NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 8- An upbeat Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr is defiant that their CAF Champions League first round tie against Esperance du Tunis is not over despite a barren stalemate in the first leg on Wednesday.

Gor produced one of the finest performances ever by a Kenyan team in continental football since Sofapaka’s win over Ismailia in 2011, but failed when it mattered most, banging in the goals that would have seen them carry a huge advantage to Tunis.

And now, Kerr has urged his side to replicate that same performance in the return leg in 10 days time, saying he does not care about the side’s performance last time they played there in 2014, a match that ended 5-0 in favour of the North Africans.

“I don’t care about 2014. I am not bothered at all about that because that’s history. What I care about is do we have the belief that we can be better than a lot of people actually give us credit for?” the tactician posed, even as he lavished his side with praise over their performance.

Esperance keeper Noel Ben Sherifia was undoubtedly Esperance’s best player on the pitch, making two crucial saves in the first half and one in the second half as the North Africans took with them a 0-0 draw from Machakos.

“I have just said to the players don’t go to Tunisia scared. Go out there and give me that performance. We could have scored six goals; we had chances, it wasn’t our day in front of goal. But you’ve got to praise my boys,” he said.

“They went out there dominated the game and showed how good we are and we now need to go to Tunisia in a hostile environment and show that as well,” Kerr added.

Kerr also lamented that the team didn’t have the best of pre-match days as they were forced to spend seven hours in traffic from Nairobi, arriving in Machakos at 1am Wednesday morning.

“For them to recover as well as they did is incredible. I say thanks to my players for the energy and enthusiasm displayed. We ran throughout the 90 minutes and Esperance perhaps wasted 30 of those minutes lying down and especially their goalkeeper,” stated the tactician.

Kerr also bemoaned that the financial situation of the club is not helping much especially after the exit of sponsors, but says the club from the management to players are fighting to ensure they ink their names in history books.

“Kenyan football should embrace this because we have taken this to another level. I told the players to enjoy this and make the most of it and I hope they realize how good they are after this performance against a strong Tunisia side. We should go there surprise people then maybe we can get the respect of African football,” Kerr further noted.

The tactician is also hoping that the Kenyan premier league management can lessen their burden ahead of the return leg, lamenting that while Esperance had a more spaced out calendar in the local league, they have been forced to play five matches in 15 days.

Gor will once again swing their attention back to the local league action on Sunday where they are scheduled to play against Nzoia Sugar at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The tactician says he will have no other choice but to rotate his squad again as he looks to ensure everyone is fit and fresh.

The post I don’t care about 2014, roars Gor boss Kerr appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 8- Kenya Prisons continued with their dominant performance at the African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in Cairo, picking their second consecutive victory with a straight sets whitewash of Ivorian side Asec Mimosa on Thursday.

Prisons who delivered the same hammer blow to Nigeria’s Customs yesterday made minced meat of the Ivorians winning in sets of 25-7, 25-17 and 25-12.

The first set was a walk through for David Lung’aho’s girls as they took advantage of Mimosa’s poor reception and service to stretch an unassailable lead which the Western Africans could not match.

Prisons seemed to have loosened their grip on the game in the second set as Mimosa crept back into the game. Lung’aho’s charges scored four quick unanswered points courtesy of wide serves, but Mimosa managed to narrow the gap, scoring three quick points.

It continued being a give and take affair but Prisons managed to hold on to the lead, picking an 8-7 gap at the end of the first technical time out.

After resumption, Prisons became tighter and they managed to go into a four point lead at 13-9 forcing the Ivorians to call for a time out but it didn’t work much as Prisons went into the second technical time out 16-10 up.

A late rally in the final quarter of the set wasn’t enough, despite Mimosa increasing the strength on their hits, Prisons tucking away with a 25-17 score.

The final set was more of a final punch as Pipeline took control, leading 8-6 at the first technical time-out and 16-7 at the second and finished off with a 25-12 score.

The post On-form Prisons outsmart Asec Mimosa appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 8 – Scrutineering for the 2018 Safari Rally will be done at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani outside Gate 9 and 10 on Thursday next week March 15.

This was confirmed by the Clerk-of-Course Gurvir Bhabra who said that the area is big enough to accommodate two 100 people sitting tents which will be hoisted to house scrutineers and cars.

Their tasks amongst other things is to seal some components like turbo chargers,  check eligibility of  cars as competition machines and ascertain safety standards as per the International  Motorsport Federation (FIA) set standards.

Besides technical staff, other officials will also be able to do documentation on location and if need use office equipment at the permanent rally headquarters next door.

On settling on Kasarani for scrutineering, Bhabra said the concrete surface is flat with the ideal gradient to check out cars at Zero Level and for mounting mechanical equipment compared to the Kenya International Convention Centre.

The area fronting the ticketing booths at Kasarani will be turned to parking bays which will allow drivers and their crew to park awaiting being served, added Gurvir.

Kasarani is also the headquarters of the WRC Safari Rally Project with more than 3000 square feet office space.

-Headquarters for Safari moved-

But the headquarters of the rally will be moved to Sopa Lodge 14km from Naivasha town via the old escarpment road until March 18 at the end of the Safari which will also end there unlike in the past in Nairobi.

Bhabra said the drivers will leave Kasarani on Thursday but must park their rally cars at the KICC Pac ferme on Friday by 9:00 am and be seated by 10:00am, an hour before the first car is flagged off as per FIA regulations and protocols of the day.

