NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 – He has described the last two seasons as the toughest in his career, but Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama is looking to end this season strong after recovering from a two-month injury nightmare.

Wanyama made a return for Spurs in last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, his first appearance in a Spurs shirt since coincidentally, November 10 when the North London club beat Palace 1-0 in a league tie at Selhurst Park.

“It has been the hardest time of my career to be honest. You start thinking ‘oh no, what is this?’ and that’s when the reality hits you. It’s a difficult moment and you are just burning inside to come back stronger,” Wanyama told the club’s official website.

The midfielder had just made a return at Palace on November 10 after injuring his knee during a tie away to West Ham at the Olympic Stadium, but just after that game at Selhurst Park aggravated the injury again.

This latest spate of injuries follows another similar train that followed him last season having missed a huge chunk of the season battling with an injury on the other knee.

“It’s so annoying. You want to try to come back quicker but there is no short cut,” Wanyama further stated in the interview.

He says his focus now is on helping Spurs in the remaining games of the season as they bid to exert pressure on an outside chance of winning the league title, but most importantly to pick up fitness for Kenya’s quest for Cup of Nations glory in July.

“I want to get into rhythm as soon as possible and try to help the team. I just want to keep myself fit and finish the season stronger.”

“I’ve missed playing, missed the games. I want to get into rhythm as soon as possible and try to help the team. I just want to keep myself fit and finish the season stronger,”

“I know I need to work even harder to get back into the team. It won’t be easy but with hard work, everything is possible. I feel good now and I’m looking forward.”

Wanyama was not involved in the midweek clash against Watford, but might be named as a sub in this weekend’s match against Newcastle United as he looks to build on his fitness.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 -Too many errors cost the national men’s sevens team as Kenya went down 24-14 against a well-conditioned Canada side in the opening Pool B match at the Sydney 7s, the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Homeboyz’s Bush Mwale was instrumental for Kenya, providing an assist and grounding one try.

From start, it was an easy try for Canada who maximized on Kenya’s mistakes whose kick-off didn’t make 10, for Canada to take full advantage when Connor Braid broke nicely to lay off Cole Davis who finished it off.

But Kenya hit back instantly when they found so much space on the right for Mwale to run into, and his pace was sublime to dive over for the converted try.

However, Shujaa’s pace was cut down when Canada extended the kead when Isaac Kaay stole a superb at the breakdown to Nathan Hirayama who dummied before feeding the ball Davis on the left to dot down.

With three minutes gone in the second half, Kenya made 17 tackles to Canada’s one with the Canadians having most of the play.

The Paul Murunga charges hit back to reduce the deficit to half when Mwale produced a brilliant line break, side-stepping around the Canadian defence before setting up Johnstone Olindi on the outside who dashed to ground under the sticks for the converted try.

But Shujaa’s restart went into touch with under a minute remaining. Canada ran down the clock to seal the win on the hooter when Phil Berna collected the ball on the inside but Adam Zaruba’s strength on the wing set that one up.

Kenya absorbed pressure as Connor Braid was too strong for Kenya captain Jacob Ojee to score in the corner right on the hooter.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 – Kenya finished winless in Pool B at the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Sydney 7s following their 17-40 defeat to France to set up a Challenge Quarter-final clash against Wales.

Kenya had earlier lost 24-14 to Canada and 41-0 to Mike Friday’s USA to see Paul Murunga’s vastly inexperienced side continue finding their grip after three rounds of tournaments.

Against France, it was a fairly balanced match but it’s the French who hit ahead when Stephen Parez got France up and running after being off loaded by Manuel Dall’igna on the inside to draw in two Kenyan defenders.

However, Shujaa responded instantly after Brian Wahinya stepped inside the French defence to have too much pace to be stopped.

Kenya took the lead through Vincent Onyala who sprinted to collect Daniel Taabu’s a kick over the top. Shujaa could not hold on the lead as Stephen Parez was too quick, breaking down the left fir the converted try that hande the French a two pint lead.

