NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- Skipper Oscar Ouma and Billy ‘the kid’ Odhiambo dotted down as Kenya beat Vancouver Sevens defending champions England for the first time since 2011 to qualify for their maiden Main Cup semi-finals this season.

Shujaa had a brilliant display against the English scoring two tries, one of which was converted as they went on to clinch a 12-0 win which books them a place in the semi finals against former head coach Mike Friday’s United States of America.

Shujaa had to play close to two minutes of the first half with six men after Collins Injera was injured as he went high for the ball at kick off and ultimately, he had to be jogged out under a heavy pack of ice on his ribs and replaced by Eden Agero.

It was a tight opening half with England closed up in defense as Kenya tried to push in to break the deadlock.

Ultimately, the English gave in to the pressure at the stroke of half time when skipper Ouma dotted down under the posts after a sleek flicked pass from Jeff Oluoch following Kenya’s win of the ball from an opponent’s line out.

Heading into the break with a 7-0 score after Sammy Oliech booted home the extras was a good result for the Kenyans.

In the second period it was more or less of the same story of a tightened up game but Shujaa’s precise pressing always caused England into mistakes.

Phil Burgess made a superb try tackling save for England as Oliech breezed away on the left and Burgess managed to catch up with him a few metres off the try line, ensuring he didn’t dot down the ball with the referee requiring a TMO confirmation of the same.

With the clock ticking and head coach Innocent Simiyu needing to manage the game with a small score-line, he threw back Injera in with the man playing in his 75^th tournament seemingly having recovered from his earlier injury.

Injera’s experience was key especially in his new playmaking role.

Kenya pressed England in their own 22 and ultimately won a penalty off a futile counter rack from England with Injera spreading the ball wide to stretch down the backline.

On the far right, Odhiambo got the ball and with a man to beat put on the afterburners with try box in sight before going over.

The post Gallant Shujaa storm into Vancouver semis appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- The last time Kenya played Fiji in a Main Cup final at the World Rugby Sevens Series, it ended in Shujaa’s first ever title at the Singapore Sevens in 2016. Will history repeat itself?

Fast forward to two years later, Kenya once again finds itself in a final against the Fijians after a brilliant come-from-behind 24-19 victory against Mike Friday’s USA in the Vancouver Sevens semi-finals.

The two sides have already met in Vancouver this weekend in the group stages where Fiji were 24-21 winners. However, they met last weekend in Vegas and Shujaa managed to pick a win in their final group match, one which took them to the Main Cup quarters.

Oscar Ouma’s try after the buzzer gave Innocent Simiyu’s charges a place in the final after the team came from 14-0 down, but while Ouma will get credit for dotting down the ball that took Kenya to the final, Collins Injera was the main man for Kenya in that semi.

Shujaa fell behind 14-0 to a quick brace of tries from speed man Perry Baker. He first dotted down after the USA stretched out Kenya’s backline and the speed-man found space on the right to sneak in a try.

He added his second in quick succession when USA won the ball off the restart after Ouma failed to have a firm grip on the ball and Baker raced straight under the posts. Folau Niua converted both as USA went 14-0 up.

But the never-say-die attitude of Shujaa that has been their hallmark in Canada was in clear show as they pressed on.

Shujaa won the ball back off USA after the restart and Nelson Oyoo was fed with the ball on the left, using the strength of his arms to push away to markers before racing under the posts.

Sammy Oliech converted to halve the deficit for the Kenyans.

Just before the break, Shujaa once again proved their grit, Injera winning back the ball for Kenya then racing for the try box.

However with pace still out of his reach and Carlin Isles breathing on his neck, Injera cited Oyoo’s run before offloading for him to dot down on the right.

After the break, The USA stretched their lead to a seven point game when Isles dotted down on the left with the conversion going wide.

With the clock ticking and under two minutes left, Shujaa kept pounding hoping to benefit from a USA mistake.

Again, it was that man Injera who won the ball back after stretching out to pick a USA loose pass, a little inside and outside step seeing him escape from his marker before citing Willy Ambaka’s run, offloading the ball and the big man nicknamed ‘Kenya’s Lomu’ doing the most to dot down.

With seconds on the clock, pressure was on Eden Agero to add in the extras and he made no mistake from a good position to tie the scores at 19-19.

Shujaa were scenting victory and were not ready to let the game go to extra time.

Injera once again showed his experience and brilliant rugby brain, winning the ball then offloading to Ouma who used his sheer strength to power on the left before going over the line.

The post Ouma sends Shujaa to Vancouver final appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- Kenya’s hope of a second ever World Rugby Sevens Series Main Cup Final conquest was thwarted after a 31-12 loss against Fiji at a fully packed BC Place Arena in Vancouver early Monday.

Shujaa came into the final with the hope of repeating their heroics from the Singapore Final in 2016 against the same opponents, but the islanders looking to close in on series leaders South Africa were hungrier on the day, winning their 34^th ever Main Cup title.

With the loss in the final though, Shujaa pick up a massive 19 points from the Vancouver leg, taking their total haul this season to 64, at least going four points past their target of 60 points by this point of the season.

They remain eighth on the table, four points off seventh placed England while Fiji move within eight points of leaders South Africa who finished third after beating USA in the bronze play-off.

Innocent Simiyu’s charges had taken in a 12-12 score at half time, but the Fijians came back different animals in the second half with substitute Amenoni Nasilasila making most of the difference.

Kenya struck first blood with Willy Ambaka dotting down his 99^th career try after some brilliant build up from Kenya from a turnoever, Billy Odhiambo laying off the ball for Ambaka to finish. Sammy Oliech booted home the extras for a 7-0 lead.

However, Fiji responded immediately after going down, Josua Vakurunabili dotting down under the posts after striding through the middle. Vatemo Ravouvou converted as the two sides went seven-up.

