NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 11 – Germany’s most capped player and former captain Lothar Matthäus is scheduled to arrive in Kenya on September 18 as part of a two-day Bundesliga legends tour courtesy of African broadcast partners StarTimes.

As part of his tour in Kenya, the 1990 World Cup winner will conduct football clinics at the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), Riruta Youth Sports Association (RYSA) and the Star Soccer Academy.

“His visit is a huge boost to Kenya’s upcoming football talent as they will have an opportunity to learn from one of the most accomplished footballers while the star will have a chance to spread the German way of football in Kenya,” StarTimes Director of Brand Marketing and Public relations Japheth Akhulia said.

Matthäus becomes the third Bundesliga legend to visit the country after the Nigerian duo of Nwanko Kanu and Sunday Oliseh toured last year.

Speaking on Monday during the announcement, Star Soccer Academy director Rishadi Shedu whose boys have benefited from all visits by Bundesliga legends said he was excited that his young boys will be getting an opportunity to learn from yet another great.

“We had Oliseh and Kanu sharing with the young players last year and the boys learnt a lot. It is a great opportunity for us as well to be inspired by another legend and these visits play such a huge role in motivating the youngsters,” Shedu, a former Bandari and Sony Sugar head coach said.

For the first time, MYSA will be hosting one of the StarTimes organized clinics and CEO Henry Majale has termed the move as one in the right direction in football development in the country.

“I think this is a perfect opportunity for kids to learn from the very best. I believe they will get motivated in pursuing football more seriously,” Majale offered.

On the sidelines of the clinics, the 56-year-old will meet 2016 Olympic javelin silver medallist Julius Yego.

“They will talk about professional talent management among other sporting issues a key indication that we are not just focused on football but we committed in all sports as well,” StarTimes’ Akhulia further said.

The presence of Matthäus at the three academies will be a boost to their football ambitions, learning from one of football’s greats. He featured in 464 Bundesliga games for Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayern Munich, won seven league titles and scored 121 goals.

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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, Sep  11 – Kenya lost her second FIVB World Under-23 Championship match on Tuesday afternoon, going down by straight sets (4-0) to European Giants Bulgaria at the Sportna Dvorana Tivoli Hall.

The junior Malkia Strikers had started off the campaign of their first ever World Championship with a similar thrashing at the hands of defending champions Brazil and it didn’t get better on day two when they lost by a similar margin in scores of 15-1, 15-5, 15-6, 15-11.

The East Europeans jumped out for a venomous start, winning the opening set easily with Kenya only scoring one point. Catherine Mabwi’s girls did their all to put up some resistance but were undone by a speedy and organized Bulgaria.

It remained a one-sided affair in the following three sets with Antonina Zetova’s squad never looking back.  Miroslava Paskova concluded Bulgaria’s imposing firework with a blistering winner from the left to make it 4 to nothing in only 54 minutes.

Yvonne Wavinya was Kenya’s best scorer in the match having accumulated five points.

“The reason why we lost today was our lack of confidence. Nothing more. I wish we had started the match the way we have played it in the last set,” head coach Catherine Mabwi said after the match.

Skipper Shyrine Jepkemboi added; “We did not play our second match the way we expected it. We managed to play better in the last set although we lost it at the end.”

They had the same script on Sunday afternoon against Brazil, also starting slow managing a meager two points against Brazil’s 15 in the opening set. They went on to lose the consequent three sets in 15-5, 15-12, 15-10.

The young Africans nourished hope in the beginning of the second set to push the scores to a 4-4 tie. However, they were not consistent enough. The reigning champions rapidly raised the speed and power to end the second period 15-5 in their favor.

Kenya had their best moments in the third set managing to push the scores to a 10-all tie. But again, they could not see off the strength to the last point, dropping back to narrowly lose 15-12.

The story never changed in the final set which the Brazilians won 15-10.

All matches in the Under-23 championship are played under a new scoring system currently being tested: a best-of-seven, 15-point set format.

Kenya’s third match of the championship will be against Turkey on Tuesday at 3pm.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 11 – Sofapaka restored their six point gap with leaders Gor Mahia on the Kenyan Premier League log after whitewashing Chemelil Sugar 4-1 at the Narok Stadium on Sunday, and assistant coach John Baraza has vowed the side will push K’Ogalo to the very end.

The 2009 league champions have vowed to gather all within their strength to vie for a second league title even as Gor keep a one-match advantage on top of the six-point buffer.

“That is exactly our target. We want to push this to the end because I think we have a very good chance despite Gor having one game at hand. We have been in good form and we don’t want to lose the momentum,” Baraza told Capital Sport.

Batoto ba Mungu’s weekend win was the fourth in five matches and overall, since the club has not lost in their last seven matches, dropping points only twice with draws against Muhoroni Youth and Posta Rangers.

“The players have been working very hard and that’s why results have been flowing in of late. On match days, we have been playing well too and I am quite pleased with our form,” Baraza added.

It is quite a contrasting image from a side that merely survived relegation last season.

Gor Mahia though don’t seem to care much about the chasing pack if their performance against Nzoia Sugar over the weekend is anything to go by.

K’Ogalo were 4-0 winners over the sugar millers but despite the win, head coach Dylan Kerr has urged his side to maintain their cool and take each match with the same measure of seriousness.

– Posta throw in towel –

Meanwhile, Posta Rangers, touted as one of the strong title contenders at the beginning of the season have vowed out, their weekend 0-2 loss at the hands of Nakumatt FC seeing them drift 12 points away from leaders Gor.

Head coach Sammy Omollo has conceded his team will now look to finish the season in a respectable position, expressing his disappointment that the team no longer gave in a fight like an outfit fighting to win the title.

“I am disappointed with our performance (against Nakumatt). We didn’t play like a team fighting for the title and now we have to realign our targets. Realistically, our chances have become very slim. We now need to focus over the next matches to see whether we can finish in a respectable position,” Omollo noted.

Posta’s performance over the last five games where they have lost thrice and drawn two has seen them, blow out of the title race from a position where they would have easily challenged for their maiden crown.

It is not only Posta who have seen their title chances fizzle away as quick as the morning dew with defending champions Tusker FC also fading away.

– Tusker fizzle away –

The holders lost their third game in the last five with a 2-0 result away to Sony Sugar, seeing themselves crumble all the way down to seventh in the standings, a massive 14 points off leaders Gor.

Head coach George Nsimbe has however refused to let go of the fight, only admitting it is now difficult for them to catch up and probably defend the title.

“We will keep fighting,” the tactician noted.

Meanwhile, the fight for survival is as intense with Mathare United doing themselves a massive favor, beating fellow strugglers Western Stima 2-1 courtesy of Elijah Mwanzia’s last gasp winner.

