NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – Nakumatt FC forward Kepha Aswani is targeting to notch 17 goals this season as he sets his sights on clinching the Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot.

Aswani has so far scored eight goals to lie second on the top scorer’s chart that is led by Ulinzi Stars talisman Stephen Waruru who has found the back of the net 11 times.

Also with eight goals is Mathare United’s Chrispin Oduor while chasing them with seven goals apiece is the duo of Sofapaka’s Ezekiel Okare and Zoo Kericho’s Michael Madoya but Aswani believes he can topple Waruru for the gong.

“I think one can win the Golden Boot with about 17 goals and if I manage I will be grateful. I hope to continue scoring for my team so that I can achieve my target at the end of the season. I know this kind of targets calls for hard work and I am ready to take up that challenge and help my club,” AswanI told Capital Sport.

Experienced Aswani came close to achieving that feat in 2012 season when he finished third best with 12 goals at a time he was featuring for Thika United as the then Sofapaka goal poacher John Baraza scooped the Golden Boot with 18 goals while Dan Sserunkuma then with Gor Mahia was runners-up with 17.

Aswani, who was a pale shadow of himself last season where he was dropped by AFC Leopards, is finding his foot back and has earned a call up to Harambee Stars where he is currently with the team in Morocco for a series of friendlies ahead of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) next year.

His coach John Mwangi is confident of the former Banadari hit man, describing him as a capable player who has scoring prowess.

“He (Aswani) is a quality player despite the challenges we are facing as a team. He has been able to help the team and we expect him to continue helping us by scoring more goals. I think With 13 games to go he can catch up Waruru,’’ Mwangi tipped.

However, despite Aswani’s goal scoring ability, Nakumatt are struggling in their first Kenyan Premier League season with 13 games left as they occupy 12th spot with 26 points.

John Mark Makwatta won the Golden Boot last season with 15 goals when he was under Ulinzi Stars while Allan Wanga is the best scorer in the modern KPL era having scored 21 goals in 2007 while at Tusker FC.

Former AFC Leopards forward Boniface Ambani remains the all time best with 26 goals he notched in 2005.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – Kenyan 800m runner Wycliffe Kinyamal grabbed the headlines at the 53rd edition of the Palio della Quercia Memorial Edo Benedetti in Rovereto.

Competing in warm and nearly ideal conditions, Kinyamal set the meeting record of 1:43.94, the fourth fastest time in the world this year.

Pacemaker Tamas Kazi led at the bell clocking a fast 49.80 ahead of Burundi’s Antoine Gakeme, who went to the front at 500 metres

Kinyamal launched his kick with half a lap to go, and came off the bend with a big lead over Gakeme in the final straight to smash his previous personal best of 1:45.65 set in Hengelo last June. Kinyamal improved the meeting record of 1:43.97 held by Youssef Saad Kamel since 2005.

Gakeme clocked 1:44.49 in second, just 0.05 outside of his season’s best. Former world bronze medallist Amel Tuka from Bosnia & Hercegovina finished third in 1:44.62, a season’s best. Guy Learmonth set his personal best in fourth place with 1:45.10.

-Niyonsaba cruises-

Olympic and world 800m silver medallist Francine Niyonsaba from Burundi won the final race of her season clocking 2:01.14. Pacemaker Ilona Usovich led at the bell reached in 58.80.

Five runners were in contention with 200 metres remaining, including Niyonsaba, Noelie Yarigo from Benin and Kenyan Emily Tuei. Niyonsaba pulled away in the home straight to take the win ahead of Yarigo (2:01.68) and Tuei (2:02.03).

Niyonsaba crowned a successful year in which she also set a lifetime best of 1:55.47 in the Monaco Diamond League meeting and dipped under 1:56 again a few weeks when finishing second to Caster Semenya at the World Championships clocking 1:55.92.

“It was great to end the season with a win,” said Niyonsaba. “My goal was to win the silver in London and I am really happy. I have no regrets.”

-Kasait wins 3000m-

Kenya’s Lilian Kasait took the women’s 3000m in 8:51.04 ahead her compatriot Joyline Cheroytich, who set a lifetime best with 8:52.59.

Birhanu Balew from Bahrain won his second consecutive 5000m race in as many days, clocking 13.22.81 just two days after his victory in Berlin.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – KCB RFC head coach Curtis Olago will be looking to translate the coaching skills acquired from his training tour in South Africa to his charges when he takes them though a rigorous eight weeks training experience in preparation for the new season.

Olago, who took part in a one-week coaching clinic in South Africa that focused on specialized performance training system, believes the tour was a great lesson and an eye opener towards the development of the Rugby in the county.

“The South Africa trip was an eye opener into some aspects of game that aren’t with any of the local teams, we will work on perfecting our defense and attack,” Olago said.

Olago whose side aims to retain the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup next season will field young players with the inclusion of Samuel Asati who will join experienced Darwin Mukidza and Ken Moseti in the Driftwood Sevens this weekend in Mombasa in a bid to prepare the curbs into future stars.

The team will be under the tutelage of assistant coach Denis Mwanja and Strength and Conditioning coach Mike Shamia as they seek to start their Sevens Series campaign on a high.

“South Africa tour was an opportunity to fine tune our players skills especially the youth and they benefited a lot from intensive training especially mental, tactical and fitness aspects of the game,” Shamia noted.

KCB RFC began their pre-season last month when they travelled for a 10 day camp in South Africa after a successful campaign where they claimed double the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup last season.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 30 – Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) chairman Kimutai Ngetich passed on Wednesday morning after being involved in a road accident.

Confirming the tragic news to Capital Sport, KSSSA Secretary General David Ngugi said the tragic accident happened along Nakuru-Kericho Highway when the matatu the deceased was travelling in crashed with a tractor leading to his death on the spot.

“We just received that information and I cannot give you the exact details but they say he was moving from Nakuru going to his home in Kericho in a Matatu,” Ngugi said.

While sending his condolence to the family, Rift Valley region KSSSA Secretary General Reuben Kirwa Koech said they were shocked with the news since Ngetich was recently in Gulu, Uganda where the East Africa Secondary School Games were held.

“We are yet to get concrete information but information reaching us from the people who live around there is that he was travelling from his home to Kericho. His home is in Keringet but I am yet to establish if it was from his home or school because he was a principle of a school called Tinet Kapkoi,” Koech told Capital Sport.