Oliech then took Kenya back into the steering wheel when Kenya won back possession from a penalty. His attempt from the conversion however went wide.

Just like it happened after the first try, Fiji responded immediately when Sevuloni Mocenacagi won the ball off the restart on the right and streamed straight for the try box. The conversion was wide as both teams went to the break with 12 points.

Fiji made changes after the break with Nasilasila coming on.

The bulky Fijian made all the difference as he went straight into business creating for Mocenacagi who stormed through the Kenyan defense to dot down his second try of the match under the posts with Vakurunabili converting for a 19-12 lead.

Nasilasila once again created Fiji’s fourth try of the game turning over possession after Kenya won the ball off the restart. He kicked the ball upfield from deep in his own 22 with Billy Odhiambo failing in his attempt to pick out the ball.

A chasing Alosio Naduva had the easy task of picking up the ball and racing under the posts under no pressure, the conversion coming through for a 26-12 lead with under 90 seconds to play.

Another substitute, Paula Dranisinukula put the game beyond doubt for the Fijians when he powered through across the line from a line-out 10 metres off the Kenyan try box for a 31-12 win.

The post Hard fighting Shujaa lose Vancouver final to Fiji appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12- The past weekend was glitzy, filled with brilliant sporting spectacles all round the world; from the Vancouver Sevens in Canada, the English Premier League, Kenyan Premier League, Kenya Cup action among others.

We re-live the weekend that was, helped out with some bit of optical nutrition; the weekend’s best photos.

-Shujaa flourish in Vancouver

They might have failed to clinch the Main Cup title at the Vancouver Sevens in Canada, but definitely, the weekend’s best piece of action belonged to these gents that are the Kenya Sevens.

They lost 31-12 to the Fijians, but the fight and grit shown by Innocent Simiyu’s men to get to their fourth ever Main Cup title was immense.

Victories over seasoned teams such as England and the United States was the hallmark of their performance as they picked 19 points from the sixth stop of the World Sevens Series.

–Gor Mahia extend lead in KPL

Not in the best of ways, but even top teams scrape through it once in a while.

Gor Mahia created a five point gap on top of the standings with a scrappy 1-0 win over Nzoia Sugar in Machakos with captain of the day Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi scoring the solo goal.

Chemelil Sugar meanwhile managed to push aside the big boys to occupy second slot after slamming a cash-strapped Nakumatt FC 4-1.

Striker Philip Muchuma scored thrice in the rout.

-Impala have the last laugh in Ngong Road derby

Impala Saracens competed a double over bitter rivals Kenya Harlequin after winning 34-18 win in the Kenya Cup top six play-off at the Impala Ground.

The hosts will now face defending champions KCB in the semis scheduled for next weekend at the Lions Den in Ruaraka.

-Kenya scores double in Barcelona Marathon

Anthony Maritim and Ruth Chebitok scored a double victory for Kenya at the Zurich Marató de Barcelona marathon yesterday, winning the men and women’s titles respectively.

Maritim’s front-running tactics paid dividends as he cruised to victory in two hours, eight minutes and eight seconds, leading a Kenyan sweep as Silas Too and Hillary Kipchumba finished second and third.

Chebitok was also commanding in her victory, finishing in two hours, 25 minutes and 49 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of Ethiopian Beyene Tsegaye.

-Arsenal back to winning ways in England

Arsene Wenger claimed Arsenal’s spirit has carried them through a traumatic period after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Watford eased a little of the pressure on the beleaguered boss.

Wenger is fighting to save his job and a 2-0 win at AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday offered the Frenchman temporary respite from the torrent of abuse he has endured this season.

-Marcus Rashford silences Kop

Marcus Rashford scored twice in the first 25 minutes as Manchester United held off a Liverpool fightback to move five points clear of their visitors in second place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United also close to within 13 points of Manchester City, but barring a late season collapse by the runaway league leaders that gap looks unbridgeable.

-Fiorentina pay tribute to Astori

Fiorentina returned to action on Sunday in a home game on played in a poignant atmosphere, a week after the sudden death of the Serie A side’s captain Davide Astori.

Last Sunday’s top-flight fixtures in Italy were postponed after Astori’s body was found in his hotel room ahead of an away game against Udinese.

After emotional scenes on Friday night as Roma, one of Astori’s former clubs, beat Torino, and a commemoration on Saturday at the Verona derby, Fiorentina kicked off Sunday’s gamne at their Artemio Franchi stadium against bottom-placed Benevento.

The post Recap of the weekend that was; in photos appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- Albeit going on to lose 4-1, cash-strapped Nakumatt FC were almost dishing away a walk over to Chemelil Sugar FC on Sunday when the players refused to get into the pitch as they felt ‘short-changed’ by the club management.

The team sponsored by struggling supermarket chain Nakumatt Holdings only ran out to warm up 25 minutes to kick off after a talking-to from former Harambee Stars head coach, now pundit, Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.

Capital Sport has learnt that the players felt the management had been getting money behind their backs and the same was not trickling down to them.

“It is true they did not want to go into the game because they heard that there is money being given to teams for live TV coverage something that is not true. We had tried to explain to them but they could not believe us. They only agreed to go into the pitch when Ghost (Mulee) came and explained to them,” Nakumatt FC Secretary General Albert Wesonga said.

However, head coach Anthony Mwangi speaking after the match had different thoughts and said the team’s struggles were not down to the technical bench or the players but the blame squarely lie on the officials’ hands.

“The players had refused to come for the match because there are things happening behind the scenes which are not good and the players are not happy about it. It is not our doing on the pitch but the team’s management which knows what’s happening,” Mwangi said after the match.

Mwangi also said the team has not trained since their 1-0 win over Nzoia Sugar on February 17 and have only been meeting during game days.

“It is not easy because football is about preparation. If you don’t prepare you can’t win. However, I am even impressed with the results we have picked. We won away to Nzoia, then we drew against Sony and Nzoia Sugar,” the tactician further added.