The win had temporarily taken Francis Kimanzi’s men out of the drop zone but Sony Sugar’s win over Tusker meant the status quo remained with the Slum Boys dropping back to 15th, just a point off safety.

Kimanzi is whatsoever not worried that his team who won the league in 2008 will be candidates for the chop, instead saying his young charges have picked up immeasurable experience that will sail them to safety having put up a run of six unbeaten matches.

– Stima confident of survival –

Stima on the other hand are in danger, placed third from bottom with 21 points, five off safety. Head coach Henry Omino is confident they can traverse their way off the murky relegation waters and swim to safety.

“You can see from how we are playing that it’s just an element of luck in our game. I am very confident that we will not be relegated and our supporters should not be worried. Within the next 11 games, we just target to win half of them and we will be okay,” Omino whose side finished in the top half of the table last season said.

Muhoroni and Thika United are the two other sides rooted in the drop zone.

– Golden boot race hots up –

Meanwhile, the race for the top scorer’s gong heated up over the weekend with the chasing pack of Umaru Kassumba (Sofapaka), Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt) and Chris Oduor (Mathare) all hitting the back of the net on a weekend leader Stephen Waruru failed to score.

Kassumba who only joined Sofapaka in June scored thrice in the club’s 4-1 win over Chemelil taking his season tally to nine. Aswani scored twice for Nakumatt to move to 10 while Oduor scored one of Mathare’s two to move to nine.

The leader, Waruru has scored 11 goals.

Aswani who finished third in the golden boot race last season has vowed to work his way towards a career first top scorer’s gong and he has set a target of minimum 17 goals.

“From the start of the season, I said I would be working towards the golden boot. I know I can do it and its is just a matter of consistency and hard work, I will achieve it. I have never won it despite being on the podium twice and that is what pushes me,” the former AFC Leopards man noted.

KPL Weekend results

Saturday: Bandari 0 Kariobangi Sharks 1 (Mbaraki), Kakamega Homeboyz 2 Thika United 1 (Mumias), Muhoroni Youth 0 Ulinzi Stars 0 (Muhoroni), Nakumatt 2 Posta Rangers 0, Mathare United 2 Western Stima 1 (Ruaraka Complex), Gor Mahia 4 Nzoia Sugar 0 (Moi Stadium, Kisumu).

Sunday: SoNy Sugar 2 Tusker FC 0 (Awendo), Zoo Kericho 1 AFC Leopards 3 (Kericho), Sofapaka 4 Chemelil Sugar 1 (Narok).

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BARCELONA, Spain, Sep 12 – Barcelona defied an outgoing off-field crisis as another Lionel Messi-inspired display exacted revenge on Juventus to open their Champions League campaign with a resounding 3-0 win on Tuesday.

Messi was involved in all three goals as he beat Gianluigi Buffon for the first time in his career to open the floodgates just before half-time.

Ivan Rakitic added a second after Messi’s run and cross opened up the Juventus defence before the Argentine rounded off the scoring by drilling home his second of the evening 19 minutes from time.

Victory puts Barca on top of Group D alongside Sporting Lisbon, who were 3-2 winners at Olympiakos.

Barca’s start to the season has been dominated by calls for president Josep Maria Bartomeu to resign following Neymar’s world record move to Paris Saint-Germain and the Catalan giants’ bungled moves to replace the Brazilian.

However, Ousmane Dembele impressed on his full debut following a 105 million-euro ($126 million) move from Borussia Dortmund, as Barca proved as long as they have Messi there is life after Neymar.

Juventus showed even more upheaval since the sides last met in last season’s quarter-finals with six changes from their trip to the Camp Nou just five months ago.

The Italian champions progressed comprehensively 3-0 on aggregate back then and threatened to expose Barca again early on with Marc-Andre ter Stegen forced into three early saves to deny Mattia de Sciglio, Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic.

Dembele was showing plenty of promise, but often tried to beat one man too many in his quest to impress as Barca struggled to create early on.

Their best effort before opening the scoring came when a Messi free-kick rebounded back into Luis Suarez’s path and his fierce effort was turned over by Buffon.

Dembele was involved in the move as Messi broke his personal duck against Buffon in the final minute of the first half.

Messi picked up the Frenchman’s pass before exchanging a one-two with Suarez and firing with unerring accuracy just inside the far post.

Juventus had a big chance to respond right at the start of the second half, but Dybala couldn’t match his international teammate’s finish and he lifted his shot over the bar.

Messi was inches away from his second as another rasping left-foot drive came back off the inside of the post, rebounded off the back of Buffon’s head and dropped just wide.

Yet, Messi was also fortunate to escape his first ever red card at club level moments later as he was booked by Slovenian referee Tomaz Klancnik for his attempts to get a Juventus player cautioned.

Aided by his teammates, though, Messi continued his protests and could easily have been shown a second yellow by a more stringent official.

His clash with the referee only seemed to inspire Messi to greater heights as he drove through the Juventus defence once more and, when his low cross was only partially cleared by Stefano Sturaro, Rakitic slotted home the rebound.

Buffon momentarily denied Messi his double with a fine save from a free-kick.

However, the veteran goalkeeper was helpless once more 21 minutes from time when Messi cut inside onto his left foot and buried the ball into the bottom corner for his eighth goal of the season already.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13 – Having failed to stop big wigs South Africa in the past three outings, the Kenya Lionesses have vowed to get one over the top seed side when the Africa Cup Sevens cum 2018 World Cup Qualifier gets underway this weekend in Tunisia.

South Africa have been dominant in the continent, winning the tournament for record five-times with four of them being back-to-back.

The Lionesses, who are the second most ranked team in Africa, have reached three consecutive finals of the Africa Cup Sevens tournament but they have lost all of them to South Africa.

However, the last time the two sides met at the same tourney in 2016, the Lionesses nearly caused an upset to South Africa when they led at some point in the final before losing by a late try to finish second after the match ended 22-17.

The Kenya Lionesses team say it will be banking on that result to get one over South Africa since they have polished on their weakness during their intensive 11 weeks training.

Head coach Kevin Wambua has handed debut to rookie Judith Auma while retaining most of the seasoned players in the team that will be captained by Philadelphia Olando.

“If you look at the scores for the past two seasons against South Africa we have been reducing the deficits. If you look at last year’s Africa Cup we lost that game in the last minute, we were winning it, but what this has done to us is that it has given my team believe that they can finally break the jinx,” Wambua said while naming the travelling squad of 12 on Wednesday at the RFUEA Ground.

“We have done our homework well, we have been working hard for the past 11 weeks and we have polished areas that let us down last year. There is a positive vibe and they (players) are ready to take the game to South Africa,” the coach added.

Team Captain Olando, who has been with the team all along echoed the coach’s sentiments, saying their sights are focused on clinching the World Cup slot.