“The accident happened between 5am and 6am in the morning around Londiani. They suddenly bumped into a tractor. KSSSA is very saddened and shocked with the tragic news. We can’t say anything for now just give us some time to have the information sink because we can’t believe,” Koech mourned.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – World champions Hellen Obiri, Conseslus Kipruto and Faith Kipyegon will be out to crown their successful year in the grand finale of the 2017 IAAF Diamond League to take place at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Friday.

Sh5.1m (US$50,000) is at stake for the Kenyans if they overcome the challenge to join other winners who triumphed at the first of the two finales in Zurich a week ago.

The championship-style format adopted this season has seen the first 12 Diamond League meetings of the season being employed as qualifiers for the finals, but with no points being carried over.

That means every athlete arrives at their respective finals with an equal opportunity of winning the overall Diamond Trophy in their event.

-Obiri clear 5000m favourite-

Although she lost to Sifan Hassan in her last race in the Birmingham leg, finishing fourth in the 3000m race, Obiri fresh from wining the 5000m world title is the clear favourite in the field, although Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa and Letesenbet Gidey will be seeking to undermine her.

Obiri, the fasted woman in the 5000m, has had a scintillating season that includes setting a new Kenyan Record of 14:18.37 in Rome.

The Rio Olympic silver medallist has a commanding 29 points, way ahead of compatriot Margaret Chelimo who is second with 13 points while Ethiopian Gidey has 12 points.

-Conseslus eyes title defence-

Despite lagging behind in sixth place on the table with eight points from two events, Olympic and world champion Kipruto looks the main man in the 3000m steeplechase, having proved in London that the ankle injury that had hindered his preparations was not a big problem.

But if there is any lingering weakness in his approach his perennial Kenyan rival Jairus Birech, Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali and the US world bronze medallist Evan Jager will be ready to take advantage.

Leading the standings is El Bakkali with 23 points, followed by Birech with 20 points, Kenyan Amos Kirui is third with 15 points, Eritrean Yemane Haileselassie lies fourth with 11 points while Jager rounds up the top five in the stranding with eight points.

Conseslus is the defending champion having won the trophy last season.

-Kipyegon comeback-

Kipyegon, who won gold in a women’s world 1500m final in London that was one of the most dramatic and tumultuous championship races of recent years, looks favourite to finish the season on another high.

But while Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands finished outside the medals in London, she is fastest in the world this year at 3:56.14 and is a potent force in one-off races. Also present is the US 2011 world champion who forced her way through to an extraordinary silver in London, Jenny Simpson – never to be discounted.

Kipyegon is placed fifth with 15 points in the standings led by Polish Angelika Cichocka with 27 points ahead of Kenyan Winny Chebet who has 23 points while Hassan is fourth with 16 points.

-Nijel to take 800m-

London 2012 silver medallist Nijel Amos arrived at this month’s World Championships as many people’s favourite to win the 800m, but the wheels fell off for him in the final.

In Brussels he has a chance to put a winning spin on his season, however, in the absence of France’s surprise London gold medallist Pierre Ambroise Bosse. That said, Poland’s redoubtable double world silver medallist Adam Kszczot is in the field.

-Thompson seeking to end season on a high in 100m-

In the absence of the world champion, Tori Bowie, the Cote d’Ivoire’s world 100 and 200 silver medallist Marie-Josee Ta Lou would appear to have the opportunity to bring her hugely creditable season to a winning conclusion in the women’s 100m.

But while Jamaica’s Olympic champion Elaine Thompson could only manage fifth place in London, her performance in taking second place in the Zurich Diamond League 200m final behind Shaunae Miller-Uibo in a time of 22.00 suggests that she is coming back into form.

-Sh164.4m (US$ 1.6m) on the line-

Sh10.3m (US$ 100,000) will be at stake in each of the 16 Diamond Trophy disciplines in both Zurich and Brussels for a total combined prize purse of Sh329.9m ($3.2m), with Sh5.1m ($50,000), along with the Diamond Trophy, going to each winner. Prize money will be paid as follows:

1st – US$ 50,000

2nd – US$ 20,000

3rd – US$ 10,000

4th – US$ 6000

5th – US$ 5000

6th – US$ 4000

7th – US$ 3000

8th – US$ 2000

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – The sixth edition of the Ekiden relay marathon to be held in Murang’a County September 23 will be hoping to crop future stars that will follow into the footsteps of the late Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru.

Race organisers Ndakaini Dam Environmental Conservation Association (NDEKA) through its chairman James Mukuna are upbeat of developing world beaters for the country since the annual race is preserved Secondary School going children.

The race that acts as the curtain raiser for the annual Ndakiaini Half Marathon will run September 30 in a course that sees participants tackle the course around the dam that supplies Nairobi with water.

The 21km relay marathon will involve four athletes per team with each covering 5.3km before handing over the button to their team-mates.

“This event is kind of a buildup in molding the next generations of world marathon champions. The annual marathon comes one week before the Ndakaini Half Marathon. It’s the most popular race in Japan and many of our prominent marathoners have taken part in the marathon and we hope we will be able to tap future Samuel Wanjirus,” Mukuna told Capital Sport.

The late Wanjiru, who moved to Japan at a tender age, attended Ikuei Gakuen High School in the northern city of Sendai and as a member of the high school’s athletics team, he excelled at Ekiden which is a long-distance relay race and went on to win major cross-country events. In 2005 he joined the Toyota Kyushu athletics team.

NDEKA will be looking to improve the participation of the marathon from last year’s 500 schools as they seek to cover all schools in the county before moving to the neighboring counties.

“We learned there are so many talents to be tapped from schools and we came up with this race that originated from Japan since they have been taking our athletes there for the other Ekiden marathons previously,’’ Mukuna added.

Schools have been urged to produce documents that identify the athletes age and school they attend in a bid to curb cheating.

“There has been the issue of cheating in the previous marathons. Some athletes have been forging their age in order to participate. This year we are more careful so that the deserving team wins. Our target is mostly secondary school students from Form One to Form Four because the other group is catered for in the Ndakaini Half Marathon.’’

The winning school team will go home with Sh30, 000.

‘’The cash prize for the winner remains as it was last year 30,000. The event is growing and we are thinking of looking for other organisers so that the marathon can grow and be a national event,’ Mukuna declared.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31- Newly appointed Harambee Starlets head coach Richard Kanyi says he is ready to step into the huge boots left by former coach David Ouma who has since taken a full time role as Education officer under the Technical Director’s office at the Football Kenya Federation.