Nakumatt have even struggled to pay player salaries and the team has issued an SOS to potential sponsors to bail them out or they will find it difficult finishing up the season.

“We are looking for sponsors and the owner has given us the go ahead. He has been helping us with the away matches but not with the luxury that we were used to. It is better than nothing. We have had talks with various potential partners but so far nothing concrete. Hoping soon we can get something,” Wesonga further claimed.

Most clubs in the league especially those without stable sponsorship are struggling to stay afloat especially since the exit of broadcast partners SuperSport with clubs having been assured of at least Sh550,000 every month then.

Currently, clubs are not earning anything from the broadcast agreement between the Kenyan premier League management and Spanish company MediaPro which has been producing league matches.o, the exit of headline sponsors SportPesa means the clubs do not get a coin from the league managers.

The post Why Nakumatt almost boycotted Chemelil tie appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12- Kenya Prisons progressed to the semi-finals of the African Women Volleyball Club championship after a hard earned straight sets win over Rwanda Revenue Authority in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.

David Lung’aho’s girls who are looking to perform better than their third placed finish from last year were made to sweat by the Rwandese in the final set but managed to weather the storm and book a slot in the last four.

Prisons saw off the first set comfortably with a 25-11 score, but began to slacken as they got into the second set though they still managed to pick a 25-17 win.

The third set was even more competitive for the warders who last won the title in 2013 as they were pushed to the wire by the Rwandese, eventually managing a 26-24 win.

Prisons will face the winner between defending champions Carthage of Tunisia and home side El Shams who play in the other quarter final later Monday in a repeat of last year’s final.

The post Prisons beat Rwanda Revenue, progress to semis appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12- After their superb performance at the Vancouver Sevens in Canada, Kenya will be hoping to keep the same momentum going at the seventh leg of the World Rugby Series in Hong Kong from April 6-8 where they have been pooled in a tough Group B.

Shujaa were seeded after finishing second in Vancouver and will fight it off with Australia, Spain and Canada. Kenya was in the same group with Spain in Vancouver, beating them 43-0.

Innocent Simiyu’s men will be looking for another consecutive Main Cup quarter final appearance, but the target for the side which has vastly improved will be to get to another final.

Vancouver Champions Fiji will headline Pool A where they will battle with fellow pacific rivals New Zealand and Samoa as well as Russia.

Third place finishers South Africa are in Pool C and they will equally face a stern test after being pooled with England, Scotland and invitational side South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Lionesses will be playing in the qualification tournament to get a World Rugby core status and have been paraded in a tough Pool A alongside African rivals South Africa.

The Lionesses will also battle out with Mexico and Papua New Guinea. Brazil, China, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong will battle out in Pool B.

Hong Kong 7s pools

Pool A: Fiji, New Zealand, Russia, Samoa

Pool B: Kenya, Australia, Spain, Canada

Pool C: South Africa, England, Scotland, South Korea

Pool D: USA, Argentina, Wales, France

The post Shujaa to face Australia, Canada in Hong Kong appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12- Seven-time African Women Volleyball Club Champions Kenya Pipeline survived a huge scare from Cameroonian side Bafia to qualify for the semi-finals after coming off the right end of a 3-2 result in a quarter final tie in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.

Pipeline let down the gauntlet after a good start but were lucky enough to right their wrongs in the tie breaker winning 15-6.

Japhenth Munala’s charges won the opening set with a decent 25-12 margin but somehow managed to reduce the tempo in the second, losing 25-23. They bounced back in the third set with a 25-14 score but once again stepped off the pedals losing by another identical 25-23 score.

Pipeline showed their supremacy stamping their feet on the ground after easily picking a 25-12 win in the opening set. However, when it seemed they were on their way to a staright sets cruise, they fizzled out in the second set losing 25-23.

They were however back on their feet in the third set where they won 25-14. Bafia led 8-6 after the first technical time out and momentarily went 10-6 up upon resumption.

However, a time out called by coach Japheth Munala saw the girls bounce back in good fashion, squeezing a 16-12 score at the second technical time out.

They continued their resurgence after the resumption of play, improving much on their reception and blocks before running away 25-14, skipper Triza Atuka finishing up the set with a ferocious strike down the Bafia blocking line.

But, they didn’t seem to have learnt as Bafia pushed the game to the tie breaker winning the third set with an identical 25-23 score. Prisons led at both the first (8-6) and second (16-15) technical time outs but at the business end let off their guard.

Like a script, they woke up when it mattered most, reducing their mistakes and hitting the Cameroonians hard to pick out a comfortable 15-6 win.

Pipeline will face the winner between record champions Al Ahly and Nigeria’s Customs who play later Monday.

The post Pipeline survive Bafia scare to qualify for semis appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12- Gary Boyd, the 2009 Kenya Open winner, his predecessor Robert Dinwiddle and 2016 champion, Sebastian Soderberg lead the contingent of foreign players expected to take part at this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship later on in the month at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

The three will lead a high-caliber list of entries by foreign players who have expressed interest to take part in this year’s tournament, and whose participation at the tourney is now awaiting ratification by the European Challenge Tour.

Englishman Boyd won the 2009 Championship with a total gross score of 13-under 271, which was a personal improvement from the previous year’s tournament where he had finished 5th with a round score of 6-under 278.

Boyd has also featured at the Kenya Open Championship in 2014, 2015 and last year where he finished 63rd.

Fellow Englishman Dinwiddle won the 2010 edition of the Kenya Open Golf tournament with a 12-under 272 gross score; with his other outings at the tournament having been in 2007 (where he finished 82nd), 2002 (where finished 22nd) and last year at the Muthaiga Golf Club where he finished 41st with a total gross score of 4-under 280.

Sweden’s Soderberg won the 2016 Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship with a gross score of 18-under 270 to set the tournament’s second-best score in the Championship’s history.

