NAKURU, Kenya, Jun 7- Regarded as tournament ‘underdogs’ Tanzania’s Singida United and Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz will be out to pull shocks when the SportPesa Super Cup semi-finals go down at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Thursday afternoon.

Homeboyz who beat Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga) 3-1 in the quarter finals will face recently crowned Tanzanian Premier League champions Simba SC in the early kick off while Singida who beat AFC Leopards on penalties will take on defending champions Gor Mahia.

Singida United tactician Suleiman Hemedi who started his tenure with the win against Leopards says he expects a tough tie against Gor but says his side’s confidence has soared and will give their all to earn a ticket to the final.

“Gor is a good team and we respect them a lot. They have achieved so much in Kenya winning the league and they have also qualified for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup. They are not a team that is a pushover,” Hemedi said looking on to the fixture.

He admitted it would be tough marking out individual players in the duel, saying that collectively, Gor’s team work is of awe.

K’Ogalo meanwhile who are looking at defending the crown will walk into the match with caution with head coach Dylan Kerr pointing out they should not underrate the Tanzanians.

“I watched them play and they are a pretty decent team. They have good players especially in attack and we can’t afford to walk in thinking we have the right to win. We have to take it very tough from the first minute, play good football, take our chances and win,” the British coach noted.

Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge who started off the bench in the 3-0 quarter final win over Jeshi La Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) due to a bout of Malaria might be ready to start against Singida with Kerr expected to field his strongest squad.

Meanwhile, Homeboyz made a statement of intent in their win over Yanga and new coach Paul Nkata is eager to show it wasn’t a one-time fluke when he faces Simba.

“They are a tough team as they have just been crowned champions in Tanzania. I watched them play and I know it is going to be a tough game against them. But we will take our chances and we will go there and fight to win,” Nkata said looking ahead to Thursday afternoon’s tie.

There is a doubt on striker Allan Wanga who hit a brace against Yanga with the 33-year old forward having limped off with a back injury and will face a late fitness test.

Simba meanwhile will not be taking the tie lightly and head coach Pierre Lechantre having watched them win against Yanga, he knows they might be in for a shock.

“They are a very good team. Their physical level is good and we know they will give us a tough game. Our target is to get to the final and we will do everything possible to win and get there,” the coach added.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7 – Kenyan referee Aden Marwa will not officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after he was caught receiving a Sh60,000 bribe from undercover reporters during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.

In an investigative piece aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)  done by Ghanaian journalist Anas Anas, Marwa is filmed receiving the Sh60,000 (USD 600) ‘gift’ at his hotel room.

“The most important thing is not even this. It’s the friendship,” Marwa is filmed saying in the earth shattering investigative piece.

The piece also caught a Gambian referee in the same web receiving Sh50,000 from journalists posing as fans.

According to the Anas report, Marwa withdrew from the World Cup roaster of referees immediately he was informed of the report.

Anas’ findings also netted current Ghana Football Association boss Kwesi Nyantakyi receiving a ‘gift’ of Sh6.5mn (USD 65,000).

Marwa has been on of Kenya’s biggest referees and made history by being the first ever official from the country to be listed for the World Cup in 2014.

He has officiated in several high profile games and tournaments in Africa and around the world.

The latest setback is expected to dent his illustrious career even as the wait starts for CAF and FIFA investigations.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7 – With only six days to the 2018 FIFA World Cup showdown in Russia, Telecommunications service provider Safaricom has launched data bundles, dubbed ‘Giga Football Passes’ to enable football enthusiasts stream all the World Cup matches on Kwesé iflix on their smart phones.

With these passes, customers can stream any of the 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup live games on Kwesé iflix at Sh99 for 24 hours, inclusive of all data charges.

Customers will also have the option to stream any of the matches to their TVs through the Kwesé iflix app on the Safaricom BigBox and Digital Box.

The Giga Football Passes will be available from June 14 to all Safaricom customers, including for TV viewing through the Safaricom Digital Box.  To access the service, customers will need to dial *544# on mobile and *400# for the Digital Box.

“The recently concluded first edition of Chapa Dimba has proved Kenyans have a deep passion for sports. This passion has informed our decision to partner with Kwesé iflix to give our customers an opportunity to watch the biggest sports spectacle in the world on their mobile devices for the first time ever,” Charles Kare, Acting Director – Consumer Business, Safaricom, said.

Safaricom’s 4G+, 4G and 3G broadband network now reaches 86 percent of the Kenyan population, and was recently rated Kenya’s fastest by Speedtest by Ookla.

“Today is an important milestone for Kwesé iflix. Not only are we able to offer customers the best in sports and entertainment through a personalised and localised service on our Kwesé iflix app that suits our customers’ lifestyle, but are thrilled to announce a deeper partnership with Kenya’s leading communication service provider Safaricom,” Mayur Patel, CEO, Kwese iflix, stated.