Kanyi took charge of the team on Sunday as they kicked off camp ahead of next month’s COSAFA Women’s Championship in Zimbabwe, and says he is ready for the job and will do even better than his predecessor.

“I had been with Ouma for most parts of the campaign last year and we did so much together with the team so this is not something new. I know the work he did with the national team and I am up to task. I have been in women’s football for close to two decades so this is something I understand,” Kanyi told Capital Sport.

Ouma put a benchmark for the national women football team, guiding them to the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the first time ever as well as reaching the final of the inaugural CEACAFA Women’s Championship.

The team also finished fourth at the COTIF tournament in Spain, the first time ever that a Kenyan team played in a European Championship.

“I must say that those were great achievements by Ouma because under his leadership the women’s team rose so high. I know I can do the same and probably much better and we should expect great things from this team,” Kanyi added.

He joined Starlets after leaving his role as Thika Queens’ head coach, a team he helped put into place in 2006. He had previously worked as a women football scout for Aspire Football Academy.

He looks forward to his first challenge as the Starlets coach in Bulawayo, hoping to make a dream start considering it is the first time since November’s AWCON the team is grouping together.

-COSAFA quarters-

Kanyi has put a target of getting into the semi-finals though he admitted he goes into the tournament blind-folded as he does not know much about his opponents.

“First of all we have to look at the team and where each player is in terms of fitness because this is the first time the team is coming together since Cameroon. Our target is to go and do well because this is a huge championship. At least, we should be in the last four,” Kanyi stated.

Starlets are pooled with Mauritius, Mozambique and Switzerland for the tournament that kicks off on September 13. They play their first match against Mozambique at the Luveve Stadium on September 14.

“These days, you cannot underrate anyone in African football. We don’t know much about our opponents because it is very hard to acquire any kind of information since women’s teams take time to play. But we will take a match at a time,” the tactician noted.

-Captain Wendy upbeat-

Skipper Wendy Anne Achieng is confident that the team will do well in Zimbabwe and will not drop a level from their performance in 2016.

“There is no pressure whatsoever, but thing is we have to perform at the same level we did last year. We have a relatively new team with a new coach, but I am confident that we can still get good results. We have been with most players here so getting to gel together is not a tough thing,” the left-back noted.

Kanyi hopes to use the tournament to prepare for the CECAFA Women’s Championship which is set to be held later in the year in Rwanda.

He has called in a relatively new team with a few of the players who were part of the team during the AWCON campaign missing. Among those out are goalkeeper Samantha Akinyi and midfielder Christine Nafula both who have been overlooked.

Forward Esse Akida will not be available due to work commitment. She has not been active on the pitch since securing a job at Moving the Goalposts (MTG) and NGO in Kilifi.

“I think I have brought in the best squad that I could and the best thing I wanted to do is give exposure to new players and widen our pool. We also need to give new players a chance we see what they can offer. Those not called are still in our plans,” the tactician explained.

The team sees the return of prolific 19-year old striker Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam who missed the AWCON due to school engagements as well as Neddy Atieno who was away on military training.

“I feel great to be back in the team and looking forward to the new assignment. I have found new team-mates and a new coach but the spirit of the team is still the same. All of us will strive to do our best and ensure we represent the country well,” Adam who features for Mombasa Olympic said.

However, two players are yet to link up with the team; striker Atieno is waiting for the relevant clearance from the Kenya Defense Forces while assistant captain Mary Kinuthia is away attending to private matters but both are expected to link up with the team.

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 1- Kenya Harlequin head coach Joash Odhalo admits the team is under immense pressure as they prepare to defend their Driftwood Sevens title in the opening leg of the National Sevens Series Circuit in Mombasa this weekend.

Quins, record 12-time champions in the Coastal City, go into the series opener as the top dogs and top seeded team, facing perennial rivals four-time champions Mwamba, Menengai Oilers and Kisii in Group A and Odhalo points out their primary ambition is to get off the groups.

“As defending champions, there is always pressure on you but what we want to do is to go, take each match at a time and first aim to get off the groups and into the Main Cup quarters. We know it is a tough one but we have prepared well enough to ensure we win,” Odhalo told Capital Sport.

Odhalo added that Oilers and Kisii should not be underrated, asking his boys to go for a flat out three wins on the trot to guarantee themselves a place on the high table come second day Sunday.

The tactician will field a relatively new side in Mombasa with regulars Frank Wanyama, Patrice Agunda and Eden Agero all missing from the 12-man squad named for the tournament.

But still, the coach is upbeat the squad travelling to the Coast, skippered by Eric Shikuku is competitive enough to defend the title.

The Ngong Road based side finished the season second overall last year, and the main aim for Odhalo and his charges is to go one better and win the much coveted title.

“Apart from Nanyuki last year, we ensured that we reached the semi finals in at least all the legs. This year we want more of the same and also see whether we can pick up a few cups along the way. That will be good for our ambition,” added the tactician.

-Nakuru RFC out to shine-

Elsewhere, 2015 series champions Nakuru RFC are looking to shine again under new head coach Mitch Ochollah. Wanyore who won Bowl last year didn’t enjoy quite a successful season last year, but Ochollah who previously coached Strathmore Leos has promised to bring the glory days back to Nakuru.

Ochollah has named a largely youthful squad to take the close to 800km trip to Mombasa and he expects to set the benchmark for the season with a good performance in his maiden tournament with the side.

“I have like only four experienced lads in the team. The rest are youngsters who have shown quite some good hunger over in training and they are raring to go. I have five rookies going into their first tournament so it is going to be quite interesting for them,” Ochollah told Capotal Sport.

“It has been a good pre-season with the boys and I want them to show the same thing they have been showing in training; go out there and win games. I am sure they will come good,” he added.

The former Kenya Sevens coach said he hasn’t changed much in the team since taking charge, only ensuring the systems and structures are running and raking in a winning mentality.

They are pooled in a tough group A that has reigning series champions Homeboyz, Western Bulls and Kenyatta University side Blackblad.

“It is a very tough group for us because everyone there is capable of bringing in good results. Our ambition is to get off the groups and then we take a match at a time from there,” Ochollah added.

