NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 –Ugandan left-back Shafik Batambuze says he is ready to replace Godfrey Walusimbi in K’Ogalo’s defense having signed a three-year deal to join the club from Tanzanian side Singida United earlier this month.

Gor were left with a huge void to fill when Walusimbi ditched the club to join South African top tier side Kaizer Chiefs and struggled to replace the long-serving Ugandan, their weakness in that side of defense hugely blamed for their failure to advance to the Confederation Cup quarters.

But now, Batambuze who is expected to slot in straight into the team, says K’Ogalo fans no longer have to worry as he will work hard to seal the slot.

“I believe I can fit into his shoes very well because the two of us play almost the same style of football. It has not been hard for me to integrate into the team because I have played in Kenya before and most of the players I played with and against,” the Ugandan told Capital Sport.

Gor assistant coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno is excited at the arrival of Batambuze who he says will be a huge addition to the team especially as they look to make a statement continentally next season in the CAF Champions League.

“He’s a big addition to the team because after losing Walusimbi we had to do with makeshift players in that position and that really cost us. We had to look for a good full-back and in Batambuze we got the person we wanted. He’s been in Kenya and knows the league and also strong on set pieces and very good in crossing. That’s what you look for when you need a good fullback,” Otieno said.

Batambuze left Tusker FC for Tanzania’s Singida United at the beginning of the year having won a league and cup with Tusker FC. However, he says he has returned to Kenya because of financial issues at Singida.

He previously also featured for Sofapaka and Western Stima which was his first club in the Kenyan Premier League.

“I am happy to come back to Kenya because it’s a very competitive league and the best thing is that I am coming to a different side with a bigger challenge. My target now is to work harder and not only play in another big club in the region but probably Europe as well,” Batambuze further stated.

He added that making the choice to join Gor was a no brainer especially with the allure of playing in the CAF Champions League. His target now is to help K’Ogalo sweep all the titles available and also help them do well in continental football.

“I believe it is possible because we have a very good team and everyone is working hard to achieve the goals,” he added.

The Ugandan is hopeful of being part of Gor Mahia’s contingent that travels to Liverpool, United Kingdom on Friday for the historic friendly match against English premier League side Everton FC next week Tuesday.

Batambuze’s process to acquire a visa has been expedited to enable him travel as Gor currently need a fullback for the huge test.

“I want us to win all available titles with Gor that’s my biggest target, it is possible, a good team and I promise the fans to support the team and I will do my best,” Batambuze vowed.

The post I will fit in Walusimbi’s shoes -Batambuze appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – Kiambu Golf Club’s amateur Michael Karanga returned an impressive score of 3-under par 69 on the final round of the Limuru leg of the Safari Tour golf series to win the tournament with a remarkable 8-under par 280.

On the first nine, Karanga, 23-year-old, returned 8-pars and shot a lone bogey at the par-3 7th for a total of 37. On the back nine, he sunk birdies on the 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th and held par on the rest of the holes for a total of 32.

Karanga, who has played steadily the entire tournament returning scores of 68, 74, 69 and 69 for the four rounds consecutively, becomes the first-ever elite amateur to win the Safari Tour series; getting the bragging rights for both the tournament’s Silver Salver and trophy.

Speaking after being awarded the trophy and silver salver, Karanga said that he was happy with his overall performance, adding that playing alongside Kenya’s top professional golfers gave him the motivation to excel.

“I am delighted with this win and hope to carry the momentum to the next Safari Tour event. It was humbling playing alongside Kenya’s top players as I learnt a lot from them, and also got great motivation to play well and I believe this is the reason I excelled at this event,” he said.

Meanwhile, winner of the Vet Lab leg of the Safari Tour Golf series, Greg Snow, shot a steady final round to finish 1-under par 71 for a tournament total of 5-under par 283.

He started the leg with a bogey at the 1st before holing an eagle at the Par-5 3rd before sinking a birdie at the Par-3 7th for a first nine total of 34.

On the back nine, he dropped shots on the par-4 13th and the par-4 17th but holed a birdie at the Par-5 15th for a back nine total of 37. For his efforts, Snow took home a cheque of KES 150,000 for emerging top Pro at the event.

Vet Lab’s elite amateur, Edwin Mudanyi, and David Opati finished the tournament tied for third after returning a tournament total of 2-under par 286, while Windsor’s Riz Charania finished in fifth, and was the tournament’s third-ranking pro, with a tournament total of 1-over par 289.David Opati and Riz Charania took home Sh100,000 and Sh 60,000 respectively.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, Kenya Open Golf Limited Finance Director, Joe Wangai, said it was encouraging to see many Kenyan professional golfers consistently taking part in the Safari Tour tournaments, adding that it is the beginning of the journey towards having a Kenyan win the Kenya Open.

“I am pleased by the partnership we have with the local professionals through this tour. Their continued participation points to the seriousness with which they have embraced it, and confirm to us that we are close to achieve our shared objective of having our own win the Kenya Open,” he said.

On his part, the Captain of the Professional Golfers of Kenya, John Wangai, said:

“I would like to thank the Kenya Open Golf Limited for this tour; I can attest to the fact that through this event, local professionals are increasingly honing their skills and I believe through this tour, we will be ready to take on visiting pros from around the world at next year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship.”

Action resumes next week at the Thika Green Golf Resort for the fourth leg of the Safari Tour.

Safari Tour Calendar 2018/19

Event 1 – Nyali Golf & CC – 18 – 22 August (DONE)

Event 2 – Vet Lab SC – 1 – 5 Sept (DONE)

Event 3 – Limuru Country Club – 27 – 31 October (DONE)

Event 4 – Thika Greens- 10 – 14 November

Event 5 – Karen Country Club – 15 – 19 December

Event 6 – Muthaiga Golf Club – 12 – 16 Jan

Event 7 – SAFARI TOUR CLASSIC – FEBRUARY – Venue TBC.

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LONDON, United Kingdom, Oct 31 – The threat of a touchline ban hanging over Jose Mourinho was removed Wednesday when a Football Association charge brought against the Manchester United manager for using foul language was declared “not proven”.