“Leveraging Safaricom’s superfast 4G+, 4G and 3G networks, subscribers will have the option to stream Kwesé iflix’s world-class programming, including the FIFA World Cup 2018 to any device of their choice, download or stream live for an unbelievable price of KES 99, which includes for the first time ever, unlimited data and unlimited Kwesé iflix access for 24 hours.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 6, 2018 – The Vetlab Sports Club will be the host of the third edition of the Victoria Cup; a golf tournament between Kenya and Uganda scheduled to be played between July 25- 28. 

It is again a battle between Kenya and Uganda teams at the VetLab; as the 18-hole golf course hosts the Victoria Cup in July. Set to draw some of the best players from the two neighboring countries, the tournament is organized by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) together with the Uganda Golf Union (UGU).

This is the third edition of the rotational Victoria Cup between Kenya and Uganda, with the inaugural tournament that took place at Muthaiga Golf Club in 2016 before moving to Uganda’s Entebbe Golf Club in 2017; where the Kenyans lifted the trophy in both occasions by beating the Ugandans with a single point (2016) and two points (2017).

Will the Lions (team Kenya) continue the winning streak and lift the trophy for the third time or will the Cranes (team Uganda) humble the Kenya team?

Speaking about the tournament, newly elected KGU Chairman, Lucas Maraga, expressed confidence in the preparations to host the 4-day tournament.

“At KGU, we have a capable team that has been working around the clock to ensure that we are prepared well in time to host the Uganda team. The course at VetLab Sports Club is a perfect venue for the Victoria Cup and we look forward to a great match with our neighbors,” he said.

The format of the event just like in the last two years, will be a combination of foursomes, fourball betterball and singles with each country fielding a team of 10 players. The Kenya Golf Union (KGU), is yet to name the players selected to represent Kenya in the tournament that has fielded some of Kenya’s best golfers notably Alfred Nandwa (turned pro), Samuel Njoroge, John Karichu and Edwin Mudanyi.

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NAKURU, Kenya, Jun 7- Just like he did in the quarter finals, Jonas Mkude scored the winning penalty once again as Tanzanian giants Simba SC qualified for the final of the SportPesa Super Cup with a 5-4 post-match penalties win over Kakamega Homeboyz at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Thursday.

Homeboyz missed their last penalty with Wycliffe Opondo striking high over the bar while Mkude stepped up in confidence scoring Simba’s final kick of the first five.

Allan Wanga, Benjamin Oketch, Noah Wafula and Eston Esiye scored for Homeboyz while Haruna Niyonzima, Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe and Shiza Kichuya scored for Simba.

The game was forced into penalties after a barren draw in regulation time.

Among the changes that Simba SC head coach Pierre Lechantre made to his squad included bringing in the ball playing Kichuya, seeking to add some creativity in attack.

Homeboyz had the first opportunity of the game in the 19th minute but Wanga’s effort was easily picked out by the keeper.

In the 26th min Wafula received a long through ball from the midfield, but he fluffed his shot before his second attempt was deflected for a fruitless corner.  Ali Bai was next in line for an opportunity for the home side on the half hour mark, but his shot went over the bar.

Simba turned the tide as the half progressed and Smith Ouko had to come to the rescue of his side to block a shot from Niyonzima after the Rwandese picked up the ball from a Moses Chikati blunder in midfield.

Keeper Mike Wanyika then made a good save again from Niyonzima before Esiye made a goalline clearance to deny Yassin Muzamiru.

-Second Half-

Chances were few and far in between in the second half, tired feet from both teams clearly reducing the pace of the game.

Kakamega Homeboyz coach Paul Nkata made a change bringing in Opondo for Ali Bai as he sought to add some bit of strength into the attack.

Homeboyz had a chance in the 58th minute when Collins Kisuya’s long searching ball found Wafula at the edge of the box but his attempt at heading over keeper Aishi Manula who was already out of his line was futile.

Seven minutes later, Opondo had an effort with a low shot from the edge of the box after some quick play from Homeboyz, but keeper Manula was equal to the task making a good save.

Ten minutes to the end, Simba would have stolen off the victory but Rwandese skipper Niyonzima missed a header at point blank after Hussein Mohammed’s curling freekick from the right evaded everyone in the box.

In the 89th minute, Wanga had a chance to hit a crushing goal but his diving header off a Moses Mudavadi cross was well saved by a full diving Manula.

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NAKURU, Kenya, Jun 7- Head coach Dylan Kerr got the final he had been craving for as SportPesa Super Cup defending champions Gor Mahia booked a date with his former club Simba SC in Sunday’s finale after beating Singida United 2-0 in the semis on Thursday at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

Kerr, who coached Simba for one season before leaving, had joked on Sunday that he would have wished to play his former employers in the final and Meddie Kagere’s goals in either half handed him exactly what he had wished for.