“I have believe in my team and I have faith South Africa will not be a threat to us this time because we have worked hard for them.  At the last tournament in Zimbabwe they defeated us with only one try so I believe all that is going to change. The young new blood Judith is going to give us was we need,” Olando, who turns out for KCB RFC noted.

However, to make the mouthwatering duel against South Africa happen, Kenya will be looking to first maneuver through Group B where they are drawn with Zimbabwe, Senegal and Madagascar and Wambua has disclosed that it is not an easy pool as many think.

“It’s not an easy pool, it’s a World Cup qualifier and I do believe that all the eight teams participating in this tournament want to go to the World Cup. For us we know we have to win every game because if you look at the tournament there is going to be seeding so that means we have to win and win by a big margin so that at the end of the day we top the pool,” Wambua asserted.

Group A comprises of power house South Africa, Uganda, Morocco and hosts Tunisia.

-Four changes-

Wambua has made four changes to the side that reached the Main Cup quarterfinal at the Women’s Sevens World Series qualifiers in Hong Kong in April with Catherine Abilla and Linet Moraa relegated to non travelling reserves while Irene Otieno and Prisca Nyerere were not included.

Their absence paves way for Rachael Mbogo to make her first appearance since Rio 2016 while star Janet Okello and Cynthia Camila make their first appearance since December’s Dubai Sevens.

“Four changes bring a lot of energy to the team because if you look how we selected our squad, we went for players who were on form and those who achieved our target. We are lucky to have Janet Okello back who is arguably one of the best players not only in Kenya but also in Africa,” Wambua noted.

“Having her (Janet) in the team is a big morale in this competition. Judith Auma is making her first appearance and she deserves it because she has really worked hard since she began training. We have been monitoring her progress since she joined the team last year and she is going to give us the edge we need in terms of energy,” the coach said.

Kenya Lionesses squad to Africa Cup 7s

Philadelphia Olando (Captain), Sheila Chajira (Vice Captain), Judith Auma (Debut), Sinaida Aura, Celestine Masinde, Cynthia Camila, Doreen Remour, Janet Okello, Grace Adhiambo, Rachael Mbogo, Janet Owino, Stacy Awuor.

Non Travelling Reserves: Catherine Abilla, Diana Awino, Linet Moraa.

Management: Kevin Wambua (Head Coach), Camilyne Oyuayo (Team Manager), Ben Mahinda ( Physio), Sam Njogu ( S&C )

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13- Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has admitted he is under pressure as he prepares to break the World Record at the Berlin Marathon on September 24 with stiff competition expected from compatriot Wilson Kipsang and Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele.

Kipchoge holds the unofficial time for the fastest marathon ever, having run the 42km race in 2:00:25 at the Monza Formula One track in Italy in May in the ‘Breaking Two’ project undertaken by his sponsors Nike.

He says the expectation to run a similar race as well as the tag of being an Olympic Champion puts pressure on his shoulders, but just as cool as he is says he can deal with it perfectly well.

“With the three of us I think I am the only one under pressure heading to the race in Berlin. If the two of them have 40 percent pressure, then I have 95 percent because of the time I ran in Monza and the Olympic gold as well. I have a lot of pressure,” Kipchoge admitted.

He expects a stiff challenge from the two top athletes with Bekele and Kipsang, a former world record holder not mincing their words, also proclaiming their desire to lower Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto record of 2:02:57 set on the same course in 2014.

“All of us are top athletes. It is a quality field of athletes and I respect the two very much. But when I started my athletics career 14 years ago, my coach told me one thing; your biggest competitor is you. I expect a tough and beautiful race but at the end of the day, there will only be one winner,” smiling Kipchoge told Capital Sport.

He feels he has done enough in training to be ready for the big project and he exudes confidence that he can actually lower the time in a city that has seen the record brought down six times over the last 14 years.

While Kipsang tasted the joy of lowering the record in 2013, Bekele came within six seconds of setting a new one during the Berlin marathon last year, running a personal best of 2:03:03 in winning the title.

Kipchoge has himself come inches close to setting a new record during the 2016 London Marathon, coming only eight seconds shy of Kimetto’s record after clocking in 2:03:05. He famously looked at the screen and smiled in regret, having slowed down in the final few kilometers of the race.

-Back to Berlin-

The 33-year old will not be new to the Berlin Marathon having won it in 2015 with a time of 2:04:00, despite running almost three quarters of the race with his insoles flapping off his shoes. He was also in the field in 2013 when Kipsang broke the record finishing second in 2:04:05.

As he prepares for the race in the German capital, Kipchoge received a boost when he was unveiled as the official Isuzu brand ambassador on Wednesday morning, in a deal amounting to close to Sh14m.

In the one-year renewable deal Kipchoge will be earn Sh7m and will be given an Isuzu D-max for training and personal use.

The motor vehicle manufacturer have also given Kipchoge an incentive heading to Berlin that they will reward him with a D-Max Luxury double cab worth Sh5.9mn if he breaks the record.

“This is a great endorsement for me coming two weeks to the race in Berlin. It will push me to go out there and perform well. I think it is time athletes and corporates engage more because I believe it is a win-win situation for both,” Kipchoge said.

“I think the problem is the know-how from both the athletes and corporate organizations. We should engage more with each other because I believe there is a lot each can benefit with,” the two-time London Marathon world champion added.

“We have signed up with Eliud because over the years he has demonstrated strength, resilience and reliability in his performance. He has not failed and that resonates well with our Isuzu D-Max that we are giving him,” Isuzu East Africa Chief Financial Officer Charles Kariuki said.

Kariuki whose company has a partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union as their official transport partner has at the same time urged more corporate to come on board and help sports stars who fly the country’s flag raise their standards.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13- AFC Leopards positive run in the Kenyan Premier League was halted after losing 1-0 to resurgent Sony Sugar at the Kericho Green Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Yema Mwana scored the lone goal for the Sugar Millers a minute to half time, sinking Ingwe who had come into the fixture on the backdrop of a 3-1 win over Zoo Kericho at the same venue last Sunday.

At the Ruaraka Complex in Nairobi, Posta Rangers’ drought continued as they went for a sixth successive match without victory, being held to a 0-0 draw by bottom side Muhoroni Youth.

Posta had brilliant scoring opportunities late on in the game but were undone by poor finishing.

“It is quite disappointing because this is the sixth game we are failing to win and it all goes down to finishing. We were better today compared to last weekend, but we could not hit the back of the net with more than three good scoring chances,” Posta Rangers head coach Sammy Omollo told Capital Sport.

His opposite number James ‘Odijo’ Omondi was gracious with the point, saying it will go down a long way to lifting their bid to avoid relegation.

“This is a point gained for me and it is very important. We played well today; defensively we were okay and offensively as well we did well though we could not score. We can build on this point in the remaining 11 games and I am sure we will avoid relegation,” Omondi further said.