The first car is expected at Sopa Lodge, 94km from Nairobi, by 12:30 for service at the Service Park within the same facility before heading for the first and only competitive stage of the day Aberdares 1  (12km long) via the main road. The road towards Abrades is behind Delamere heading towards the Aberdare ranges, 49km from Sopa Lodge.

The cars will be back to Sopa for overnight halt ahead of the next day’s action in Soysambu Ranch about 20km from Gilgil towns on the left side on Nairobi/Nakuru highway.

Organisers are expected to release a proper spectator guide in the closed sections for their own safety and those of competing cars.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9- World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri says athletics, a sport she watched and admired on television a few years back has given her life, saying the opportunities the sport has opened up to her are amazing.

The Kenyan endurance star enjoyed an outstanding 2017 season highlighted by her world title in London and the 28-year old reveals to IAAF what the sport has given to her.

“In Kenya running is a passion. The whole nation runs. It is part of our culture!

“My first running experiences came at school. I enjoyed running the 200 metres, 400 metres and 800 metres, even though back then I was not winning. I started to race more competitively after joining the Kenyan Defence Force (where Obiri serves as a soldier),”

“I recall in 2010 running in bigger races such as the Kenyan Defence Force Championships. It was there I was identified by Noah Ngeny (the 2000 Olympic 1500m champion) and invited to train at the PACE Sports Management camp in Kaptagat.”

“The following year I made a big breakthrough by winning the Kenyan 1500m title and competing at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu.

“In my youth, I used to watch out for all the top Kenyan athletes on TV, Of course, running is held in very high regard in Kenya, so I admire all those who represented their country.”

“If I had to pick one athlete, it would be Vivian Cheryuiyot because she was so small but strong at the same time. I am now pleased to call her a good friend.

“Athletics has given me so much. It has allowed me to travel the world, meet new people and also earn a good living allowing me to support my family back in Kenya.”

“By travelling so extensively and visiting so many countries – an opportunity which would not have come my way without athletics – it has helped my education and my understanding of the world.

“Without athletics I don’t know what I’d be doing now. Maybe, I would be a KDF soldier.

“I love to run and I feel happiest when competing. I enjoy all elements to running but personally you can’t beat the buzz and thrill from racing at major championships.”

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VIENNA, Austria, Mar 9- Nancy Kiprop will return to defend her title at the Vienna City Marathon on 22 April, facing one of the strongest women’s fields ever assembled for this IAAF Gold Label road race.

This year’s race, its 35th edition, features four women who have run under 2:25, Kiprop among them with a 2:24:20 lifetime best.

The Kenyan prevailed in a thrilling battle last year, propelled by that personal best to win by five seconds. It was the closest women’s finish in the history of the event.

“Without the wind I think I could have run 2:22,“ Kiprop said. Despite the conditions, she ran the second fastest time ever recorded in the Austrian capital. Italy’s Maura Viceconte set the course record of 2:23:47 in 2000.

She may have to run even faster to defend her title. Kiprop celebrated her 38th birthday last year, but a 1:07:22 half marathon personal best in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic, in September suggests there’s still plenty of speed left in her legs. Prior to that race, she’d never run under 1:10:00 over the distance.

Three other entrants have run faster marathons than Kiprop. Among them is Helen Tola who has illustrated very good form on two occasions during the past six months.

In September, the 23-year-old Ethiopian lowered her marathon best to 2:22:51 in Berlin, finishing fourth. In February she clocked 1:07:47 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, a two-minute improvement over her previous best.

“I want to go for the course record,” Tola said. “With the help of pacemakers I hope to break it.”

Fatuma Sado is another runner from the Ethiopian ranks who should be considered among the favourites.

The 26-year-old has a lifetime best of 2:24:16 and has several international marathon titles to her credit, including Warsaw in 2015, Beijing in 2014, Los Angeles in 2012 and Hamburg back in 2011.

She also prevailed in her most recent appearance, winning January’s Xiamen Marathon in 2:26:41.

Others to watch include Bahrain’s Merima Mohammed, who boasts a 2:23:06 lifetime best set in 2010. Most recently, she was sixth in Frankfurt last October, clocking 2:27:49.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9- Though on short-term, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has appointed Mathare United head coach Francis Kimanzi to head the national under-23 team’s technical bench for a friendly match against Uzbekistan on March 22.

Kimanzi returns to the national team set up for the first time since 2012 when he was axed as the Harambee Stars senior team coach on his second stint after a 1-0 loss to Togo in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

“He (Kimanzi) will be in charge of the Under-23 team for this game only against Uzbekistan and we will review the position on whether to retain him on permanent after that game. He will be charged with constituting his own technical bench,” FKF CEO Robert Muthomi told Capital Sport.

Kimanzi, speaking to Capital Sport says he is delighted with the opportunity to work with the youngsters.

“I am delighted of course with the recognition especially after the work we put up at Mathare United last year. It shows that alot can be achieved if we have faith in the youth and this is also a good project because it will increase the depth of the national team,” Kimanzi said.

He has also added that he will be ready to step in when called upon even after the Uzbekistan match.

“I am available of course if my services are needed at any other time after this because unlike club football the national team has games only once in a while,” the tactician offered.