Simba had earlier on booked a slot in the final after beating Kenya’s Kakamega Homeboyz 5-4 on post match penalties.

Gor had a good start to the match with head coach Dylan Kerr having reverted to his strongest line up, making changes from the squad that won 3-0 against Jeshi La Kujenga Uchumu (JKU) in their quarter final match on Sunday.

Philemon Otieno reverted to right-back with Humphrey Mieno and Ernest Wendo who sat out of the tie making a start in midfield.

Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge spearheaded the attack, Kerr making his intent known that he was not taking the Tanzanian domestic cup finalists for granted.

The home side had two chances within the opening minutes, both going begging. First, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo on his marauding runs on the right found a loose ball and his attempt at volleying it on target was inches close.

In the ninth minute, Kagere was picked out by a well weighted pass by Francis Kahata unmarked on the right, but his shot after setting himself up on the first touch went wide when he should have at least had an effort on target.

The tempo of the game which had built up much to the ecstasy of the full to capacity Afraha Stadium was hugely punctured when the heavens opened up to torrential rain.

Amid the downpour, Singida almost broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Danny Lyanga attempted his luck from distance but keeper Shabaan Odhoji made a brilliant save to keep away the effort.

Two minutes later though, Gor were wheeling away in celebration when Kagere atoned for his earlier miss, racing into the near post to flick home a corner from Kahata.

In the second half, the visitors were more adventurous upfront and had two close chances to draw back level. In the 58th minute, Ally Kenny’s header unmarked at the back post off a Lubinda Mundia cross from the left went straight to Odhoji.

Three minutes later, Mundia had an effort at goal from the edge of the six yard box when he towered over Shakava and Joash Onyango to head a cross from Shafik Batambuze but it went inches over the bar.

Under the difficult playing conditions, both teams resorted to punting balls upfield for a more direct way of attacking.

Gor, who had been pressed into their own half had a chance after 70 minutes when Kahata’s deep cross from the right found Odhiambo at the backpost but his shot was beautifully saved by Peter Manyika in the Singida goal.

Gor had penalty appeals downed three minutes later when Tuyisenge controlled the ball beautifully inside the box but his attempt at creating shooting space was brought to a halt by combined tackles from Batambuze and Kennedy Juma.

Kagere wound up the scoring in the 88th minute when when he took on a shot from range that found the keeper off his guard

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 7 – World champion Elijah Manangoi finally bagged his first win of the season after running to victory in the men’s Dream Mile at the fifth leg of the 2018 IAAF Diamond League in Oslo, Norway on Thursday.

Manangoi used his experience to clinch the title in 3:56.95 beating Moroccan Sadik Mikhou who came second in a time of 3: 57.10 while Ethiopian Tolasa Terasa completed the podium in 3:57.92.

Other Kenyans in the race Bethwel Birgen finished eighth (3:59.10) as former World U20 champion Kimari Taki faded to 10th (3:59.20).

Mikhou took early lead of the slow race, dominating the opening two laps, Manangoi settling for second as the other pack follow behind.

The race gathered momentum after covering 300m where Manangoi, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion took the lead relegating Mikhou to second. Heating the bell, the Kenyan star held on and backed himself to go all the way and cross the line despite getting stiff challenge from Tolasa and Mikhou.

-Women’s 800m-

In the women’s 800m race, Olympic and Commonwealth Games title holder Caster Semenya from South Africa stormed to victory easily in a time of 1:57.25 flooring her bitter rival Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi who settled for second spot in 1:58.57 as Ethiopian Halemu Habitan completed the podium in 1:58.58.

The only Kenyan competitor in the race Nelly Jepkosgei was fourth, returning 1:58.96.

In the men’s 10,000m race, Kenyan Dominic Kiptarus clinched the title in 28:05.34.

The IAAF Diamond League will now head to Stockholm, Sweden on Sunday for the sixth leg.

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BARCELONA, Spain, June 8 – West Ham’s Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini will miss the World Cup after injuring a knee during training in Spain, the Argentine football federation said Friday.

“Manuel Lanzini suffered, in today’s morning training, the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee,” the federation wrote in a Twitter message.

The 25-year-old, who had been linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool, now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His injury is a blow for Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli who had counted on Lanzini for his starting line up.

Argentina’s national team is due to travel to Russia on Saturday for the World Cup. Argentina have been drawn in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8- Ahead of their meeting in the SportPesa Super Cup final on Sunday at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium, Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr has said he has nothing to prove to his former employers Simba SC.

Gor booked a date with the recently crowned Tanzanian champions Simba SC after beating Singida United 2-0 in the semis while Simba were 5-4 winners over Kakamega Homeboyz in the earlier semi.