Television footage showed Mourinho saying something, apparently in his native Portuguese, while at one point looking into a camera, as he headed towards the tunnel after the final whistle of the comeback win over Newcastle.

He also made a gesture with his right hand while speaking, pointing with his little finger.

But a statement issued by the FA said: “A charge against Jose Mourinho for allegedly using language which was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper has been found not proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today.

“It related to an incident at the end of the Manchester United versus Newcastle United game on 6 October 2018.

“Written reasons for the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission will be published in due course. This decision is subject to appeal.”

The full written reasons are likely to be published next week, when the FA’s disciplinary department will consider whether to lodge an appeal.

Mourinho had been under intense pressure heading into the Newcastle game at Old Trafford amid speculation he would be sacked, regardless of the result, with United not having won any of their four previous matches.

Newcastle went 2-0 up inside 10 minutes but United recovered to win, with Alexis Sanchez’s 90th-minute goal sealing victory.

The 55-year-old Mourinho, who said after the match he was the subject of a media “manhunt”, added when asked about the gesture: “It is a finger. Smaller than the others, but it is a finger.”

The post No touchline ban for Mourinho after FA charge ‘not proven’ appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia has stated that there is no conflict between his ministry and National Treasury over the control of the 12 billion National Sports Fund.

Kaberia told the National Assembly Sports Committee on Thursday that under the revised regulation the sports docket will retain the lion share of the fund while the health, education and environment departments will share 40pc of the kitty collected from taxes levied on betting winnings and mobile transfer.

The PS said the Sport ministry will be the administrator to the funds.

National Treasury was forced to go back to the drawing board after the National Assembly shot down its attempt to wrestle the fund from the ministry of sports.

Athletics Kenya President, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei says that their calendar of events for the next season are likely to be affected if the disbursement of allocations from the National Sports Funds is delayed further.

Tuwei was accompanying the Sports PS to the House Sports Committee where he also noted some doping related activities have been affected.

Kaberia had earlier told the MPs that they are currently facing a challenge in funding the National Rugby team activities.

The Kenya Simbas that travelled to Marseille, France earlier this week ahead of the 2019 Rugby repechage, struggled financially leading the Kenya Rugby Union appeal for funds from the public.

-Amputee team-

Meanwhile, Kaberia has dismissed claims that the ministry was responsible for issuing official kit to the Kenya national football amputee team that is in Mexico for the World Cup.

Kaberia said the team told the ministry that they had everything catered for except for airfare which the ministry catered for it.

There has been outrage after the team which is expected to meet Russia in the quarter-finals were seen playing in yellow jerseys bearing branding of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

MPs Dhanita Ghati and Korei Lemein said the team is being discriminated due to their disability.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Midfielder Kenneth Muguna says he has no regrets for making the decision to move to Albanian club KF Tirana at the beginning of the season despite the fact that he did not stay long at the club.

Muguna returned to Gor Mahia after a season in Albania and instead of looking at what never worked for him, he says he picked up a lot of lessons that have made him a better player than he was when he first played for K’Ogalo last year.

“I think it was a good period to go out and experience something else. I have learnt a lot in the process especially how to tackle challenges and different situations on and off the field and as a player, I feel I have grown a lot,” the midfielder told Capital Sport.

At the height of his blossoming career which started off being named 2016 Kenyan Premier League midfielder of the year and Most Valuable Player before a move to Gor Mahia, he made the decision to re-join his former coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira in Albania.

Coach Dylan Kerr was not supportive of the former Western Stima play-maker’s decision to leave the club for Albania, saying at that time that his handlers were misadvising him to move out to the Scandinavian country.

Probably, true to his words, things didn’t go well to script and the midfielder returned home alongside former skipper Musa Mohammed – who has meanwhile earned a move to Zambian side Nkana FC.

-Lifeline-

He was embraced back at the club though, a lifeline for his rising career, but the positive man Muguna does not see this as a second chance but rather a new chapter in his book at Gor.

“I am coming in to continue from where I left and for those who are asking me why I came back from Europe, they should not be worried. I feel that I made the right decision because I have very good advisors. I am still on the right track because I am young and there is a lot ahead of me,” Muguna noted.

He added; “I just have to keep my head up, continue working hard and stay focused.”

The midfielder now hopes he can help steer Gor to success this season to win all domestic titles on offer including the elusive FKF Shield which the club last won in 2012.

“We have started training early and I think it is good to hit the ground running fast enough. I want to win titles with Gor and I will do my best to help the team prosper,” he noted.

Muguna who can play both as an attacking midfielder and a support striker will find stiff competition at the club from the likes of Francis Kahata and Humphrey Mieno, but says he is ready to battle and win his place in the team back.

The post No regrets for Tirana move, says Muguna appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Africa U20 silver medallist Sandrafelis Chebet and Isaac Kipkoech will headline the 2018 Lotto foundation Baringo Road Race scheduled to run Sunday at Kabarnet Museum grounds in Baringo County.

Kipkoech, who won the last year’s Baringo Half Marathon, will this time round compete in the men’s 10km race with Chebet defending her crown in the women’s category.

Kipkoech has a personal best of 27:35 in the 10km run during the Madoka Half Marathon last months while Chebet has a personal best of 30:57 over the same distance posted in Valencia, Spain.

Chebet, the World U20 title holder in the women’s 5000m, has also been entered in the women’s 10km and is expected to offer stiff competition. The event will also feature 6km and 4km races for amateur men and women runners respectively

Baringo event over the years has become a launching pad for many athletes including world marathon women’s only record holder and three-time New York Marathon champion, Mary Keitany and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 10000m champion, Joyce Chepkirui.

Lotto Foundation, which has sponsored the event for the last two years, will once again be partnering with the organizers in the road race and other initiatives including Baringo Deaf/Blind School.

Winners in both the men and women’s races will pocket Sh100,000 with the top ten finishers also receiving cash prizes in the event co-sponsored by Tourism Fund

The post Sandrafelis Chebet headlines Baringo race appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 1- Athletics Kenya (AK) chief Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei now wants athletes who are found guilty to have tested positive for doping be dismissed from employment and prosecuted.

