MACHAKOS, Kenya, Jul 8- Sofapaka moved to within nine points of Kenyan Premier League leaders Gor Mahia after beating fourth placed Mathare United 3-2 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday evening.

Goals from Kepha Aswani, Elli Asieche and Piston Mutamba handed the 2009 champions maximum points despite Mathare coming off stronger in the final half hour of the game with Alphonce Ndonye’s goal after an hour giving them some hope, but they couldn’t go past that.

Batoto ba Mungu had to live on the edge in the final minutes of the game after Mathare piled pressure, but they had just enough within themselves to ensure they pick their third consecutive win.

Sofapaka broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Aswani’s seemingly harmless header off an Elli Asieche free kick fizzled through keeper David Okello’s fingers and into the back of the net.

It was a rewarding start for Sofapaka who seemed the most attacking of the two sides with Aswani having earlier had a shot off the left being saved by Okello. Quickly on the other end, Mathare broke off on the counter but Chris Oduor’s shot from Cliff Nyakeya’s tee up went wide. 

Aswani’s afternoon which had started brightly on a goal-scoring mood was however cut short abruptly when he had to limp off injured barely five minutes after scoring. He was replaced by Teddy Osok which now meant coach John Baraza had to re-arrange his tactical plan for the game.

Mathare collected themselves up after conceding early and they made a response in the 18th minute when Omondi scored from the penalty spot after new signing Dennis Odhiambo handled inside the box.

The game turned out to be an evenly balanced affair, the two sides doing their best to outwit each other especially in the middle of the pack. Mathare passed the ball nicely around the park, but they could not get that pass to break off the defense.

On the half hour mark, Sofapaka came close when keeper Okello had to be at his best to tip the ball over for a corner from Piston Mutamba’s curling freekick from the left.

Five minutes later, Sofapaka were 2-1 up from the penalty spot after Mutamba was axed in the box by keeper Okello after he intercepted a short back pass from left back David Owino back to the keeper. Asieche stepped up and converted.­­­­

Batoto ba Mungu kept the engine running in the second half and they needed just three minutes to stretch their lead further when Mutamba got on the score sheet after intercepting another short back pass to the keeper before gliding past and slotting in an empty net.

Mutamba should have had his brace on the hour mark after George Owino’s defensive header off a Yussuf Mohammed cross fell on his path but his eventual shot was wide.

Two minutes later, Mutamba was in the thick of things once again when he cited an intelligent run from Waruru before feeding him, but the former Ulinzi hit man’s shot from the left went over.

Against the run of play, Mathare pulled one back and started their journey for a memorable comeback when substitute Alphonce Ndonye struck a belter from inside the box catching keeper Wycliffe Kasaya off guard.

Mathare piled the pressure in the consecutive minutes pushing Sofapaka back but they could not get a goal to pick at least a point off the tie.

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MACHAKOS, KENYA, Jul 8- Defender Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdallah scored the lone goal in the 52^nd minute as AFC Leopards bounced back to winning ways beating Sony Sugar 1-0 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos to move fourth in the Kenyan Premier League standings.

AFC came into the tie on the backdrop of a draw and a loss in their last two games, but an assured performance against an equally well organized Sony side saw them pick three points at home to move up the ladder.

A hugely contested first half provided the entertainment with pace and passing, but the chances infront of goal weren’t as forthcoming.

Brian Marita had the game’s first chance in the third minute when a clearance from keeper John Waw fell on his path, but his eventual snap shot from distance was turned behind for a corner by the keeper.

AFC had started with pace, using their speed on the wings with both Marita and Jaffery Owiti, but they could not get the key pass to open up for scoring opportunities.

Sony’s first chance of the game came in the 26^th minute when a defensive error saw the ball fall on Sony midfielder Tobias Otieno, but the latter’s shot from the edge of the area went inches over the bar.

When the momentum swung the other way immediately, AFC came inches close but Chemelil keeper Wawu made a great save to pick the ball off the line after Ezekiel Odera did well to bring down Owiti’s cross before squaring to Whyvonne Isuza whose effort at the back post was saved.

The second half’s pace picked up with AFC making an attacking change, new signing Alex Orotomal coming on for Marvin Omondi as head coach Rodolfo Zapata went for a two-man attack.

The lanky Nigerian signed from Rwandese side Sunshine FC brought in some punch in attack with his running and ball retention. His activity at the edge of the box attracted a foul on him, but the resultant effort from Isaac Oduro went inches wide.

The pressure bore fruit in the 52^nd minute when Salim Abdallah broke the deadlock with a dipping header from Marita’s cross, keeper John Waw caught flat out.