Posta dominated possession, but just like last weekend, they could not make it count. It was an opening 45 minutes of few chances which were far in between.

In the 38th minute, Muhoroni had a chance with Yussuf Mohammed’s freekick going through a forest of legs inside the box but Posta keeper Patrick Matasi managed to knock the ball away and was cleared by Jockins Atudo.

Two minutes to halftime, Muhoroni broke away on the counter with Thomas Venval breaking into the box after stealing the ball off Atudo, but a backtracking Titus Achesa slid in with a perfectly timed tackle knocked the ball off.

In the second half, Posta started off with Omollo pulling out Edwin Mwaura for John Nairuka, a change meant to inject pace in attack.

But it was Muhoroni with the best chance of the game, Venval missing a glorious opportunity at the far post after being picked out by a well struck Farouk Mudoola cross.

Nairuka’s influence into the game was almost immediate and in the 55th minute, Jerry Santo’s connection from his corner went inches over the bar. Two minutes later, Gaerson Likonoh also had a chance with a header from Kennedy Otieno’s cross but it went wide.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, Omollo’s men piled pressure on the visitors, seeking a goal that would aid their push into the top three.

Likonoh had a brilliant chance after getting the ball inside the box, turning his markers inside out but his shot was meek, earning an easy save from the Muhoroni shot stopper Salim Soweedi.

Minutes later, Atudo’s diving header unmarked at the far post from a Simon Mbugua delivery went wide. In the 89th minute, Dennis Mukaisi’s effort from a header rattled the crossbar after connecting to a Likonoh brush off a Luke Ochieng long throw.

Posta remains fourth with the point on 36 points.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13 – Over 20 elite athletes have confirmed participation at this year’s Chemususu Dam Half Marathon to be graced by 1992 Olympic champion Matthew Birir when the annual race will held on Saturday in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County.  

Speaking during the launch of the fourth edition that received Sh6m sponsorship boost from various corporate on Wednesday, chairman of the race Josephat Kigen said they are targeting over 1000 participants as they aim to fundraise to help educate the needy in the Eldama Ravine constituency.

“The objective of the race is to raise funds to educate the needy bright children in the Eldama Ravine constituency. We are expecting atleast 1000 runners because the race is getting popular. We have already 14 elite athletes so we shall have over 20 of them. This race is becoming a national function and our hope in future is to reach the heights of Ndakaini Half Marathon,” Kigen said.

Delhi, 2010 Commonwealth Games women’s marathon champion Irene Jerotich who comes from the region has called on upcoming athletes to compete in the race on Saturday, because the event is a breeding ground for world beaters.

“Chemususu has helped the village and t has been the training ground for many champions. This initiative has brought upcoming athletes who have gone ahead to win major races in the world. As home residents we urge other athletes to come and join us in this event,” Jerotich said.

Jerotich, who won the 2006 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon, has been out of competition for four years after picking a toe injury but she is optimistic of returning to active racing in 2018.

The race received a  major boost  including  Sh1.5m  sponsorship from the title sponsors Rift Valley water services, Sh500,000 each from Kenya Power and Lightening Company, Kenya Commercial Bank, Transnational Bank ,CFC Stanbic Bank and Kenya Civil Aviation among others.

This is the first time the race has been included in the Athletics Kenya calendar and will see athletes compete in the 21km and 10 km races.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13- Stephen Owusu stepped off the bench to score the winner as Tusker FC bounced back to winning ways after a dry run of three winless matches, beating Zoo Kericho 2-1 at the Ruaraka Complex on Wednesday.

Danson Chetambe had drawn Zoo back level after Humphrey Mieno’s opener, but Owusu tapped home a cross from another sub, Mike Khamati to ensure Tusker rose back to winning ways and revive their slim title retention hopes.

This comes as second placed Sofapaka suffered their first loss in five matches after going down 2-1 to Ulinzi Stars in Kericho, halting their perfect run and handing a huge advantage to leaders Gor Mahia who can open up a nine point gap with a win over Chemelil Sugar on Thursday.

Cliff Kasuto and Samuel Onyango scored as the military side got a much needed three points after drawing last weekend away to Muhoroni Youth. The three points hoist them to fifth in the standings, one point behind Kariobangi Sharks.

-Kariobangi Sharks beat Mathare-

Sharks picked up three points on Wednesday after a splendid performance at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani saw them spank relegation threatened Mathare United 3-0.

In Ruaraka, Tusker were in danger of another pressure piling loss, but they gave in a concerted last effort against a never say die Zoo to ensure they bagged the three points.

“Our problem has been scoring but today, we at least managed to get two goals. It is a huge sigh of relief for us and I hope this is the turning point for us ahead of the remaining 10 games of the season. We have to continue working hard,” Omino told Capital Sport after the match.

His opposite number Sammy Okoth was left ruing concentration lapses especially with Tusker’s winner having come against the run of play.

“It is disappointing though our performance today was better compared to last weekend. Our aim now is to ensure that we at least finish the season well and avoid relegation,” Okoth said after the game.

Zoo were better starters into the match and Isaac Kipyegon had the game’s first effort on target with a 12th minute freekick from the edge of the box that went straight to David Okello in the Tusker goal.

On the half hour mark, Nicholas Kipkurui had a brilliant opportunity after beating Okello to the ball at his near post from a Stanislus Akiya cross, but his nifty touch was inches wide.

Tusker had struggled to create chances with Zoo dominating most of the play Boniface Muchiri was the most lively of Tusker players and his shot from distance in the 32nd minute was turned behind for a corner by the Zoo keeper’s fingertips.

Te visitors kept on pushing and Mike Madoya forced a brilliant save off Okello in the 40th minute with a wonderful volley from the edge of the box. The pint-sized midfielder looped the ball over an advancing Martin Kiiza before volleying on target but it was punched away.

Two minutes to the breather, Allan Wanga who was starting his first game for the brewers since the second leg had a chance from close range but he toe-poked the ball over after being flicked through by Muchiri.

Tusker seemed better organized in the second half and it took only seven minutes for them to get going. Mieno finished off calm and composed inside the box after beating the box from a Muchiri cross.

Three minutes later, Zoo keeper Samuel Koko made a brilliant fingertip save on the backfoot after Eugene Asike’s freekick from the right seemed to be heading into the top left corner of the goal.

Tusker continued their dominance and Collins Shivachi came close with a freekick from the edge of the box which was spilled by Koko in the Zoo goal with the defense clearing away the spill.

However, against the run of play, Zoo got their song back, Chetambe tapping the ball over keeper Okello after racing on to a through pass from Kipkurui. Both Shivachi and Mieno raced back to try and poke the ball off before it went in but the ball crossed the line.