Tuwei told the National Assembly Sports, Tourism and Culture Committee that the country should not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available on positive doping tests in many sporting disciplines.

“Doping should actually be criminalized in this country. An athlete has gone through the whole process provided for in the Anti-Doping Act, and is employed in government or any parastatal should no longer exist in that employment because it is a criminal act,” Tuwei told the MPs.

“Secondly we are recommending that the government should actually take them to court because if any other drugs are not allowed in this country and this banned substances which have gone through the country have, they should now be criminalized taken to court like any other,” he added.

The Anti-Doping Act currently imposes a Sh100,000 fine with a possibility of a one year jail sentence for athletes caught doping while those caught smuggling or administering banned substances face a 3 million Shilling fine or a three-year jail term.

The AK President had accompanied Sports Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia and Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Japhter Rugut to respond to petition in which South Imenti MP Kathuri Murungi demanded an audit report of Kenyan athletes who have tested positive and the achievement the country has so far realised after the Anti-doping law enacted in 2016.

In his petition, Murungi argues that as a leading country in long distance races, Kenya has not done much to implement the Anti-Doping laws, which created ADAK to protect athletes’ fundamental rights to participate in doping free sport as well as promoting fairness and equality for athletes in Kenya.

The latest athlete to test positive is the World 800m bronze medalist Kipyegon Bett, who tested positive for banned blood booster Erythropoietin (EPO) in August.

Bett joins a long list of Kenyan athletes who have tested positive to banned substances. They include: Milan Marathon winner Lucy Kabuu, Samuel Kalalei, (2017 Athens Marathon winner), former Olympic 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop.

Others are 2016 Olympic marathon winner Jemima Sumgong and former Boston City Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo.

The post AK boss Tuwei wants doping cheats dismissed from work appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 2 –Kenyan football giants Gor Mahia say they will not be merely going to tour Liverpool as the team departed the country on Friday morning for the United Kingdom to face English Premier League side Everton FC in a friendly match on November 6 at their Goodison Park backyard.

K’Ogalo has been putting up their paces for the duel against Everton with assistant head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno saying there are ready to go and learn as well as compete with one of the best teams in the English top division.

“Training has been good, and everyone is looking positive and energetic for the game. The competition is so high because everyone wants to be on the pitch on Tuesday against Everton,” Otieno, who has been holding forte in the absence of his boss Dylan Kerr said.

Kerr travelled to England earlier to have some time with his family as well as attend a coaching class.

Zico has meanwhile ensured the team remains in check and prepares well for the historic game, which will be a first for a Kenyan league side playing against a top English team at their own stadium.

“It is a massive game for us as a Kenyan and African team and a he opportunity to show ourselves to the rest of the world. We are going there to learn and gain some experience which will improve us as a team. For the match we have to give our best and compete,” the tactician noted.

At the training ground on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, there was a positive vibe going on, players chatting and happily training with the impending trip of course punching in some adrenaline into their legs after a very long season.

Apart from Stephen Okiro and Innocent Wafula who missed visas due to passport hitches as well as new signings Pascal Ogweno and Kenneth Muguna, the entire team will travel to the United Kingdom. The club is trying to secure a late visa for left-back Shafik Batambuze who recently joined the club

“It is going to be an unforgettable experience for the players and I want to thank the sponsors SportPesa for ensuring the whole team travels.  It’s a motivation to each player and it will be something unforgettable even for those who will leave for other teams,” Otieno noted.

The post Gor upbeat as team departs for Everton appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 2 – Ailing former Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) Middleweight title holder Conjestina Achieng on Friday got a reprieve after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko airlifted her to Nairobi for treatment.

Achieng famously known as the ‘Hands of Stone’ was in 2011 diagnosed with a psychiatric condition which has seen her on and off hospital for a while and earlier this week a video showing of her deteriorated health went viral, prompting Sonko to come to her rescue.

Sonko sent his Nairobi County Sports Board team led by former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno to pick Achieng from her rural home in Siaya County and bring her to Nairobi for treatment and later given a stable job.

“My team led by the Nairobi City County Government Sports Board is leading the mission to airlift the veteran boxer who brought pride to the nation by winning several international boxing titles. I’ll personally ensure Congestina is fully treated and rehabilitated, before she’s assisted to get a stable job to enable her become financially independent,” The Nairobi Governor assured.

Achieng, who propelled Kenya’s little-known female boxing sport to international glory after becoming the first African woman to hold an international title when she beat Ugandan Fiona Tugume to take the WIBF Middleweight Belt in 2004, has previously been treated at the Mathari Mental hospital from depression-related illness.

-Achieng’s boxing journey-

Achieng took to the ring in 2000 after graduating through the youth soccer ranks in Nairobi’s Makongeni Estate, inspired by her elder brother who was a member of the national boxing team.

After seven amateur bouts, she made her professional debut in 2002 in Nairobi, winning a four-round decision over Naomi Wanjiku who fell to 0-2.

In her second pro bout, also in Nairobi, she fought to a four-round draw with Damaris Muthoni of Nairobi before winning a four round decision over Uganda’s Jane Kavulani in May 2003.

Achieng won a knock-out victory over Uganda’s Fiona Tugume in October 2004 at Nyayo National Stadium as her fame began to blossom before she was beaten by Tanzania’s Monica Mwakasanga in Arusha in a six-round unanimous decision.

It was her fight against Tugume where she delivered her most famous bite, “Kujeni mapema na nitamaliza kazi mapema (come early and I will finish her early),” as fans thronged the stadium in their droves to witness her deliver the KO.

In December at the same stadium she won a ten-round unanimous decision over Tugume for the vacant GBU Middleweight title before she earned her revenge over Mwakasanga whom she floored in the fifth round in March 2005 where her opponent had to be taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.

She won her second global title when she once again sent the Tanzanian to the canvas in a scheduled ten round bout in August at the cathedral of Kenyan sport, the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani to bag the WIBF title.