Ingwe survived a scare just 10 minutes later when a poorly defended long throw from Enock Agwanda fell on substitute Ambrose Ayoyi, but his shot from close range was saved by keeper Ezekiel Owade.

But the home side kept the pressure attacking with intent and they had two more chances, first Owiti’s shot from range going just wide while minutes later, Odera missing the vital touch to direct the ball into the net from Orotomal’s cross.

Five minutes from time, Oduro came close with a freekick from range which rattled the crossbar while two minutes later, Orotamal’s shot from the right was finger-tipped behind for a corner.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 8- Burundian forward Francis Mustafa tapped home from close range in the 73^rd minute as Gor Mahia came from behind to beat Ugandan champions Vipers 2-1 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday afternoon to qualify for the CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-finals.

Gor were forced to come from behind after Taddeo Lwanga had struck the Ugandans ahead on the quarter hour mark, with Jacques Tuyisenge striking home the equalizer two minutes after the break before Mustafa won the game for the Kenyan champions 17 minutes to the final whistle.

K’Ogalo who reached the final when they last played in 2015 will face the winner between Azam and Rayon Sport who play in the last quarter final on Monday afternoon.

Fighting huge chunks of fatigue playing their third match in less than a week, Gor found themselves trailing after 15 minutes when Lwanga caught out keeper Boniface Oluoch with a rasping shot from distance.

Gor had chances to draw back, the first half’s best chances falling on Mustafa who however wasted. First, he was picked out by Godfrey Walusimbi, but he could not put enough sting on his shot which was well collected by the Vipers keeper.

Ten minutes to half time, the Burundian forward was sent through by Innocent Wafula, but once again he could not muster a way to beat the Vipers Custodian who came out tops in the situation.

A few minutes to half time, Gor coach Dylan Kerr was forced into a change, midfielder Ernest Wendo limping out injured and was replaced by Francis Kahata who was returning to the starting team after being left out in their last group match.

A change of tempo by the Kenyan representatives in the second half bore fruit after just two minutes, when Tuyisenge got to the end of a Mustafa shot to beat the Vipers keeper.

Mustafa thought he had given his side the lead after 64 minutes, but his goal was ruled out for offside. Nonetheless, he made amends for his earlier misses in the 73^rd minute when he pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box to tap home after the keeper spilled Tuyisenge’s shot.

Meanwhile in the other quarter final, Tanzanian champions Simba SC progressed to the last four after beating Djibouti’s Ports by a solitary goal.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 9- Former Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka will on Wednesday evening take on Algerian side USM Alger in a friendly match under the Camp Toyoyo Floodlights in Nairobi.

The Algerian team is in the same CAF Confederation Cup group with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and have already played them, the match ending 0-0 at the Kasarani Stadium in May.

Alger are in the country to prepare for their third group match of the Confederation Cup against Rayon Sport in Kigali on the 18^th of this month.

“It will be a good opportunity for us to weigh ourselves against one of the best clubs in the continent because ultimately, that is where we want to play next season. For the players as well, it will be a great platform to gain experience and also learn a few things from them,” Sofapaka head coach John Baraza said.

Alger currently lead Group D of the Confederations Cup with four points after two games having beaten Tanzania’s Yanga 4-0 in the opening match in Algiers before picking a point in their 0-0 draw with Gor in Nairobi.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 – Retired Kenya Rugby International Humphrey Kayange has been appointed Team Kenya’s Chef De Mission for the 2018 Africa Youth Games slated to take place in Algiers, Algeria from July 18-28.

Team Kenya, under the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), will filed athletes in five disciplines which include; athletics that will have 26 competitors, 2 teams of beach volleyball, hockey comprising of 9 players, 4 tennis players and 4 swimmers.

The team reported residential camp on Tuesday as they gear up in seeking to improve their last edition results.

NOCK has released training venues with the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani hosting athletics, hockey will train at City Park Stadium, Beach Volleyball will have theirs at Strathmore, Tennis at the Nairobi Club while swimmers will train in Mombasa.

The Games, organized under the auspices of ANOCA target athletes of ages between 14 to 18 years old.

The first edition was held in Morocco in 2010 and the second one in Botswana in 2014.

The Africa Youth Games is geared towards the development of the Youth in Africa, inculcate Olympic values amongst the athletes and act as Qualifiers for a number of disciplines to the Youth Olympics, which will be held later this year in Argentina.

Africa Youth Games will bring together disciplines open to all African Countries.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 – Commonwealth Games 3000m Steeplechase silver medallist, Celliphine Chespol sailed through to the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships that started on Tuesday in Finland to remain on course to defend the title she won in 2016.