The equalizer gave Zoo the much needed adrenaline to push for a possible winner, but their efforts were nipped right in the bud nine minutes to full time when Owusu who had just come on for Kiiza tapped home a yard off goal from Khamati’s delivery.

The brewers now move to sixth in the standings while Zoo remain 14th.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 13- Relegation threatened Western Stima have ‘redeployed’ head coach Henry Omino to position of Technical Director and sacked assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo as the team looks to give a final push to avoid relegation.

Ugandan Richard Makumi, formerly of Mbarara FC in Uganda will take charge of the team beginning with this weekend’s tie at home to Sony Sugar.

“I have been under pressure from the management because they can’t sit and look at us sliding towards the National Super League. I had no choice but to act. We have elevated Omino to the position of Technical Director and the only change we make is our assistant coach who will leave the team,” Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita told Capital Sport.

“It is not that we are playing badly. It is also not that Omino is not a good coach. We are just unlucky, I understand the management because they put money in the team and we have to get results,” he added.

Western Stima occupies 16th position in the standings with 22 points, five off safety but Jobita is confident that a renewed vigor will see them survive the chop.

“We only need 15 points to survive relegation. Of the 10 remaining games, we can win five and hit our target. I am very confident that we can achieve this. Definitely we are going to survive,” a confident Jobita further added.

After their midweek loss to Mathare United in Nairobi, Western Stima bounced back picking a point off in a 0-0 draw with high flying Kakamega Homeboyz in Kisumu.

The team has been forced to build up afresh this season after losing most of their key players at the close of the 2016 season.

Reigning Kenyan premier League player of the year Kenneth Muguna and defender Joash Onyango left for Gor Mahia while Dennis Sikhayi and Gabriel Andika left for AFC Leopards.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- National football team Harambee Stars has dropped six places in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday morning, moving to 88th from 82nd with 400 points.

Between August and September, Kenya played one friendly match away to Mozambique, coming from behind to draw 1-1 thanks to Eric Johanna’s late goal.

In the CECAFA region,  Uganda remains the best placed country having moved two places up, much buoyed by their victory over Egypt in a World Cup Qualifier at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, though they lost the return leg in Alexandria.

Rwanda have moved one spot up to 118th while Tanzania has dropped down five places to rank at 125th. Sudan has moved a massive 18 spots up to rank at 124th while neighbors Ethiopia, who are Kenya’s opponents in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, have dipped 24 places to 114th.

Cape Verde is the biggest mover in the ranking after their victory over South Africa scaled them 47 places up to 67th. Alongside Sudan, Zambia who beat Algeria home and away in the World Cup qualifiers are also some of the biggest African movers having climbed 18 places up to 78th.

African Cup of Nations runners-up Egypt remain the best ranked African country despite going down five places to 30th while Tunisia has moved three places up to 31st, displacing Senegal as the second best African country.

Overall, World Cup and Confederations Cup champions Germany have dislodged Brazil from the top spot, the two swapping places at first and second in the ranking.

European champions Portugal have moved into the top three having gained three places.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- Tusker FC head coach George ‘Best’ Nsimbe is still holding on to the final straws of an otherwise disastrous season, keeping faith that the Brewers can still race up a 14 point gap between them and leaders Gor Mahia with 11 rounds of matches remaining.

Nsimbe’s charges revived their faintest title hopes on Wednesday with a 2-1 home win over resilient Zoo Kericho with the win taking them to 33 points and ending a three-match winless streak.

“This is a marathon and we can’t give up. This is a great win for us and maybe this is the touch of luck we were looking for. This might be the turning point. We are not giving up and we will fight to the end. I still believe we can catch up,” a confident Nsimbe told Capital Sport.

The Ugandan tactician, who joined Tusker at the beginning of the season, has also said he is confident the club’s management still has self-belief in him despite an otherwise underwhelming season.

Tusker were eliminated from the GOtv Shield, a title they won for the first time in 23 years last season while their league defense campaign now seems in tatters.

“I am a qualified coach and I know the club has confidence in me. I should have more time to make this team great. This season we have not been very lucky but I still believe we can do something in future,” Nsimbe added.

-Sofapaka title hunt-

Meanwhile, second placed Sofapaka saw their title charge slowed down with a 2-1 loss at the hands of another title hopeful, Ulinzi Stars.

However, the silver lining in Sofapaka’s loss was that Ugandan forward Umaru Kassumba struck his 11th goal in seven matches, moving joint top of the goal scorers’ chart with Ulinzi’s Stephen Waruru.

With a game at hand, the soldiers moved to fifth with 36 points, nine short of leaders Gor Mahia.

“We played well and I see the rhythm is coming back slowly. We have been faced with a tough run of fixtures and getting to pick a win against a team on form like Sofapaka is a big boost for us. We will also give our best in the remaining 12 games and see whether we can challenge for the title,” Ulinzi head coach Benjamin Nyangweso said.

Sofapaka assistant coach John Baraza was gracious in defeat and affirmed the team will not be deterred by the loss, instead focusing more energy to bridge the gap between them and the leaders.

-Relegation battle-

While the battle at the top remained intense, the fight for survival at the bottom equally made interesting twists.

Mathare United who had earlier not lost a single match in the second leg found themselves dragged back into the murky waters of relegation after an astounding 3-0 loss at the hands of Kariobangi Sharks.

The Premier League new boys completed a home and away whitewash of the Slum Boys, a classic example of the apprentice outwitting the master.

Not only have most of the Kariobangi Sharks players come through the Mathare system but their head coach William Muluya is a coaching student of Mathare United’s Francis Kimanzi.

The victory took Sharks to fourth in the standings, much keeping to William Muluya’s ambition of a top five finish

The battle for survival is set to go down the wire with Western Stima and Thika United both dropping points at home while Muhoroni Youth picked one away.

Muhoroni who were promoted to top tier football in 2012 stay confident they will remain in the league despite being placed bottom with 20 points, seven off safety.

“There are 11 games remaining and I need to win only five of those. The gap between us and safety is not big. I am confident the players can get something despite the fact that we are going through tough times especially on finances,” head coach James Omondi told Capital Sport.

KPL midweek results:

Western Stima 0 Kakamega Homeboyz 0 (Moi Stadium Kisumu), Mathare United 0 Kariobangi Sharks 3 (Narok), Nzoia Sugar 3 Bandari 0 (Sudi, Bungoma), Thika United 2 Nakumatt 2 (Thika), Posta Rangers 0 Muhoroni Youth 0, Tusker FC 2 Zoo Kericho 1 (Ruaraka Complex), AFC Leopards 0 SoNy Sugar 1, Ulinzi Stars 2 Sofapaka 1 (Kericho Stadium).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- Despite facing a tough week characterized by training go slows over unpaid allowances, record 15-time Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia did not show any sign of a club in crisis as they rolled on to a 3-0 win over Chemelil Sugar in Kisumu on Thursday.

Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge struck twice in the first half with Kenneth Muguna adding a third as Gor romped to their sixth win in seven matches to open up a nine-point gap at the top of the standings, looking well on course to a 16th league crown.

Missing Harun Shakava ,who is on suspension and the injured Karim Nizigiyimana, head coach Dylan kerr who remains unbeaten since taking over Gor made changes in his starting squad, bringing in Wellington Ochieng at right-back while Joash Onyango partnered skipper Musa Mohammed at the heart of defense.

K’Ogalo were fast off the blocks especially buoyed by Sofapaka’s 2-1 loss at the hands of Ulinzi Stars on Wednesday which gave them some breathing space at the top of the standings.

Muguna had a chance with a fourth minute freekick but it went straight to the wall while 10 minutes later, Apollo Otieno was forced to make a hasty clearance off George ‘Blackberry‘ Odhiambo’s feet after keeper Jairus Adira had failed to hold on to a Wellington Ochieng cross.

The early pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Tuyisenge beat Adira one-on-one after racing on to a George Odhiambo through ball.

The Rwandese added his second in sublime fashion, banging the net with a well taken overhead kick after Meddie Kagere flicked on a cross from Ochieng on the right.

Chemelil, who were off a 4-1 spanking by Sofapaka last weekend, thought they had grabbed one back 10 minutes from half time but Faraj Ominde’s goal was ruled out for offside.

-Second half-

At the start of the second half, Kerr pulled out Tuyisenge as a precautionary measure with the striker having picked up an injury in the weekend win over Nzoia Sugar as Francis Kahata took his place.

Gor continued dominating and looking all comfortable and Muguna struck their third goal in the 62nd minute after a beautiful one-two interchange of passes with Kagere.

With a 3-0 advantage, Kerr made his second sub, pulling out Innocent Wafula who had started on the right offensive side for speedy John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu.

His opposite number Abdallah Juma responded by making a double change, pulling out the ineffective Collins Neto for Philip Muchuma while Erastus Mwaniki paved way for former Thika United forward Moses Arita.

However, not even the offensive changes would make a difference for the sugar millers as Gor managed to hold on to the lead, a healthy boost ahead of their weekend trip to Thika to face hosts Thika United.

Gor would have had the last laugh in a match they dominated with Kahata’s effort being parried away at the stroke of 90 minute by Adira following a good passing move by the league leaders.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- The Kenya women’s volleyball Under-23 team lost their fourth straight match at the FIVB World Championship in Slovania, going down by straight sets to South American side Cuba who picked up their first victory in the competition.

The Cubans needed 55 minutes to see off a resilient Kenya side with Ailama Cese Montalvo and Diaris De La Caridad Perez Ramos delivering the day’s best performance, Kenya losing in set scores of 15-9, 15-10, 15-7, 15-12 in 55 minutes.

Kenya’s best performance was in the final set when they raced on to the lead up until the 11 point mark when Cuba came from three points down to go all the way to winning the set to much disappointment of the Kenyans who were inches of their first set win in the tournament.

“We didn’t start well. Later on, we improved but finishing the set remained our problem. In the second set, we started to play and fight. Cuba is a very good team. They are tall and have powerful attacks and good blocks,” Kenya head coach Catherine Mabwi said after the match.

Her sentiments were echoed by skipper Shyrine Jepkemboi who said; “We did our best today. We were expecting more; we tried to win this match. Nevertheless, we had bad luck in our match as well.”

Cuba’s Perez and Ailama had identical twelve-point outputs while Yvone Wavinya top scored for Kenya with eight points, including one ace. Cuba made the difference with a 39-19 spiking firework.

Cuba outclassed Kenya in the opening set with a strong 15-9 win. The young Africans continued to fight in the succeeding sets, but setter Gretell Elena Moreno Borrero helped Cuba run clutch plays that ensured match victory.

Mabwi’s girls will hope for a better performance when the girls face off with Japan in their final group match on Friday, hopefully gunning to win their first set of the tournament.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- Neddy Atieno announced her return to the national women’s  football team in style, striking thrice as the Harambee Starlets twice came from behind to beat Mozambique 5-2 in their CECAFA Women’s Championship opening match at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Starlets left it late, scoring three goals in the final six minutes of the game to give new head coach Richard Kanyi a winning start to his tenure as the national team boss.

Atieno twice equalized after Mozambique had gone ahead with youngster Mwanahalima ‘Dogo’ Adam scoring the third in the 84th minute. Atieno made it four with three minutes left on the clock as substitute Phoebe Owiti put the icing on the cake with a late sumptuous freekick.

“We had a strategy coming into the second half because Mozambique had taken us by surprise in the first half. We decided to be patient building up from behind and the strategy worked. I brought in faster players in the second half and that worked well for us,” an excited Kanyi said after the victory.

Starlets started the match superbly attacking form the opening minute and Mercy Achieng had a shot come off the bar in the 19th minute after finding shooting space on the left.

But Mozambique struck when least expected, Lucia Leila curling a superb freekick from the edge of the box catching keeper Jenipher Odhiambo off guard.

Starlets however equalized just three minutes later when Neddy struck low from inside the box after outmuscling two of her markers.

In the second half, Mozambique started better off the blocks and they just needed a minute to get back on top, Lucia completing her brace after being given shooting space by the Kenyan defense from the edge of the area.

Ten minutes later though, Starlets were back in contention with a well worked goal. Wendy Achieng lobbed over her markers before volleying home a cross from the left which was headed home by a diving Atieno inside the box.

The game turned into a full contest with coach Kanyi bringing in Janet Bundi for Lucy Mukhwana, a change meant to add pace in attack. Kenya dominated play, but they could not get the right finishing tact.

In the 80th minute, Bundi had a chance after out-stepping her marker, but her eventual shot went over. A minute later, Atieno had a chance after finding shooting space on the right, but the effort went wide.

But those were just warning signs to Mozambique and the floodgates opened in the 84th minute when Adam struck from close range after Owiti’s shot inside the box from a Dorris Anyango cross bumped off a Mozambican defender and Adam pounced to strike home.

Atieno completed her hat-trick in sublime fashion in the 87th minute, beautifully chesting down a Wendy Achieng cross from the left before shooting to the bottom right wither weaker left foot.

Owiti then put the icing on the cake at the stroke of 90 minutes, striking home straight from a freekick after Adam had been axed on the left.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has admitted that the state of the Kinoru Stadium in Meru and the Kipchoge Keino in Eldoret offer the biggest headache as Kenya looks to convince CAF they will be ready for next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Slightly over three months before the tournament begins, work at the Kinoru Stadium is just but taking shape and construction was at its primary stage when the CAF team visited on Wednesday.

