NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Tributes continued to pour for Major Paul Koech, the 1998 IAAF World Half Marathon titleholder who succumbed to illness in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Koech was arguably known for his titanic battles with contemporary and fellow Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) distance running legend- Paul Tergat- who is now the president of the National Olympic Committee-Kenya (NOCK).

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the devastated Tergat paid an emotional homage to the man who ranked as his biggest domestic rivals in their heyday from the mid to the late 90s.

Koech often had the measure of the five-time IAAF World Cross Country Champion on home soil but come at the global showpiece, Tergat would reign supreme with the silver medal the 49 year-old won at the 1998 edition in Marrakech, Morocco, the closest he came to upset his fellow soldier.

“To me, we have lost a hero, not only to the sports fraternity but the whole nation and more importantly, to all commissioned officers of the KDF,” the grief-stricken Tergat said on Wednesday morning.

The NOCK boss was speaking from Mombasa a day after the annual Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) Awards Patron signed a deal with the County Government to host this year’s edition of the Oscars of Kenyan sports in the coastal city.

-Emotional Tergat

Struggling to keep his emotions in check, the two-time Olympic 10,000m silver winner told how he had not yet contacted the family of the deceased to pay his respects out of disbelief.

“It was a total shock, shock, shock, its beyond belief he is no longer with us. This was a very good friend of mine and not only did we represent the country together but he believed entirely on national duty.

-Serving with honour

“I have not even had time to call the family because I’m still in shock. I have not had the courage to call the wife; I have to come and meet her personally when I get to the city (Nairobi).

“This guy was a close friend and we shared a lot of things together,” Tergat who won two IAAF World Half titles in 1999 and 2000 following in the footsteps of his peer added.

“We have travelled together, we believed in sports together. It is a big loss to this nation and me. He never held back anything for this country until he retired

“He was still serving the nation with honour in KDF; you cannot find many people in this country doing the same. He believed in this nation, I’m telling you, this is what I know,” the heartbroken Tergat eulogised.

-Condolences

World governing body, the IAAF was among those who paid their respects to the fallen distance running icon whose immense contribution to the sport was overshadowed by the fierce in competition with Tergat.

“The IAAF is deeply saddened to hear that Kenya’s 1998 world half marathon champion Paul Koech died on Tuesday (4) after a short illness at the age of 49,” the federation posted on their website.

Local affiliate, Athletics Kenya (AK) also sent their condolences.

“With regret and sorrow in Athletics Kenya we have learnt of the sudden demise of Major Paul Koech a co-opted member in Athletics Kenya Executive Committee.

“Paul was a great track, cross country and road racing athlete of all times. A dedicated team player in Kenya’s National and World Cross Country together with World Half Marathon for many years where he won year in year out.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and to the entire Athletics fraternity,” AK said in a brief statement.

Born in 1969 in the Burnt Forest area of Rift Valley province, Koech’s first taste of athletics came in the sprint events during his time at school.

He later spent time at the Armed Forces Training College, by which time he was showing promise as a distance runner.

-Breakthrough year

He started racing internationally in 1995 but his big breakthrough came in 1996. He finished fourth at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships earlier that year and went on to finish sixth in the 10,000m at the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

He started 1997 by winning the hotly contested Kenyan Cross-Country Championships – the first of three successive victories – and he added another domestic title to his collection later that year when winning the national 10,000m crown.

Koech went on to finish fourth in the 10,000m at the 1997 World Championships in Athens where his niece, Sally Barsosio, struck gold in the women’s event.

–Courtesy SportPesa News 

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Truck and bus manufacturer, Isuzu East Africa on Wednesday renewed their year-long partnership with Olympic Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge as their brand ambassador for a further two years.

Kipchoge, regarded as one of the finest marathoners in Athletics history signed a pact with the company last year before heading to win the Berlin marathon for the second time.

“One year ago, we announced our first ever brand partnership with a sports personality. Through his world class performances, he has demonstrated remarkable strength, resilience and reliability in the races he has participated in. We’ve seen great value in bringing together these two strong brands. We are proud to have Eliud as our Isuzu Dmax Brand Ambassador,” Isuzu EA Managing Director Rita Kavashe said.

She added; “It is our belief that a lot more needs to be done to uplift sporting activities in the country. It is part of our mission to support the sporting talent of our young people by forging and encouraging such partnerships.”

Just like they did last year, the company has promised to reward Kipchoge with a brand new Isuzu D-Max if he breaks the World Record at this year’s Berlin Marathon, a feat that Kipchoge believes he can handle especially if the weather conditions are right.

“Isuzu EA’s steadfast support to my running career sends the important message that major corporates have a significant role to play in sports building at all levels, from local grassroots to international levels,” Kipchoge said.

The partnership which is valued at Sh20mn will see Kipchoge receive a new Isuzu Dmax Luxury Double Cab for his training and personal use, as well as full servicing of the vehicle during the period of the partnership.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne has disclosed he will stick with Tusker FC shot stopper Patrick Matasi as his first-choice goalkeeper for Saturday’s 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier against Ghana at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

Matasi has been for long the first-choice custodian for the national team especially with the absence of the most experienced keeper Boniface Oluoch. The Gor Mahia custodian is currently out of the squad nursing a shoulder injury.