Chespol, who is favourite to take the title, easily won the first semi-final in 9:45.60 ahead of Australian Montanna McAvoy who qualified in second place after clocking a Personal Best of 9:59.67 as Japanese Minami Nishiyama completed the automatic slot qualification in a Personal Best of 10:02.89.

Another Kenyan, Mercy Chepkurui stormed the final to be held on Friday thanks to her second finish in the third semi-final where she returned 9:50.05 behind Ugandan Peruth Chemutai who won the race in 9:34.34.

Ethiopian Etalemahu Sintayehu timed a Personal Best of 9:52.92 to qualify after settling for third place.

Chepsol, who has a Personal Best of 8:58.78 that she clocked in 2017 at the Eugene Oregon Diamond League, has had a good season, finishing second at the Roma Golden Gala in May before taking again second position in Paris Meeting held on June 30.

-Manangoi junior-

Looking to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother World and Commonwealth Games champion Elijah Manangoi, George reached the final of the men’s 1500m after finishing second in Heat 1, automatically qualifying in 3:51.40.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway won the race in 3:51.34 while Oussama Cherrad of Algeria returned 3:52.33 to also qualify in third place.

Justus Soget joined Manangoi in the final to be run on Thursday after topping Heat 2 where he dominated in 3:44.70, beating Ethiopian Birhanu Sorsa who qualified second in 3:44.92 while American Cooper Teare sealed the third automatic slot after timing 3:45.06.

-Wambui sails through-

World U18 champion Jackline Wambui booked a slot in the women’s 800m semi-final after finishing second in Heat 1, clocking 2:05.27 behind Japanese Ayano Shiomi who returned 2:05.13 while American Samantha Watson took the third slot in             2:06.34 as Australian Jemima Russell finished fourth in 2:06.84 to also qualify.

In Heat 3, Lydia Jeruto joined Wambui in representing the Kenyan team in the two-lap race, following her second finish in 2:05.63 behind Japanese Ayaka Kawata who dominated the race in  2:05.08.

Third place went to French Maeliss Trapeau who timed 2:05.72, BelgianCamille Muls qualified in fourth place in 2:06.41 while Italian Federica Cortesi advanced as the only fastest loser.

Meanwhile, Rhonex Kipruto and Solomon Boit as well as Beatrice Chebet and Hellen Ekarare will kick off Kenya’s hunt for medals when they compete in the final of the 10,000m and 5,000m respectively.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 – Kenya began her 2018 IAAF World Under-20 Championships on a high after Beatrice Chebet stormed to gold in the women’s 5000m in the opening day of the global competition in Tampare, Finland.

Chebet was superb on the last lap, kicking past longtime leader Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia off the final bend, to cross the finish line in a Personal Best of 15:30.77.

Ejgayehu settled for silver in 15:30.87 while compatriot Girmawit Gebrzihair took bronze in 15:34.01.

Japanese Tomomi Takamatsu took the early lead, towing the pack through 1000m in 3:07.71 but heading to the next lap, Kenya’s Hellen Lobun crashed to the track, losing several metres after colliding legs with her rivals.

However, she had the energy to wake up and re-fill her lungs with air and nestled in the pack.

The field passed 2000m in a not-so-fast 6:21.37 and 3000m in a chilled-out 9:35.28, with Takamatsu of Japan continuing to lead, but she surrendered it to the East African brigade comprising of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda as Ejgayehu took over the driving seat.

With two laps to go, the pack was trimmed to five, containing two Kenyans (Chebet and Lobun), two Ethiopians (Ejgayehu and Girmawit) and one Ugandan (Sara Chelangat) at the front.

On the bell, the athletes unleashed the afterburners with still Ejgayehu leading as compatriot Girmawit hanging on her shoulder, but the pace was sizzling hot allowing Chebet to produce a jaw-dropping performance, kicking past Ejgayehu at the final bend, holding a slight edge all the way to the finish.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 10 – Kenya had a perfect start in the opening day of the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships after Rhonex Kipruto gave the athletics powerhouse nation second gold thanks to his victory in the men’s 10,000m title in Tampere, Finland on Tuesday.

Little known Kipruto not only won gold but also set a Championship Record after returning 27:21.08, crossing the line first well clear of Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who took silver in 27:40.36 while Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi settled for bronze in a Personal Best of 27:48.4.

The other Kenyan in the race Solomon Boit faded to fourth in a Personal Best of 27:57.44.

Kiplimo started on a high with a fast pace that saw the pack split a steady 2:50 per kilometer.

The pack was reduced to eight men featuring two Eritreans, two Ethiopians, two Kenyans and two Ugandans as East Africa once again showed it’s the undisputed factory of champions when it comes to distance-running.