“I have nothing to prove to them. What happened happened; the board makes decisions and for me, I am happy to be at Gor. They (Simba officials) can come and watch I don’t care. I have good memories with Simba players and they are happy to see me; they love me. It is just the people who didn’t but all I am bothered of is Gor,” the coach said on Thursday.

Kerr was fired at the Dar es Salaam based club in January 2016, just six months after taking charge and he could not hid his displeasure at some of the club’s leadership, two of who are in Nakuru for the Super Cup tournament.

Kerr was specifically irked when one of the officials Hajji Manara went into the Singida dressing room after Thursday’s match to ‘high-five’ the players, noting that it showed a lack of respect.

Nonetheless, Kerr has chosen to stick his eyes on the prize urging his players to approach the final with confidence and the grab the opportunity that comes with the winner of the week-long tournament travelling to England to play Premier League side Everton FC at their Goodison Park backyard.

“It is a final and the winner goes to England. That’s a massive incentive. It is a massive opportunity to the players to showcase themselves playing at Goodison Park. I have said to the players that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and they should use it,” the tactician said.

“It will be a tough final because Simba want to win. They want to beat me and my players should come down ready and prepared with the right attitude,” added Kerr.

-Defending champions-

Gor won the tournament last year in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania after beating arch rivals AFC Leopards 3-0 in the final and went on to play against Everton losing 2-1.

The tactician now wants the side to defend the title and travel for a ‘rematch’ with the Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, the coach has lauded his players for their performance against Singida playing in tough conditions, saying they showed the character of a champion.

“I thought we were brilliant. We dictated the game, played good passes and credit to Meddie (Kagere) who fought hard to get his two goals. If we get into the final with this kind of attitude I think it will be great,” added the coach.

He has called on fans to come down to the Afraha Stadium in their droves and push the team to the title, noting they have been brilliant in both matches they have played in the tournament.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8- Defender Jockins Atudo scored twice as Harambee Stars sailed to the final of the Heroes Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai, India after a 4-0 win over Chinese Taipei in their final round robin match on Friday evening.

After a goalless first half, Sebastien Migne’s charges turned on the style in the second half with Dennis Odhiambo opening the gates before Atudo stretched the lead from the penalty spot. Timothy Otieno scored in between Atudo’s first and second goals to see Stars finish second in the first round.

Kenya will now face India in the final on Sunday with the hosts having finished top with six points and a superior goal difference.

Stars also edged out New Zealand on goal difference with the Pacific nation having beaten the hosts 2-1 yesterday to mean Kenya had to beat Chinese Taipei by more than three goals to advance.

After a lackluster opening half, Migne’s charges upped the tempo in the second half, knowing only too well that an appearance in the final depended on their ability to strike thrice in 45 minutes.

It was the Chinese Taipei men who started the half more industriously though and in the 52^nd minute, Stars keeper Patrick Matasi was forced into a good save to deny Ting-Yang Cheng who had shot at goal from a Cheng-Ming Wang’s cross.

On the turn, Kenya opened the scoring. Odhiambo who had been started in midfield alongside Duncan Otieno turned in a corner from Ovella Ochieng after the keeper had turned behind a delicious curling effort from Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.

Just two minutes later, Stars were within kissing distance of the final after Atudo converted from the spot following the keeper’s foul on Piston Mutamba inside the box.

Stars piled the pressure winning five consecutive corners but couldn’t make any of them count.

Migne made changes bringing on John Mark Makwatta for Mutamba and the Buildcon striker had a shot from his weaker left foot in the 62^nd minute deflected for another unfruitful corner.

But Stars ensured they sealed a spot in the final in the 70^th minute when Otieno capitalized on some school-boy goalkeeping from Chinese Taipei shot stopper Wen-Chen Pan to strike into the net, the keeper having come out and missed a clearance.

Atudo sealed the tie in the 89^th minute when he pounced on another goalkeeping error to tap home at close range after the custodian spilled Mike Kibwage’s connection from a Makwatta freekick.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 8 – Kenya will be out to top the globe at the World Under-20 Championships scheduled to take place from July 10-15 in Tampere, Finland as Athletics Kenya prepares to conduct trials on Monday and Tuesday next week at the Kasarani Stadium.

Head coach, Robert Ngirisei is confident the team that will be selected will flag Kenya’s flag high as they seek to improve last edition’s results where the East African athletics powerhouse bagged 5 medals;  3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze to finish second in the overall ranking with USA ruling the world.

“I have been talking to and monitoring most of these youthful athletes. I’m confident the team we shall select will reclaim the overall title,” he told the Star on phone.

As the norm, Kenya will face stiff competition from perennial rivals Ethiopia and Uganda, but Ngisirei was optimistic his charges will come out victors.