That December, Argentina’s Guillermina Fernandez suffered a first round TKO as Achieng claimed the vacant WBF crown in what was labelled by even herself as a mismatch.

Zimbabwe’s Monalisa Sibanda was the next to fall in February 2006 on points before to the dismay of many of her Kenyan fans, Achieng lost her bid for the WBC title after being out-scored by American pugilist Yvonne Reis in April of that year.

-Falling ill-

Her fortunes plummeted in January 2011 when she was hospitalised at Nairobi’s Mathari Mental Hospital amid accusations she had sold all her properties, destroyed her tools of trade as well as isolating herself from family.

The then Sports Minister, Dr. Paul Otuoma pledged at the time that she would be assisted to get back to her feet, a promise that clearly was not followed through.

Later in the year 2012, an attempt to promote her comeback in her home city of Kisumu turned into a circus when she ran amok in the town, tearing all the posters erected to publicise the fight as she claimed promoters were conning her out of her due income.

The post Sonko to employ Conjestina after treatment appeared first on Capital Sports.

LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 1 – United in sorrow following the death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, grief-stricken Leicester will make an emotional return to action at Cardiff on Saturday.

Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium following last Saturday’s match against West Ham.

The tragedy rocked the football world, with Leicester’s stunned players joining mourners who turned the King Power into a shrine with flowers and tributes to the charismatic Vichai.

With his vast investment and boundless enthusiasm, Vichai was the inspiration for Leicester’s incredible Premier League title triumph as 5,000-1 outsiders in 2016.

While results on the pitch pale in comparison to the trauma of Vichai’s death, Claude Puel’s side will play this weekend for the first time since the crash.

Tuesday’s League Cup home game against Southampton came too soon for Leicester, who postponed the tie to allow more time for the city to come to terms with the accident.

But they have agreed to play the Premier League fixture in south Wales in a bid to start the healing process.

A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off at the Cardiff City Stadium and players will wear black armbands in Vichai’s honour.

“Playing football has not been on our minds this last week but for this weekend and all matches after we will play to honour and remember a man who did so much for our club,” Puel said.

“The result is not important, but our desire to give our best to honour our chairman, that is the most important thing.”

As the shrine to Vichai grew bigger by the day, thousands of fans were joined throughout the week by former boss Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester to their Premier League crown, as well as members of Vichai’s family and the club’s players.

Leicester stars Kasper Schmeichel and Jamie Vardy were visibly upset when Vichai’s devastated son Aiyawatt, the Leicester vice-chairman, made his way round the team to shake hands and receive hugs of condolence.

Reflecting the sense of shock around a city that benefitted from Vichai’s charitable donations as well as his commitment to the football team, Cliff Ginnetta, chairman of Leicester Supporters’ Club, said: “This has shaken everyone to the core. He was the boss, he was part of the fabric.

“You saw him in the stands, always with his scarf on, and it’s amazing the difference he made and how he was so respected by the fans.”

Puel had worked with Vichai for a season and a half, giving him plenty of time to understand how the Thai businessman had become part of the fabric of the club.

– ‘He truly was loved’ –

“Vichai made Leicester City into what it is. He made it a family and made a dream. He invested in the club, the city and in the people,” he said.

“He truly was loved by everyone. All the players are devastated. It’s a difficult moment.

“To see all of the messages and the flowers and shirts outside the stadium this week show how many lives he touched.”

Leicester’s fairytale reign as English champions is a glorious memory that will stand forever as a tribute to Vichai’s eight years as owner.

But his death leaves Leicester’s future shrouded in uncertainty as fans wait to discover who will take the reins in the boardroom.

Aiyawatt spoke emotionally about continuing his father’s legacy and, if he does take over, he will need the kind of sensitive touch that Vichai displayed to guide Leicester through such a turbulent period.

“I’m extremely proud to have such an extraordinary father. From him, I have received a very big mission and legacy to pass on and I intend to do just that,” Aiyawatt said.

“He loved his family. He made Leicester City into a family. And nothing would make him prouder than to see how the Leicester City family that he built is supporting each other through a time of such sadness.

“Today, he has left me with a legacy to continue and I will do everything I can to carry on his big vision and dreams.”

For now, Leicester will focus on finding solace on the pitch.

Puel’s team, currently 12th in the Premier League, are without a victory in their last three games.

The post From the ashes of Vichai tragedy, Leicester set for emotional return to action appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 2 – Defending champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya will be hoping for a sweet sense of deja vu on his return to the Big Apple on Sunday for the New York City Marathon.

Kamworor, a two-time World Cross Country champion is unbeaten this season and headlines the competitive men’s race.

The 25-year-old Kenyan returns to New York as defending champion, having unleashed a strong finish through the rolling hills of Central Park last year to clock 2:10:53 and come home three seconds clear of runner-up Wilson Kipsang.

It was Kamworor’s first victory at one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, though he has been almost invincible at shorter distances in recent years, racking up three straight titles at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and the past two men’s titles at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

A training partner of Eliud Kipchoge, who set the marathon world record of 2:01:39 in Berlin in September, Kamworor is confident of his form ahead of Sunday’s race.

“My preparation is going as well as last year – it’s almost the same and so far, so good,” he said. “I believe in what I have done and I am ready to race. If I win, I will be the happiest man in the world because I will have won everything this year.”

Standing in his way is a formidable line-up of East Africans, chief among them Shura Kitata, who produced an outstanding showing to finish second at the London Marathon in April, just 32 seconds behind Kipchoge in a PB of 2:04:49. Kitata blitzed the field at the Philadelphia Half Marathon in September, clocking a PB of 59:16 and coming home almost four minutes clear of an international field.

Kenya’s Daniel Wanjiru should also make his presence felt, the 2017 London Marathon champion racing here for the first time. But so far this year the 26-year-old has been out of sorts, finishing eighth at the London Marathon in April and seventh at the Great North Run in September in 1:03:40.