He also added that the team which will be selected as the friendly approaches will hugely hinge on the impending 2019 African Under-23 Championship Qualifiers which are scheduled to kick-off either by end of this year or early next year.

The top three teams from the Under-23 Championship will qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

-Okumbi remains in charge-

Meanwhile, Stanley Okumbi will remain in charge of the senior national team until the federation settles on a new coach, something that might happen before May.

Okumbi will take charge of the team for the upcoming two friendly matches in Morocco.

Kenya is scheduled to play against Comoros on March 24 in Marakech while a second friendly will be confirmed for the 27th after Gambia pulled out.

“We are just looking to finish signing the contracts then we will make it public who we are playing. Stanley will be in charge of these two games because we felt it would have been too early to have a new coach by now after Put’s (Paul) exit,” Muthomi said.

According to the federation, more than 100 coaches have expressed interest and sent their portfolios to be considered for the job.

-U23 squad-

Meanwhile, Kimanzi who will be assisted by KCB head coach John Kamau has already drafted a squad for the friendly match.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Job Ochieng (Mathare United)

Defenders

Mike Kibwage (AFC Leopards), Joseph Okumu (Unattached), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Bolton Owenga (Kariobangi Sharks), David Owino (Mathare United)

Midfielders

Teddy Osok (Sofapaka), Sven Yidah (Kariobangi Sharks), Siraji Mohammed (Bandari), Chrispinus Onyango (KCB), Abdalla Ahmad Ahmed (Mathare United), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars), Amai Atariza (Bandari), Juma Henry (Kariobangi Sharks)

Forwards

Brian Yator (KCB), Okoth Daniel Otieno (Sony Sugar), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Jafari Owitti (AFC Leopards), Vincent Oburu (AFC Leopards), Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC)

The post Kimanzi appointed Harambee Stars U23 coach appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9- Harambee Stars interim-coach Stanley Okumbi has recalled midfielder MacDonald Mariga and utility player Ismail Gonzalez to the national team as he named the squad that will play two friendly matches in Morocco at the end of the month.

Mariga’s last appearance for the national team was under Bob Williamson in 2015 for an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Zambia while Gonzalez returns to the fold since 2016 when he played during a friendly match against Sudan in Nairobi.

Mariga is back competitively playing after years of struggle with a knee injury and he has been a constant member of Spanish second tier side Real Oviedo.

Gonzalez has equally found playing time after moving to the third tier of Spanish football turning out for CF Fuenlabrada.

Winger Paul Were who recently moved to FC Kaisar in the Kazakhstan top tier has also earned a recall as well as Belgium based Johannah Omollo.

-Oluoch ignored-

At the same time, there is no place for Gor Mahia shot stopper Boniface Oluoch in the team with youngsters John Oyemba (named SJAK goalkeeper of the year of 2017) and Farouk Shikhalo have been called up to deputize Patrick Matasi.

Save for Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava, the entire defense line is made up of foreign based players.

Current Kenyan premier league top scorer Eric Kapaito has also earned his first ever call up to the national team.

Kapito, contributed all goals for Kariobangi Sharks last weekend, scoring thrice and assistant one as Sharks beat Wazito FC 4-1.

Kenya is scheduled to play Comoros and the Central African Republic on March 22 and 27 respectively in Marakech. The team will report to camp, in Morocco on March 19, 2018.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks), Faruk Shikalo (Bandari)

Defenders

Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng, (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Abud Omar (Slava Sofia, Bulgaria)

Midfielders

Patilah Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia), Athuman Ismael Gonzales (CF Fuenlabrada, Spain), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), McDonald Mariga (Real Oviedo, Spain), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Eric Johana Omondi (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden)

Forwards

Ayub Timbe (Heilongjiang FC, China), Cliffton Miheso (Buildcon FC, Zambia), Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks), Jesse Were (Zesco FC, Zambia), Michael Olunga (Girona FC, Spain).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9- Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr has hinted that he will once again rotate his squad for their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash against Nzoia Sugar in Machakos on Sunday.

Kerr says this will be a move to keep the core of his squad fresh ahead of their potential history making clash against Esperance in the CAF Champions League first round return tie in Tunisia on March 17.

“I definitely will and I don’t think I have much of a choice. Look we have a huge game against Esperance on the 17th and we have a very good chance of making it. I would want to have a strong squad to get a good result. Also, this game against Nzoia will be a chance to the other players to show they deserve to be in that travelling team,” Kerr said.

With a particular keen eye on success in continental football, Kerr has not used a consistent starting team in all his first five KPL matches, choosing to give an opportunity to the rookie players who have not disappointed.

K’Ogalo leads the KPL log with 13 points having won four and drawn one of their opening five fixtures and Kerr hopes the team can keep the streak running against a tricky Nzoia side.

“Every team that comes to play against Gor Mahia gives their best because they want to open the papers the next day and see that they beat us. Nzoia is a tough team and this will not be an easy walk for us,” the tactician offered.

-Facing former side-

Three ex-Nzoia Sugar players will potentially line up against their former employers.

Despite joining Gor from the sugar millers at the beginning of last season, this will be the first time that defender Joachim Oluoch will have a chance of facing his ex-team.

Also lining up against the sugar belt side for the first time is midfielder Lawrence Juma who left the team at the end of last season. Winger Boniface Omondi will also be facing his former team.

Nzoia lost both their maiden league meetings against Gor Mahia last season, losing 1-0 in the first leg in Mumias while the second leg in Kisumu ended in an embarrassing 4-0 loss.