-Homeboyz names strong squad-

The holders Homeboyz have shown their intentions, naming a strong squad for the tour of Mombasa. Title winning captain Jeff Oluoch retains the armband in a squad that has Kenya Sevens stars Michael Wanjala, Leonard Mugaisi and Cyprian Kuto.

The team will however, miss the services of experienced Bush Mwale, Augustine Lugonzo and Oscar Ayodi.

At the same time, KCB will be hoping to translate their 15s form into the shorter version of the game, naming a strong squad for the season opening leg.

Fresh from the Kenya 15s assignments, Darwin Mukidza and Jacob Ojee have been thrown into the Sevens team which will also include seasoned players Martin Owillah, who is also the captaion, Davis Chenge and Ahmed Shaban.

KCB are in Group C alongside Impala, Mean Machine and hosts Mombasa Sports Club.

Driftwood Sevens Groups:

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

Driftwood Sevens order of play:

Saturday

10am Homeboyz vs Blak Blad , 10.18am Nakuru RFC vs Western Bulls , 10.36am Quins vs Oilers , 10.54am Mwamba vs Kisii , 11.12am Impala vs Machine , 11.30am KCB vs Mombasa, 11.48am Strathmore vs Nondies, 12.06pm Kabras vs KCA, 12.24pm Homeboyz vs Western Bulls, 12.42pm Nakuru vs Blak Blad, 1pm Quins vs Kisii, 1.18pm Mwamba vs Oilers, 1.36pm Impala vs Mombasa, 1.54pm KCB vs Machine, 2.12pm Strathmore vs KCA, 2.30pm Kabraas vs Nondies, 3.24pm Blak Blad vs Western Bulls, 4pm Machine vs Mombasa, 4.18pm Nondies vs KCA , 4.36pm Homeboyz vs Nakuru, 4.54pm Quins vs Mwamba, 5.12pm Impala vs KCB, 5.30pm Strathmore vs Kabras

Sunday

9am Challenge trophy Quarters, 10.20am Cup quarters, 11.40am 13th Place semis, 12.20pm Challenge trophy semis, 2pm 5th Place semis, 2.40pm Cup Semis, 3.20pm, 13th Place final, 3.40pm Challenge trophy final, 4pm Fifth place final, 4.20pm 3rd place playoff, 4.40pm Cup final.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1- The Sunshine Tour has partnered with the KCB Karen Masters that heads to its second edition next year.

During the inaugural edition held in March this year the tournament attracted golfers from England, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Denmark and France among other countries.

Steve Brown, Grey Snow and Ben Evans are among the golfers who made it to top five in the competition won by Dutchman Will Besseling to claim the Blue Jacket.

The Sunshine Tour is a men’s professional golf tour based in Southern Africa. The Tour is one of the six leading men’s tours which make up the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the PGA Tour, The European PGA Tour, The Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Asian Tour.

“The KCB Karen Masters is honored to be partners with The Sunshine Tour which so obviously mirrors the excellence for which we strive at the Masters,” Tournament Director Andy Watt said.

“We have several partners that have been with us since inception, but you need to keep creating the value and drawing the right players back Kenya to support us- this partnership does just that,” he added.

“This is a promising time for Golf in Kenya, and partnerships like this one are proof of this fact. The KCB Karen Masters set out to provide a tournament that all could enjoy- one that would be competitive and a display of the great game at its finest. Together, I believe that we can put on a Tournament that fans and players alike will truly appreciate in July 2018,” he continued.

“It is an exciting time for us at The Sunshine Tour and we are delighted to Partner with the KCB Karen Masters,” said Senior Tournament Director for The Sunshine Tour, Gary Todd. The Sunshine Tour currently sanctions a host of Tournaments in Southern Africa and the addition of the KCB Karen Masters to this roster, will undoubtedly do great things for the game of Golf in Africa.

KCB Group Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi said the partnership with Sunshine tour makes the tournament more prestigious and attractive to professional golfers.

“KCB Karen Masters tournament remains our most visible vehicle to share the greatness of the sport. The tournament in on course to becoming the pre-eminent pro competition in East Africa. We expect another thrilling competition, and hopefully will provide the excitement our fans have come to expect,” Angela said.

Hosted at the Prestigious Karen Country Club- The 2017 KCB Karen Masters saw a field of 46 Pro’s and 23 Amateurs battle it out for the total prize pot of Sh1.5m ($15,000), with a winner take home of Sh412,000 ($4000) as well as the magnificent Karen Masters trophy and the right to wear the Karen Masters blue jacket.

The 2018 KCB Karen Masters will be held in July at The Karen Country Club, Nairobi.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 1 – Mercurial Hellen Obiri, Faith Kipyegon and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto crowned their scintillating season with the IAAF Diamond League titles that is accompanied with Sh5.1m (US$50,000) each in the final held at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Friday night.

Australian Genevieve LaCaze clocked 2:55 through the1km taking over pacemaking duties in the women’s 5000m before the pace increased to see Obiri, fresh from winning the world title in London hit the front just before the half way point.

Obiri went on to complete a perfect outing in the five events to win the overall title in14:25.88 ahead of compatriot Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui who clocked a personal best of 14:27.55 and Senbere Teferi (14:32.03).

-Conseslus triumph-

Having clinched the men’s 3000m steeplechase world title in London, Conseslus Kipruto ended the year on a high after producing a superb sprint finish to defend the overall title in 8:04.73.

Kipruto, who defended the title, overcame a stiff challenge from world bronze medallist American Evan Jager who lead at the bell before falling at the final water jump to finish third in 8:11.71 as well as Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali who crossed the line second in 8:04.83.

Kenya’s Jairus Birech finished disappointing ninth in 8:25.58 while compatriots Nicholas Kiptanui, Benjamin Kigen and Amos Kirui settled for 5th, 6th and 7th positions respectively.

-Fineness Kipyegon-

Having won the only major title that was missing in her glittering cabinet-the women’s 1500m, Kipyegon clinched the Diamond League title with a strong finish to win in a season’s best of 3:57.04 just ahead of Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands who timed 3:56.14.

With all the women in the race having run under four minutes, Kipyegon emerged the best, applying the same tactics she used in London World Championships to floor Hassan who entered the race as the fastest this year.

Kenya’s Winny Chebet completed the podium in third place in a time of 4:00.18.

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 2- Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup champions KCB found the going tough in the shorter version of the game when they failed to make it to the Main Cup Quarters at the Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa, finishing third in the group and dropping to the Challenge Trophy on Saturday.