With 16 laps to go, the Ugandan pulled aside to make someone else do some work, and Kipruto duly obliged, kicking up the pace and pulling team-mate Solomon Boit away with him as the Kenyans showed fantastic tactics.

The race re-assembled back to five up front, with Kipruto leading the way from Uganda’s Kiplimo as Boit jogged back to third, while Ethiopian duo of Adugna and Aregawi hanged tough with the leading trio.

After a hard two laps, which didn’t manage to build a lead, Kipruto slowed to a virtual jog there to allow Boit take the lead as the Ethiopians and Ugandan started to surge again.

With 2000m left to run, Kipruto stepped foot off the gas, gaining a 25-metre lead over Kiplimo and when the bell rung, Kipruto doubled the lead over the Ugandan to go all the way and clock a Championship Record.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 11- Gor Mahia midfield workhorse Ernest Wendo will miss Wednesday afternoon’s CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-final match against Azam in Dar es Salaam and faces up to six weeks out with a groin injury after limping off the quarter final game against Vipers on Sunday.

The injury looks to keep him out Gor’s CAF Confederation Cup campaign as well as a good chunk of their league assignments and will also miss K’Ogalo’s trip to England for a friendly match with Everton FC.

“We have lost Wendo, we don’t know for how long. We need a proper physio to assess him and the extent of the injury, but it could be a minimum of six weeks because it’s a groin injury and that usually requires a lot of time,” head coach Dylan Kerr said.

While Kerr will patch up with Philemon Otieno moving to midfield and Innocent Wafula slotting at right back at the Kagame Cup and local assignments, he might have to think of a solution for the Confederation Cup as Wafula is not registered to play.

Gor will face Tanzania’s Yanga at home on July 18 and away in Dar es Salaam 10 days later, games that will be crucial in their aspiration to make it to the quarter finals of the continental championship.

But before all that, the Kenyan champions will have their eyes fixed on a maiden Kagame Cup title in 23 years when they face Tanzania’s Yanga in the semis on Wednesday, a repeat of the 2015 final at the same venue.

Kerr notes that Gor will not be going into the tie breathing revenge having lost that game 2-0, but notes his side will have their focus on getting the job done and qualifying for Sunday’s final.

“I don’t really like the stories of revenge because sometimes the players lose focus. What I want us to do is go there and get the job done, do what we do best. I was here in 2015 and I watched the game; I think they were unlucky then,” the tactician says.

Gor have grown into the tournament after a lackluster start dominated by off the field issues, but the tactician notes that everything is now settled and they are looking to make the best of their Kagame Cup campaign.

“The morale when we came here was low but the players have picked themselves up and it was evident in the game against Vipers especially in the second half. We have played six games in 12 days and that is definitely tough but my players have been phenomenal so far,” the coach noted.

He now hopes that having had an extra day to rest compared to Azam will give them an edge and his charges will bulldoze their way into the final.

While Gor came from behind to beat Vipers 2-1 in their quarter final tie, Azam made easy work of Rwanda’s Rayon Sport beating them 4-2, striker Shabaan Iddi scoring all four.

In the other quarter final, Simba SC will face off with Zanzibar’s JKU who beat Singida United on penalties to progress.

Potentially, Simba and Gor will meet in another final, barely a month after facing each other in the SportPesa Super Cup.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 11 – AFC Leopards head coach Rodolfo Zapata says the club will be a force to reckon over the next two seasons considering the investment they have made with bringing in young players into the squad.

Among the players who landed at the den in the June transfer window included the Thika United trio of Eugene Mukangula, Said Tsuma and Saad Musa while midfielder Edward Seda returned to the club after a stint at Mathare United with striker Alex Orotamal arriving from Rwanda.

“We need to fight for the league title this year, but also, we are building a powerful team for the next two seasons. We need to be patient especially with the new players who need to adapt, but I know that if we keep this project then we will dominate football because AFC is a big team,” the tactician said.

AFC is placed fourth in the Kenyan Premier League standings and despite sitting a massive 14 points behind eternal rivals and leaders Gor Mahia, Zapata says he will not give up the chase for the league title.

Ingwe were 1-0 winners over Sony Sugar over the weekend and the win was an encouragement for Zapata that his side can challenge for the crown.

“I am very happy with the players because we performed very well and created many opportunities to score. Even the last game we lost 3-0, we still played very well and created more chances than the home team. We should continue in this way,” the tactician added.

-Sofapaka warns Gor-

Meanwhile, Sofapaka head coach John Baraza has warned Gor Mahia they will not relinquish the fight for the league title easily, despite being nine points behind the leaders who have a three-game deficit.