Bernard Mwalala’s young side has not had a good start to the season especially after the exit of key players and only won their first match of the season last weekend with a 3-1 thrashing of Kakamega Homeboyz.

This came after a run of four back to back losses against Kariobangi Sharks, Mathare United, Nakumatt and Tusker.

They should expect a tough encounter against K’Ogalo with Kerr having asked them to show the same enthusiasm they did against Esperance on Wednesday.

“I want that same kind of performance from the first to last minute of the game. That is how we should play week in week out and the players know what I want and what I demand for them. I want a headache for myself when selecting the team to go to Esperance,” the tactician said.

The tie will be one of three fixtures set for Sunday with Nakumatt taking on Chemelil in the early fixture in Machakos while in Mombasa, Bandari will be taking on Sony Sugar.

Kenyan Premier League weekend fixtures:

Saturday: Kariobangi Sharks v Sofapaka, Mathare United v AFC Leopards (Machakos), Kakamega Homeboyz v Ulinzi Stars (Bukhungu), Posta Rangers v Wazito (Narok), Tusker FC v Thika United (Ruaraka), Zoo Kericho v Vihiga United (Kericho).

Sunday: Bandari v Sony Sugar (Mombasa), Nakumatt v Chemelil, Gor Mahia v Nzoia Sugar (Machakos).

The post Kerr set for another round of rotation appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 8 – Kenyan referee Aden Marwa has been named among the list of match officials selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia scheduled to kick-off June 14-July 15.

Marwa will be the assistant referee in what will be another high profile outing for the official after the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where he served among the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The 41-year-old is the first Kenyan football official to be involved in any FIFA competition, having featured in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The mathematics and chemistry teacher from Komotobo Secondary school in Migori County was named as an assistant referee in the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but his very first major international duty was an Africa Cup match in Zanzibar way back in 2000.

Marwa has served as a FIFA referee from 2011, and was named as a reserve official at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and an assistant referee at the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.

He was included as CAF’s assistant referee in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he served alongside Bakary Gassama, Jean-Claude Birumushahu and Malang Diedhiou.

Marwa has once again given Kenyan football some hope after the usual FIFA droppings and low local football standards amid harsh criticisms.

Other than Marwa, Zambian Jan Sikazwe is another centre referee from Africa.

Of the 36 centre referees picked a total of five come from Africa.

KPL Assistant Referee Aden Marwa Range has been selected to officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup which will be played in Russia from 14 June to 15 July. #KPL2018 pic.twitter.com/8GBimgBxwq

— KPL (@TheOfficialKPL) March 9, 2018 

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 – Three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba has been named the Ethiopian Airline Brand Ambassador.

Tirunesh was named the Ambassador on International Women’s Day, while the airline launched its debut flight to Buenos Aires, its 6th gateway to the Americas, with an all women operated flight.

Tirunesh has won double gold at the Beijing Olympics in 5000m and 10000m. She is the youngest female world champion in the history of athletics, the first woman to achieve the Olympic 5,000m, 10,000m double, and the first to successfully defend a long-distance title at the Games.

Tirunesh has now moved to road race where she won her 42km debut at Chicago Marathon in 2017 and she will be looking to go one step higher when she returns to London Marathon this year.

The 32-year-old, who has five World Championship victories to her name on the track, is the first major name confirmed for the elite women’s race.

Dibaba has twice appeared in London before and has improved with each performance.

She made her marathon debut in London in 2014, finishing third in 2:20:35 before returning last year and coming second behind Mary Keitany in an Ethiopian record of 2:17:56, putting her third on the world all-time list behind Paula Radcliffe and Keitany.

She returned to the track last summer to win a silver medal in the 10,000m at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 before picking up her first marathon win at the Chicago Marathon in October (2:18:31).

That victory put her joint top of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) Series XI leaderboard which started with last year’s Virgin Money London Marathon and concludes after this year’s race, counting the results of the World Championship marathon plus the marathons in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Boston in between.

A win for Tirunesh in London this year will ensure she would secure the AWMM Series XI title.

The post Tirunesh named Ethiopian Airline Brand Ambassador appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 – Kenyan teams Pipeline and Prisons booked a slot in the quarter finals of the women’s African club championship that is being hosted in Cairo, Egypt after winning their third respective matches on Friday.

Prisons were the first team to book a slot after beating Douanes of Burkina Faso 3-1 (25-10, 25-5, 23-25, 25-11).

Prisons improved their win- loss ratio to 3-0 to secure a quarterfinal berth, while Douanes dropped to 0-3.

Prisons started flying in the first and second sets with convincing set wins but in the third set all the pieces seemed to fit together for Douanes. Prisons kept reassessing the balance on court so as to avoid having gaping holes, nevertheless Burkinabe’s won the set 25-23.

Hints and snippets of advice were passed along like valuable secrets as Prisons players swapped on and off court to ensure their spot in the last eight.

Prisons will face INJS of Cameroon in their last group fixture on Saturday.

-Pipeline perfect win-

Meanwhile, Kenya Pipeline became the fourth team to book a quarterfinal ticket after they topped Congo’s DGSP 3-0 (25-6, 25-10, 25-13) in Pool C.

Pipeline improved to 3-0 in three matches to capture a quarterfinal ticket, while DGSP dropped to 0-3.

