started, with a loss.

The team will now have two weeks to rest before embarking on pre-season training ahead of the four-nations invite tournament in Hong Kong in November where they will face the Dragons again as well as Russia both who are ranked above them and Chile who are ranked 28th.

“We need to go back to the drawing board and after the rest look to put in the shifts during pre-season. One of the key areas we will work on is the set piecse especially the scrum where our weaknesses were exposed. The less errors we have, the more we get to enjoy our game,” team captain Wilson Kopondo said after the disappointing loss against Hong Kong.

Assistant Coach Charles Ngovi was not entirely deflated with the game on Saturday, but has urged the players to ensure less mistakes especially at the high level, coming at a time when qualification to the World Cup is a major priority.

“The important thing is that the players do understand our systems. This season we have achieved most of our goals. One of the key things we have identified is the pre-season. Our players didn’t have a good pre-season and that is one area we will rectify as we prepare for next season,” Ngovi said.

He added; “We want to build on our strength, cardio and agility; we also need to work on our endurance to play at a high level with high speed for a long period of time.”

In Saturday’s match, Hong Kong looked fitter than the Kenyans despite playing at an unusual high altitude and their conditioning looked in tip top form.

Head coach Leigh Jones who said he brought in a squad of mostly young players said he was impressed with the tour where he exposed most of his uncapped players and he looks forward to perfecting the team’s flow during the four-nations tourney.

“We are in our pre-season phase and this is mostly about mixing youngsters with the experienced players. It has been a pretty decent tour for us because the youngsters have picked vital lessons which in the next few months will help us prepare for the World Cup qualifiers,” Jones noted.

The Simbas will now look to finish the season on a high. In 2017 they have played nine matches, lost three, drawn two and won four. In the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, the Simbas finished second behind Namibia, their biggest stumbling block to World Cup qualification.

The post Simbas drop in latest World Rugby Standings appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – The world’s fastest marathon runner and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has enjoyed a dazzling career for the best part of 15 years.

The incomparable Kenyan long distance star says that learning to cope with a high level of expectation is his greatest obstacle.

-Handling the pressure of expectations-

“The greatest challenge of my career has been learning how to handle the pressure. In my younger days, I used to struggle. I couldn’t sleep before races and I couldn’t eat on the morning of my race.

“I used to find the tension before a race really hard. I used to put myself under too much pressure and the tension built up.

“However, it was after I transferred to competing in the marathon that I learned to handle the pressure better. The tension is still there; but now I can eat before a race when I used to get very nervous.

“My coach Patrick Sang told me about the importance of the mind and I put in a number of techniques to support that. One of them was trusting that I had the best training behind me but the other was believing that I was the best.

“When I first moved to the marathon, the pressure was big at the beginning. But I tried to relax before a race and keep my mind free. I won my debut marathon in Hamburg – that was key. I won that race and it gave me a new belief.

“In terms of trusting in my training, I aim for consistency and I treat the sport professionally.

“I have been lucky in that I have not had too many injuries. I’m serious about looking after my body. I do stretching. I’m careful about massage. For a month of every season I carry out gym work. I do the maximum I can to build up good conditioning.

“I maintain my motivation because I want to inspire the youth to like sport. Sport is life, it is healthy. I like running. I set my goals at the beginning of each year

“I have no regrets about my younger career. I don’t look back. I am satisfied I have come to terms with handling the pressure.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Slightly over a week before a team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) arrives in the country for a make-or-break inspection tour ahead of next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), work at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos has commenced.

A total of Sh800mn has been splashed to upgrade the stadium put up four years ago for the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup with Sh50mn from the County Government channeled towards laying of a tartan athletics track.

Sports Kenya boss Fred Muteti and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua toured the facility on Monday afternoon and told journalists that the 15,000 sitter stadium will be upgraded to international standards.

Just like the Nyayo National Stadium whose works began on Friday, the re-construction of the stadium is expected to take three months.

CAF expects all facilities to be ready by December, exactly a month to the tournament which begins on January 12- February 8 next year.

“As Sports Kenya we are committed and we will put a lot of efforts in building new infrastructure in this county,” said Muteti.

Kenyatta is one of the five stadia being rehabilitated by the government ahead of CHAN. The others are Nyayo, Kasarani, Kinoru in Meru and Kipchonge Keino in Eldoret.

Machakos Governor Mutua has committed to oversee a smooth upgrading on the stadium which was constructed in a record one month prior to the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

According to the conditions set by CAF, all the stands will be put down while the changing rooms will be expanded to accommodate four which are a minimum requirement. The playing surface is also set to be scraped off.

“The work of building stadiums is not just a talk, therefore Governor we want to see action,” Muteti told Mutua.

In turn, the County Chief has urged the contractor to ensure that he puts adequate workmanship to ensure the three-month target is achieved.