Sofapaka beat Mathare United 3-2 over the weekend to narrow the gap and Baraza who won the title with Batoto ba Mungu as a player in 2009 says they will push on with their focus left on winning their matches.

“The league is still open. As much as Gor have those matches at hand, they will have to fight for the points on the pitch. This is football; anything can happen. We still have a lot of hopes and ours is just to keep winning our games and see what happens at the end,” Baraza said.

Sofapaka have a five point deficit between them and third placed Bandari FC and Baraza is confident that at worse, if their league ambitions do not come to fruition, they will ensure the worst they finish is second.

Meanwhile, Mathare United who earlier on in the season looked like title favorites, have fizzled away winning only one of their last 12 games, drawing eight and losing three.

Despite the poor run, head coach Francis Kimanzi remains confident his charges can bounce back to winning ways though fighting for the league title now seems like a far-fetched dream as they lay 15 points behind the league leaders.

“Of course you have to get worried when things do not go your way but I know our win is coming. We have to work on our mistakes especially minimizing the defensive errors and ensure we are better in scoring. That’s the only way we can rise back,” Kimanzi mentioned.

The tactician was disappointed in the 3-2 defeat to Sofapaka noting that they gave away cheap goals through defensive errors and has called on his team to up their game as the league enters the business end.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 11 – Two extra-time goals condemned Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tanzanian side Azam FC in the CECAFA Kagame Cup semi-final played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Wednesday.

The match had ended to a goalless draw in regulation time, forcing the match to head to extra-time and this is where K’Ogalo found themselves on the receiving end, with Ditram Nchimbi sending Azam ahead on the 92nd minute before Bruce Kangwa added the second on the 100th minute.

The result blew away Gor Mahia’s hopes of avenging the 2-0 loss against Azam in the same competition at the 2015 edition final and end K’Ogalo’s wish of winning the regional Club Cup for the first time in 33 years.

The last time Gor Mahia won the Cup was in 1985 when they beat bitter rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 when the competition was hosted in Sudan.

Tusker FC are the last Kenyan club to lift the title in 2008 when they beat Uganda Revenue Authority 2-1 in Tanzania.

Nchimbi broke the deadlock with a well taken half volley shot after a rebound from Gor Mahia defender Charles Momanyi found his favourite right foot to hit the ball past keeper Boniface Oluoch.

Kangwa sealed the win in the first half of the extra-time after weaving past Momanyi to fire home and double the lead.

Azam were able to contain the Kenyan giants in the second half to win the match with the same score-line they beat Gor with three years ago and storm the final where they will meet the winner of Simba SC Vs Zanzibar’s Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi semi-final.

Azam are the defending champions.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 12 – Nondescripts winger Dennis Ombachi has made a comeback to the Kenya Sevens team after being named in a 12-man travelling squad to represent the country at the 2018 Rugby Sevens World Cup to be hosted in San Francisco, USA from July 20-22.

Only four players experienced Andrew Amonde, speedster Colling Injera, Willy Ambaka and Eden Agero were in the last World Cup where Kenya reached the semi-final under the tutelage of Englishman Mike Friday.

Also making a return from injury is Impala Saracens’ Samuel Oliech who alongside Ombachi make a comeback after missing London and Paris 7s.

Herman Humwa, Jeff Oluoch and Nelson Oyoo who all made the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Australia also earned a slot.

Shujaa will depart for the USA on Sunday morning where they will compete alongside 23 other men’s teams in a new look, high-stakes knock-out format as they start their campaign against Tonga in the pre-quarter final.

Speaking after naming the squad, Head Coach Innocent Simiyu said;

“We have a very strong squad based on training. The guys have really trained hard and we believe we have selected the best team that can represent the country. We’re looking for good performances from the players and hopefully we can get some good results.”

Commenting on the tournament format, Simiyu, a former Kenya captain said;

“It is an interesting format. This being a knockout it means that you have to adapt very first to the chaos in the game because if the game goes it goes and you have to keep winning to stay in it. The first game versus Tonga will be very critical. We have to start very well…get our game going…hit our performance standards very early….get the results that we want and proceed from there.”

Kenya will play their first game against Tonga at 11.01pm EAT on Friday 20 July.

squad:

Oscar Ayodi (Captain, Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Collins Injera (Stanbic Mwamba), Andrew Amonde (KCB), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Oliech (Resolution Impala Saracens), Nelson Oyoo (Top Fry Nakuru), Dennis Ombachi (Nondescripts), Jeff Oluoch (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Brian Tanga (Kabras Sugar), Eden Agero (Kenya Harlequin), Herman Humwa (Kenya Harlequin), Samuel Ng’ethe (Menengai Oilers) Management: Innocent Simiyu (Head Coach), Geoffrey Kimani (Conditioning Coach), Lamech Bogonko (Physio), Erick Ogweno (Team Manager)

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 12 – George Manangoi added another global title to his collection after storming to gold in the men’s 1500m at the ongoing IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Tapere, Finland on Thursday.