Pipeline used the experienced players led by the veteran setter Janet Wanja to dominate throughout the match using the tall centers in block. The middle blocker Trizah Atouka led the scorers with 12 points including 5 kill blocks.

Pipeline will take on Cameroon champions FAP in their final preliminary match on Saturday.

The post Pipeline, Prisons into Africa Club quarters appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Former President and Patron of the Kenya Golf Union, Mwai Kibaki is among 12 individuals who have been inducted into the Kenya Open Hall of Fame for their significant contribution to the tournament and golf in the country.

Also inducted are former Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Duncan Ndegwa, former KOGL Chairmen –Ngugi Kiuna, Sam Kamau and Richard Kemoli, current KOGL Chairman Peter Kanyago and long serving KOGL Finance Director Joe Wangai.

Others feted included the former Kenya Open Tournament Directors – Inder Talwar and Peter Coombes, Veteran KenyanAmateur Golfer and the Kenya Open’s Most Successful Amateur Player – David Farrar, Former East African Breweries Ltd Chairman Jeremiah Kiereini and Veteran Golf Journalist, Larry Ngala.

The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honour in golf and is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves over a period of time in their service to the sport.

Speaking at the event, Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman, Peter Kanyago, congratulated the inductees for the honour adding that their contribution to the Kenya Open had helped transform the tournament into the success that it is today.

“Tonight, we will be awarding several individuals with the Kenya Open Golf Limited Hall of Fame Awards for their immense contribution to the Kenya Open throughout the years.

On behalf of the Board of the Kenya Open Golf Limited, I take this opportunity to congratulate you all on the attainment of the honour,” Kanyago said.

The Kenya Open Golf Championship is this year marking its 50th anniversary since inception in 1967 (and having not been held in 1976 and 2003).

Over the years the tournament has hosted some of the biggest names in Golf. These include Severiano Ballesteros who won in 1978, 1986 winner Ian Woosnam and Vijay Singh who played in the 1989 edition. All went on to hold the title of World number 1 at different times in their careers.

Locally, the tournament has provided a great hunting ground for the amateurs while providing a perfect opportunity for professionals to hone their skills.

Throughout the history of the tournament, a Kenyan has lifted the Silver Salver 26 times, with veteran golfer, David Farrar, winning the title seven times between 1968 and 1990.

Other notable winners include John Mucheru, David Wandua and the Father, Son pair of Ben and Jacob Okello who won in 1983 and 1994, respectively.

Kenya’s best chance of winning the overall title of the tournament came in 1998 when Jacob Okello lost to Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez in a sudden-death playoff.

Speaking at the anniversary celebrations, Sports Principal Secretary, Kirimi Kaberia, congratulated the Kenya Open Gold Limited for the milestone adding that the Government will continue to work together with all stakeholders in the Kenyan golf scene in a bid to enhance the sport in the country.

“The Government of Kenya remains committed to work in close collaboration with the Kenya Open Golf Limited and the Kenya Golf Union to ensure that Kenyan golf, and by extension the Kenya Open Golf Championship, reaches greater heights.

In this regard, we are working, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to develop a golf curriculum that will be rolled out in public schools in the coming years,” he said.

“This, we believe, will provide learners with an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the sport – which had hitherto been perceived as an elitist sport – at an early age. As a result, we believe that we will have nurtured great golf talent at an early age that will go on to win both the Kenya Open Golf Championship as well as other international tournaments,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Thika’sNdigaKithae emerged the overall winner of the Kenya Open @50 golf tournament with a score of 39 points beating Muthaiga’sKairuBachia on countback. Former KGU Chairman ParshuHirani was third on 38 points beating former KLGU Chairlady Jane Waweru on countback.

KTB’s Jonathan Mbiyu was Men Third with 38 points whilst former KGU Chairman Anthony Muhoro was Men Fourth with 36 points.

David Farrar, the most prolific amateur winner in the 50-year of the Kenya Open finished with a commendable 35 points.

The post Former President Kibaki among 12 inducted into Kenya Open hall of fame appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Impala Saracens and Kabras Sugar advanced to the Kenya Cup semi finals after winning their respective quarters on Saturday.

Impala competed a double over bitter rivals Kenya Harlequin after winning 34-18 in the highlight of the fixtures played at the Impala Club.

Impala will now face defending champions and unbeaten KCB in the semis scheduled for next weekend at the Lions Den in Ruaraka.

Sammy Motari’s unconverted try put the hosts 5-0 up but Quins responded through Jimmy Kang’ethe,his.unconverted try tying up the scores but Mark Kwemoi’s penalty saw Impala lead 8-5.

Tony Mutai gave Quins a short lived lead with an unconverted try before Kwemoi sliced through the defense to score and convert as the Sarries led 15-10.

Motari landed his brace to see the Sarries go 20-10 but Quins fought back, Lyle Asiligwa with a penalty and Peter Misango with a try to bring the score to 20-18 at the break.

The Sarries would step on the gas after the break, two converted tries from Paul Mutsami and Anthony Nyandigisi securing the result.

-Kabras overpower Strathmore- 

In the other quarter, Kabras Sugar booked a place in the semis after mauling Strathmore Leos 43-13 at the Kakamega Showground.

Strathmore will now play away to Homeboyz in the semis.