Perez grabbed a hat-trick of tries after he was barely spotted by the Kenyan defence as he sliced through it to revive France’s chances of Main Cup quarters reach.

France sealed the win through Paulin Riva who rapidly weaved his way past three defenders to hand the French total control and sail through to the Cup Quarters for the first time since Cape Town in 2017.

France recorded their sixth try thanks to Nisie Huyard who receives a sublime pass from instrumental Parez to break the defensive line before Kenya got a consolation try from Mark Ruga who ran around the outside of the defence.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 – Mathare United’s unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday after falling 2-1 away to bottom side Mount Kenya United in a Kenyan Premier League match hosted at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

In other results, Tusker FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Posta Rangers with the point seeing them climb to second on the log with 18 points.

At the Afraha Stadium, Peter Amani hit the back of the net twice to cancel Chrispin Oduor’s penalty that had handed Mathare United the lead five minutes to half time.

The result left Mathare still pegged at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League table with 24 points.

Oduor broke the deadlock from the spot after Mount Kenya United keeper Phillip Odhiambo had hacked down Cliff Nyakeya gifting the 2008 KPL champions the lead in the 40th minute as seasoned Oduor sent the keeper on the wrong side.

But Mount Kenya levelled on the stroke of half-time trough unmarked Amani who rose high to meet a corner delivered by veteran Moses ‘Dube’ Odhiambo and nod it home.

The hosts could reclaim the lead in the 64th minute had James Kinyanjui’s shot not rattled the woodwork

However, the goal came their way finally after they were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when veteran stopper James Situma handled the ball in the box as he attempted to make the clearance away from his area.

Amani stepped up to take the penalty that was punched away by the Mathare keeper with the rebound landing on Amani’s right foot for Andrew Juma to foul him again and the referee did not hesitate to award Mount Kenya the second penalty. Amani this time converted it successfully to complete a brace.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 – Kenya Harlequin set up a pre-quarter final clash against Homeboyz RFC in the Enterprise Cup after the RFUEA based club destroyed Championship side Ngong Warriors 80-3 in the first round.

Tony Mutai grabbed a hat-trick as Quins grounded 14 tries and five conversions against Ngong’s two penalties that they were awarded in either half.

Other Quins scorers were Aaron Oforywroth, Scott Oluoch who notched a brace, Frank Wanyama, Jasper Ochen who grounded two tries, Aluda Beda, Matt Wanjia, Willy Ambaka, Herman Humwa and Dominic Osino.

Quins progress to pre-quarters of the Enterprise Cup where they will play Homeboyz at Jamhuri Showground, before that, they host Kabras Sugar in the ninth round of the Kenya Cup next weekend.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 3 – The inexperience of the Kenyan side continued to show as they picked only one point from the third round of the World Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia, leaving the tournament with no single win.

Paul Murunga’s charges were slapped with a 20-17 defeat by invitational side Tonga in the semi-finals for the 13^th place trophy early Sunday morning, dumping them out of the tournament without tasting victory.

Tonga, who went to Hamilton and Sydney 7s as invitational side for being the top ranked non-core side in Ocenia, had not won any match this weekend at Sydney before meeting Kenya.

Kenya had dropped to 13th place semifinal after losing 19-14 to Wales in the early hours of Sunday.

The defeat means Kenya pick only one point at Sydney 7s, their lowest of this lowest season to move to 12 points.

With Wales going out at the Challenge Trophy semis stage, they pick five points to move to 11 just one below Kenya. Japan are also assured of at least seven which will take them to 11 by virtue of reaching Bowl final.

Kenya, Wales and Japan head to Las Vegas 7s in March as early relegation candidates.

Kenya kicked off the Sydney campaign  with a 24-14 defeat to Canada before going down 41-0 to former Kenya 7s coach Mike Friday’s USA and eventually 40-17 to France in the last pool match.