Desisa and Tola lead Ethiopian charge

Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa was runner-up in New York in 2016 and the two-time Boston Marathon champion will be hoping to go one better this time.

He failed to finish in Boston earlier this year but the 28-year-old impressed at the Copenhagen Half Marathon in September, clocking a PB of 59:52 to finish seventh.

The fastest athlete in the race is Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who ran a PB of 2:04:06 to finish third at the Dubai Marathon in January. He was a marathon silver medallist at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 and Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist in Rio in 2016, championship credentials which could prove vital in Sunday’s race, which will not employ pacemakers.

The US challenge will be spear-headed by Bernard Lagat, who will make his marathon debut and is targeting Meb Keflezighi’s US masters’ record of 2:12:20. “Training is going wonderfully,” said the 43-year-old. “I know the course is hard but it’s not all about place – for me it is about time.”

Lagat’s training partners Abdi Abdirahman of USA and Juan Luis Barrios of Mexico are also in the field, though it will come as a major surprise if either gets on the podium, while USA’s Shadrack Biwott, a third-place finisher in Boston this year, will be hoping for more of the same in New York.

-Vivian Cheruiyot makes debut-

In the women’s race, defending champion Shalane Flanagan face a stun test in defending the title at her home ground.

Flanagan sealed a memorable win in last year’s race in 2:26:53, powering away from three-time champion Mary Keitany of Kenya in the final miles through Central Park, though the 37-year-old has had a low-key year so far, coming home sixth in dire conditions at the Boston Marathon in April, the last race she completed.

But she’s confident of a stout title defence when she takes to the start line in Staten Island on Sunday.

“My fitness is good, I couldn’t ask for better,” said Flanagan, who admits she has made no career plan beyond this weekend. “Over the past two years I’ve acted as if each marathon is my last, not knowing where it’s going to take me. Until I cross the finish line, I honestly don’t know.”

-Strong Kenyan challenge –

To succeed, she will have to overcome an athlete she has faced on 11 occasions in the past and never beaten: Vivian Cheruiyot.

The Kenyan enters as favourite after a commanding win at the London Marathon earlier this year where she clocked 2:18:31 in warm conditions, and the 35-year-old proved preparations were going well when taking victory at the Great North Run in Newcastle in September, clocking 1:07:43 for the half marathon.

However, this will be Cheruiyot’s first time tackling the New York City Marathon and in that realm, one of her compatriots will have a major advantage. Mary Keitany may have been beaten into fifth at the London Marathon in April, but the 36-year-old is a three-time winner of the race between 2014 and 2016 and the Kenyan had an impressive win over 10K in New York in June, clocking 30:59 in what was her last competitive outing.

The post Kamworor hoping for deja vu in New York   appeared first on Capital Sports.

LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 2 – At approximately 4:30pm local time, (7:30pm EAT), record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia emerged from the London Heathrow Airport Arrivals gate, the realization that their journey to the United Kingdom was finally a reality.

Draped in a dapper broken suit of a navy blue coat, white shirt and baige khaki, the players walked out, smiles written all over their faces as they looked forward to their journey to Goodison Park Liverpool, where they face the blue side of Merseyside, Everton, in a friendly match on Tuesday.

“We are happy to be here today. For almost all the players, it’s a first time being in the United Kingdom so you can really see the excitement. I was here with the SportPesa All Star team in 2016 when we played Hull,” Skipper Harun Shakava said.

He added; “We are happy especially with how we have been treated by the sponsors SportPesa. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it gives us such joy.”

Midfielder Humphrey Mieno who scored the lone goal in the friendly between the SportPesa All Stars and Hull City in 2016 was delighted to return to England and hopes for the same scoring fortunes on Tuesday.

The team had earlier on in the day been a trending topic in Nairobi for their suits, a first one for a Kenyan team.

“I was so surprised that within a few minutes, everyone was already talking about our suits. The players look so good and we are pleased to be here. This is a milestone for not only the club but Kenyan and East African football. It is such a joy to be here to witness this,” Gor Mahia chair Ambrose Rachier said.

Meanwhile, SportPesa Chief Marketing Officer Kelvin Twissa said they were happy to finally actualize the dream of seeing an East African Club set foot in the United Kingdom and get to play a top side in the country.

“We are so excited to finally land in England for this historic game. As SportPesa we are delighted to be part of this journey and we can’t wait to see them play against Everton on Tuesday. We hope we win,” Twissa told Capital Sport.

All players were part of the travelling team except striker Jacques Tuyisenge who scored against Everton in Tanzania last year and new signing Shafik Batambuze whose visas delayed. They will however link up with the team on Saturday.

Upon landing at Heathrow, the team left via train to Liverpool a two hour journey that started at the Euston Train Station in Central London.

On Saturday, the entire travelling contingent will watch Everton play love at Goodison Park against Brighton Hove and Albion in an English Premier League fixture.

On Sunday all players will undergo medical tests with the Everton FC medical team. They will train at the club’s training ground, Finch Farm, later Sunday and Monday before the game on Tuesday.

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LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 3 – London is a beautiful city, very beautiful, such that on Friday when I, in the company of Standard newspaper reporter Rodgers Eshitemi and K24 sports anchor Shawn Osimbo got lost changing buses, we didn’t mind taking long walks to find where we were going.

First of all, it wasn’t easy moving around at the beginning.

The biggest agenda on the day, having arrived early for the SportPesa Trophy game between Kenyan champs Gor Mahia and English Premier League side Everton, was a stadium tour.

No guesses as to where our pick for the tour was.. of course, The Emirates… Life-long fans, life-long dreams!

SportPesa are also Arsenal’s official Africa betting partners.

We thought we could quickly jump on an Uber from our hotel and make our way to the stadium located on Hornsey Road in North London, but just as the first timers we were, we didn’t know their Ubers don’t take cash.. card only, please.

Our next alternative was to get a bus.. but again… no cash!

We had to get a travelling card, what in London is referred to as an Oyster card, to enable us hop onto buses that charge £1.50 (Sh197)a trip. The cards are pre-loaded with any preferred package from as low as (Sh657) £5 to enable you to move around.