The eight-member CAF inspection team led by second vice president Constant Omari is expected to find more or less the same situation at the Kip Keino Stadium when they land for inspection on Friday morning.

“Kinoru and Kipchoge Keino are where there are problems. Work hasn’t picked up with as much pace but we are bolstering contractors to ensure that work goes on well and we are focusing so much on that. They (CAF) are fairly happy with Nyayo and Kasarani,” Mwendwa said on Thursday after the CAF team inspected the Kasarani Stadium.

The 60,000-seater facility which recently hosted the IAAF World Under-18 Championships is more or less ready with only a few areas needing polishing. It is scheduled to host the opening and closing ceremony as well as Group A matches.

The CAF team and members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) were scheduled to meet Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Thursday evening but was later called off as the county chief was said to be held up in another function.

“We are looking at whether we can schedule it for another day because we were told late on that he (Sonko) is not available,” LOC Deputy CEO Herbart Mwachiro told Capital Sport.

-Kipchoge Keino Stadium-

The visit to Kipchoge Keino on Friday will be their last before the team holds a meeting with Sports Ministry officials on Saturday. According to the schedule, they are also set to meet Deputy President William Ruto.

A decision on whether or not Kenya retains the hosting rights will be made during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Accra, Ghana on September 23 and the decision will rely majorly on the report filed by the inspection team.

According to the LOC, Nyayo should be up and ready by October 20 while Kinoru and Kipchoge Keino are scheduled to be complete by mid November.

Meanwhile, Mwendwa has said the team is more worried about the country’s political stability especially with the October 17 fresh Presidential elections.

“The biggest issue to them is not even about the facility, but the political situation in the country. They are saying their sponsors are not happy with the political climate and are asking whether we can have a conducive climate for tournament,” the FKF chief noted.

“I will be headed to Kinshasa this weekend where hopefully I can convince them that those issues will not affect us. The Government has given an undertaking in writing and the minister has given security guarantees,” Mwendwa further revealed.

FKF continue to hold faith that the tournament will still be held in Kenya even with increased decibels on the sounds of South Africa or Morocco being on high alert as potential replacements should Kenya fall short of the required standard.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, September 15 – Defending champion Barselius Kipyego and Violah Jepchumba will start as the favourites at the seventh Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road race, in the north-central Czech city on Saturday.

Kipyego, who set the race record with his 59:15 personal best last year, is one of four men in the field who have dipped under the one-hour mark for the distance.

The others are Kenyan Kenneth Keter, who clocked 59:48 last year; Lahbabi Aziz of Morocco who ran 59:25 in 2014; and another Kenyan, Solomon Kirwa Yego, who clocked 58:44 last year on the fast Ostia course.

Yego has the best time of the entrants this season at 59:50 from February’s Ras Al Khaimah race where he finished fourth. The 30-year-old impressed at the Paris Marathon two months later where he clocked a 2:07:12 lifetime best to finish fourth.

Kipyego, 24, clocked 1:00:47 in his only half marathon this year, finishing fourth in Prague in April. Keter ran 1:01:05 in Ras Al Khaimah in February, where he finished eighth and Lahbabi 1:02:17 in Istanbul in April.

Ismail Juma of Tanzania and Kenyans Josphat Kiprop Kiptis and Josphat Kimutai Tanui, with 1:00:09, 1:00:21 and 1:00:38 bests respectively, should be in the hunt as well.

Jepchumba, 26, leads the women’s field. The Bahraini is one of history’s fastest women over 10km and the half marathon, with 30:05 and 1:05:22 lifetime bests to rank second and fifth over the distances all-time.

Both performances came in the same race, when she finished second to Joyciline Jepkosgei at the Prague Half Marathon on 1 April. She was nearly as fast at last weekend’s Birell Prague 10km, where she clocked 30:25 to finish third behind yet another world record run by her former compatriot Jepkosgei.

Others in the hunt include Lucy Cheruiyot, the runner-up last year at 1:08:17 and Yvonne Jelagat, whose current personal best stands at 1:08:19. Kenyans Stacy Jepkemboi Ndiwa and Lydia Rotich, who’ve clocked 1:10:08 and 1:10:57, could play a role as well.

Eva Vrabcova-Nyvltova, who brings a 1:11:06 best to the start line, leads the domestic charge.

The race will be broadcast live on ČT Sport and online at www.runczech.com starting from 14:50 local (GMT+2).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15 – Candidates vying for posts in the forthcoming National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) elections have accused the Executive of interference.

The candidates led by the Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) chairman Andrew Mudibo, who is eyeing NOCK’s Secretary General’s post accused the Executive of using the powers of the elections in poll’s independent electoral body Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD).

“It is sad and unacceptable that the NOCK Executive has taken over the roles of the independent electoral body CMD by delegating and giving it orders,” they said.

The candidates said there is a conflict of interest as some of the Executive Members are interested parties since they are also participating in the polls as candidates.

“How can a player in a completion assume the roles of a referee in the same contest? They posed.

Addressing a press conference, the protesting candidates included, Mudibo, Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) vice chairperson veteran journalist Elyna Shiveka eyeing treasurer’s post, Kenya Judo Association (KJA) chairman Shadrack Maluki gunning for the vice presidency.

Others were Kenya Sports Shooting and Rifle Federation General Secretary Mohammed Shoiab going for a committee member position and Kenya Swimming Transitional Authority Committee (TAC) official Roselyne Njeri contesting for the Women’s representative seat.

“The IOC letter dated14th September, 2017, is very clear on how important the independence of the electoral process has to run and also how any matter that they cannot resolve is to be handled by the General Assembly,” they said.

They complained of the unilateral and unconstitutional decision made by the NOCK Executive by drawing a list of delegates which does not have the blessings of the respective federations.

“In the list that NOCK forwarded to federations, they have changed some names of delegates from the previous one which the CMD had before the May elections aborted,” they lamented.

They wondered why the NOCK executive has gone ahead to hand pick federation officials which was preserve of the respective federations in accordance with NOCK constitution in selecting those to attend the meeting.

They stated: “Clause 14.6 of the new NOCK Constitution says, it shall be mandatory in all cases for relevant federation, association or body referred to Rule 13.1 hereof to declare in writing and inform the Secretary General of the Committee in advance of the meeting, the names of two delegates, noting to specify the voting delegate.”

The aspirants claimed executive has gone against a resolution during their extraordinary meeting held on September 14, where they resolved that federations having factions or issues in court must have resolved them before September 29th or otherwise will not be allowed to participate in the polls.

“If this was the case you would not have expected to have seen those names of officials of the federation’s warring factions on the delegates list released by NOCK. Why try and force a to the members assembly,” they lamented.