Manangoi, the World Under-18 champion, clocked 3:41.71 to win gold, beating Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway who returned 3:41.89 to settle for silver while another Kenyan Justus Soget bagged bronze in 3:42.14.

Ethiopian Samuel Tefera took an early lead after the first lap before soget took over the mantle, but he could not hold on the gas to see Ingebrigtsen hit the front 50m as the athletes approached home stretch.

However, George Manangoi, who is looking to emulate his elder brother world champion Elijah, powered through to the close home to strike gold.

“I’m very grateful,” said Manangoi. “I wasn’t confident that I could win but I did my best and now I know I have the talent.”

Tefera finished outside the medal bracket after fading to fifth, with Jake Heyward of Britain storming through for fourth.

It says much about the race’s quality that Tefera, the world indoor champion from Ethiopia, could only finish fifth in 3:43.91, although this was no ordinary world U20 final, but likely the best field ever assembled at this level.

The race started at a crawl, Kenya’s Justus Soget taking a hesitant lead and towing the field through 400m in 63.11. On the second lap, gold medal favourite Tefera gradually moved to the front, passing 800m in 2:05.74.

By then, the gears were turning throughout the pack, a ripple effect of panic and chaos breaking out as everyone tried to shuffle into position for the bell lap.

Tefera began to pour it on at the front, a 56.49-second lap taking them to the bell in 2:48.10. Up the back straight, Tefera went all-in, churning out a ferocious tempo and leading into the final turn, but Soget and Ingebrigtsen were coming, ready to strike.

Soget was the first to go by, then Ingebrigtsen came over the top of him, wrestling to the front with mere metres to run. But finishing fastest of all was the forgotten man: Manangoi.

-800m women-

Kenya’s hopes of collecting another medal on Day 3 was dashed after World Under-18 champion Jackline Wambui finished last timing 2:04.61 in a race that was won by Ethiopian Diribe Welteji in a Championship Record of 1:59.74.

Carley Thomas of Australia took silver in a Personal Best of 2:01.13 while Swiss Delia Sclabas completed the podium finish after returning 2:01.29.

After Day 3, Kenya top the medal standing with 3 gold and 1 bronze ahead of joint second placed Japan who are second with 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze and Jamaica who have the equal number of medals as the Japanese.

Kenya will be out to add more medals when defending champion Cilliphine Chespol and Mercy Chepkurui take it to the track to compete in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase final.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13 – Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Golden Boot winner Ben Ogot got his wish to play in the Kenyan Premier League after he was handed the opportunity by Kenyan Premier League side Vihiga United.

Ogot, commonly known as “Bensuda” signed a two-year contract until May 31, 2020. The gifted striker was instrumental in assisting his team Ombek Red Devils reach the semi-finals during the National finals of the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom tournament held in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

The player from Nyanza Regional Champions Ombek won the prestigious Golden Boot Award (Top Scorer) after netting four goals during the national finals.

“My dream since I was young was to one day play for a club in the Kenya Premier League and I am excited that Chapa Dimba na Safaricom has presented this opportunity and made it come true. My ultimate goal is to play for the national team and in future play for a club in international leagues,” said Ogot.

His sentiments were also echoed by his club coach who gave him an opportunity to shine in the top flight competition.

“The Chapa Dimba tournament gave us an opportunity to scout for young talent. He is a prolific striker and an asset not just to the club, but also to the country. He has the capability to fill in the gap that prolific players like Oliech left,” said Vihiga United FC head coach Mike Mururi.

“Ogot’s future is promising. We hope he will adapt well in the team and assist us in winning crucial games in the top flight league in Kenya. Ultimately, we hope his talent will get him into the national team,” said Mururi.

So far, Ogot has played two matches with Vihiga United Club, one of them with Bandari FC in Mombasa last month. This past weekend Vihiga United beat Waito 1-0 in a Kenya Premier League match.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 13- Deputy President William Ruto hosted the national rugby sevens team for breakfast on Friday morning, two days before they depart for San Francisco, United States for their fifth consecutive appearance at the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

The morning meeting between the team and the country’s second in command was a thrust of confidence on a team that has had its fair share of drama over the past month, a period that saw head coach innocent Simiyu fired and re-hired within a week.

“All the best to Kenya 7s as it heads to San Francisco, USA for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018. The country is proud of you as our sports ambassadors and placing Kenya on the world map,” Ruto tweeted after hosting the team at his official residence.