Meanwhile, he has disclosed that some of the material and grass which will be removed from the stadium will be used to fix other fields in line with his campaign manifesto of setting up a Stadium in each Sub County.

“We are also planning to expand services provided by the stadium  by creating pools for other games. We will even put up another stadium in our new city,” hinted Mutua.

Also accompanying the National and County Government officials were members from the Local Organizing Committee led by deputy CEO Herbart Mwachiro.

Kenya is walking on a tight rope in as far as hosting the tournament is concerned with CAF said to be worried that work might not be complete in time.

However, speaking last week, Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa remained confident that the commitment he had seen would convince CAF to let the tournament remain in Kenya.

South Africa and Morocco had been touted as potentials hosts in the event Kenya’s rate of work doesn’t attract double thumbs up from the continental body.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 29- China based forward Michael Olunga and winger Ayub Timbe have joined the absentee list for Harambee Stars’ friendly match against Mozambique slated for September 2, citing personal reasons.

Olunga is reported to be in Spain in search of a new club after his doomed spell at Chinese Super League side Guizhou Zhicheng with top tier side FC Girona rumored to be his next destination.

Despite the absence of the key players, First Coach Stanley Okumbi is confident the team can cope.

“It has affected our plans but still we need to believe in the players we have and instill confidence in them because the others can miss a big match because of either suspension or injury. If we show faith in the others early, it will make it easy for them to slot in next time,” Okumbi said.

Timbe cited personal reasons for his absence though he has been performing well for his Chinese second tier club Beijing Renhe where he scored a brace over the weekend.

The duo join captain Victor Wanyama and midfielder Johanna Omolo out of the game while goalkeeper Arnold Origi who had also been considered is on the verge of acquiring Norwegian citizenship hence unavailable.

Wanyama, who is just recovering from injury, opted out because he believed he would not have been fit for the game having missed Tottenham Hotspur’s weekend 1-1 draw with Burnley.

Omolo has just joined a new club in Belgium, second tier side Cercle Brugge and asked for time out to settle with his new employers.

-Marcelo omission-

Meanwhile, Okumbi said left-back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma still remains in his plans despite failing to call him up for the Mozambique friendly, but has questioned the quality of the Georgian League where the firmer Gor Mahia defender plies his trade.

Okumbi has defended the decision not to include Ouma, saying he was not impressed by his performance against Sierra Leone.

“I analyzed the way he played against Sierra and he was not sharp.  He was not the Marcelo we knew from when he was playing at Gor. We can also say maybe their league is not up to standard. But I believe when he comes back he will be fit because he knows he has to work hard,” Okumbi noted.

New York Cosmos defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng was the only foreign based player to report camp on Tuesday morning with the rest expected to link up by Wednesday.

Among those who are set to join include Bulgarian based left-back Aboud Omar, Maritzburg United center-back Brian Mandela and the Zambian based quadruple of midfielder Anthony Teddy Akumu, defender David ‘Calaba’ Owino, forward John Makwatta and winger Clifton Miheso.

Okumbi hopes the team can use the match to wipe off the blues from their last loss against Sierra Leone in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers opener and bounce back to confidence.

“Of course this game coming during the FIFA window is a good opportunity for us to get a good result and climb up the rankings. We also need to get the confidence back as a team after the loss against Sierra Leone,” the tactician noted.

His sentiments were echoed by defender Ochieng who noted it will also be a good opportunity to build cohesion and synergy in the team.

“It is always good to have these friendly matches because we need them especially because of our chances for AFCON. We need to build up our confidence because we still have Ghana coming and that is a tough match,” Ochieng added.

The ‘first team’ under Okumbi’s tutelage will be travelling to Maputo on Thursday while the ‘B’ team, solely comprised of local based players has already left for Morocco for a week-long training camp.

The Morocco squad which will be handled by assistant coaches Musa Otieno and Frank Ouna will be using the camp to prepare for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) and they will play friendly matches against the hosts and Mauritania.

“It is something that has never happened before for the national team but I believe it is a good opportunity to do two things at the same time. We started preparing for CHAN a while ago and this is another opportunity to give the players good exposure,” Okumbi noted.

The squad heading to Morocco is hugely comprised of uncapped players, among them Wazito FC forward Piston Mutamba, Vihiga United’s Bernard Ochieng and Kakamega High School’s James Mazembe.

Despite currently serving a six match ban for indiscipline in the Kenyan premier League, Kariobangi Sharks defender Pascal Ogweno has been included for the trip.

Harambee Stars CHAN squad to Morocco

Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Posta Rangers).

Defenders: Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Wesley Onguso (Sofapaka), Dennis Sikhayi (AFC Leopards), Pascal Ogweno (Kariobangi Sharks) Joseph Okumu (un-attached), Harun  Shakava (Gor Mahia), Titus Achesa, Simon Mbugua (Posta Rangers), Collins Shivachi (Tusker).