-By KRU- 

The post Impala silence Quins to advance to semis appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Kenya Prisons set the full mark by beating Cameroon’s Injs by straight sets (25-16, 25-17, 25-14) in 71 minutes in Pool D of Women’s African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday.

Prisons finished the pool match with the best record of 4-0 and 9 points, while Injs dropped to 2-2 in the third position.

Prisons big gun Mercy Moim played her best and came as best scorer with 21 points , while Injs Suzanne Ngo scored 8 points as the best scorer for the loser.

-Kenya Pipeline top Pool C-

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Pipeline made it four wins out of four to warrant their place in the last eight with an outstanding 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-16) win against Cameroun’s FAP in pool C of Women’s African club championship.

Pipeline who were already qualified before the match up, still fight to maintain their unbeaten runs with another amazing performance. The seven times champions now prepares for the quarterfinals.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – AFC Leopards rallied from behind to end Mathare United’s unbeaten run after whipping the Slum Boys 4-3 in a Kenyan Premier League thriller hosted at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday.

AFC finished with 10 men after Ghanaian Isaac Oduro was sent off in the 86th minute for a second bookable offence as a result of time wasting.

Cliff Nyakeya netted a brace for Mathare United, finding the first in the seventh minute before Ingwe responded through Brian Marita’s strike in the 18th minute after receiving a pass from Nabwire.

Mathare reclaimed the lead on the half hour mark thanks to Francis Omondi who converted from the spot after Oduro brought down Nyakeya in the box. Five minutes later, Nyakeya completed his brace but AFC Leopards skipper Duncan Otieno pulled one back for Ingwe.

After the break, AFC levelled the scores through Ezekiel Odera in the 60th minute but the hero of the day was Marvin Nabwire who unleashed a breathtaking cracker in the 77th minute that sealed the win for Ingwe.

The win saw AFC pick their second back-to-back win under interim head coach Dennis Kitambi and climb to third on the log with 10 points, having played a match less.

Isaac Oduro brought down Cliff Nyakeya in the box and the slum boys were awarded a penalty. Francis Omondi comfortably converted the penalty restoring Mathare’s lead.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Skipper Oscar Ouma struck a late try to hand Kenya a 14-7 victory against France to open their Canada 7s on a winning note in Pool C on Saturday.

Though they went down 7-0 at the interval, Kenya had a brilliant first half that saw them posses the ball in the opening three minutes to complete 15 passes against France.

However, Shujaa handed France possession after Nelson Oyoo’s knock-on but Kenya did well to regain control of the game.

France were dealt with a blow when one of their key play was stretched off, forcing the match to be stopped for over two minutes. On resumption, Shujaa could not still break through a solid France defence that kept the Innocent Simiyu charges on their own 22.

Kenya conceded a penalty and they fully utilized it thanks to Paulin Riva who dotted down just beside the sticks for the converted try that they held on to lead 7-0 at the break.

Kenya head coach made changes in the second half, introducing his stronghold in veteran Andrew Amonde and sensational Sammy Oliech.

The change paid dividends immediately with Oliech, well positioned levelled scores for Kenya. And just as France thought they had grabbed a draw, Ouma led by example by forcing the ball to the whitewash for the converted winning try.

The win saw Kenya avenge over France after the Frenchmen won 19-14 at Las Vegas Sevens last weekend.

Up next Kenya takes on Spain on Sunday at 12:46am before wrapping it up with a crunch against Fiji at 4:40am EAT.

Fiji hammered Spain 45-5 in the other Pool C match.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- Kenya will face England in the Main Cup Quarter Finals at the Vancouver Sevens on Sunday at 10:14pm after finishing second in Pool C with two wins and one loss coming courtesy of pool winners Fiji.

Shujaa won their first two games of the tournament, beating France 14-7 courtesy of a last minute Oscar Ouma converted try while they kept the flow going with a 43-0 thrashing of Spain in their second group match to seal a last eight slot.

However, they could not replicate the same performance they had against Fiji last weekend in Las Vegas, as they went down by a slim 24-21 margin, but they had nonetheless ensured a quarters slot.

Against Fiji, Shujaa had a good start with Collins Injrera who has been excelling in a new play-making role dotting down his 250th career try which was converted. However, Fiji responded almost immediately via a Kalione Nasoko converted try.

The Fijians continued their dominance and Eroni Sau’s third try of the weekend saw Fiji go 12-7 up after dislodging the ball in contact and picking it back up off the shoulder to fly over for a try.

Coming back off the break with a five point deficit, Shujaa went up ahead just 17 seconds in through Eden Agero who dotted down and converted, but it was short-lived as Fiji re-took the lead to head 19-14 up.

Mesulame Kunavula’s try then extended the Fijians stretch to a 10 point lead which was now a safe distance for them, but Jeff Oluoch’s converted try made for some nervous ending to the match though the Kenyans could not produce an upset.

In the other Cup quarters, Australia play South Africa, Fiji take on Argentina while New Zealand play the USA.

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MACHAKOS, Kenya, Mar 11- Chemelil Sugar came from a goal down to soak a cash-strapped Nakumatt FC in a four-goal mud-bath, striker Philip Muchuma scoring thrice one of which came off the penalty spot in a 4-1 win.

Nakumatt who are unstable financially with their sponsors struggling to get back on their feet came into the game having trained only once this week, and the lack of fitness was telling especially in the second half when they couldn’t even keep possession.