“For the next game I have three keepers in the camp. I think it is not a secret that it will be Matasi who will be the first one on Saturday. He won CECAFA and he gave a good performance in the competition. It was also interesting in India in June, and for sure, it will be him in the first 11,” Migne said after conducting the Wednesday morning training session.

In camp, Migne has Matasi, Bandari’s Farouk Shikhalo who has been in impressive form keeping a total of 18 clean sheets in the league so far as well as Zambia based Ian Otieno who has been a regular starter with his club Red Arrows.

Oluoch has had an inconsistent season with Gor and since allowing two easy goals against Yanga in the CAF Confederations Cup in Dar es Salaam last month hasn’t featured for the club, save for a few bench appearances.

The tactician says he has a clue of his starting team, though it is only the goalkeeping department that is already decided for him.

With Victor Wanyama absent with injury, Migne has at his disposal Teddy Akumu and Johannah Omollo while in defense, the absence of David Owino who pulled a minor hamstring strain on Wednesday will be a real headache.

“I am glad that I had 24 players in training with most of the foreign based players in. It is good to see everyone though only for three days which is not enough to know the players but we have to adapt and try to get something,” the tactician further stated.

“I have an idea on who are in my first team, but we have a few more training sessions to look again then we will decide. I am confident I have a strong team,” a confident Migne offered.

He has already named his final match day squad and most of the local based players, including the unattached Massoud Juma have been axed from the squad.

However, impressive Bandari winger Abdallah Hassan has been handed a place in the final 24-man squad and is on line for his very first cap for the senior team.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers; Patrick Matasi, Farouk Shikalo, Ian Otieno.

Defenders; Philemon Otieno, Jockins Atudo, Dennis Odhiambo, Joash Onyango, Benard Ochieng, Abud Omar, David Ochieng, Eric Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino.

Midfielders; Francis Kahata, Abdallah Hassan, Anthony Akumu, Eric Johanna, Ismail Gonzalez, Johanna Omollo.

Forwards; Piston Mutamba, Jesse Were, Michael Olunga, Ovella Ochieng.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow held his nerve to fend off a mounting challenge from a resurgent Dimas Indiza to claim the top prize at the second leg of the Safari Tour Golf Series held at vet Lab on Wednesday.

Snow finished 1-over par 73 for the round to take his total for the tournament to 6-under par 282; while Indiza shot an impressive 4-under par 68 for the final round to return a similar tally, and to tie for the lead.

A three-hole playoff, on the Par-4, first, the uphill dogleg left Par-4, 17th and on the Par-4, 18th ensued to decide the winner of the tournament.

Both made par on the first and 17th holes in the playoff, but a bogey on the 18th for Indiza and a par for Snow secured the latter’s lead.

Speaking after his round, Snow said he was happy with his performance.

“I started this championship well, firing 3-under through the first round; I followed that up with a 4-under score in round two and that really gave me a good lead,” he said.

“I have to congratulate Indiza and Sujan Shah for challenging me today. We have a lot to learn from one another and I am looking forward to the next leg of the Safari Tour.”

-Prize money

Sigona Golf Club’s Sujan Shah returned level par for the round to take his overall tally for the tournament to 3-Under Par 285 and finish third overall. For their efforts, Greg Snow took home Sh150,000, Indiza Sh100,000 and Sujan Sh80,000.

Speaking after the prize giving event, Indiza said:

“The first two days were not so good, but I picked my game in the finalrounds to force the playoff today. Overall, I am happy with my performance having won the Pro-Am on Saturday and having finished second here. Going forward, I will try and get a bit more consistent with the remaining legs to score more points and hopefully win in the remaining events.:

Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel finished tied 11th while fellow country man, Elisante Lembris, finished 19th. Uganda Phillip Kasozi finished a commendable 18th

Indiza’s impressive outing on the second leg of the Safari Tour takes him top of the rankings after two rounds with 38 points overall. Greg Snow comes in second with 35.5 points while Nyali Golf Club’s champion.

David Wakhu (Golf Park) comes in third with 34 points. Sigona’s Sujan Shah who made this Safari Tour debut at Vet Lab is ranked eighth with a commendable 18 points.

Action now moves to the Limuru Country Club for the third leg of the Safari Tour from the October 27-31.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Former Kenya Sevens skipper Andrew Amonde, winger Nelson Oyoo, Sammy Oliech and Dennis Ombachi have been included in the Kenya Simbas training squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup Qualification Repechage tournament to be staged in France in November.

Amonde was part of the squad that came close to qualifying for the World Cup in 2015 and he returns to the squad which already has Willy Ambaka who has gathered two caps after playing against Tunisia and Namibia in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup.

According to Raga House, both Amonde and Ombachi attended Wednesday’s gym session along Ngong road with Oyoo and Oliech set to link with the squad in the next session.

“We looked at some specific positions where we thought they could be useful reinforcements so that’s basically why they are here,” assistant coach Dominique Habimana told Raga House.

If all five of the Shujaa players make it to the travelling party to France, then the incoming National Sevens head coach will have a bit of a headache with the new season of the shorter version of the game kicking off on November 30 with the Dubai 7s.