He added; “The Government will ensure improved facilities and a vigorous, high volume training to keep the players in shape.”

The promise of an improved training facility would be music to the rugby fraternity’s ears especially coming after Sports Chief Administrative Secretary Noor Hassan announced that the government is working with the Kenya Rugby Union to locate a piece of land on where a world class rugby stadium will be erected.

Two weeks ago as well, Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was visibly disappointed when he was shown the gym at the Kenya Harlequin ground in which the national teams use for strength and conditioning.

Simbas Team Manager Wangila Simiyu was heard sharing concern with the CS over the standard of the gym.

The Sevens team is expected to leave the country on Sunday for San Francisco where they are scheduled to take on Tonga in their opening match on Friday at 11am.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 13- Three-time World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor and Commonwealth Games 800m title holder Wycliffe Kinyamal were on Friday belatedly awarded as the March and April StarTimes/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) sports personalities of the month in Eldoret.

Kamworor was recognized for his at the 2018 World Half Marathon championships in Valencia, Spain where he successfully defended his title for the third consecutive time.

Kinyamal meanwhile earned the award after his explosive run in Gold Coast Australia to claim the 800m gold during the Commonwealth Games, winning as a hugely unknown figure.

A panel of Sports journalists settled on the 25-year-old Kamworor for the March award in favour of motorsports ace Carl Tundo who sealed his 5th Safari Rally title.

Other nominees for the award were volleyballer Triza Atuka who was voted the best blocker at the women’s African Club Championships in Cairo Egypt, Celliphine Chespol and Alfred Barkach who won the women and men senior races respectively at the 5th Africa Cross Country Championships in Chlef, Algeria.

“It is such an honor to be appreciated and a good motivation as I train ahead of my races in the remainder of the year. It is always a great moment to represent my country and win. Thank you all Sports Journalists for always telling our stories, you are part of our success.”  Kamworor said after receiving his award.

-Kinyamal-

Kinyamal meanwhile claimed the April gong after edging out fellow athletes Conseslus Kipruto who won the 3000 metres steeplechase gold as well as 1500m gold medallist Elijah Manangoi.

Other nominees for the April award were boxer Christine Ongare who won a bronze, Kenya’s only medal outside track and field at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and rally driver Manvir Baryan who became the first non-local to win the Rally of South Africa.

A gold medalist at the 2016 East African Junior Athletics Championships in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania where he made his first impact in the 800m regionally, Kinyamal was excited at picking the award.

“This surprise is truly an inspiration as I progress with my athletics career. Glasgow was a good outing for Team Kenya and for me winning Kenya’s first gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. I hope to deliver more medals for Kenya,” An elated Kinyamal said.

Both Kamworor and Kinyamal who are managed by Global Sports Communication based in Kaptagat Uasin Gishu County received a 42-inch digital television set and KSh100, 000 courtesy of sponsors StarTimes.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 13- Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia hit Zanzibar’s Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU) 2-0 to claim the CECAFA Kagame Cup bronze medal at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening.

Samule Onyango emerged from the dark to score the second goal in added time after new signing Francis Mustafa put the Kenyans ahead early in the second half as they replicated the same result they posted when they last met in the SportPesa Super Cup in May.

With the win, Gor return home with a fattened purse of Sh1mn (10,000USD), but they still have a bitter taste in their moth after losing an opportunity of bagging their third piece of silverware this season.

Head coach Dylan Kerr made sweeping changes to the squad from the one that lost by a similar margin to finalists Azam FC in the semi-finals.

Innocent Wafula was handed the skipper’s armband while Shabaan Odhoji started in goal, his defense manned by Charles Momanyi, Joash Onyango and Philemon Otieno.

Mustafa partnered upfront with Ephraim Guikan while Onyango who has found himself in the cold since a below par performance against Mathare United in April was handed a chance to redeem himself with a place in the starting team.

Boniface Oluoch, Harun Shakava, Jack Tuyisenge and Godfrey Walusimbi were all rested while Francis Kahata, a huge subject of a much publicized transfer to Simba SC was not on the match day squad.

It was a much relaxed approach from Gor who were playing the play-off with no pressure on their shoulders. They should have opened their account after quarter of an hour mark but Mustafa failed to beat the keeper one on one after being put through by Kevin Omondi.

Mustafa had another opportunity after 10 minutes but once again, he failed to pull the trigger with a volley from inside the box.

After the break, Gor stepped up and they needed seven minutes to break the deadlock, charging into the box to beat keeper Mohammed Abrahman. Onyango then completed the job later with a low shot from inside the box after being put through by Omondi.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13 – World champion Hellen Obiri returned to her super form after fueling through in the women’s 5000m, setting a World Leading time of 14:21.75 at the Rabat IAAF Diamond League meet on Friday night.