The victory Chemelil’s third of the season took them to 11 points and now sit second on the table, only separated from third placed Mathare United by goal difference. Nakumatt with only one win this season remain 13^th.

On the balance of play and chances, Chemelil were the better side in the opening half, creating the most of chances.

Nakumatt though were the first to have a chance at goal with Brian Nyakan’s shot from the right after some good counter attacking play was saved by keeper John Waw.

On the opposite end, Faina Jacobs made a brilliant block at the edge of the six yard box to deny Philip Muchuma who had broken through into the box after some shaky defense from Nakumatt.

After some balanced play, Nakumatt finally broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, with a simple tap in from close range, benefiting from a Cornelius Juma cross on the right.

Seven minutes later, Nakumatt should have been two up but Chemelil shot stopper Waw produced s superb full stretched save to parry away a well curled in freekick from Noah Abich.

When they seemed to have finally landed some grip on the game, Nakumatt found themselves deflated when Muchuma powered past Abich and Donald Mosoti at the edge of the box, powered in and rounded keeper Frankline Mwenda before slotting into an empty net.

It seemed to be the catalyst Chemelil needed to get their hold on the tempo of the game. But when they poured bodies upfront, Nakumatt almost got them on the break when Nyakan broke away on the left but his eventual shot was saved.

The Sugar belt side though kept themselves on their feet and Muchuma should have added a second for himself and the team but his low shot from a Jacob Mwamlangara pass was saved by the keeper.

Chemelil should have punished another defensive blip from Nakumatt two minutes to the break when Faina lost a simple ball as the last man in defense, but he was lucky when Peter Amani’s curling effort evaded the target by inches.

At the start of the second half Chemelil made changes, Amani coming off for Stephen Njoroge.

Just nine minutes in, they got into the lead when another defensive blunder saw them lose the ball inside the box, Mwamlangara picking up, skipping past the keeper who brought him down, but Muchuma was well positioned to bang the ball into the roof of the net.

They stretched the game beyond Nakumatt three minutes later when Abich deflected a Collins Neto cross into his own net.

Anthony Mwangi, the Nakumatt FC coach was forced into a tactical change Boniface Mukhekhe making way for Jack Bruno.

The former AFC Leopards youngster had an almost immediate impact when he forced keeper Waw to backpedal and tip his deep curling effort from the right behind for a corner.

Muchuma then made it 2-1 with 20 minutes left to play when he slotted home from the penalty spot after Mwamlangara was brought down by Abich in a frantic run inside the box.

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MACHAKOS, Kenya, Mar 11- Captain of the day Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi struck the only goal of the match as a second string Gor Mahia side created a five-point gap on top of the Kenyan Premier League standings with a 1-0 win over Nzoia Sugar in Machakos on Sunday.

Gor would have wound up the game at 2-0, but Wesley Onguso’s re-taken second half penalty was saved by keeper Benson Mangala with 10 minutes left on the clock.

The reigning champions ensured they remain unbeaten this season after six matches, moving to 16 points after five wins and a draw.

Gor Mahia boss Dylan Kerr once again stood by his word to rotate his squad, basing they played a tough CAF Champions League tie against Esperance on Wednesday and the return leg beckoning next weekend.

From the team that played against the Tunisian giants, Only Joachim Oluoch retained his place in the starting team, but he was pulled in centrally to partner Charles Momanyi in defense. Omondi was handed the skipper’s armband and the play-making role just behind main striker Ephraim Guikan.

Midfielder Bernard Ondieki was fielded in an unfamiliar right back role with Lawrence Juma parading in midfield against his former employers, partnering Cersidy Okeyo.

Nzoia came into the match knowing they stood a chance against Gor’s hugely rotated squad but their biggest undoing was that they were to quick in going forward and their decision making wasn’t the best.

Gor had the first chance of the game after eight minutes and it sure was a decent one, Guikan finding some shooting space on the left but his ferocious shot came off the crossbar and was scrambled off for a corner by Nzoia.

Shabaan Odhoji starting in goal for K’Ogalo ahead of the rested Boniface Oluoch proved why he is a contender for the number one gloves at the club with a great point blank save to deny Elvis Rupia at point blank after the forward had raced to meet a George Mutimba cross from the right.

Nzoia were grown in confidence especially after winning many balls off Gor in the middle of the pack.

David Odhiambo had two back to back decent chances for Nzoia, first in the 35^th minute cutting into his favorite left foot from the right side, slicing in a decent rocket from almost 30 yards out but it went over.

Two minutes later, he forced an uncomfortable save off Odhoji with a shot from distance in the 35^th minute after he noticed the keeper metres off his line.

For their missed chances, the Bungoma-based club paid the ultimate price.

Skipper of the day Omondi broke the deadlock four minutes to the break with a brilliant first time curling effort after Boniface Omondi had created some space on the right before laying the ball for his skipper to slam home.

In the second half, the attacking flow of each side didn’t stop. Nzoia had an opportunity with a shot from distance but it went wide five minutes after the restart.

Nzoia almost had the ball in their own net in the 56^th minute when Festus Okiring slapped the ball into his own crossbar in an attempt to clear away a cross from former teammate Boniface Omondi.

Twenty minutes later, Gor should have been two up when Guikan picked up a long ball from Oluoch, rounded keeper Benson Mangala but Vincent Ngesa made a superb sliding block a few inches off the line.