Meanwhile, the team intensified training ahead of the crucial tourney, with one group training in Kakamega while another is training in Nairobi with the squad set to assemble together next week for a training camp that might include another high altitude trip to Nanyuki.

Kenya Simbas head to France for the four-team Repechage that will start on November 11 with their first match lined up against Canada before they square out with Hong Kong and Germany for the lone slot to next year’s World Cup in Japan.

“We’ve been looking at them and analyzing them what they are doing with clubs in France. All three opponents we are looking at them in details and we will have a good plan,” Habimana said ahead of the competition.

-Info courtesy Raga House

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – Saturday afternoon’s 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier against Ghana’s Black Stars will be a huge test for Harambee Stars as far as their dream of sitting on the table of kings in African football is concerned.

Having started the campaign with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Sierra Leone away from home, another defeat on Saturday will be detrimental to their qualification hopes and as thus, the players have vowed to give their all on the pitch and slay the Ghana dragon and put their hopes alive.

David Owino who will take on the captain’s armband with the absence of Victor Wanyama who has not been passed fit after only returning from injury, believes that despite standing against a bigger and tougher opponent, Kenya can get a win in their own backyard.

“Training has been okay and everyone is focused for the game and we want to give our best and win. We know that Ghana is a big team with very experienced and mature players but with a right mentality and good attitude, I believe we can get a result,” the defender who turns out for Zambian champions Zesco United said.

Owino has acknowledged that coming into the game, the Ghanaians are clear favorites, but notes that playing at home should be motivation enough for them to get results.

“Fans should come out in large numbers and support us for the game. We will do our best and promise they will go back home happy,” the soft spoken, but tough tackling defender further said.

These are sentiments shared by striker Michael Olunga who will shoulder the burden of banging in the goals that will help the team get off with three points against the West Africans.

The forward who scored Kenya’s lone goal in the 2-1 defeat to Sierra Leone says they have pit whatever happened in Free Town behind them and will be focused on getting a better result at home against Ghana.

“The Sierra Leone game is behind our backs and we now have to focus on Ghana. It was unfortunate that we lost our first game but we have an opportunity to redeem ourselves. We have to focus on getting a result and knowing two teams will qualify for the group should be enough motivation for us,” the striker said.

He added; “If we beat Ghana, then that will mean we have very high chances of qualifying.”

Olunga, who began life with new Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol on a good footing scoring and setting up an assist in his first three games hopes he can translate the same form to the national team and continue his goal scoring exploits.

“Such are the games that every player looks forward for. We expect a lot from it but it’s going to require a lot of team effort. Each player needs to give 100pc for team and country. We have to rise to the occasion, play the ball in their court and pull out something from the game,” further noted the striker.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – A total of 32 teams will battle for supremacy this weekend when the second edition of the Kenyans On Twitter (KOT) 5-aside football tournament will be held at the Ligi Ndogo Grounds.

Organiser of the event announced that the number of teams participating in the fun showdown has increased from 16 in the last edition.

Theeka from Thika, Kiambu County are the defending champions and will open their campaign against Milimani in the knock-out competition.

“We expect to have a better tournament than last year. The tournament has grown, last edition we had only 16 teams but on Saturday we will have 32 teams. We urge all the funs to turn out with their families as we have a good time,” tournament organiser Sir Alexas announced.

The winner will walk home with 20,000 Airtime from Safaricom, two cases of beer courtesy of Tuborg while the Most Valuable Player in the final will be rewarded with a return ticket and merchandise from Jambo Jet.

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NAKURU, Kenya, Sep 6 – The requiem mass for former Harambee Stars assistant coach Sammy Nyongesa was held at the Afraha Stadium on Thursday ahead of his burial at Nakuru’s Ngata farm on Friday.

Just as he spent most of his time on the pitch, fell in love there, the stadium was filled by players, fans, friends and relative to celebrate the life of the fallen sports scout who produced superstars in the world of football.

Eulogizing her husband, Rose Atieno Nyongesa said she first met the former football player at Afraha Stadium 38years ago.

“I had come to this ground to watch football and I was mesmerized by his tactics,” said the distraught widow.

She said what started as a congratulatory message to Nyongesa went on to be a lifelong friendship.

“Besides being my husband and the father of my nine children, Nyongesa was a friend and a playmate,” she said.

The former coach who died on August 24 at Nakuru War Memorial Hospital following a prolonged battle with prostate cancer has left behind a wife and nine children among the seven sons and two daughters.

He will be remembered for his great contribution to football in the country.

Nyongesa mentored many famous footballers including his own son, Mike Barasa who played for the national football team Harambee Stars.

-By Wanjiru Macharia- 

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 –KCB RFC head coach John Kamau has ditched the National Super League (NSL) side, the club announced on Thursday.

Following the development, assistant coach Elvis Ayany, who has been in that role for some years, will steer the team during the remaining fixtures of the NSL as the Bankers chase promotion to return to the Kenyan Premier League after being relegated in 2015.

“We thank the coach for his contribution towards the Club. We are keen to continually build a strong squad and tap it to its full potential. We wish him well in his next endavours,” KCB FC patron Paul Russo said.

KCB FC is currently fourth on the NSL standings with 57 points with seven games to go before the end of the season.