He has featured at the tournament on two other occasions; in 2015, where he finished 104, and last year where he finished 154th.

Notable names in the roster of entries by foreign players expected to take part at this year’s tournament include two-time Challenge Tour winner, Richard McEvoy (who won the 2017 Scottish Hydro Challenge tournament and the 2005 Panasonic Panama Open tourney) and three-time Challenge Tour and one-time European Tour champion, Roope Kakko (who has won the Madeira Islands Open tournament (twice); the National Bank of Oman Golf Classic tournament and the Volvo Finnish Open).

Other foreign nationals expected to take part at this year’s Kenya Open include Swede Anton Karlsson, Frenchman Antoine Rozne, Ugandan Fred Wanzala, Rwandese Ernest Ndayinsenga and Nigerian Andrew Oche Odoh.

This year, the tournament will also feature six South African professional players who play in the Sunshine Tour; continuing Kenya Open Golf Limited’s tradition of involving top professionals from the region in order to enhance the profile of the tournament, and to give local players a chance to play with pros from the region as well.

The six South Africans include, Oliver Bekker (7-time Sunshine-Tour-related tournament winner), Ockie Strydom, Louis de Jager, Jaco Ahlers, Neil Schietekat and Peter Karmis – who is ranked 13th overall best player in Africa by the Official World Golf Ranking.

They will be making their debut at the Kenya Open and are expected to mount a formidable challenge among the foreign players.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Kenya Open At 50 golf tournament at the Muthaiga Golf Club this weekend, Kenya Open Golf Championship Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, attributed the enhanced interest from foreign players to the increased prize money this year which has raised the profile of the tournament.

“This year’s total prize kitty of €500,000 has seen us received enhanced interest from a high-calibre list of players from across the world whose participation we believe will enhance the quality of golf that will be played at the tournament,” he said.

The Kenya Open Golf Championship has slots for 156 players; 106 of whom are selected on merit through the European Challenge Tour and 50 selected by the Kenya Open Golf Limited featuring Kenyan and regional professionals as well as local amateurs.

The post Three ex-champs confirmed for 2018 Kenya Open appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 – In the latest of our series focusing on IAAF World Half Marathon champions the spotlight falls on the man who is seeking a hat-trick of titles when the 2018 edition will be held March 24 in Valencia, Kenyan star Geoffrey Kamworor.

If Kamworor could loosely be described as an “accidental” world half marathon champion in 2014 – more of which later – it was a nasty “accident” at the start of his successful title defence which provided the high drama two years later in Cardiff.

The long-legged Kenyan has, arguably, proved the most versatile distance runner of his generation.

Besides his twin success at the biennial World Half Marathon Championships he has also scooped back-to-back World Cross Country titles, claimed 2015 world silver on the track over 10,000m and proved a formidable competitor over 42.2km as evidenced by his victory in November’s New York City Marathon.

Back in early 2014 Kamworor was fully focused on a strong showing in February’s Tokyo Marathon.

Yet after stuttering to sixth in 2:07:37 he sought a fresh challenge and suddenly turned his attention to the World Half Marathon Championships just five weeks later in Copenhagen.

“To run the world half was never a part of the plan but I was not pleased with the position (in Tokyo) so that is when I looked to focus on world half,” he explains.

“After the marathon I rested for a few days and then when I returned to training I made sure the sessions were nice and easy.”

Having run a blistering 58:54 to win the RAK Half Marathon the previous year and boasting a record of four wins and two seconds from his seven previous competitive outings over the 21.1km distance he was clearly a class-act, although the burden of favouritism in the Danish capital fell on the shoulders of Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese, the five-time world champion over the distance.

‘I ALWAYS BELIEVE IN MYSELF’

Not that Kamworor was overawed by the formidable presence of the world half marathon record holder.

“I had run 58 minutes for the half-marathon the previous year, I always believe in myself. I was focused and wanted to win,” he says of his pre-race expectations in Copenhagen.

On a bright spring day Kamworor took to the front after 12 kilometres, where he led a six-strong lead group containing two Kenyans, an Ethiopian and three Eritreans including Tadese.

However, by the 15-kilometre point, and thanks to a strong Kamworor surge, the lead pack had halved in size with Samuel Tsegay of Eritrea and Ethiopia’s Guye Adola the only two men in contention as Tadese dropped off the pace.

Relentlessly pushing the pace, Kamworor opened daylight on the field in the final two kilometres and could not be stopped.

“I remember dropping the rest of the field,” he recalls. “I couldn’t believe this at first, but I had to remain focused.”

He crossed the line in 59:08 –13 seconds clear of Tsegay, who edged the bronze in a tight battle with Adola with Tadese fourth– to land a maiden world senior title in what proved a huge breakthrough moment for the gregarious Kenyan.

“It really meant a lot to me as it opened so many doors in my career and motivated me to win more,” he explains. “For me, it was amazing and it made me believe anything was possible.”

QUICK RECOVERY FROM A TUMBLE AT THE START IN CARDIFF

If Tadese had been Kamworor’s main rival in 2014, it was British endurance star Mo Farah who many assumed would most likely threaten the Kenya’s grip on the title in Cardiff two years later.

Farah certainly had the passionate home support behind him in the Welsh capital but Kamworor in the intervening two years had further established himself as a consistent world-class operator by adding the World Cross Country crown to his growing CV and silver behind Farah over 10,000m at the World Championships in Beijing.

Yet the Kenyan’s bid to become the third man in history to win back-to-back World Half Marathon titles was almost over before it started after he lost his footing and slipped in the narrow starting funnel -which had become slick with the descending rain – just seconds into the race.

“It was a really bad experience for me,” he recalls. “I slipped and stayed down on the ground for about 15 seconds. I had a big crowd of athletes coming from behind and pushing me.”