But as the game picked up, Nzoia grew in confidence and with Morven Otinya being introduced in attack, they played with two target men to increase their chances.

Otinya came close to making it 1-1 when he broke into the box but his ferocious shot came off the crossbar with Odhoji well beaten.

Otinya turned immediately to a villain, giving the ball away cheaply to substitute Eliud Loukwam.

The 19-year old used his pace to break into the box and as he attempted to skip over Ngesa in defense, he was hacked down and referee Peter Waweru pointed straight to the spot, a decision the Nzoia players protested.

Wesley Onguso stepped up to take the resultant spot kick and though he scored on the first attempt, he was forced t retake after the ref whistled with a Gor player stepping into the box. On the second bite of the cherry however, Mangala saved.

With light showers hitting the ground, Nzoia attempted to use the slippery pitch to their advantage lobbying the balls forward, but Gor kept their shape in defense.

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BARCELONA, Spain, Mar 11- Anthony Maritim and Ruth Chebitok scored a double victory for Kenya at the Zurich Marató de Barcelona, an IAAF Bronze Label road race, on Sunday.

The men’s race opened at a steady 3:02 per kilometre rhythm set by a triumvirate of pacemakers who went through the early checkpoints in 15:11 (five kilometres), 30:23 (10 kilometres), and 45:40 (15 kilometres).

The first surprise came when the reigning champion, Kenya’s Jonah Chesum, began to lose ground with 40 minutes on the clock to lose any chance of defending his title.

By the halfway point, reached in 1:04:21, no fewer than 15 men still remained in the leading pack, among them, Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede and Tariku Kinfu plus Maritim who seemed to run effortlessly waiting to make their move over the second half.

Like a Swiss clock, the pacesetters maintained their pace unchanged through 25 kilometres which was covered in 1:25:56.

Just before 30 (1:31:02), the main group was whittled down to six: the Kenyan trio of Maritim, Silas Too and Hillary Kipsambu plus the Ethiopians Kebede, Kinfu and Abeg Tsedat Ayana.

Once the pacesetters completed their duties, it was Maritim who injected a lethal sub-3:00 per kilometre pace to run the following five kilometre section in 14:52 to reduce the lead group to four as Kebede and Ayana could not live with that speed.

Maritim’s front-running kept on paying dividends as he broke away easily 38 kilometres into the race to build a handsome margin of 15 seconds by kilometre 40 –2:00:57 to Too’s 2:01:12– while Kipsambu ran another seven seconds behind.

Maritim was the clear winner at the tape in 2:08:08 while Too came runner-up in 2:08:25 with Kipsambu completing a clean podium sweep for Kenya in 2:08:52.

The three each improved their respective career bests by over one minute.

Finally, the Ethiopian trio of Kinfu, Kebede and Ayana crossed the line together in 2:09:25 while Chesum had to settle for a 2:17:39 clocking on this occasion.

“Today was my sixth ever marathon effort and my first time competing in Spain and I can’t ask for more with a win and a massive PB,” Maritim, 32, said. “The second part of the race is particularly fast.”

-Chebitok bides her time-

The women’s event kicked off at a moderate pace as the pacer, Great Britain’s Tom Payn, covered the opening five kilometres in 17:34.

The five main women in contention ran comfortably at his shoulder: Kenya’s Ndungo Lucy Wanjiku and Ruth Chebitok plus Ethiopia’s Worknesh Alemu, Alemitu Begna and Beyene Belaynesh Tsegaye.

Payn stepped up the pace as he reached ten kilometres in 34:43 and 15 in 51:56, a pace which proved too quick for Wanjiku. The halfway point of 1:13:00 suggested the course record of 2:25:04 set last year was not in jeopardy.

The debutant Tsegaye ruled the race over the following kilometres with Begna struggling with the rhythm before finally losing contact with the main group. She reached 30 kilometres in 1:43:39 with a two-second advantage on Chebitok and Alemu.

The key move came shortly after the 35 kilometre point when Chebitok heated up the pace to kill the race thanks to a 16:58 five-kilometre stretch to build a clear advantage of no less than 53 seconds on Tsegaye with some two kilometres remaining.

Chebitok was an overwhelming victor thanks to a 2:25:49 clocking to Tsegaye’s 2:27:06. Alemu took the minor place on the podium in 2:28:19, her first ever effort under the 2:30 barrier.

“I’m both surprised and satisfied with my outcome,” the 28-year-old Chebitok said. “I consider myself a half marathon specialist but after such a positive experience like today’s I’m sure I’ll tackle the marathon more times. I might have run even faster today but my pacesetter Tom Payn suffered an injury by halfway; anyway, I completed a great run.”

On a statistical note, both winners managed negative splits over the two halves (1:04:21/1:03:47 for Maritim, 1:13:00/1:12:49 by Chebitok.

Leading results:

Men –

1. Anthony Maritim (KEN) 2:08:08
2. Silas Too (KEN) 2:08:25
3. Hillay Kipchumba (KEN) 2:08:52
4. Tariku Kinfu (ETH) 2:09:25
5. Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 2:09:25

Women –

1. Ruth Chebitok (KEN) 2:25:49
2. Tsegaye Belaynesh Beyene (ETH) 2:27:06

3 Worknesh Alemu (ETH) 2:28:19

4. Alemitu Begna (ETH) 2:30:54
5. Lucy Ndungo Wanjiku (KEN) 2:35:42

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