Kamau was appointed as the KCB Head Coach on January 11, 2018.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7 – NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7 – Having played together in the Spanish La Liga last season, Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Thomas Teye Partey has warned his team-mates to be wary of Michael Olunga when Harambee Stars host the Black Stars of Ghana on Saturday in a 2019 AFCON Qualifier at Kasarani.

The two featured in the La Liga with Olunga turning out for Girona on loan from Chinese club Ghuizhou Zhicheng while Partey was playing a starring role with Atletico Madrid, winners of last season’s UEFA Europa League.

“Yeah of course I know much about him (Olunga). He is a good player and he scored several goals while playing for Girona and he has good attributes for a striker. We have to be very careful about him and we should try not to give him any space,” the midfielder noted.

Olunga scored Kenya’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss against Sierra Leone in the opening qualification game and in the absence of star midfielder Victor Wanyama, he is expected to be Kenya’s leading light against the Black Stars.

Partey meanwhile has urged his teammates not to underrate Kenya and he says they expect a tough game, especially with the hosts having lost against Sierra Leone.

“We prepared to come and win but we know it is not going to be an easy game. We cannot underrate Kenya because they are a good team. We just have to go in there and do our job and come off with three points,” further pointed out Partey.

Ghana are in firm control of Group F having won their opening game 5-0 against Ethiopia and a win against Kenya on Saturday would put them in pole position to qualify for next year’s showpiece in Cameroon.

The team jetted into the country on Thursday night after holding a four-day session in Ethiopia and had a training session at the Kasarani Stadium for an hour on Friday.

“We are well prepared for the game because we have had such a good session in Ethiopia where we covered a lot of ground. I think as players and as a team, we are ready for Saturday,” the midfielder further said.

Partey will be among the star names for the game including Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey, Christian Atsu of Newcastle and Inter Milan’s Kwadwo Asamoah.

Head coach Kwesi Appiah has named a transformed squad with a number of players left out including legend Abedi Pele’s sons Andre and Jordan Ayew as well as captain Asamoah Gyan. Partey is expected to take over the captainship in Gyan’s absence.

The midfielder reckons that the team is well blended and expects no problem with the absence of the stars.

“Most of them are doing well in their clubs and have brought in a lot of talent and some different things to the team. We have won all our past matches and I think as a team we are doing okay,” the midfielder opined.

A familiar face that will be in the Ghanaian team to play Harambee Stars is right back Harrison Afful who currently plies his trade in the USA> The defender was part of the Esperance squad that played against Gor Mahia in the 2014 CAF Champions League when they beat K’Ogalo 8-2 on aggregate.

Kenya deputy captain David Owino was in Gor’s defense during that season.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7 – Upbeat Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika has vowed not to let her fans down when she steps in the ring on Saturday at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) to defend her WBC Super Bantamweight title against Mexican Yamileth Mercado.

Zarika was confidently speaking on Friday after the weigh-in at a Nairobi hotel on the eve of the anticipated fight.

“I am ready to defend my title in front of my home fans and I promise not to let them down come tomorrow,” confident Zarika underscored.

The fight will be preceded by the lightweight bout between Kenyans George Onyango (61.23kg) and Fred Nekesa (61.20kg) before Charity Mukami (72kg) lock horns with Florence Muthoni (72.1kg) in a middleweight bout.

The middleweight category for men will be contested by former Olympian who is based in the United States of America Rayton Okwiri (72.1kg) and Patrick Amote from Uganda (72.05kg).

All fights will last a maximum of six rounds and are expected to be more than worthy curtain-raisers for the WBC Super Bantamweight title fight.

Zarika’s opponent Mercado accompanied by her father who jetted into the country last night to witness the fight, stated that she will upset the defending champion.

“I am ready to fight tomorrow (Saturday) and take the title home,” the 20-year old Mercado stated.

This will be the second time that Zarika will take to the ring to defend her title, following a unanimous decision victory against Zambian Catherine Phiri last December in Nairobi.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7 – Fallen former Harambee Stars assistant coach, Sammy Nyongesa was on Friday accorded a fitting send off at his Ngata farm in Nakuru.

Leaders at the burial ceremony which was filled with jokes and smiles asked the Government to appreciate his contributions to football development in Kenya.

His students on the pitch who have since formed a strategic working team and set goals on ways to commemorate Nyongesa, asked the Government to revive the National Football Youth Centres to nature talents.

Nyongesa was the brainchild behind the youth centres which produced great footballers among the Ambrose Ayoyi, John Shotoo Lukoe, Joseph Oduor and John Mo Muiruri among others.

Instead of being teary and all emotional, Nyongesa’s widow and all his 12 children from three women, decided to treat the mourners with laughter as they shared their fun moments with him.

The wife, Ruth Atieno Nyongesa humorously described her husband as a generous man who scored on the pitch and elsewhere.

“My husband was very generous and as you can see, I have a big family, they are all my children and I love them all,” she said to a round of laughter and applause from the mourners.

She went ahead to introduce mothers of some of her children and asked if there were others unknown to her in the congregation.

“If there are other offspring of Nyongesa in the congregation that have not been introduced to me, kindly come forward, you are mine too,” she added.