His knees badly scraped, he did, however, maintain his cool. He had lost significant ground on the leaders but within five minutes of running had found his way to the lead group.

“Once I reached the (lead) group I forgot that I had fallen down and I just focused on the race,” he explains.

With the race played out in heavy rain which worsened as the race progressed alongside buffeting winds, Kamworor sensibly adopted a pragmatic approach to the miserable weather conditions he faced that day.

“We all had to run in it, I had no option,” he says.

Significantly, Farah started drifting off the back of the lead group at 10km and by 15km – covered in a swift 41:41 – it was Kamworor running alongside his compatriot Bedan Karoki, who were locked in a two-way battle for gold as the pair worked together as part of a pre-arranged team tactic to set a blistering pace in an effort to break the field.

The duo were away and clear and it was the defending champion who launched his winning move with 2km remaining. Quickly opening up a decisive advantage he stopped the clock in 59:10 – 26 seconds clear of Karoki with Farah claiming bronze.

Taking into account Kamworor’s heavy fall coupled with the ghastly weather conditions to finish in a time just two seconds shy of what he achieved in Copenhagen two years earlier showed what he would have been capable of in more favourable circumstances.

“It was difficult for me to win after falling down, but I had to believe,” he recalls. “It was great to win the title again.”

Boasting an imposing half-marathon record of eight wins and three second places from 12 international races over the distance, the Kenyan will be the man to beat as he seeks a hat-trick of titles in Valencia later this month.

Yet the man who is coached by Patrick Sang, the former World and Olympic steeplechase silver medallist, has a simple theory as to what qualities make a good half-marathoner.

“For me it is that mix of endurance which I get from the long 40-k training sessions (training for the marathon), the speed and strength from running cross country and the pure speed from the track.”

It is a simple combination which has so far proved devastatingly effective.

Geoffrey Kamworor Half Marathon in numbers

1 – The number of times in international half-marathons Kamworor has finished outside the top two. That came in 2012 when he placed fourth in the City Pier City Marathon in Den Haag

19.5 – The average time in seconds of his winning margins in his two World Half Marathon triumphs

34 – The number of days between finishing sixth in the 2014 Tokyo Marathon and his victory in the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships

100 – The percentage success rate of Geoffrey Kamworor at World Half Marathon Championships having won two from two.

The post Kamworor eyes a hat-trick of World Half titles appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 -World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri has put her World Indoor performance behind her back and has now shifted attention to making amends at the Commonwealth Games scheduled for Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15.

Obiri missed out on the 3000m medal bracket at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham after finishing fourth in 8:49.66 behind winner Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia who won the race in 8:45.05 ahead of silver medallist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands while Briton Laura Muir took bronze.

Speaking to Capital Sport, Obiri, who blamed lack of speed for the loss, has vowed to make a statement at the Commonwealth Games, where she will be out searching for her first ever gold medal at the multi-sport event, as she intends to compete in 5000m distance.

“Now it’s going back to the drawing board, I will go back to train hard after losing out on a medal in Birmingham. Commonwealth Games is around the corner so I will go correct my mistakes and focus on winning gold in Gold Coast,” Obiri said.

Obiri, who has an Olympic silver medal in the 5000m, admitted that Dibaba had more endurance than her especially in the final three laps where the Kenyan lacked the kicking power.

“The race started slower and that gave the 1500m ladies an advantage because I was not responding well. My body was not responding because when you are used to run faster and then come to a slower race you struggle, it was a bad day in office,” the 28-year-old stated on the loss.

He added, “It is my first time to lose a medal since 2012 so I will go back home and train seriously like last year. This year I have been doing a lot of cross country, I have not focused on track and that’s why I did not have reaction and speed, but I will work on it.”

The post Obiri targets to make amends at CG appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 -The Government, through National Sports Fund on Tuesday announced a Sh50m sponsorship towards the 50th edition of the Barclays Kenya Open Tournament scheduled to tee-off March 22 at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

This is in line with a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the conclusion of the 2017 Kenya Open, to raise the standard of the Championship.

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony, National Sports Fund’s Chairman Luke Luseno said that the government is committed to supporting the growth of sports- in this case, golf in the country.

“The government, through the National Sports Fund, has undertaken to sponsor and fund sports across the board. Sponsoring the Kenya Open tournament is in line with the president’s directive to develop golf, especially for junior players, and position the country as a golfing destination,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) PR and sponsorship Director, Kathleen Kihanya noted that the government’s support will go a long way in raising the standards of the Kenya Open Championships.

“We welcome this significant sponsorship from the government, which has placed the Kenya Open at the top of the European Challenge Tour events. With continued support from the government, we are confident that the Kenya Open is going to move on to the main European tour.”

This year’s championship will be the most lucrative tournament on the European Challenge tour boasting of a total prize kitty of Sh62.5m (500,000 Euros)

The 50th Edition of the Kenya Open Tournament will take place March 22-25 at the Muthaiga Golf Club and has attracted a total of 156 participants; of these 22 will local professional golfers and 4 amateurs.

Tickets to the championship are available for sale on www.ticketsasa.com

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 – Mukumu Boys from Western Region will tackle Shimba Hills from Coast in the highlight of the Boys Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom quarter-finals after the two were paired in the draw conducted on Tuesday.

The other Boys quarters will see Nyanza’s Ombek the Red Devils face Euronuts from Central, Mwingi Junior Stars (Eastern) are set for an acid test against Kapenguria Heroes (Rift Valley) while Al Hayat (North Eastern) will play against Nairobi Men Winner.

In the Girls category, Waa Girls from Coast will lock horns with Tar Tar from Rift Valley in the biggest clash.

Other fixtures will see Plateau Queens (Nyanza) take on Ngakaa Talent Academy (Eastern), Nairobi Winner will face Arch Bishop Njenga (Western) while the lady luck fell on   Limuru Starlets (Central) who were handed a bye to Semi finals.