Just tap it on a reader in the bus and boom! Your £1.50 is gone and you are good to take your journey.

We did just that and alas! We were changing buses like it was a new hobby. We took a bus that would take us close to our destination at the Emirates, but yes, we got lost and didn’t alight at the stop we should have.

Hopped onto another, same cycle, but this time round, we decided to ask for directions and walk.

At about 10:30am, we got to the Emirates Stadium (emotions rising high of course) and there our tour started.

From the Thierry Henry Statue at the entrance to the Arsenal shop, this was a classic example of a club that has realized its huge fan base and most importantly decided to commercialize on it. This is something that our clubs, especially Gor Mahia now that they are in town should borrow a leaf from.

The stadium tour cost £23 (Sh3,025) and it was worth every penny.

From the Arsenal Museum to the changing rooms and the immaculate pitch, it was a brilliant morning.

The guides, very friendly and helpful took us through every bit of The Emirates, from where the top bosses sit, it’s called the Diamond Club. The likes of Arsenal Chairman Chips Keswick, his Board of Directors and the club’s top bosses enjoy the game from a good vintage point of view at the Diamond Club.

Even the Royal Family, when they come to the Emirates to watch the great Arsenal play, have their places at the Diamond Club.

From expensive drinks to food and extremely comfortable leathered seats, you get to enjoy an Arsenal match like you never have. And, it is not only the big, mighty and known that get to sit at the Diamond Club. Well, everyone can. But, do you have £30,000 (Sh3.9mn) a year?

Well, that is what will cost you to be a member of this exclusive club.

Below them is the Director’s Box which also has a good vintage view, with almost same facilities, but not as posh and plum. Here as well, is where the other cadre of club bosses get to watch their team play from.

The changing room was bliss. We couldn’t take long at the away section because they were preparing it for the arrival of on-form Liverpool, who take on the Gunners on Saturday evening at 5:30pm (8:30pm Kenyan time).

The home changing room was another thing of beauty.

Apart from the general room where the players sit before, at half time and after the match, there is a separate massage room, a mini-swimming pool and state of the art bathrooms.

Head coach Unai Emery also has his own space, with a somehow office setting complete with comfortable leather seats, a set of TV and a changing room as well.

We also got the opportunity to walk down to the pitch as well, the beautiful manicured lawns being prepared whole day for Liverpool’s visit.

From all the tour, there a huge lesson for Kenyan clubs especially the two biggest in the country, Gor and AFC.

The club gets revenue from selling merchandise, offering stadium tours, and not only depending on sponsors and match-day ticket revenues. Why can’t our clubs build their brands to this level, at least, even half of it?

If Gor, AFC and then all other Kenyan clubs could get their own stadia, no matter how small, it could be a starting point to this journey. Merchandising is another idle goldmine that these two big clubs in Kenya are sitting on.

Well, that is it from our day one in the United Kingdom.

The day ended with us travelling with the Gor Mahia team from the Euston Train Station to Liverpool, which is going to be our home for the next four days.

-Timothy Olobulu is reporting from United Kingdom-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 – Highs of 14 degrees and lows of nine degrees Celsius with a chance of rainfall is the projected weather condition on Tuesday next week when record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia play English Premier League side Everton in a friendly match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

It is quite low temperatures for East African players, who are used to playing in temperatures between 18 degrees and 33 degrees Celsius depending on time of the year and location.

It is such kind of weather that Gor skipper Harun Shakava hopes him and his teammates can stand when they face the Toffees for the second consecutive year, this time at their own backyard.

“The weather is quite tough at this time of the year in the UK and it can get very cold. We have even witnessed that while watching their league that at times its raining. I am hoping we can cope with it but the good thing is we will have like three days prior to get used,” Shakava told Capital Sport.

Shakava himself will not be new to this kind of weather as he was part of the Kenyan team that played Hull City in Hull in 2016 alongside teammates Humphrey Mieno who scored in the 2-1 loss as well as Wesley Onguso who played on the left side of defense.

The defender hopes the experience the three have from two years back will come in handy as they look to clinch victory in the historical tie organized by leading bookmaker SportPesa who sponsor both sides.

K’Ogalo lost to the EPL side 2-1 in Tanzania last year and though Shakava hopes they can go and earn revenge at Goodison, he notes it will be tougher especially because the game comes in the middle of the season when the side has picked up fitness.

Last season, this was the opening fixture for Everton as they began their pre-season training.

“We expect it to be different this time because last year the weather in Tanzania was good and it favored us. We have watched Everton play this season and we know they are a very good team, a top eight team in the EPL,” Shakava said.

“They play at a very high tempo and as players, we should be ready to deal with that. Their transition is so fast, and we can’t afford to lose concentration for even a minute. We have to be at our best to compete with them,” the defender further explained.

Gor has been in training since last week firming up for the tie and will have two more sessions at Everton’s Finch Farm base in Liverpool before the match.

Shakava notes the intensity of training under assistant coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has been intensive and they have picked up enough fitness after a long season that saw them play close to 70 competitive matches the entire season.

“The training has been so intense and everyone looks to be in good form. We are ready and raring to go. It is a privilege to go to the United Kingdom to play and I thank the sponsors for making this possible. We will go there and do our best to showcase our talents and Kenyan football to the world,” the defender noted.

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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Nov 3 – Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia had their first training session in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Saturday morning, training at chilly conditions at Everton FC’s Finch Farm Training Ground under the tutelage of England National Team physical performance coach David Tivey.

It was a light, but tough session for the K’Ogalo players who were put through physical endurance tests by Tivey who also works for the Merseyside club as a consultant, as their performance levels were weighed against standard professional measures.

The team was split into two, each doing full length pitch runs five times as Tivey looked at their finishing times and measured them in terms of his own fitness parameters.

“It was a very tough session but I think what made it harder was the weather. It is very cold and most of us are not used to this kind. But it was a very good experience on a very good pitch,” skipper Harun Shakava said.

“But we have really enjoyed playing on the same ground that the likes of Wayne Rooney grew up playing in,” the defender further noted.