She narrated how she and her husband would laugh at the fact that his opponents at Gor Mahia would taunt him as ‘senior bachelor’ then he decided to marry their own which made them bite the humble pie and they changed the title to ‘in-law’.

The children described their father as loving playmate and a firm disciplinarian.

Nyongesa died of prostate cancer on August 24 at War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru. He leaves behind a widow and 12 children. Most of the football players he mentored attended the ceremony.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7 – Ghana head coach Kwesi Appiah says Kenya missing influential skipper Victor Wanyama for their 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Saturday might be more of a headache to him than an actual relief.

The midfielder will not be available for the tie as he is yet to gain the requisite match fitness following a month-long injury lay off from a recurring knee injury.

“No actually, because with him, at least I know him but with another person there, I don’t know what to expect,” Appiah responded when asked by Capital Sport on whether the midfielder’s absence is an advantage for them.

He went on to note that it might also be a blessing in disguise for Kenya to expose a new talent in the same position, saying that African coaches should not be over-dependent on select players.

“African coaches should move from that aspect of sticking to one particular team for years. The more you do that the more you destroy the team for the future. It is important to keep changing and bring in new ones to give them an opportunity,” the tactician offered.

With Wanyama missing, the man set to replace him at the heart of midfield might be a man hugely familiar to Appiah, Anthony Akumu. The former Gor midfielder worked with Appiah during their stint at Sudanese club Al Khartoum.

Ghana trained at the Kasarani Stadium on Friday evening, the eve of their huge battle against the Harambee Stars in a crucial 2019 AFCON qualification tie.

Appiah believes it will be a tough match against Kenya, saying having watched and analyzed a few of their past matches, they are a decent team that can pose serious danger.

“I believe football has come of age and for that reason you cannot underrate anyone. Kenya has a good team and it’s important that playing against them we prepare well. They have supporters and everything behind them but we are coming to give them a good game,” Appiah said.

He added; “I have watched some few games and I think you have a good team. It’s a matter of giving the coaches and players support and I believe they can do much better.”

Appiah selected a squad full of fresh faces with some key names including skipper Asamoah Gyan and the Ayew brothers (Dede and Jordan) being omitted from the squad.

While pointing out the three stars are still part of his future plans, Appiah says that he made the decision to give new players an opportunity as he tries to build a squad that will not only qualify for next year’s AFCON but qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after missing out in Russia this year.

“The assignment given to me is to try build a team for not only AFCON but the future. The only way to do that is making sure I drop some and bring new players; that’s the only way to build strong team. A good team is one that has bench,”

“The focus is getting some young guys in now. We have put all this into consideration; what will be their age and performance in about four years…  The vision is to try to get to the World Cup but we can only do that if we start now with the young players now,” the tactician further stated.

Ghana started their campaign with a thumping 5-0 win over Ethiopia and they lead Group F. A win against Kenya will be a massive boost for their AFCON 2019 qualification hopes.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 7- Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne has urged fans to turn out in large numbers at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Saturday when they take on Ghana’s Black Stars in a 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The tactician wants the 60,000-seater stadium to buzz in deafening crescendo and fans flood the stadium to shout their voices hoarse as Stars look to put their 2019 AFCON qualifying campaign back on track.

“In Egypt when I was with Congo, we played for the World Cup qualification and the whole stadium was full in red color. It will be interesting to see all the fans in red, even if it is 30,000 but in Kasarani we can have more. I want to see everyone in red color on Saturday,” the tactician said as he rallied fans to come in behind the team.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has printed 45,000 tickets for the tie and interestingly, none was available in advance with all the tickets being sold on match day.

But, Migne has urged fans to give them a push in a match he says will be tough and will need all available motivation to ensure they pick maximum points.

“I know Ghana is a huge opponent and it is one of the best five teams in Africa. I saw their last games against Iceland and Japan and it will require a huge performance for us to win against them on Saturday, but we need the fans behind us,” the French tactician said.

The tactician has hinted that he will not be sitting back against the Ghanaians, saying he will field an attacking team for the game, going for goals and a possible win.

“My philosophy is to try to win first. We need to play like a team, as a unit. I don’t want to pack a bus infront of my box. Sometimes it can happen but my philosophy is to try to be opportunistic and show something interesting on the pitch,” the tactician said.

This will be the first real test for the tactician since his appointment, a first competitive match in his tenure. He has been in charge of six matches, two friendly games and the three matches he played at the Four-Nation invitational tournament in India.

He lost his first game in charge, 1-0 against Swaziland in a friendly with local based players at home before winning against Equatorial Guinea. In the India tournament, the tactician won 2-1 against New Zealand and 4-0 against Chinese Taipei.

Their two losses came from the hands of India, losing 3-0 and 2-0.

Migne says he is not under pressure ahead of his first match in charge.

“I am not nervous. Why should I be? This is my job and I am used to it. Maybe there’s small pressure because it is a crucial game but I like the pressure. I am sure my players will give their best on the pitch,” said Migne.

The tactician has a headache as far as putting out a competitive squad is concerned. Brian Mandela and Ayub Timbe are suspended, skipper Victor Wanyama is out with fitness issues, Paul Were is injured and now, defender David Owino might miss the tie with a hamstring injury.

“I am confident that I have a strong team and everyone is ready. I have only three days with the whole squad, it is not enough time but at least I know the players,” the coach opined.