The National Finals are slated to be hosted at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County from March 22-25, where the overall winner of both Boys and Girls will pocket Sh1mn and earn a fully paid trip to London where they will train with the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Brand Ambassador, Victor Wanyama at the Tottenham Hot Spur home ground.

“The tournament is a perfect example of how football can be used to open doors for girls and boys from all backgrounds. This programme has given us the opportunity to scout for talented footballers from all over the country,” Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa said during the draw.

“Players like David Majak, Fredrick Krop, and Oscar Kengwa have already signed up for  Premier League teams while the likes of James Omsinde and John Njuguna have earned call ups to the national under 20 team,” Mwendwa added.

The national finals follows a series of regional contests played across the country. The teams that will represent Nairobi will be known this weekend as Stima club grounds hosts the capital’s showdown.

Over 1,600 teams registered for the tournament that begun in September 2017 including 1,342 boys’ teams and 282 girls’ sides.

“We are very proud to have reached this leg of the tournament and would wish to thank all the stakeholders who have made this possible,”  Victor Ngumo, Head of Nairobi West region, Safaricom, said.

“We are just days away from finding out who will walk away with Sh1mn and the opportunity to go to London to spend some time with English Premier League star Victor Wanyama.”

The programme was started with an aim of promoting grassroots football and propelling gifted players into the national team.

“As a company, this is truly in line with our goal of transforming the lives of Kenyan Youth. We wish all the participating teams the very best as they embark on their quest for the ultimate prize,” Ngumo added.

Safaricom has invested Sh100m towards the program which includes Sh10m worth of prizes as well as funds for renovation of select community pitches through a legacy programme.

Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Players signed in KPL Clubs

Yusuf Mainge – Manyatta (AFC),

Ahmed Subri – Al-Hayat (Kariobangi Sharks),

David Majak – Kapenguria Heroes (Homeboyz)

Fred Krop – Kapenguria Heroes (Homeboyz)

Hassan Iddi-  Bomani youth (Bandari)

John Njuguna Euronuts (Kariobangi Sharks)

Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Players called up to U-20

James OmsindeAshisoma,  John Collins Njuguna, Ali Mwakiba, Ezekiel Nyati Mugo, Yusuf Mainge, Elisha Owino, Jimmy Wafula, Musa masika, Alpha Chris, Patrick Ochieng, Meja Henry, Alvin Mangeni, Mike Odihambo.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 – Kenya Prisons’ efforts of ending a five year continental title drought were dashed after the team went down 3-1 to Tunisian side Carthage in the semi-final stage of the Women’s African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday.

Carthage claimed the first final ticket after exciting victory over Prisons after winning three sets to two.

Carthage took the first set by winning 25-15 before Prisons won the second 22-25 but the Tunisians reclaimed the lead of a 25-23 before winning the third set 25-21 to seal the victory and storm the final.

Carthage outside hitter Khloud Genhani played a great role in the victory with her teammate Rahma Agrebi along with the centers Maroua Boughanami and Stefania Corna. Genhani led her team with 21 points. Mercy Moim led the Kenyans with 20 points.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 – Ahly made their way to the final after they crashed Kenya Pipeline 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-8) in the semifinal of the 2018 Women’s African club Championship in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday.

Ahly will now face Tunisian side Carthage in the competition final on Thursday, while Pipeline meet Prisons in all Kenyan clash for the bronze medal.

After Pipeline won the first with their tight block and good defence, Ahly rebounded efficiently to win three consecutive sets to make it to the final.

Ahly’s outside hitter Katanya led the match scorers with 21 points, while Noel Nasimyu scored 14 as the best scorers for the losers.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14- Standard Chartered Trophy Road to Anfield defending champions Capital FM have been drawn in a tricky group for this year’s tournament set to be played on Saturday at the St, Mary’s School in Nairobi.

Capital FM will headline Pool E where they are lined up to face debutants AC Nelson, Catholic Relief Services, Oracle, Davis and Shirtliff as well as the Wananchi Group.

“It is a very tricky group because we have not faced most of those teams in our group. But our aim remains the same, to start the tournament well, win all our games and top our group. The players are ready because we have been training for two months now,” skipper Lassie Atrash said.

He added; “As defending champions, there is always the pressure of retaining the title and also everyone comes to beat you. We understand the difficulty in this but the good thing is we have a caliber of players which can sustain such kind of pressure.”

The Best Mix of Music team won last year’s tournament with a hard earned 1-0 win over Letshego thanks to Jeff Ooko powerful strike.

However, the team did not proceed to Liverpool, United Kingdom to defend their international title after losing the regional tournament in Tanzania to hosts Azania. However, this year the winner from Kenya will head directly to Anfield.

“It was painful not to go to Anfield last year but we have learnt from that. It has made us stronger and that will be a motivation that we need to go to the UK and win that title again,” Atrash further commented.

A total of 48 teams have confirmed participation for this year’s competition with a further 41 playing in a separate tournament for Standard Chartered Bank staff.

The 48 teams have been spread across eight groups of six teams each with the media teams being seeded. The top two from each group proceed to the round of 16.

Last year’s losing finalists Letshego will square it out with 2016 finalists Radio Africa, Vivo Energy, Multichoice, Jameson and Resolution Insurance.

“We got to the final once and we know how tough this tournament is. This time we want to go on and challenge for the trophy. We hope for the best,” Radio Africa captain Fred Arocho commented.

Standard Chartered Head of Corporate Affairs Helen Nangozi says they expect a tougher tournament this year and also expects the standards of the game to improve.

“The tournament is becoming very competitive each year. Last year we had 36 teams and now we have 48. It shows the amount of interest it is generating and we expect the quality to be better this year,” Nangozi noted.

Road to Anfield Pools

Pool A: Nation Media Group, Impact Stars, JH Piego Corporation, PS Kenya, Diagio, General Electric.