Not even the presence of seasoned national team players like Darwin Mukidza, Davies Chenge and Jacob Ojee could hold their piece together as lowly fancied Mean Machine found their rhythm back to sneak into the quarters courtesy of KCB’s final loss against Impala.

The Bankers had started the tournament well, winning their first two games, but their 15-7 loss at the hands of Impala meant Machine, who had won two and lost one advance in second position on points difference.

“It is disappointing because we came here of course with the minimum target of getting to the Main Cup quarters. Our team has too many stars but unfortunately we could not translate that into the pitch today. We now focus on the Challenge Trophy and hopefully we get to win something,” KCB Sevens coach Dennis Mwanja told Capital Sport.

It was not only KCB who registered lukewarm performance as Mwamba RFC who have won the Driftwood four times also dropped into the Challenge Trophy after failing to win any game, losing two and drawing one.

Meanwhile, Kabras Sugar who finished second to KCB in both 15’s tournaments last season made it safely into the last eight with a perfect record and did not concede even a single try.

-Main Cup Quarters pairings-

The Charles Cardovillis side will face off with Menengai Oilers who finished second in Pool B having sailed through with a 17-0 thrashing over Kisii RFC in their final match.

Defending circuit champions Homeboyz will take on Nondiescript, Impala Saracens lock horns with 2015 circuit champions Nakuru RFC while Mean Machine will square it out with Driftwood defending champions Kenya Harlequin.

Quins topped their pool with a 100 percent record, winning all their matches after seeing off Oilers 17-7, Kisii 17-0and Mwamba 7-0.

After starting off the day well against Oilers, Quins got into higher gear in their second match against Kisii. Edward Shitanda touched down on the right for the defending champions after powering his way past the Kisii defense.

Pius Shiundu the stretched the lead further despite failing to convert his own try, using his devastating speed to stretch the Kisii defense on the right before going over convincingly. Herman Mumwa then used his body well to bump away his markers before going down under the posts as Quins went 15-0 up.

Shiundu added in the extras to see the holders all but confirm their place in the quarter finals.

However, they found their second game against eternal rivals Mwamba tougher, but they still managed to rake away a converted try to win.

The burly Ginton Adongo darted away from his chasers from the middle of the pitch, a few stopovers to get away from his final man and a dive to finish off the wonderful run with Shiundu converting to give Quins their third win of the tournament.

-Homeboyz cruise-

Homeboyz were also in great form winning all their three games. They shook off their cobwebs early morning with a 28-5 win over Kenyatta University’s BlackBlad before showing their real prowess with a 36-7 whitewash of Western Bulls.

Cyprian Kuto opened up the successful harvest for the Deejeys with the first try touching down under the posts after finding space at the back following a neat offload from Michael Wanjala. The latter then stepped up to convert as Homeboyz went 7-0 up.

Keith Wasike then added a second with a try on the left and despite Wanjala failing to kick in the bonus, Homeboyz still looked comfortable at 12-0.

A quick setpiece start found the Western Bulls backline sleeping on their guard and Charles Omondi made no mistake taking advantage and dotting down for Leonard Mugaisi to convert.

Towards half time, Western Bulls crossed the halfway line for the first time in the game to make a converted try as they pushed the game to a 19-7 scoreline at half time.

However, three tries one converted in the second half from skipper Jeff Oluoch, Mugaisi and Stanley Isogol saw Homeboyz stay clear.

Their toughest match of the afternoon was against arch rivals Nakuru but they managed to advance to the last four with a late converted try to win 14-12 to ensure they top the group.

Kuto danced away from the Nakuru defense to dot down while Wanjala converted as Homeboyz went 7-0 up. But Casius Omolo ensured his team reduced the deficit at the break with a try of his own on the right.

Wanyore came into the second half and fired straight from kick off, as Brian Maina touched down and converted the try for his side to leap into a 12-7 lead.

However, a lapse in concentration saw Kuto complete his brace in the game and Wanjala converted to ensure an outright 14-12 win.

Quarters pairings:

Main Cup

Homeboyz v Nondies, Kabras v Oilers, Impala v Nakuru, Kenya Harlequins v Mean Machine

Challenge Trophy:

BlakBlad v KCA, KCB v Kisii, Strathmore v Western Bulls, Mwamba v Mombasa

Collated results

Menengai Cream Homeboyz 27 Blak Blad 5

Top Fry Nakuru 12 Western Bulls 0

SportPesa Quins 17 Menengai Oilers 7

Mwamba 17 Resolution Kisii 17

Resolution Impala 5 Mean Machine 7

KCB 25 Mombasa 7

Strathmore 12 Nondies 17

Kabras 24 KCA 0

Menengai Cream Homeboyz 36 Western Bulls 7

Top Fry Nakuru 10 Blak Blad 10

SportPesa Quins 17 Resolution Kisii 0

Mwamba 0 Menengai Oilers 14

Resolution Impala Saracens 25 Mombasa 0

KCB 7 Mean Machine 5

Strathmore 29 KCA 0

Kabras 17 Nondies 0

Blak Blad 17 Western Bulls 0

Menengai Oilers 17 Resolution Kisii 0

Mean Machine 17 Mombasa 0

Nondies 27 KCA 0

Homeboyz 14 Nakuru 12

Quins 7 Mwamba 0, Impala 17 KCB 7

Strathmore 0 Kabras 17

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2 – A late equalizer from Sweden based Eric Johanna saw Harrambee Stars rally a goal down to hold hosts Mozambique to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly match played in Maputo on Saturday.

Bidvest Wits midfielder Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe sent Mozambique ahead in the 59th minute with a powerful right footed shot but Johanna, who plies his trade with Vasalunds IF ensured spoils were shared when he found the back of the net in the 85th minute.

Hararambee Stars First Coach Stanley Okumbi handed the Gor Mahia duo of midfielder Kenneth Muguana and forward George ‘Blackberry’ first starts under him as he continues to gauge some of the local based players he will field for the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) next year.

The friendly was part of the build up to the second match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations where Kenya hosts giants Ghana March 2018.

On Friday, a CHAN side, led by assistant coach Musa Otieno recorded a similar result against Mauritania in Morocco. The side will be facing the hosts on Tuesday hoping to get a favourable result.

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 3- Kabras Sugar head coach Charles Cardovillis says he has been impressed with how his side has transformed in terms of play after taking charge of his first full tournament since his appointment towards the close of the Kenya Cup season in May.