The candidates were flanked by the immediate former NOCK vice chairman Pius Ochieng’ who is the Kenya Weightlifting Federation (KWF) chief, Kenya Badminton Federation (KBF) chairman Peter Muchiri , Kenya Swimming Transitional Authority Committee (TAC)  chair Conrad Thorpe and Kenya Rowing and Canoeing Federation official James Mweu.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15- Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has reiterated that the club is not in crisis despite reports that players boycotted training prior to their game against Chemelil over unpaid allowances.

Rachier has instead said those are simple detractors that are meant to tip them off balance as they muscle towards their record 16th Kenyan Premier League title.

“I think those are very minor issues that are only meant to distract the team. We are at a very crucial stage in terms of the season and at this point, anyone would say anything just to take the focus off the team and the fight for the title,” Rachier told Capital Sport on Friday.

“Yes we pay players training allowances but we have an agreement with them that this will be done always at the end of the month. So these noises that are there, I don’t understand them. Last weekend we won 4-0, yesterday we won 3-0 so there is absolutely no crisis at the club,” Racheir added.

The same sentiments were shared by head coach Dylan Kerr who insisted that the club is bigger than anyone and the players will always put in a performance especially for the fans.

“I respect the players’ decision when they want what is owed to them because they deserve it. But at the same time, I told them no one is bigger than the club. The amazing fans own this club and we need above all to give them something,” the coach said.

“I understand that my chairman and the management are working hard to resolve the same issues so there should be no cause for worry,” Kerr assured.

Skipper Musa Mohammed says the players are focused on raking in results and keeping their place on top of the log with all eyes cast on reclaiming the league title from Tusker FC.

“There has been an issue yes but that is something that the management has promised to work on. For us, we remain focused to go to the field, play and get good results. We will not be distracted and the good thing is that we have players who are hungry to perform,” the defender said.

The players were given a day off on Friday having arrived from Kisumu late Thursday night and are scheduled to train at the Parklands Sports Club on Saturday morning.

K’Ogalo are on a seven match unbeaten streak and their 3-0 victory over Chemelil Sugar on Thursday took them nine points clear of second placed Sofapaka. A win against Thika United on Sunday will see them maintain their hold on top spot.

Kerr has insisted the players will take the game with 100 percent seriousness despite facing a team fighting relegation.

“I give maximum respect to every team because everyone usually comes to beat Gor Mahia. Our target still remains the same and I expect a very tough match because Thika is always a difficult place to go. Hopefully we can keep on winning,” the coach added.

A hard fighting Thika held Gor to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, and head coach Nicholas Muyoti expects the team to better their return when they welcome the record 15-time champions at their home turf.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15- Despite his side sitting deep in the drop zone, Mathare United head coach Francis Kimanzi is not worried that the 2008 Kenyan Premier League champions will be relegated at the end of the season.

Mathare are 15th in the standings with 25 points, one away from safety and with 10 matches remaining, Kimanzi says he is confident his young squad will be able to climb up and evade the chop.

“I don’t think we are at a bad position on the table. As a matter of fact, I think we are in a very good position. If you look at how we started the season and now, there is a great improvement with players so there is no worry that we will be relegated. That hasn’t even crossed my mind,” Kimanzi said.

The Slum Boys’ battle for survival suffered a major setback in midweek when they lost 3-0 to Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Stadium, but as they prepare to face his former employers Tusker FC on Sunday, he is confident they can bounce back to winning ways.

“Football is a game of moments and sometimes they do go against your favor despite playing well. That result is now behind our backs and the focus is on Tusker. It is another tough match but we are ready for it. It is tough planning now because the games are so squeezed but we don’t have much of a choice. Every team is going through the same,” the coach noted.

Mathare lost 2-0 to Tusker in the first leg but Kimanzi is confident things will be different this time round. Overall, Mathare will not be favored by history as over the last 17 meetings between the two old age foes, the Slum Boys have won only four times.

“In football, form might count but what is more important is your performance on that day. We want to have a performance we can be proud of not only for this match but for the remaining nine. We need to ensure we pick points in all,” the tactician added.

-Relegation battle-

As Mathare battles with Tusker in Ruaraka, bottom side Muhoroni Youth will be away to Nzoia Sugar at the Sudi Stadium. Muhoroni who gained promotion to top flight football in 2012 are seven points away from safety and head coach James Omondi is confident it is a gap they can bridge.

“I just need five wins from those five games and I will be safe. It is not a hard thing and starting this weekend, we need to get them. We are playing a tricky Nzoia side at their own home ground, but we know how they play and we know we can beat them,” Omondi confidently stated.

Muhoroni has picked two points off Ulinzi Stars and Posta Rangers in their past two games and it is that kind of a performance Omondi and his charges will look back to for motivation to pull them through against Nzoia.

The Bungoma-based side picked a huge 3-0 win in the first leg in Muhoroni but Omondi says they will be going for revenge at the Sudi Stadium.

Elsewhere, new Western Stima head coach Richard Makumi will take charge for the first time this weekend as the powermen play Sony Sugar at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu. Makumi was appointed on Wednesday to take over from Henry Omino who now assumes a new role as Technical Director.

His brief will be simple; take Stima off relegation.

Stima are placed 16th in the standings with 22 points, five away from safety and are facing a poor run of form having won only one of their last five games.

They come up against a resilient Sony side who have won two matches on the trot, beating defending champions Tusker FC and AFC Leopards within a space of three days and carry with them to Kisumu a huge lift of confidence.

-Title chase-

Meanwhile, Posta Rangers, Sofapaka and Ulinzi Stars will hope to give a final push for the title, with the hope that leaders Gor Mahia will drop points along the way.

Sofapaka will tackle a resurgent Kariobangi Sharks in Machakos while Ulinzi Stars will face Posta Rangers in a tough tie in Thika.

Posta head coach Sammy Omollo has officially thrown in the towel as far as the title race is concerned and will instead focus on pushing for a top three finish.

Ulinzi, who still have a match at hand against leaders Gor hold on to hope they can give a final push and will want to complete a double over Posta, having broken their unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory in Nakuru in the first leg.

“Having won against Sofapaka on Wednesday, we have so much confidence and that is what drives us heading to Thika. It is a challenging ground to play in but we will have to adapt and fight for three points. We want to win and see what we can get off the season. If it means getting to a title position then well and good,” the coach further noted.

KPL weekend fixtures:

Saturday: Kariobangi Sharks v Sofapaka (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos).

Sunday: Posta Rangers v Ulinzi Stars (2 p.m.), Gor Mahia v Thika United (Thika Sub-County Stadium, 4 p.m.), AFC Leopards v Kakamega Homeboyz (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos), Bandari v Zoo Kericho (Mbaraki Complex), Chemelil Sugar v Nakumatt (Chemelil), Nzoia Sugar v Muhoroni Youth (Sudi Stadium), Tusker v Mathare United (Ruaraka Complex), Western Stima v SoNy Sugar (Moi Stadium, Kisumu).

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