Pool B: Standard Group, Getrudes Hospital, Louis Dreyfus Company, Metropolitan Canon, BAT, Simba Corp.

Pool C: Royal media Services, Syngenta East Africa, EABL, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Nivea, Zamara Actiaries

Pool D: Radio Africa, Vivo Energy, Multichoice, Jameson, Letshego, Resolution Insurance.

Pool E: Capital FM, AC Nelson, Catholic Relief Services, Oracle, Davis and Shirtliff, Wananchi Group.

Pool F: Mediamax, United States International University, Safaricom, Deloitte, MFI Document Solutions, NAS Services

Pool G: AIG, Bamburi, Kenya Nut, Scan Group, Oil Libya, Copy Cat

Pool H: Bollore Logistics, Total Kenya, Galana Oil, Schneider Electric, Nairobi Bottlers, ICPAK.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14- Whyvonne Isuza struck twice as AFC Leopards overcame two penalty misses to beat 10-man Wazito FC 3-2 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday to move second in the Kenyan Premier League standings, on a day they are celebrating their 54th birthday.

Isuza’s second goal with seven minutes remaining came in barely five minutes after Victor Majid had missed a penalty for AFC, one that would have taken them 3-2 up. Ingwe had also missed a first half penalty with Ezekiel Odera seeing his kick saved.

Pistone Mutamba scored twice for Wazito coming in between Ezekiel Odera and Isuza’s goals.

Wazito were reduced to 10 men three minutes into the second half after Brian Ayacko was sent to the showers after a second yellow card.

The victory took the 13-time KPL champions to 13 points, three shy of arch rivals and leaders Gor Mahia FC.

It was yet another high scoring, come-from-behind defeat after they came from 3-1 down over the weekend to beat Mathare United 4-3 at the same venue.

Head coach Dennis Kitambi picked up his third consecutive victory in charge since stepping into the suspended Robert Matano’s boots, and he has continually shown he can step up to the plate if called upon on a permanent basis.

AFC Leopards went the break tied at 1-1, and it was probably a relieving result having lost an early penalty and Wazito going ahead courtesy of Mutamba’s goal.

Ingwe had the bulk of the first few chances of the game, first Brian Marita attempting his luck with a shot from distance after a counter attack which however went wide.

Two minutes later, Whyvonne Isuza should have done better with a lone header at the edge of the six yard box after being left isolated by the Wazito defense, Marita’s cross landing graciously on his path.

-Odera penalty miss-

On the quarter hour mark, Ingwe was presented with an opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Emmanuel Tienan was adjudged to have brought down Odera as the two attempted to attack a cross from Simon Mburu.

However, Odera could not convert after taking responsibility on himself, Wazito keeper Philip Odhiambopushing away the ball with one arm.

Ten minutes later, AFC were punished for that miss when the lanky Mutamba rose in the middle of a forest of Ingwe markers to head home from a Joachim Omollo free kick.

But, despite going down, AFC still dictated the tempo of the game but could not get the chances at goal with Wazito defending well and in numbers.

The home side had two chances back to back in the 41st minute, but none could take them back on level terms. First, Salim Abdallah’s header from Marita’s corner went straight to the keeper.

Almost immediately, Odera couldn’t get a decent header after keeper Odhiambo missed the ball going for a Mburu long through, instead brushing the ball over.

However, Odera made amends four minutes later when he levelled matters with an easily taken overhead kick after Marvin Nabwire brought down into his path a cross from Yussuf Mainge.

Three minutes into the second half, the stars seemed to have aligned in AFC’s favour when Ayacko was sent to the dressing room after a second yellow card for a sinister foul on Mburu who had produced some silk skill to lift the ball over him.

From the resultant free-kick, AFC went ahead when Whyvonne Isuza headed the ball into an empty net when Odera beat keeper Philip Odhiambo to the ball from Mburu’s delivery.

Ingwe’s joy was short lived however when Mutamba restored parity, coming to the end of a swift counter attack with Joe Waithira breaking away and cutting back the ball for Mutamba to score.

Once again, Ouna’s charges coiled back to a disciplined defensive shape, frustrating AFC to the bare minimum of chances.

In the 78th minute however, they were found off their feet when David Oswe brought down Nabwire inside the box after a swiftly taken throw-in, referee George Mwai pointing straight to the spot much to the disgust of Wazito players.

However, keeper Odhiambo stepped up, punching away Majid’s effort from 12 yards out.

But Isuza wiped away Ingwe’s blushes when he struck low inside the box after Nabwire chested down and laid up for him a cross from Ezekiel Odera.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – Mumias Sugar’s Dismas Indiza, Windsor Golf Club’s Riz Charania and Thika’s Simon Ngige are among top Kenya professional golfers leading a contingent of 19 confirmed for this year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship scheduled to tee-off March 22 at the Muthaiga Golf Club.

The 19 are part of a total of 22 Kenyan professionals that the Professional Golfers of Kenya will submit to the Kenya Open.

According to the Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, PGK carried out their qualification rounds and submitted the names.

“The contingent of Kenyan professionals is selected by the PGK through their own criteria and they in turn send in the names,” he said. “So far the PGK has submitted 19 names and I am expecting another three names from them shortly.”

Indiza, Ngige, and Charania, automatically qualified for the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship by virtue of making the cut at the 2017 tournament; while the remaining 16 have been selected through a series of qualification events that have been organized by the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) over the last three months.

Others who have been confirmed are Golf Park’s Tom Omuli, David Wakhu and veteran golfer Jacob Okello, Muthaiga’s Greg Snow, Nicholas Rokoine, KopanTimbe and Frank Matilo.

Sigona’s John Wangai, Vet lab’s Brian Njoroge, Nelson Simwa and Matthew Omondi, Nyali’s Njuguna Ngugi, Railways’ Alfred Nandwa, Els Club’s Stefan Andersen, Royal’s Erick Obura and Great Rift’s Justus Madoya.