He has insisted that his long term plan is on the 2021 AFCON and has said he should not be crucified basing on this AFCON qualification campaign as he needs more time to build a strong team.

He has also insisted that as far as the 2019 qualification campaign is concerned, the two home and away games against Ethiopia in October will be the most crucial.

“Ghana, yes, it will be important, but for me, the most important is Ethiopia. If we can win the two games against them, then we play a Cup final against Sierra Leone at home. If we get points against Ghana it will be good but it will be tough,”

“We know that Ghana is better than Kenya, we can’t lie about that. But in one game, we can do something. In football, everything is possible,” Migne opined.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 8 – Ten-man Harambee Stars produced an impressive result on Saturday evening beating four-time African Champions Ghana by 1-0 at the Kasarani Stadium to revive their hopes of qualifying to next year’s African Cup of Nations.

Defender Nicholas Opoku’s own goal in the 41st minute proved the difference as Kenya upset the form books and did what most thought pre-match was a huge mission impossible.

The win was impressive for Kenya who played most of the second half one man down following Joach Onyango’s straight red card on a tackle from behind.

More so, head coach Sebastien Migne turned a few heads with his selection for the starting team.

Gor Mahia’s Joash Onyango was paired at the heart of defense with captain of the day Musa Mohammed while Philemon Otieno, having starred for Gor at right back was thrown into the same position for the national team.

In midfield, Migne paired Ismail Gonzalez with Dennis Odhiambo at the expense of Anthony Akumu who was widely expected to start in the absence of skipper Victor Wanyama with Johannah Omollo not even on the match day 18.

Francis Kahata and Ovellah Ochieng started out wide as Michael Olunga led the attack, supported by Eric Johannah.

-Ovellah lively-

Ovellah was lively in the opening exchanges and in the fifth minute he tested Ghana keeper Richard Ofori with a stinging shot from the right after his speed created a clear path into the box.

Ghana were taking a calm approach into the match, choosing to keep possession and move the ball from width to width anchored in midfield by Thomas Partey and Ebenezer Ofori.

Their first foray at goal was in the 13th minute when Majeed Waris’s shot from the right after being put through by Edwin Gyasi went inches wide with keeper Patrick Matasi left fuming at his defense.

Waris was again asking the questions for Ghana and in the 19th minute he failed to put in some power in his header when he was cited unmarked at the edge of the six yard box by a cross from Andy Yiafdom.

A few nervous moments for the Kenyan fans never lacked especially with some missed passes in midfield from Gonzalez, but the boys had done just but enough to contain the five-time African champions.

Christian Atsu who had tried to exert his authority on either wing with minimal success had a chance in the 27th minute when he ran off Philemon Otieno on the left but his shot was well collected by an alert Matasi.

On the other end, Gonzalez chested down a loose clearance by the Ghanaians but his attempt on the volley was inches wide with keeper Ofori caught flat footed.

Olunga marked-

Kenya’s main striker Olunga had been closely guarded by skipper Daniel Amartey who tracked his every move and went toe to toe whenever he had a share of the ball.

On the half hour mark, Olunga pulled a trick off the bag when he received a pass from Dennis Odhiambo, controlled it on his left but turned to his weaker right leaving Amartey in his wake, but the shot went wide.

In the 34th minute, Dennis Odhiambo came close when his powerful header off a Johannah corner went wide while six minutes later, Johannah’s attempt with a shot from range had the keeper working at full stretch.

But just a minute later, the goal finally came when under pressure from Olunga, Opoku turned the ball into his own net as he tried to defend a low cross with pace and power from Johannah.

At the start of the second half, Ghana made changes, Gyassi making way for Hassan Dwamenah. Kenya also made a forced change with right back Otieno coming off for Jockins Atudo after picking an ankle injury in the first half.

Ghana had started on the front foot and after eight minutes, Afriyeh Aquah had a chance off a Daniel Opare corner, but he headed it across the face of goal from the backpost.

Things went south for the hosts on the hour mark when Joash Onyango was shown a straight red by referee Janny Sikazwe after a tackle on Warris as the last man in defense.

In response, coach Migne pulled out forward Johannah for defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng who slotted straight into centre back.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 8 – Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo has been crowned the Nanyuki Rally Champion after an impressive performance at the scenic Laikipia County on Saturday.

Tundo clocked 01:43:16 navigated by Tim Jessop in a Mitsubishi Evo 10 finishing ahead of Manvir Baryan who came home second while Baldev Chager settled for third navigated by Ravi Soni.

Manvir clocked 01:48:28 while Baldev Chager clocked 01:58:48 navigated by Ravi Soni in a Mitsubishi Evo 10.

The drivers were feted at Batian View in Nanyuki town by Laikipia County Governor H.E Ndiritu Muriithi and KCB Bank  Nanyuki Branch Manager George Kiarie.

The battle for speed and glory saw 16 finished as 11 drivers retired at diferent stages. Onkar Rai and Ian Duncan who were tipped to grab major honours retired during early stages.

Farhaz Khan finished 4th ahead of Ammanraji Rai and Jasmeet Chana.

Nikhil Sachania finished 9th during the outing.