The players, out in their shorts and t-shirts in the 10 degrees weather were always on their feet to ensure they are warm, with the blowing winds not making it any easier.

“It is too cold, we are trying to keep up. It’s my first time ever in such kind of a weather and I am trying to get used. But I know I will, no big deal. I am happy to be here.. The likes of Walcott (Theo), Sigurdson (Gylfi) all train at this facility. It’s awesome,” striker Eliud Lokuwam told Capital Sport.

The team also re-united with head coach Dylan Kerr for the first time at Finch Farm with the tactician urging them on taking the physical tests under Tivey’s watchful eye.

Kerr was pleased with how the team put up, especially training in one of the best facilities in the country. The team however did not use the first team pitch, but used an adjacent 3-G pitch to do their first warm-up.

“I want to really urge Kenyan authorities to look at something like this and get ideas. If we had facilities like this, not all over the country but just a few, Kenyan football will be very far. Look at the players, they are enjoying. With all due respect, this is not anything like Camp Toyoyo, it’s a huge different thing,” Kerr said.

“I joined up with them this morning and they are all looking very excited, all wrapped up in warm jackets and now they are here all freezing. I am just happy that they are happy. Now this is their chance to put themselves out there. Even if one of them, just one, gets spotted, that’s brilliant for us,” the tactician further stated.

After the session, the team had lunch at the club’s cafeteria before heading out to Goodison Park to watch Everton take on Brighton in an English Premier League clash.

-Timothy Olobulu is reporting from United Kingdom-

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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Nov 4 – Gor Mahia’s second day in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Saturday started off at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground, but definitely, the biggest agenda on the day was getting the match-day experience when the hosts took on Brighton Hove & Albion at their Goodison Park home-ground in an English Premier League match.

Everton won 3-1 with Brazilian wonder-kid hitting a goal in either half and captain of the day Shemus Coleman adding on a third with a sublime low drive as the Toffees continued with their good run going to ninth in the league standings.

Richarlisoooooon!!! I was here to witness him add points to my FPL pic.twitter.com/EvXxvVtbW6

— Lemaiyan (@kakatimm) November 3, 2018

It was a match that Everton fans described as the best season, with one of the journalists attached to Everton and working for the Liverpool Echo describing the second half as the best he has seen the Blues play in a long while.

All this action, Gor and the accompanying group of journalists and SportPesa officials watched from the Bullens Road Stand, mixing in with the fans and soaking in the atmosphere at the iconic grounds.

Players watched keenly, analyzing every move and thinking of what to do on Tuesday night to counter the crisp-passing and swift Evertonians.

“It is great watching them play live. It is our first time watching an English Premier League game and it is truly a great feeling,” goalkeeper Shabaan Odhoji said.

Prior to the match, the entire visiting Kenyan contingent went into the fanzone, mixing up with the fans for pre-match fun and activities.

After that, they all headed pitch-side for a great experience, standing beside the immaculate Goodison Park Turf as the players warmed up, soaking in the match-day experience.

From there, the team headed to the Bullens Road Stand to catch the game.

On this day, it wasn’t such a noisy day for the Everton fans who watched the game chilled out and only erupted when Richarlison broke the deadlock. When Brighton equalized, the away team stand erupted while the rest of the stadium sunk into silence.

But the noise lit up in the second half, the fans chanting up the players in a bid to push them and get a win. It worked with Coleman scoring his first goal in over a year and Richarlison adding up for his brace.

Almost 38,000 fans attended the game.

-Timothy Olobulu is reporting from United Kingdom- 

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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Nov 4 – Everton FC defender Séamus Coleman has urged Gor Mahia players to make use of the opportunity that comes with playing the side in a friendly match on Tuesday at Goodison Park and sell themselves out to the rest of the world.

Coleman, who skippered Everton in their 3-1 win over Brighton on Saturday evening and scored one of the three goals, has told the K’Ogalo players that this will be a massive opportunity for them and they need to step up to the plate and ensure they do their best.

“We have had some great African players in the Premier League and of course this is an opportunity for the team to show their worth because you never know who is watching and you never know the opportunities that come from this game,” the defender noted.

He added; “They have the chance to go out and make a name for themselves and they should go in there and do their best.”

Coleman missed the first encounter between the two sides last year in July as he was still recovering from a nasty leg fracture that kept him out for a while.

However, he has recovered well and earned his place back in the starting team, capping it off with a goal against Brighton.

“It was great to score for the first time in a long while because of the injury I had. Scoring goals is of course part of the my game over the years and I enjoyed scoring again,” the right back noted.

Looking forward to the game against Gor on Tuesday at Goodison, the defender admits it might be a tough game for them but says it will be an opportunity to the technical bench to build up match fitness for everyone in the team.

“We are very much looking forward to the game because it is a great opportunity for us and the club (Gor Mahia). We obviously don’t know much about them but the manager and the technical team will prepare something for us and we will do our homework and this should be a great match,” further stated Coleman.

The defender says they will be motivated to go for a win even as they have their concentration fixed on next weekend’s huge game against on-form Chelsea at Goodison.

“We have a huge squad of 26 players and of course we have to mix it up. But, we won’t take it lightly that we need to win. We have to go there and give a good account of ourselves,” further stated the defender.

-Timothy Olobulu is reporting from United Kingdom-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4 – Pre-race favourites Africa Under-20 silver medallist Sandrafelis Chebet and defending champion Vincent Kiprotich lived up to the expectations of many to clinch the women’s and men’s 2018 Lotto Foundation Baringo 10km Road Race on Sunday.

Fresh from winning Isaiah Kiplagat Memorial Cross Country in Ndalat Nandi County, Sandrafelis ran a brilliant race, sticking with the leading pack for the first nine kilometers before shaking them off in the last kilometer to win the race in 33:34.05.

Sandrafelis, the Africa U20 silver medallist in the 5000m and 3000m, beat her training partner, reigning world under-20 champion in 5000m Beatrice Chebet to second place.

Chebet returned a time of 33:47.16 ahead of Antonina Kwambai who was third in 34:00:35.