“These two countries will give us a run for our money because we shall renew our rivalry in most of the events,” Ngirisei, who led the Kenyan team to clinching the overall title during the World Junior championships in Moncton Canada, added.

The coach has confirmed that Kenya will field athletes in other disciplines including sprints where World Under-18 silver medalist in the 400m Mary Moraa is expected to qualify.

“We are not going to rely on middle and long distance events for medals,” he added.

“Most of the U-18 stars are likely to make it to the Finland bound team but there are several other upcoming athletes who were not able to participate in the under 18 and are very good,” he said.

Some of the athletes Ngirisei expects to do well at Kasarani and in Tampere are World under-18 1, 500m gold medalist George Manangoi, Mary Moraa, 2, 000m steeple chase junior champion Leonard Bett. Other junior champions expected are Caren Chebet (2, 000m), Jackline Wambui (800m).

Africa Cross Country junior men’s champion Rhonex Kipruto and silver medalist Stanley Waithaka together with Commonwealth 5000m bronze medalist Edward Zakayo are expected to battle it out for places in the Team Kenya.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 9 – Kenya kicked-off their Paris Sevens campaign on a losing note, falling 24-5 to New Zealand in their Pool A opener in the last leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series hosted in the French capital.

Kenya will next face series leaders Fiji at 14:46pm before rounding up the Pool match against Samoa at 19:52pm.

Willy Ambaka sent Shujaa ahead with an unconverted try for his 113th career try after Collins Injera started the move for Eden Agero to pick the ball from the rack to brilliantly use a back in pass to the big Ambaka.

However, Dylan Collier grabbed a quick brace to take the All Blacks ahead, leading 17-5 at the break.

Shujaa were more dismal in the second as more errors saw New Zealand add two more tries courtesy of Tim Mikkelson and Kurt Baker.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9- Harambee Starlets will face Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional in the return leg of their ultimate 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations Qualifier in Malabo on Saturday evening with head coach David Ouma plotting on a second consecutive appearance at the Cup of Nations.

Starlets carry with them a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Machakos on Wednesday and will only need to pick any kind of draw in the return encounter to book a ticket to Ghana.

“It is very possible and I believe in my girls. We have worked hard in the other qualification matches and we know what it means to be at the AWCON. We will go there and give our best,” Ouma said as he looked forward to the tie on Saturday.

The tactician has urged his girls to take command of the game from the first minute and ensure they don’t allow the hosts any time on the ball.

“We need to control the tempo of the game, have the ball more and ensure we don’t concede. It was unfortunate in the first leg we conceded from a set piece and this is something we have tried to work on,” Ouma said.

He added; “We should make use of our chances because I know once we score one goal, it will open up the game. We need to get that one goal to calm us down.”

Star striker Esse Akida who scored the second goal in Wednesday’s tie is also confident the team can get the result in Malabo and book a ticket to Ghana and has urged her teammates to give their all in the crucial tie.

“We know we can do it. We have faith in our abilities and all of us should work hard in the return leg tie. We know we are facing a tough team because they have played in the Cup of Nations and won it twice so we should also come being a tough team to beat,” Akida said.

Ouma says the girl’s improvement has been down to improved self belief and a few tactical improvements.

“They have really grown in terms of self belief. They can tackle any opponent without fear and I think that is something very important for us. Also, our tactical build up play has improved because we have trained together for long,” added the coach.

Meanwhile Equatorial Guinea head coach Severino Beseku will be relying on the sole away goal scored in Machakos to give his side the drive in the return leg.

“Kenya is a very tough team and heading back to Malabo, I know it will not be easy. But we will rely on our home fans to give us the push and most important, that one goal we scored will be very vital for us. We need to go and attack and ensure we win the game at home,” the coach further noted.

Harambee Starlets Starting XI

Poline Atieno (GK), Wendy Achieng (C), Lilian Adera, Dorcas Shikobe, Elizabeth Ambogo, Corazone Aquino, Cheris Avilia, Esse Akida, Neddy Atieno, Mwanahalima Adam, Teresa Engesha

Substitutes

Maureen Shimuli, Doris Anyango, Phelistus Kadari, Vivian Nasaka, Faith Kwamboka, Mercy Achieng, Sheryl Angachi

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 9 – Kenya dropped to the Challenge Trophy at the last leg of the 2017/18 HSBC Sevens World Series in Paris 7s after Fiji bounced back to beat New Zealand 26-17 in the final matches of Pool A.

Kenya needed the favour of New Zealand to beat Fiji after the Innocent Simyu boys had won two and lost one in their Pool matches. They started the day on a losing lone losing 25-5 to the All Blacks,

Shujaa made a comeback in the second match by stunning series leaders Fiji 22-19 before seeing off Samoa 24-10 to wait for the match against Fiji v New Zealand to know if they will make it into the Cup quarters.