Kenya 7s results at Sydney 7s

Kenya 14 Canada 24

Kenya 0 USA 41

Kenya 17 France 40

Kenya 14 Wales 19 (Challenge Trophy semis)

Kenya 17 Tonga 20 (13th Place semi)

-Additional info courtesy Raga House

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MACHAKOS, Kenya, Feb 3 – Cliff Kasuti’s first half goal and Umaru Kassumba’s tap in added time were enough to see Sofapaka earn revenge over Kariobangi Sharks, beating the recently crowned SportPesa Cup champions 2-0 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos to break their Kenyan Premier League unbeaten run.

Sharks beat Sofapaka 3-2 to clinch last year’s Football Kenya Federation Shield, and Sofapaka earned their revenge cold in a tense tie that saw head coach John Baraza pick his third win in four games since taking charge of the side.

It had been a week of unbeaten runs tumbling down and it started off in midweek with Bandari’s run brought to a screeching halt in a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz while on Saturday, leaders Mathare United were stunned with a 2-1 loss at the hands of bottom side Mount Kenya.

Sharks who were held to a 0-0 draw by Mathare in midweek at Kasarani were next on line to ensure that no side finishes this season invincible.

The Kariobangi Sharks players spent not more than five minutes in the dressing room, head coach William Muluya clearly enraged by the performance he had seen from his cup winning team in the first 45 minutes of the game.

Sharks were completely outfoxed by Batoto ba Mungu in the opening half and the 2009 champions should have actually led by more than a goal had they been more clinical with their chances, most of which were contributed by John Oyemba’s 45 minutes to forget.

Muluya had made four changes to his squad, skipper Patillah Omotto, strikers Duke Abuya and George abege all missing out with injuries/

Sidney Lokale, James Mazembe and Henry Juma were given the chance to audition for permanent places, but they could not rise to the occasion.

Sofapaka were a side beaming with confidence especially after Baraza’s take-over.

However, their pre-match plan was thrown into the bin just six minutes into the game when skipper Dennis Odhiambo had to hobble off injured after coming off worst from a clash with Mazembe and he was replaced by Elli Asieche.

However, that did not stop them from their determination to bring all three home. In the eighth minute, John Avire was teed up off a freekick by Titus Achesa but his well taken low shot from distance whistled just wide off target.

In the 19th minute, Asieche’s freekick from the left fell on Kasuti inside the box but the winger could not muster a strong shot off his weaker left foot, the ball flying straight to Oyemba’s arms.

Three minutes later, Achesa tried his luck with a curling freekick from the edge of the box, but Oyemba parried it away for a corner.

The shot stopper had a shaky day and an effort that he should have easily collected evaded his grasp. He played part in Sofapaka’s opener when he failed to hold on to a corner from Asieche, dropping the ball at Kasuti’s feet who poked it home from a yard out.

Batoto ba Mungu continued their dominance and two minutes to the break, another of Oyemba’s butterfly moments almost saw the visitors g two up.

Mohammed Kilume’s well weighted ball from deep in his own half fell on Kassumba and when it seemed Oyemba had it all covered, he let it skip over him and even when he recovered to pick it, he fumbled and dropped the ball off for a corner.

He was lucky that from the resultant corner, Faina Jacobs headed over.

In added time, Sharks had a chance off a swiftly executed counter in added time when Mazembe sent Lokale through on goal, but the lanky forward took too much time allowing Faina to race back and make a brilliant tackle to deny him the chance.

Sharks came back a stronger side in the second half and came close three minutes after the restart, but Lokale could not shoot the ball inside the net with keeper Justin Ndikumana down after parrying Henry Juma’s cross to the striker’s path.

Sharks continued piling pressure on Sofapaka with Muluya throwing in more youngsters, Shaphan Oyugi coming off for Finlay Osoro while Mazembe was hauled off for Eric Kapaito.