The former Kenya Harlequins boss led the team to the Main Cup Quarters at the Sevens Circuit season opening Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa with a 100 percent record and he says he was pleased with the performance of his boys especially after progressing without conceding.

“What I am trying to bring to the team now is we can play rugby. We can now express ourselves and the boys can show that they have skills. Kabras has been known for aggressive, straight, route one, ‘tang tang’ rugby but you can see from today they can play attractive rugby, we can excite the crowd and that’s what it’s all about,” Cardovillis told Capital Sport after his side’s Day One performance.

The coach who joined the Western Kenya based team at the tail end of the Kenya Cup campaign where they reached the final losing to KCB hopes to translate the same form to 7s, adding he is confident they can be one of the toughest in the circuit.

“Last season we finished fifth and our target this season is that we want to win it. Of course we have to go tournament by tournament, and the good thing about Sevens is that this builds a platform for 15s. The same way we performed at 15s we can also be able to replicate it here,” the tactician further noted.

Kabras will face a tricky Menengai Oilers side in the Main Cup Quarters , the side coached by former Kenya Sevens and Nakuru RFC star Gibson Weru having beaten Mwamba and Kisii RFC to qualify to the last eight.

“I expect it tough tomorrow because playing the quarters is always tricky because it’s when you are waking and any day, it is whoever recovers quicker and plays the better rugby of the day that wins. Hopefully we will be able to pick up fast enough,” he further added.

At the same time, KCB who beat Kabras to both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles last season could not replicate that same form to sevens and head coach Dennis Mwanja has admitted that the players took too much time to transition from the longer version of the game.

The Bankers won their opening two games, but they just barely missed out on the Main Cup to drop into the Challenge Trophy after losing their final game, Mean Machine queuing ahead of them on points difference.

Mwanja admitted his side was erratic and his ‘star-studded’ squad failed to keep it together on the pitch.

“We’ve been erratic to adapt to sevens. We have a somehow star studded side with a lot of national team experience but we cannot convert that to the pitch. It was not the best show for us,” a dejected Mwanja said.

“Sevens is a different mode of play and it takes a lot of adaptation to get there. Last year we were plate specialists, this year we are looking at a couple of semis or winning some. We are keeping our goals very realistic. There’s no quick fix; we can’t automatically translate 15s into 7s because it is a different version of the game and anybody can play,” Mwanja further added.

He expects his side to vie for the eight points at stake in the Challenge Trophy where they Kisii RFC but moving forward he wants to see his charges improve.

“I cannot be so hard on the players, we have achieved a lot with them and I believe in their capabilities. I know with tweaking here and there we will get to our rightful position,” he added.

Overall boss Curtis Olago was also part of the team in Mombasa assisting Mwanja, and he angrily remonstrated with the players after they won by a slim margin to Mean Machine in an erratic display.

Meanwhile, Mwamba RFC are confident of bouncing back despite starting the season on a low failing to win even a single match, drawing one and losing two.

Head coach David Wambua says the team could not sparkle because they brought with them a young squad, missing most of their key players, some with injury while others are hard at work on pre-season with the national team.

Kulabu started off the day with a shocking 17-17 draw against Kisii RFC before another shocker, losing 14-0 to Menengai Oilers. They wound up the day with a 7-0 loss at the hands of Driftwood defending champions Kenya Harlequins but Wambua was pleased with the improvement shown.

“The boys have shown energy and this is work in progress. A bit of poor decisions, but noting we have played quality opposition like Quins, I think it was a good start. We are trying to balance; we are looking at the future. We have to give them time to gel, but we might see one or two experience inclusions for Kabeberi next weekend,” Wambua noted.

The team was inspired on the side with the presence of Lavin Asego, Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange and Wambua said the presence of the three star players was a motivator to the young squad.

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 3- Reigning National Sevens Circuit champions Homeboyz RFC will battle out with their 2015 predecessors Nakuru RFC for the Driftwood Sevens title on Sunday evening after both overcame tough opposition to sail to the Main Cup final.

Both sides had to endure nervous final minutes with Homeboyz winning 10-5 against Menengai Oilers courtesy of a Leonard Mugaisi brace of tries while Nakuru were 7-0 winners over surprise package Mean Machine.

Nakuru who narrowly lost 14-12 to Homeboyz during the group matches on Saturday will be heading into the final with revenge on their minds.

“We expect a tough and physical match because Homeboyz are a good side. In the final however, they should not expect us to lower our guard like we did yesterday. This time, we are going for nothing but a win,” Nakuru skipper Geoffrey Ominde told Capital Sport.

He added; “We started the tournament slow but today we have picked up. We are a young squad half of which are rookies but we have some superb teamwork which has put us where we are now.”

Homeboyz head coach Paul Murunga expects a tough match as well but he reckons his side has the slight edge to tip over Nakuru and win the first tournament of the season.

“We saw what they are capable of doing yesterday. Ours is to take in the match with seriousness and hopefully we can win. Last year we didn’t make it but this time, we are going for it,” Murunga opined.

Oilers, coached by former Nakuru and Kenya Sevens star Gibson Weru started off superbly against Homeboyz in the first semi final, Erick Ombassa touching down on the right after some patient build up.

Homeboyz were stunned but took the setback well, building up slowly as they tried to open up the Oilers backline. They were aided by a numerical advantage when Sammy Muregi was sent to the sinbin.

They used that opportunity to find an extra man on the right and Mugaisi was at hand to cross over. Michael Wanjala’s attempt at the conversion was wide and the two sides went to the breather level 5-5.

In the second half Homeboyz looked to seal the deal early enough and Mugaisi once again found some space on the right before dotting down and his attempt at the extras going short.

It ended up being a nervous affair as Oilers pushed for a converted try to sneak away with the win.

After the buzzer, with the youngsters pushing, Homeboyz just but managed to turn over possession after a knock on from Oilers and skipper Jeff Oluoch booted to touch to end the game.

The second semi was equally competitive with Machine who have coasted from underdogs to tournament favorites in quick time pushing Nakuru all the way. Machine dominated play but they could not find the right pass in the Nakuru 22 for a try.

Wanyore just managed to sneak away and Crispine Onyango dotted down on the left after some good work from Kevin Kioko who quickly turned over play and with some fancy stopovers got away from his markers to release Onyango.