However, with Fiji edging out New Zealand, they joined Kenya and the All Blacks in winning two matches and having lost one to see the top two decided by points difference. Samoa trailed the group after losing all their preliminary round matches

Kenya will now face Argentina in the Challenge Trophy quarters on Sunday at 9:45am.

-Kenya run over Samoa-

Against Samoa, Kenya were too quick for the breakdown; particularly speedster Billy Odhiambo, who took it blind to round the defence and open the scoring.

Odhiambo was at it again, this time scoring on the stroke of half-time to double his team’s tally and prompt the many Kenya fans in the stadium to bow and salute the scorer.

However, Samoa pulled one back through David Afamasaga who showed great athleticism to bustle out of the initial tackles and evade the remaining defenders to score in the corner making the score board read 10-5.

In the second half, Kenyan stalwart Collins Injera added another to his career tally for a 270th career try after cutting in from his right wing with perfect execution to completely wrong-foot the defenders and score.

Samoa were reduced to 6 for a deliberate knock-on which made the final 4 minutes especially testing for them.

Shujaa made good use of the advantage with Brian Tanga grabbing another for Kenya before Joe Perez grounded a consolation try for Samoa.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 9 – Harambee Starlets’ hopes of qualifying for a second consecutive Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) were dashed after the Kenyan team lost 2-0 away to Equatorial Guinea in the return leg hosted in Malabo.

Starlets had put themselves on an advantage point after having a slim lead thanks to their 2-1 win in the first leg played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Kenya on Wednesday.

Kenya will now hope the appeal they filed against Equatorial Guinea falls on their favour for them to head to Ghana for a back-to-back participation in the largest competition in Africa when this year’s edition will be held in November.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) filed a case to the continental football body CAF against Equatorial Guinea for fielding ineligible players during their 2018 AWCON qualification first leg second round clash staged at the Kenyatta Stadium.

In a letter addressed to the continental body, FKF claims the visiting team fielding two ineligible players in Celestine Basecu and Annette Msomo both who are Cameroonians with another player in Luz Obono having not been registered for the match.

Should the team be found guilty of the said allegations, stiff punishment might follow from the continental body after the team was expelled from the 2019 World Cup qualification process for fielding 10 ineligible players.

As well as missing the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the following year’s Olympic Games qualifiers, Equatorial Guinea were due to be banned from the next two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2018 and 2020 but the ban was lifted at a CAF emergency committee meeting in Morocco late last year.

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Nakuru, Kenya, Jun 10- Tanzania’s Singida United beat Kakamega Homeboyz 4-1on penalties at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Sunday afternoon to claim the SportPesa Super Cup third place trophy and earn Sh750,000 in prize money.

The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time and in the same manner they lost in the semi-finals, Homeboyz failed to sparkle from 12 yards out.

Deus Kaseke, Adam Miraji, Shafik Batambuze and Danny Lyanga scored for Singida while Noah Wafula scored for Homeboyz.

Benjamin Oketch and Collins Kisuya missed Homeboyz’s kick, Oketch sending his effort high over the bar while Oketch had his effort saved by Singida keeper Peter manyika Junior.

Missing their injured talisman Allan Wanga upfront, Homeboyz tactician Paul Nkata handed Keiphas Mutuu a starting role with new signing George Mandela also being given his sifrt start in the tournament.

The home side had a perfect start to the match, Wycliffe Opondo striking them ahead much thanks to some casual defense from the Tanzanians.

Mandela took on a daunting run on the right before cutting back a cross into the box which Singida took their sweet time to clear, Mutuu managing to steal the ball and toe poke to Opondo who struck the ball past Peter Manyika.

Singida almost made a response three minutes later but Deus Kaseke’s curling effort from the right was pushed to the upright by keeper Mike Wanyika.

Singida tried to put the ball on the ground and build up play but the slipper nature of the pitch most of the time caught them out.

Homeboyz were more direct and with any possession they picked, they threw bodies upfront. In the 17^th minute, a counter from Nkata’s charges saw skipper Eston Esiye pick the ball in midfield and release Moses Mudavadi out on the right, but the forward’s shot went straight to keeper Manyika.

Six minutes later, Esiye took matters in his own hands striking a shot from range which keeper Manyika spilled and a rushing Mutuu failed to pounce on the error.

Homeboyz’s defense marshaled by a new twin pairing of Benjamin Oketch and Andrew Waisswa managed to withstand the pressure from Singida, ensuring they sealed their single goal lead to the end of the opening 45 minutes.

Singida came back a more organized side in the second half and it took them only 15 minutes to equalize when Danny Lyanga dived in to head at the edge of the six yard box off Elinywesia Sumbi’s cross from the right.