The rally now heads to Eldoret scheduled in October.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 8 – Kenyans Conseslus Kipruto, Emmanuel Korir and Winny Chebet stormed to victories to hand Team Africa maximum points in the IAAF Continental Cup held in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

However, it was not a good day for world champion Hellen Obiri who finished third in the women’s 3000m in a season’s best of 8:36.20 in a race that was won by Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands in a Course Record of 8:27.50 while Ethiopian Senbere Tefferi was placed second in a personal best of 8:32.49.

World and Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Kipruto clocked 8:22.55 to add another crown in his titles.

But that was the only predictable result in a dramatic race where Africa’s decision to play the joker for double points in the event of an overall win – which looked a banker given the presence of Soufiane El Bakkali, the Moroccan whom Kipruto narrowly beat to the world title last summer – went horribly awry.

And overall victory went to Team Europe.

All the African plans came to grief as the field approached the line ahead of the first elimination in a race where the last man was scheduled to drop out on each lap after the first three.

Because Evan Jager, the Rio Olympic silver medallist who was due to represent Team Americas, scratched from the race, the first elimination did not occur until the field approached the three laps to go marker.

In his apparent desperation to make the cut, Team Asia’s Japanese runner Kosei Yamaguchi began to stagger with the effort, and appeared to veer into El Bakkali, who was cruising along just ahead of him.

Yamaguchi succeeded in his immediate object as his team-mate John Koech was first to be eliminated, but within a few steps El Bakkali, injured, had collapsed onto the infield, requiring to be taken away on a stretcher. The bearers carried away Africa’s hopes of a points bonanza.

Ironically the unhappy loss of El Bakkali meant that no elimination needed to take place at the two-lap marker, so the Japanese athlete was able to struggle along until he accepted his destiny at the bell.

By that point Kipruto, yellow-shirted and in a sunny mood, had turned the final 400m into a lap of honour, exhorting the crowd to up the noise with upward motions of his arms before crossing, miles clear, in 8:22.55 to collect the eight points due to the winner.

“I am always happy to represent my country and especially my continent at international events,” said Kipruto, winner last weekend of the IAAF Diamond League trophy in the event.

-Korir wins 800m-

Korir lived up to his billing as favourite in the men’s 800m as he and his Team Africa team-mate, Nijel Amos of Botswana, ensured overall victory in finishing first and third respectively.

Korir, who clocked the fastest time of the season so far, 1:42.05, at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London on 22 July and took the IAAF Diamond League title in Brussels on 31 August, won in 1:46.50, but he was pushed to the line by Team Americas’ Clayton Murphy.

The United States runner, bronze medallist at the Rio 2016 Games, took second place in 1:46.77, with London 2012 silver medallist Amos – who has a best of 1:42.14 this year – being given the same time as the American but finishing three thousandths of a second slower according to the photo-finish.

“I was fighting until the last metres with Clayton, and did not want to give it up to Americas,” Korir said. “It did not feel weird to work with Nijel as a team member because we are friends, and we both want to bring the trophy to Team Africa.

“I had fun here because it was my last championship of the season and it was an entertaining one.”

-Chebet takes 1500m title-

Chebet emerged as the winner in the women’s 1500m at the IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava 2018 after leading for most of the race. The African champion thus became only the second African winner of this event in the World/ Continental Cup history after Hassiba Boulmerka in 1994.

Shelby Houlihan of the US was the runner-up for the Americas, as the Moroccan Rababe Arafi completed the podium to give Team Africa maximum points in the team competition.

Chebet took to the front in the early stages and her rivals seemed content to follow her at a leisurely pace, with the opening lap run outside 73 seconds. The leader and the pace remained constant for another 500 metres, before Houlihan made the first move.

She moved into the lead, but not for long. To the delight of the Ostrava crowd, the Czech Simona Vrzalova put in a burst of speed on the last straight of the penultimate lap to move past everyone.

Vrzalova’s lead lasted some 200 metres before she began to fade, while those behind her started to sprint for home. Once again it was Chebet in the lead, with Houlihan doing the chasing.

The American appeared to close down the gap somewhat in the final metres, but that was not enough. Chebet emerged victorious with a time of 4:16.01, with her final 300 metres taking just over 42 seconds. Houlihan reached the line 0.35s later, with Arafi third in 4:17.19. P.

Unnikrishnan Chitra of India was the unexpected fourth for Asia-Pacific, while Vrzalova ended up sixth and the Pole Sofia Ennaoui, one of the pre-event favourites, a distant seventh.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 8 – An unhappy Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne walked out of his Ghana post-match press conference and took no questions after speaking for two minutes and 37 seconds, expressing his disappointment with an apparent lack of respect to the team.

The Frenchman expressed displeasure at two items; first, his side did not have adequate time to train at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani while visiting Cameroon, who pitched camp in Kenya ahead of their clash away to Comoros, were accorded full access, and secondly with the injured players who never reported to camp, including skipper Victor Wanyama.

“I am very happy of that (winning), but I am not happy at all and I think I will be very brief tonight because during the week there was a lack of respect with this team. When I saw Cameroon have training in this field (Kasarani) and not us who we were at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, I was not happy” the tactician said of his side’s failure to train consistently at Kasarani.