Commenting on the Kenya Open Pre-Qualification round slotted for Monday the 19th of March, 2018 at Vet Lab Sports Club, Obath said it is the Kenyan professionals who stand the best chance to grab the 3-slots on offer there.

“The Pre-Q will be held Vet Lab and on offer are additional three-slots in the 2018 Barclays Kenya Open. I believe our local golf professionals are best suited to claim all of these slots,” he said. “So in theory, we can expect to have 25 Kenyan professionals playing next week.”

In addition to the Pros, four Kenyan amateur players have been selected to play at this year’s Kenya Open; with two others being invited from Uganda and Tanzania to complete the roster of six amateur players slots allocated to the Kenya Open Golf Limited.

The four include Vet Lab’s Edwin Mudanyi, Muthaiga’s Bhavnish Chandaria, Royal’s Dennis Saikwa and Nyali’s Daniel Nduva. Tanzanian Victor Joseph and Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo complete the local amateurs list for this year’s tournament.

Indiza, who made his Kenya Open debut in 1996 at the Muthaiga Golf Club and whose best score came in 2008 when he finished T10 with a gross score of 5-under 279, will be a favorite going into this year’s tournament where expectations are high from local supporters.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14- Being a Manchester United supporter himself, Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr was pained when the Red Devils were ousted from the UEFA Champions League after a 2-1 loss to Spanish side Sevilla on Tuesday night at Old Trafford.

However, the British tactician who led Gor to their record 16th Kenyan Premier League (KPL) crown last season picked up some bit of motivation in the midst of that disappointment.

He now wants his charges to exhibit the same spirit when they travel to Tunisia on Thursday night for their CAF Champions League tie against Esperance.

“I have played at that stadium (Old Trafford) several times before as a player and it has one of the most intimidating atmospheres ever. Watching Sevilla yesterday, they went in with no fear playing attacking football and caused Man United problems despite that kind of atmosphere,” Kerr told Capital Sport.

“That’s the same situation we find ourselves in because we are going to a hostile environment in Tunis where no one expects us to win. We have to do exactly what Sevilla did at Manchester United. We have to forget about the intimidating atmosphere and go get a result,” added the tactician.

K’Ogalo travel Tunis carrying a 0-0 draw from the first leg in Machakos and in the least, they will need any kind of a scoring draw to progress to the group stages for the first time since 1993 when they reached the quarter finals of the CAF Cup.

Kerr is confident that his Gor Mahia side will be able to get a positive result against the side that slapped them with a 5-0 defeat the last time they played in Tunis, four years ago in 2014.

“We don’t care what happened four years ago. We have a new opportunity and we will make use of it. I am immensely under pressure to deliver and I believe that I can do it. I believe in my ability, I believe in the ability of my players,” the coach added.

-Game rescheduled-

The match was initially set to be played on Saturday but was moved to Sunday, effectively meaning Gor changed their travel plans. Despite the change of date without notice, Kerr says they will not be distracted.

“Obviously they are trying to destabilize us with these small details, but we have our focus on. We need to go there and play without fear and show that we are also a good team,” added the tactician.

Meanwhile, he has admitted that the team has found it tough in terms of preparations since the start of the season due to lack of sponsorship and he hopes that the situation will be solved soon.

“It has been very tough because obviously we understand what the club is going through and I respect my chairman a lot because he has done a lot to stabilize the situation. But we should have been preparing in better circumstances but all in all we have to do with the situation. Hopefully it gets better for us,” the coach further noted.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 15- The AFC Leopards National Executive Committee has reached a decision to fire head coach Robert Matano after what it termed as ‘indiscipline, lack of respect and failure to adhere to teamwork’ after having initially suspended him for two weeks.

The decision was reached on Tuesday after a National Executive Committee meeting and Dennis Kitambi’s performance having taken over on interim basis further gave the club’s top hierarchy more sense to make the decision.

“We have honored our part of the contract by paying him in lieu for two months having informed him of his decision. As the NEC we saw this as the best decision in the interest of the club because Kitambi took over and he has won three matches back to back,” AFC Leopards Secretary General Oscar Igaida told Capital Sport.

Igaida explained that the decision was taken because of ‘disciplinary issues’ on the side of the coach who he has accused of lacking respect for the management.

The Secretary General further explained that Matano was a ‘lone ranger’ and wasn’t a team player, failing to work with the rest of the technical bench who were uncomfortable with him.

“The technical bench felt that he couldn’t take their advice. The players as well were uncomfortable with him because he was too harsh and at times they found it difficult to play freely. Most of the time they were not themselves,” Igaida further explained.

He also noted; “He also failed in his primary target which was to get us to the group stages of continental football. We were not happy with how we performed against FOSA Juniors.”

Kitambi will now take charge of the team fully though on interim basis before the executive committee decides whether or not to hand him the job on a permanent basis.

“We want to assure the fans that everything is in control and there is no vacuum. We have faith in Kitambi because he has demonstrated his abilities with three wins already and we will make a decision next week. He is definitely one of the top candidates for the job. The players like him and they think he is good,” Igaida added.

Matano joined the club in July last year when the club was willowing in dire underperformance and he helped them scrape up from the relegation zone and led them to the GOtv Shield title.

However, he seemed to have fallen out with his bosses at the club at the start of the season.

Meanwhile, midfielder Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth’s suspension has been further lengthened by a fortnight. Okoth was also accused of indiscipline and absconding training including when the team was in Madagascar for their CAF Confederations Cup tie against Fosa.

“There are several requests he has made to us and we will be considering them. By the time his suspension is over we will have made a decision on whether to keep him or not,” Igaida further explained.

AFC Leopards currently sit second in the Kenyan premier league standings with 13 points, three shy of leaders Gor Mahia.

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