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NAKURU, Kenya, Jun 10- Hacked and battered by the entire Simba defense in the first half Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge put the icing on the cake as Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia beat their Tanzanian counterparts Simba SC 2-0 at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Sunday to retain their Sportpesa Super Cup title.

Tuyisenge added on to compatriot Meddie Kagere’s first half goal as the record Kenyan champions made a statement as one of the best in the region with an assured display clinching the trophy with a flawless run after keeping a clean sheet in all their three matches.

With the win, Gor not only earn their second consecutive title and a trophy but a chance to travel to Goodison Park in England to face English Premier League side Everton FC in a friendly match next month.

Spurred on by a full to capacity Afraha Stadium roaring in deafening decibels, Gor Mahia couldn’t have asked for better push to win their second consecutive Super Cup.

And they repaid the loyal fan-base with a goal just six minutes into the match when Kagere’s venomous strike from inside the box after controlling a Francis Kahata cross slipped through keeper Aishi Manula’s fingers and into the net.

Gor, just as has been their norm controlled the game from the first whistle, the midfield base of Ernest Wendo and Humphrey Mieno giving the team the much stability it required.

Simba’s first chance of the game fell on Rashid Juma in the 11^th minute, the pint-sized winger trying his luck from distance but the effort went high.

Juma once again asked questions for Simba in the 28^th minute when he took on a run on the right before sighting some shooting space, sending in a low strike that was well handled by keeper Shabaan Odhoji.

Gor continued to dominate the game with Simba doing all they can to tame the rhythm. The game became charged moment after moment, indicating the high octane nature of the tie.

There was push and shove in the 35^th minute when skipper Harun Shakava went in to charge at the Simba backline after Erasto Nyoni had strongly charged on Jacques Tuyisenge from the back, the Rwandese forward needing a stretcher to carry him off the pitch.

From the resultant freekick, George Odhiambo’s effort went straight to Manula and the keeper almost made an error spilling the ball on the face of a rushing Kagere, but he managed to bounce back and pick the ball.

Gor should have gone to the break two up when Godfrey Walusimbi picked out Kahata’s intelligent run into the box but the midfielder’s shot under pressure from Nyoni went inches wide wit keeper Manula well beaten.

In the second half, Gor kept the pressure and were rewarded 10 minutes in when an unmarked Tuyisenge slid in to connect a cross from Mieno which found the Simba backline napping, Manula in goal left in no man’s land.

Simba then made changes as they sought to go all out attack, Juma coming off for Marcel Kaheza while defender Mlipili Yusuf came on for Hussein Mohammed.

Despite the attacking changes, Gor didn’t fluff their pre-match game plan and Tuyisenge almost caught Manula off with a cross from the right which was headed goalward but the ball rolled off the crossbar.

Coach Dylan Kerr then made a tactical change, midfielder Humphrey Mieno coming off for Innocent Wafula. The change meant Philemon Otieno went into midfield while Wafula slotted straight at right back.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 10- Captain Sunil Chhetri struck twice once again as hosts India beat Kenya’s Harambee Stars 2-0 to clinch the Heroes Intercontinental Cup title at the Mumbai Sports Arena on Sunday evening.

The skipper who also notched a brace when the Indians beat Kenya 3-0 in the round robin matches was once again on form on his 102^nd cap, hitting goals in the eighth and 29^th minutes.

Stars leave the tournament with a run of two wins and two losses, both of which came against the hosts while the wins were against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.

The captain opened the scoring with a neat finish inside the box after eight minutes to give the side which was backed by a full stadium a deserved lead.

He doubled the side’s advantage after 29 minutes maximizing on a lapse in defense to take the hosts sailing. Three minutes to the break, the skipper had another chance with a freekick from the edge of the box but it flew over the bar.

Despite increased pressure from Kenya in the second half, they could not master a goal that would otherwise change the face of the game.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 10- Sit down, be humble; Those might not be the words that Gor Mahia head coach uttered after beating his former employers Simba SC to the SportPesa Super Cup title on Sunday in Nakuru, but had he spoken otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen far off those lines.

Kerr beamed with ecstasy getting victory over the side that sacked him barely seven months in, and right in front of the very same club officials who according to him thought he wasn’t good enough.

Right after Jacques Tuyisenge drove the final nail on Simba’s coffin with the second goal, Kerr leaped in joy into the arms of his assistant Zedekiah Otieno smiling ear to ear, his face beaming with glee and shouting for joy.

No sooner had he come down from his assistant’s arms than he turned to the VIP dias, punching both arms in the air and screaming at the Simba officials led by Hajji Manara who he had earlier accused of ‘giving Singida United players high fives’ after their semi-final match against Gor.