He went on;

“I can speak about Blackberry (George Odhiambo) for example, in France Under 21 team, a Liepzig player was not there when he was called and they asked FIFA to give him a suspension. Hugo Loris who is a World Cup Champion with France, he was in Paris to check with the national team doctor if his injury was true or not.

“I have full confidence with Victor Wanyama but I need to check. If we want to achieve at the high level we need to improve a lot of things and I don’t want to speak about Boniface Oluoch or Allan Wanga; I think it was a lack of respect, I don’t want to say too much I want to keep cool, keep quiet… I need to think about the future… thank you,” the French tactician said before exiting the room, leaving waiting journalists dazed.

The tactician had called in Odhiambo, Wanga and Oluoch into the squad but none of them reported to camp as it was said they were injured.

Wanyama on his end missed the tie as he has just returned from injury and is yet to pick match fitness and has been at the club’s training round.

Despite missing the captain as well as the suspended duo of Brian Mandela and winger Ayub Timbe, Stars pulled a surprise off their bags beating the Black Stars by a solitary goal and putting their hopes of qualification to the 2019 African Cup of Nations on track.

“I am very proud of my players; I like so much the spirit of the team. With only four days it was not easy to build a good spirit and with this kind of opponent it is difficult but in terms of spirit my boys gave something incredible,” the tactician said as he basked in the glory of the valuable three points.

But even despite the win, Migne says there is still a lot of work to be done but says the path has picked up and soon, the team will be where he wants.

“We are far from the high level. We are on the way but so so so far away. If you think because tonight we have beaten Ghana we are on the same level, it is not true. It is not the reality; I am not a liar,” added the tactician.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 9 – In what was a tight contest, Kenyan boxer Fatuma ‘Iron Fist’ Zarika successfully defended her World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight title after overcoming tough challenge from Mexican Yamelith Mercado at a packed Comesa Grounds of the Kenyatta International Convention Center on Saturday night.

In the 10 rounds bout, the Mexican handed Zarika a stiff challenge but at the end of the fight, the Kenyan got more points from two judges who gave her 97 and 99 while the first judge handed Mercado 96 which was more than Zarika who got 94.

At the end Zarika was announced the winner by the South African referee in a splitting decision of 94-96, 97-93, 99-91.

Zarika, who was accompanied to the event by her younger brother Harambee Stars defender, Musa Mohamed who guided Kenya to victory over Ghana earlier in the day, thanked the fans for turning out in large numbers to encourage her.

“I thank all my fans who came here tonight. I’m nothing without you, I won because of you. When the fight started, I first wanted to gauge how she would fight and she was good at evading my punches,” Zarika said.

The result saw Zarika extend her win to 30, 12 draws and two losses.

The event was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Sports Rashid Echesa who was a boxer in her days, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, nominated Member of Parliament Isaac Mwaura and Kenya’s athletics legend Tegla Loroupe.

The big fight dubbed ‘Nairobi Night Fight’ was curtain raised by undercards with the first one seeing George Onyango beat Fred Nyekesa in the lightweight before Charity Mukami and Florence Muthoni battled it out.

However, it is Olympian Okwiri who lit the crowd after taking only two rounds to Technically Knock Out Ugandan Patrick Amoti in the men’s middleweight category.

“I don’t see this fight lasting past four rounds,” Okwiri said before the fight.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 9 – Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga has lauded Joash Onyango for his performance against Ghana in their 1-0 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualification win on Saturday evening.

The Gor Mahia stopper put up a shift at the heart of defense where he had paired skipper Musa Mohammed, but was shown red on the hour mark after a goal saving tackle on Majeed Warris with the Ghanaian forward through on goal.

“Joash played really well and he took a card for the team. That was a very vital challenge because who knows what could have happened next,” Olunga said as he reflected on the historic win over the four-time African champions.

The forward who turns out for Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol was also full of praise for the local lads who were thrown into the deep end and produced a commendable result especially with the absence of several key players.

“They played very well when you are coming to play a game of this magnitude like Ghana and with such a huge crowd behind you, most players fall for that kind of pressure and fail to perform but yesterday, the players took the opportunity and gave their all,” he added.

Among the local lads who shone in the tie include right back Philemon Otieno who however had to limp off injured at the start of the second half.

“I believe this is what we need to see from the local players. When given an opportunity, they come out of their cocoon and show what they are made of,” Olunga noted.,

The victory against the Ghanaians took Stars’ 2019 AFCON qualification desire a notch higher and the performance from the boys was a huge motivator that the days ahead are bright.

“It was a great motivation to pick three points against Ghana who are favorites in the group. No one expected us to win that game but the players believed and worked hard. Everyone gave their 110pc even after we were down to 10 men. We fought with the fans behind us,” Olunga further noted.

Up next in the road to Cameroon are back to back home and away ties against Ethiopia in October and Olunga believes a minimum of four points in these two games will be crucial in keeping the dream alive, qualifying to the Cup of Nations for the first time in close to two decades.

“Ethiopia is a good side and it will not be easy against them especially away where they have many fans. It will not be easy as people think because nowadays in football it doesn’t matter where you play whether home or away. It is important that we give in 100pc and be committed to work hard,” he further stated.

Stars earned a Sh2mn bonus from the Football Kenya Federation after their win.

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