Speaking after the race, Sandrafelis admitted that she is enjoying top form, and this was part of her preparations for the forthcoming World Cross Championships in March next year in Denmark.

“I am currently enjoying top form and I am glad I achieved my target of winning the race. The competition was tough, and I had to give it my all especially in the last kilometer,” Sandrafelis, who is a former World Under-18 silver medallist in 2000m steeplechase, said.

Chebet on her part said she is happy to have participated in a senior race and finished second.

“I’m happy my training partner won the race. We prepared well with her and I’m using the races to prepare for the cross-country series as I hope to make Team Kenya to the World Cross Country Championships,” she said.

Both athletes are training in Londiani in Kericho County and are expected to feature in this season Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country series.

-Men’s race-

In the corresponding men’s race, Kiprotich from Elgeyo Marakwet defended his title after winning in 28:45.97.

Ezra Kipketer came in second in 29:22.95 while Gilbert Kimunyan sealed the podium in 29:24.97.

Kiprotich said he was using the race to prepare for the cross series.

“The race was tough but I’m happy I defended my title. I want to be in the Kenya team to the World Cross Country Championships and this is part of my build up for the series,” said the athlete.

In the 6km girls cross country, Agnes Jebet won the race in 19:51.16 ahead of Zenah Jemutai who clocked 20:13.98 while Deborah Chemutai was in third place in 20:17.08.

In the boys 6km, Gideon Rono led in 17:18.81 ahead of Kelvin Kibiwott who ran 17:29.73. Abel Kiplimo sealed the podium three in 17:32.29.

The race was also sponsored by Kenya Tourism Fund. 

RESULTS

10KM MEN

1. Vincent Kiprotich 28:45.97
2. Ezra Kipketer 29:22.95
3. Gilbert Kimunyan 29:24.97
4. Josphat Kiptis 29:31.50
5. Nicodemus Kipkurui 29:33.83

10KM WOMEN

1. Sandrafelis Chebet 33:34.05
2. Beatrice Chebet 33:47.16
3. Antonina Kwambai 34:00.35
4. Beatrice Mutai 34:30.20
5. Joyleen Koima 34:51.35

6KM BOYS

1. Gedion Rono 17:18.81
2. Kelvin Kibiwott 17:29.73
3. Abel Kiplimo 17:32.29
4. Kibet Biwott 17:39.56
5. Brimin Kipruto 17:45.54

6KM GIRLS

1. Agnes Jebet 19:51.16
2. Zenah Jemutai 20:13.98
3. Deborah Chemutai 20:17.08
4. Mercy Chepkorir 20:23:32
5. Caroline Kiprop 20:27:02

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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Nov 4 – Everton legend and former Nigerian international Yakubu Ayegbeni has picked out creative midfielder Francis Kahata as the man to watch when Gor Mahia takes on his former club in a friendly match at Goodison Park on Tuesday.

Ayegbeni watched Kahata star for Gor during the SportPesa Super Cup in June in Nakuru and has admitted he was blown away by the former Thika United man’s artistry with the ball and notes if given space, he will be the man to engineer a victory for Gor against Everton.

“There’s the number 8 guy with dreadlocks… Kahata… I do like him a lot the way he plays. He is really good I think he is gonna cause trouble on Tuesday. The way he plays and controls the game, its gonna be hard to mark him,” the Nigerian international said.

Yakubu said Kahata is like the conductor in an orchestra who dictates how the music flows and notes he will make a huge difference on a good day against the Toffees.

He also expects Gor to cause problems to Everton despite the huge difference in pedigree between the two sides, Everton currently enjoying some good form with a run of four wins in five games.

“They are a more physical side and the defense is more aggressive and more determined because they want to play. In midfield they are really a good side as well,” Yakubu added.

The ex-striker who played for Everton from 2007-2011 has meanwhile challenged the Gor Mahia players to take the opportunity and market themselves to the rest of the world reiterating the words spoken by Everton defender Seamus Coleman.

“It’s a great opportunity for these guys to come all the way from Kenya and they will never get this kind of opportunity in life. They should take it and make it count. It won’t be easy but it is a chance that so many people who played football all their lives never had even to leave their country,”

“This is a great experience for these young boys to learn and they need to take it because they might never get it in their lives. They need more determination than ever to give everything though it might just be a friendly game,” he further stated.

Gor Mahia lost to Everton 2-1 in their first meeting last year July in Tanzania with the Merseyside club having just started their pre-season. This time round though, they meet a more fitter side enjoying the form of their lives and playing some beautiful football.

Gor have just finished a successful Kenyan Premier League campaign where they won a record 17^th title with six matches to spare and reached the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in their history.

They only missed a quarter final spot by a point.

-Timothy Olobulu is reporting from United Kingdom-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4 – Ovella Ochieng who plies his trade in Sweden is among five foreign based players named in the Kenya football Under-23 team to face their Mauritius counterparts in an African U23 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier slated for November 14.  

Head coach Francis Kimanzi has also named England based duo of Jonah Ayunga and Henry Ochieng and Georgia based Alwyn Tera. Also, in the squad is Harambee Stars lanky defender Joseph Okumu.

Earlier on Sunday, a provisional squad of 57 players, who had undergone a two-day assessment for possible inclusion into the team, was trimmed to an 18-man final squad that is set to report camp on Friday, November 9.

Kenya, who are also known as the Emerging Stars, will kick-off their campaign at home in two weeks time at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani before jetting out to Mauritius for the return leg set to be played on November 18.

The winner of the clash on aggregate will proceed to the second round, with a third round also in line.

The final tourney set to be played in November 2019 in Egypt will act as a qualifier to the 2020 Olympics.

Foreign Based Players

Joseph Okumu (Defender: Real Monarchs, USA), Alwyn Tera (Midfielder: FC Saburtalo, Georgia), Henry Ochieng (Midfielder: Braintree Town, England), Jonah Ayunga (Forward: Sutton United, England), Ovella Ochieng (Forward: Vasalund, Sweden)

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