“It’s all gone now. They told me I wasn’t good enough and today I have proved to them that I am good enough. The team I had in 2015 at Simba was fantastic and I was told I am not good enough. They think this team they have now is good enough. Well, they need to look at themselves in the mirror,” an ecstatic Kerr said after the match.

Pre-match, Kerr had said he had nothing to prove to Simba but nonetheless, it was immeasurable joy for the British tactician.

He went on to further condemn the Simba leadership having made a decision to sack French coach Pierre Lechantre.

“They have sacked the coach that won them the league and that is outrageous,” Kerr said.

Lechantre only took charge of the team for their first game against Kariobangi Sharks but wasn’t on the bench in their win over Kakamega Homeboyz and the final against Gor. It was his assistant Massoud Djuma who was in charge of both ties.

Capital Sport has learnt that Lechantre’s contract at the club ends in a week’s time and his comments in praise of Gor Mahia after winning their first match might have irked the Simba management who asked him to step aside.

Meanwhile, it meant the world to Kerr getting victory over Simba, a clinical 2-0 performance at a fully packed stadium and his players giving their all on the pitch.

“Those players were brilliant. They worked their socks off and they ran miles for this victory,” Kerr later told Capital Sport.

Under the drenching Nakuru evening rain, Kerr took a lap of honor around the entire pitch, his t-shirt and pair of shorts dripping with water giving the fans a round of applause as they in turn responded shouting ‘Igweeeee, Igweeee’.

“It feels amazing to win this title because the players did what we wanted them to do which was go there, play football, enjoy and win that airline ticket. They did that and did it in a brilliant way. It means so much to them to get a chance to go to Everton and play at Goodison Park,” the tactician added.

The tactician believes the Super Cup conquest will inject more confidence ahead of their remaining campaigns especially in the CAF Confederations Cup.

Gor Mahia are also looking to retain their Kenyan Premier League crown as well as battle for honors in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield and the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

“We are going to get better and get stronger. We are becoming a team now and we have to keep going. These boys are brilliant and they have to believe themselves. Now they need to go to Goodison and show that they are a good team,” added the tactician.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 11- It wasn’t the most perfect of ways to end the season picking up only three points off the ultimate leg of the World Sevens Series in Paris, but it wasn’t enough to remove the glamour off Shujaa’s performance this season.

Shujaa picked up a paltry three points after a slim 21-20 win over Scotland in the 13th place final.

The team narrowly missed out on the Cup Quarters despite 22-19 and 24-10 wins over Fiji and Samoa respectively in the group, having started off with a 24-5 loss against New Zealand.

Innocent Simiyu’s charges broke the 100-point mark in the World Series for the first time ever, finishing the 10 legs with 104 points and eighth overall in the standings.

Apart from that momentous achievement, Shujaa also earned the season’s Fair Play prize from World Rugby and skipper Oscar Ouma was named in the entire circuit’s ultimate dream team.

It was a pre-season target for Shujaa to finish the season above 100 points, beating their previous record of 99 points gathered in the 2012/2013 season under British coach Mike Friday. This, they achieved in the penultimate leg of the season in London.

Of the 10 legs of the season, Shujaa have only failed to get out of the groups on three occasions in Cape Town, London and Paris. They picked three each in Cape Town and Paris and managed eight in London where they won the Challenge Trophy.

Also, for the first time in history, the team managed to get into back to back finals, losing on both occasions in Vancouver and Hong Kong to Fiji. The remaining four times, they were eliminated in the Cup Quarters.

The performance of the team sees head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu prove his doubters wrong as he took the team into new standards with improved performance, something he says was down to a better pre-season.

In his first season in charge, Shujaa finished a dismal 12^th with 63 points and they have marked a 40 point improvement coming into the new season. Also, the tactician has exposed a number of young players into the world stage.

Some of the players who have tasted World Series action under Simiyu include Erick Ombasa and Sam Muregi as well as Herman Humwa who went on to prove their mettle.

The season has also seen the resurgence of legend Collins Injera who has been a core figure of the side throughout the season, flourishing in all the roles he has been handed including being drifted to play-making duties away from his preferred wing position.

The team will now shift its attention to the Sevens World Cup to be held in San Francisco, United States in July and they will hope to do better than their fourth place finish during the last edition in Moscow in 2013.

Shujaa performance

Dubai: Cup Quarters (7th) 10pts

Cape Town: 13th – 3pts

Sydney: Cup Quarters (7th) 10pts

Hamilton: Cup Quarters (6th) 12pts

Las Vegas: Cup Quarters (7th) 10pts

Vancouver: Cup Final (2nd) 19pts

Hong Kong: Cup Final (2nd) 19pts

Singapore: Cup Quarters (7th) 10pts

London: 9th – 8pts

Paris: 13th – 3pts

Season Tally: 104pts

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