Obiri, who had a slow season start, out classed a deep field the included Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and compatriot Agnes Tirop to clinch the win in a scintillating fashion.

Obiri, the Olympic silver medallist unleashed the after burners with 200m to go, outkicking Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey as she pumped hard to swing into the straight to cross the line first.

Sifan, who stick with the leading five pack till the bell, had a great finish but could not match the flying legs of the quick Kenyan to settle for second in a time of 14:22.34 while Gidey was third in 14:23.14.

World Cross County champion Agnes Tirop came fifth in a Personal Best time of 14:24.24 ahead of pre-race favourite Dibaba who clocked 14:42.98, fading to sixth.

With the pace makers dropping out after doing a fantastic job, the lead group took off, controlled by Senbere followed by Obiri, Tirop, Gidey, Hassan and Dibaba in that order.

However, as the pace increased, Dibaba began to tire dropping behind with 1500m remaining as Obiri hit the front. The Commonwealth Games champion led the pack through 4000m in 11:37.

Obiri, who looked comfortable in the lead group throughout, made a break on the bell lap, with Sifan hanging behind her shoulder waiting to kick since she is good at it in the 1500m but it wasn’t against the Kenyan who proved to be the more stronger to condemn Sifan to second thigh in a European record.

It was a sweet victory for Obiri who proved doubters wrong since there were question marks over her form coming into this race, as the last time she competed on the Diamond League circuit, in Eugene, she was well beaten by her old adversary Dibaba.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13 – Kenyan Benjamin Kigen motored with 250m to go to win the men’s 3000m Steeplechase, beating home boy Soufiane El Bakkali who settled third at the Rabat IAAF Diamond League in Morocco on Friday night.

Kigen won in a World Leading time of 8:06.190 – a lifetime best for him, condemning El Bakkali to third in a Season’s Best of 8:09.58 while Ethiopian Beyo Chala was second in a Personal Best of 8:07.27.

Olympic and world champion Conseslus Kipruto disappointingly finished 12th in 8:27.36.

Morocco’s El Bakkali started well just behind the pacers and a few yards ahead of reigning Diamond League winner Kipruto. The pace was fast as the athletes timed 2:09 through 800m, with the pack strung out behind the pacers and leading racers.

The hot race took toll on Kipruto who moved backwards as El Bakkali, backed by the home crowd hit in front before being overtaken by Kenyan Amos Kirui.

Heading to the home straight, El Bakkali tried his very hardest to respond to the screams of the Moroccan crowd, but ultimately paid for the fast opening few laps. After dropping back he surged again to the front at the bell lap, but Kigen was biding his time to beat him and go all the way to the finish line.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – The Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) received 50 tables on Saturday from San Ei of Japan, an initiative that seeks to have more girls fielded at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games.

Speaking during the official launch of the programme; ‘Let the Girls Shine’ at Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), KTTA president Andrew Mudibo said the association is targeting a minimum of 5,000 girls below the age of 12 to play the sport by 2020.

The tables worth one million each, will be distributed to 16 schools around Nairobi, four at MYSA (which will be the headquarters of the programme,) while the remaining 30 will be distributed around the country in co-operation with the Kenyan Government.

“Through Sports For Tomorrow, Japan is targeting 10 million people in developing countries, to leave a legacy for the Games all over the world and in Kenya they settled on the girls in underprivileged areas.

“Our target is to field more players in the sport and it is our prayer and hope that a girl from this programme will make it for the Olympics Games. A lot has to be done in terms of equipment, it is not enough but it’s a step forward to the intended target,” said Mudibo.

Mudibo added that each region that will receive a table will sign a contract to ensure that they are being put into proper use.

As part of the long-term partnership, San Ei will also send experts to the country to teach locals on how to make the tables creating employment opportunities.

The Japanese Embassy, represented by first secretary Seiji Teshiro, pointed out that the country has a lot of potential in the sport after engaging some girls in friendly matches.

“As the embassy of the Japan we would like to collaborate with the Kenyan Government to see the sport grow. One of the girls I played against was very good. I hope she could qualify for the Games soon,” said Teshiro.

For 10 year-old Jane Campbell of Moi Air Base Primary School, on of the beneficiaries of the programme could hardly hide her exciment after receiving the tables.

“I’m happy that I can be able to access proper equipment for training. Ever since I was introduced to the sport by my friend Ann Marie while I was in class four, while I was just eight years, fell in love with it and wanted to learn more. Ann is now abroad playing the table tennis and I want to be like her. I hope to represent my country one day at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and in any other international events,” said Campbell.

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