Midfielders: Ernest Wendo (Gor Mahia), Patillah Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks) Clinton Kisiavuki (Nakumatt FC), Jackson Macharia (Tusker)

Strikers: Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt), Masud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks), Boniface Omondi (Gor Mahia), James Mazembe (Kakamega High), Nicholas Kipkirui (Zoo Kericho), Joe Waithira, Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 29 – Kenenisa Bekele will join Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge and Wilson Kipsang at the Berlin Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, September 24, organisers have announced.

The addition of Bekele, the second fastest marathoner of all-time, adds even more power to an already high calibre field which now includes three of the distance’s five fastest men.

Kipchoge’s avowed intention is to break the 2:02:57 world marathon record set by his compatriot Dennis Kimetto in Berlin in 2014.

Kichoge had a kind of “lab test” at the beginning of May when he ran an unratifiable 2:00:25, the fastest time ever for the marathon distance, on the Formula One circuit of Monza in Italy.

But this feat was achieved with the help of a team of substitute pacemakers who also formed a wind shield from start to finish. Under normal race conditions a maximum of three pacemakers is permitted and no substitutes are allowed.

“In Monza I was so close to breaking the two-hour barrier,” Kipchoge said. “The Berlin Marathon represents for me the right opportunity to attack the official world record.”

At 32, Kipchoge can look back on a long and successful career as a long distance runner. He won the world 5000m title in 2003, silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games over the same distance in 20’04 and 2008 respectively and is the reigning Olympic marathon champion, thanks to his victory in Rio last year.

Meanwhile, the greatest day thus far in the 35-year-old Kipsang’s career came in the 40th edition of this race when he took 15 seconds off the 2:03:38 world record set by his compatriot Patrick Makau.

But Kipsang’s world record of 2:03:23 stood for just 12 months. In 2014 Kimetto became the first man to run the marathon in under 2:03 with his 2:02:57 on Berlin’s renowned fast course. That remains the world record.

Last year in Berlin, Kipsang ran ten seconds faster than his world record but it was only good enough for second place behind Bekele. The Ethiopian set a personal best of 2:03:03, just six seconds shy of the world record. Kipsang had pushed the pace during the race’s second half but didn’t have the strength to match Bekele’s finishing speed over the last two kilometres.

But last year’s race left Kipsang with the conviction that he still had another very fast marathon in his legs, something he wants to prove next month.

“I am highly motivated and my preparation has been more meticulous than ever,” Kipsang said.

Bekele produced history’s second fastest run despite suffering muscle problems several times during the second half of the race. He fought back from each bout of muscle cramp and turned his superior basic speed to winning effect at the finish.

The 35-year-old Ethiopian is the most successful long distance track runner in history. Three times an Olympic champion and world champion on five occasions at 5000m and 10,000m, he has also won 11 world cross country titles over the short and long distances. For good measure, he also holds the world records for 5000m and 10,000m.

Bekele turned to the marathon in 2014. Next month’s Berlin race will be his eighth over the distance which began with a victorious debut in Paris with 2:05:04. He didn’t improve his lifetime best until Berlin last year. In his most recent outing, he was second in London in 2:05:57, nine seconds behind winner Daniel Wanjiru.

“It’s a dream match-up,” said Berlin race director Mark Milde. “It’s not often that the three strongest marathon men in the world race each other. As organisers we are crossing our fingers for good weather and thrilling competition.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has warned Muhoroni Youth chairman Moses Adagala of sanctions if he fails to withdraw the case he filed against Kenyan Premier League at a Kisumu court.

Adagala filed a petition suing Kenyan Premier League for slapping him with a four month ban from attending the KPL matches, following an incident that occurred May 13, where he is accused of leading fans to invade the pitch during a league match against Ulinzi Stars.

Adagala and his Muhuroni Youth club were also fined Sh200, 000 each.

In a letter dated August 29 addressed to Moses Adagala, FKF says the chairman went against the FIFA and CAF rules of taking football matters to ordinary court and ordered him to immediately withdraw the case.

“We have been notified by the Kenyan Premier League that you have filed a case in the High Court sitting in Kisumu requesting for a judicial review of the decision rendered by the Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee of the Kenyan Premier League in regards to the decision made on August 16th, 2017,” part of the letter signed by FKF CEO Robert Muthomi read.

“Please note that as a member of Football Kenya Federation and according to the FKF constitution Article 67 paragraph 1 and 2 you are prohibited from taking football matters to ordinary courts and in fact you should submit to the jurisdiction of FIFA, CAF or FKF,” the letter added.

“Please take not then that recourse to ordinary courts constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA and FKF statutes. Therefore you are hereby advised to withdraw the court case that you have filed at the High Court in Kisumu and subject it to the judicial structures of FKF within seven days,” FKF ordered.

“In the event that you fail to withdraw the case as advised, the matter shall be referred to the National Executive Committee of FKF who may prefer sanctions against you,” FKF warned.

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