Meanwhile, Driftwood champions Kenya Harlequins will vie for the 7^th and 8^th position after they failed to make it past the quarters losing 7-0 to Machine.

Mwamba RFC who had a difficult opening day however were in some good class on Sunday, progressing to the Challenge Trophy final where they will meet KCB. Mwamba beat Mombasa 36-5 in the quarters before going on to whitewash Strathmore 24-0 in the semis.

Day two results

Main Cup Quarters: Homeboyz 19 Nondies 7, Nakuru 12 Kabras 7, Kenya Harlequins 0 Mean Machine 7, Menengai Oilers 10 Impala 0.

Semis: Homeboyz 10-5 Oilers, Nakuru 7-5 Machine

Challenge Trophy Quarters: Blak Blad 26 KCA-U 7, KCB 22 Kisii RFC 5, Strathmore University 24 Western Bulls 12, Mwamba 36 Mombasa 5.

Semis: KCB 12-7 BlakBlad, Mwamba 24-0 Strathmore

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Sep 3 – Having lost to Kenya Harlequins at the same venue in the final last year, Homeboyz RFC made right the wrongs, delivering a performance worthy of a final to beat Nakuru RFC 17-7 and clinch the season opening Driftwood 7s in Mombasa on Sunday.

This was a brilliant start to their circuit title defense as they put themselves in gear with a maximum harvest of 22 pints as head coach Paul Murunga declares they are firming up to defend their crown with pride.

“It was a very tough match but today we managed to seal a bit of our weaknesses. Yesterday against Nakuru we scored two tries and today we scored three. So I am pleased with the effort the boys have put in. It wasn’t easy but it is a great way to start the season,” Murunga said after the match.

His opposite number Mitch ‘Mojo Jojo’ Ochollah was gracious in defeat, saying he was more pleased with what his boys had put in considering he had a squad composed half by rookies.

“Our main target was to get to the semi finals and when we surpassed that, I just told the boys to go on and enjoy themselves. They didn’t crumble under pressure despite the fact that most of them are playing this tournament for the first time so it’s all good for us,” Ochollah, a former Kenya Sevens coach said.

Nakuru came into the match breathing venom especially with memory of their slim loss to a last minute try yesterday.

They started the game just how they had wished for, Momaye Akweyi touching down after a struggle with Cyprian Kuto that left his jersey in shreds.

Akweyi had powered through Homeboyz bodies with the try line in the horizon and he didn’t mind his jersey shredding as he stretched to dot down. Skipper Geoffrey Ominde kicked home the extras as Ochollah’s men went 7-0 up.

Mugaisi, named tournament Most Valuable Player ensured Homeboyz went to the break with a reduced distance, touching down after an offload from Michael Wanjala who had paced away from his chasers to find space inside the 22.

At the start of the second half, Homeboyz strode further ahead, Mugaisi scoring his second try of the game with a great kick and chase, speeding over almost four Nakuru players before dotting down at the extreme end for a 10-7 lead.

Keith Wasike then ensured Homeboyz was within touching distance of glory, dotting down under the posts snaking through a window of space. Humphrey Owuor booted home the conversion for a 17-7 lead.

-Kulabu win Challenge Trophy-

Earlier on, Mwamba ensured their journey back to the city was not accompanied with tears following their opening day blues as they picked eight points after beating KCB 12-10 in the Challenge Trophy final.

Tournament top try and points scorer Ahmed Shabaan gave the bankers a 5-0 lead, but Matt Wanjia ensured the spoils were shared by half time with a good conversion on the left after speeding away from a turnover.

In the second half, KCB had a chance to extend their lead, but Shabaan knocked the ball from a swiftly executed counter Darwin Mukidza releasing Jacob Ojee with a neat offload who in turn sprayed the ball to Shabaan.

They were punished for losing the golden opportunity, Daniel Taabu gliding away under the posts to dot down and Wanjia converting for a 12-5 lead.

Ojee reduced the deficit for KCB after an offload from Mukidza who had done well to suck in three players wide before releasing Ojee. He could however not convert and Mwamba racing away with a two point lead.

In the third and fourth place play off, Menengai Oilers were in a class of their own as they saw off Mean Machine 21-0 in a battle of pre-tournament underdogs.

Homeboyz, Nakuru, Oilers and Mean machine will now headline each of the four pools for next weekend’s Kabeberi Sevens by virtue of reaching the semi finals in Mombasa.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 3 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cancelled its intended inspection visit that was scheduled to begin on Thursday ahead of the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) tournament, scheduled to be hosted in Kenya.

The move has been necessitated by the current political situation in the country, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election victory in the just concluded Presidential elections.

“We have just been informed that in light of the recent happenings CAF will be sending its 2nd Vice president Mr. Constant Omari Selemani to assess the political and security situation of the country, before they can proceed with the inspection visit,” Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa said.

“Consequently, the planned inspection visit that was scheduled for next week has been shelved, with CAF informing us that they will only announce a new date after the assessment of the political situation in the country,” the FKF president added.

Omari who will be met by the FKF  president at JKIA is expected to jet into the country on Sunday.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 4 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has refuted claims that Kenya might lose out on hosting the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) due to the current political situation in the country.

Speaking a day after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) cancelled its inspection to Kenya, FKF vice president Doris Petra exuded confidence the tournament will be hosted in Kenya next year and called on football stake holders to avoid being negative.

“As FKF we are confident that the 2018 CHAN will be hosted in Kenya and we are requesting you (media) to talk positive on our CHAN preparation so as not to scare away people outside there and cause unnecessary alarm especially to CAF,’’ confident Petra told Capital Sport.

CAF called off its final inspection visit to Kenya to assess preparations for the second most prestigious tournament in Africa where a delegation was expected in Nairobi on September 7.

But, the current political situation in the country following the Supreme Court’s decision to annul the results of last month’s presidential poll has cast doubt over the country’s chances of hosting the 16-team tournament.

However, Petra is worried of Kenya’s participation in the tourney in the unlikely event the country fails to host the championship.

The Kenyan team did not go through to the CHAN qualifiers, having earned the automatic slot by virtue of being hosts.

“As a country we might not face sanctions from CAF in the unlikely event we fail in hosting this championship but our participation as a country will be into limbo, since our national team did not go to the CHAN qualifies. Our question would be what will happen to the team that has been preparing for the championship? For now there is no cause of alarm because we are confident of hosting the championship,’’ Petra explained.

Also throwing his support and confidence Kenya will host the event is former FKF President Sam Nyamweya who urged the government to do what it takes to convince CAF that there is no political instability in the country.

“I am greatly concerned by the news that CAF has indefinitely cancelled the travelling itinerary for the delegation that was due to conduct the final inspection of our preparedness that was scheduled for later this week. And this is further compounded when looked at against the fact that CAF will hold its Executive Committee meeting in Ghana in just under three weeks time,” Nyamweya said in a statement.

“It is obvious that the agenda of CHAN 2018 will top the agenda of that meeting, considering that we are yet to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that we have the most important infrastructure ready – stadiums. I want to call upon the government to move fast and reassure CAF that we would burn the midnight oil to ensure the completion of stadia happens in good time, Nyamweya added.

“I urge that even after the repeat elections ordered by the Supreme Court; the preparations should not be affected by whatever outcome the Kenyan people’s vote may bring. Be it President Kenyatta or Right Honourable Raila Odinga who earns the mandate of the Kenyan people as their president, I am sure the country will be steadfast in its preparations.”

The Confederation of Africa Football has sent its second vice chairman Constant Omari who is in the country to assess the political situation before setting a date for the third and final inspection.

Kenya is racing against time to see the four stadia as required by CAF are ready before the December deadline with the work at the Nyayo National Stadium, Moi International Sports Center Kasarani, Kipchoge Keino and Machakos Stadium in progress.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 4 – Women in various Kenyan federations have been challenged to go for top seats following a successful inaugural symposium on Women, Sport and Development held in Nairobi on Monday.

Speaking during the event that was graced by Football Kenya Federation vice president Doris Petra, her counterpart from Kenya Volleyball Federation Martin Makokha urged men who have dominated in the federations to mentor more women.

“As men dominating this industry we must motivate women and encourage them to take up leadership in sports if we really mean in Women and Sports Development. On the flip side women should come out, believe in your selves and fight for this positions as these men here might not give out these positions on a silver platter,” Makokha urged.

While echoing the sentiments of Makokha, athletics legendary Tegla Loroupe called for equality, claiming that women are discriminated in most federations.

“As women we should believe in ourselves, federations should come up with mechanism where we are able to have more women referees, coaches and managers so that we start from somewhere. To our brothers dominating these federations, let’s be our sister’s keeper and motive us to grow just as you would motivate your daughter, sister or mother,” Loroupe, a former world marathon record holder pleaded.

“I do not see why we should pay a man running the same race as a woman in the same competition differently; we should try and be balanced in rewarding the athletes and other sportswomen. Being a woman in sports is not that easy and Petra (Doris) can attest to it,’’ Loroupe added.

Meanwhile, Petra hopes more will be done for women to be at par with men in sport. She lauded what they have been able to do as FKF in terms of sports women development.

“As a federation we took a bold step and currently our Under-20 team is headed by a woman her assistant is also a woman and you have all seen what they have been able to do out there in Jordan and that’s a clear indication that women can lead if given opportunity but we must fight for those opportunities,’’ Petra declared.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 4 – Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga started life at his new club with impact, netting a brace as Girona tore apart CF Ripoll 8-0 in a friendly match played on Monday.

Olunga, who joined his new club Girona Friday on loan from Chinese Super League side Ghuizhou Zhicheng, wasted no time to prove himself when he scored two goals in a space of two minutes, getting his first in the 70th minute before completing a brace two minutes later.

Olunga, a former Gor Mahia, Tusker FC and Thika United striker, will be looking to carry on the fine form when he debuts his La Liga match away to Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés Stadium on Sunday.

Olunga completed the move on the Spanish transfer Deadline Day, Friday September 1 to become the second Kenyan to play in the Spanish top flight League after midfielder McDonald Mariga who had a brief loan spell at Real Sociedad in the 2011–12 season.

Olunga’s arrival follows closely on the arrival of five other players at the club that is now partly owned by English Premiership side Manchester City.

Olunga, who made his name in 2015 while featuring for record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia, going ahead to be named the Most Valuable Player, joined Chinese side Zicheng in January from Swedish side Djurgaden’s – a club he signed permanently in 2016 after a stellar season at K’Ogalo, for an estimated over Sh400m (€4.2m).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Whether or not the 2018 African Nations Championship will be held in Kenya or the much touted ‘Plan B’ of either South Africa or Morocco will be known after the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Accra on September 23.

The continental football body is expected to hold its Executive Meeting in the Ghanaian capital from where major decisions, including next year’s CHAN and probably the 2019 AFCON planned for Cameroon will be made.

According to the Football Kenya Federation, CAF cancelled an assessment trip scheduled for this Thursday due to ‘the political situation’ in the country with only second vice president Constant Omari travelling in on Sunday night.

However, Omari left late Monday after news of a fatal road accident that claimed two of his brothers back at home.

“He had come in here basically to assess the political situation in the country after last week’s Supreme Court ruling on the elections. He had a meeting with Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and Permanent Secretary Peter Kaberia before he left,” Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Herbart Mwachiro informed Capital Sport.

“He asked tough questions… very tough questions, to which the minister gave responses. He expressed CAF’s concern and that of the sponsors that the election would be coming a bit close to the tournament and whether it would affect the preparations,”

“He took notes, and because he had to leave urgently, there wasn’t much discussion after that. We all attended the meeting with the government and possibly we will get a report from him soon. But basically, we expect the way forward to be known by the 23rd when the EXCO meets,” Mwachiro further explained.

Kenya has been on the spot over late rehabilitation of the proposed venues, all of them starting very late, four months before 15 African national teams descend in Nairobi for the biennial championship for home based players.

FKF continue to have faith that everything will be complete in time with the Nyayo and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos setting a 14-week deadline for the completion of construction works.

“We have gone all out to ensure we host this tournament. But there are many factors that surround it, not only the construction of the stadia. We will do everything to ensure that what is on our hands is completed and remain optimistic,” Mwachiro further commented.

He adds that in the meantime, the LOC will continue pushing contractors on site to ensure the strict deadlines are met. The lowest expectation is that CAF will assign a new inspection date after their meeting in Accra.

Kenya won the hosting rights for the tournament in 2015 and a year later after the last edition in Kigali, Rwanda were given the hosting instruments in a ceremony at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, attended by Wario himself.

However, it has been sad that the government had to wait close to 18 months before starting work.

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