Quarter of an hour before full time, Sharks came close but Burundian defender Moussa Omar made a brilliant block, throwing himself on the way as Kapaito pulled the trigger at the backpost from some nervous defending.

While Sharks pushed for an equalizer, they were stabbed right in the belly off a counter, substitute Soter Kayumba sending Ibrahim Kajjuba through who in turn laid in a low cross from the left that Kassumba easily tapped home.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 3 – Gor Mahia kicked off their CAF Confederations Cup campaign in emphatic fashion hitting five-time African Champions Zamalek 4-2 in their opening Group D match at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

On-form Jacques Tuyisenge scored a brace with Nicholas Kipkurui notching the the third while Kenyan legend Dennis Oliech put the icing on the cake with the fourth in the comfortable win.

It was a brilliant display from Hassan Oktay’s men as the Kenyan champions began their quest for a quarter final slot in superb style.

Gor had to fight from a goal down after the white knights went ahead with a seventh minute Ibrahim Hassan goal, but Tuyisenge sent the Gor fans into frenzy with the equalizer after 25 minutes and his second of the evening eight minutes later.

Two minyets to the break Hassan struck again to send the two sides level at half time. Kipkurui scored what looked like a definite winner in the second half before Oliech iced the beautiful cake for Gor with the fourth in added time.

Oliech marked history, scoring a goal against the same opponents his late brother Steve Okumu scored against during their 1998 meeting here in Nairobi when Gor ran out 1-0 winners.

The visitors broke the deadlock and stunned the well attended match into silence when Hassan’s rather harmful looking shot somehow managed to escape keeper Boniface Oluoch’s grasp.

The home side though kept their feet on the ground and continued pushing for an equalizer and they had a chance after 19 minutes but Boniface Omondi’s effort off a Francis Kahata cross.

But six minutes later, they got the much needed equalizer.

Tuyisenge who scored a brace in a midweek league clash against Sony Sugar in Nakuru picked up from where he left, pouncing on a flicked ball from Kipkurui inside the box before slamming past the keeper to draw the two sides level.

Tuyisenge then sent Gor ahead after 38 minutes when he flew to head in a cross from Boniface Omondo who had been sent through with a delightful ball by Kahata.

Gor’s joy of a second goal was shortlived though as Hassan slalomed his way through the defense before his shot easily beat keeper Oluoch, who once again should have done better to keep his side in the lead.

But, in the second half, Gor came back with their focus primed on getting in a win at all costs and their attack minded nature spoke volumes of their ambition.

They needed just six minutes to get back into the lead, this time Tuyisenge turning provider to whisk in a brilliant cross that was met by an evenly matched strong header from Kipkurui to sail it past the Zamalek keeper.

Four minutes later the former Zoo Kericho man came close to his second of the evening when he was set up by Kahata off a Tuyisenge cross, but his venomous shot went just over the bar.

The home side continued to wind in attacks and in the 57^th minute it was Omondi’s turn when he was set up by the impressive Kahata, but once again his shot sailed over the bar.

Gor were forced into a sub in the 62^nd minute when Kipkurui hobbled off injured and was replaced by Oliech for his continental debut for the Kenyan giants.

Oliech made his presence felt upfront and five minutes after coming on, he showed his superb pace racing away to try meet a Kahata through pass, but the ball was too close to the keeper who came off to collect.

In the 73^rd minute, Oliech was at the heart of an attacking move once again when he set Kahata through after meeting Philemon Otieno’s cross, but the midfielder’s shot flew wide.

Gor persisted and were ultimately rewarded in added time, Oliech marking his debut with a beautiful goal after rounding off the keeper to seal the three points for Gor.

The Kenyan champions’ next assignment will be away to Angola’s Petro Atletico in Luanda in 10 days’ time.

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LEICESTER, United Kingdom, Feb 3 – Manchester United closed in once more on a top-four Premier League finish as Marcus Rashford’s fine form continued with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Leicester to move up to fifth.

Rashford cushioned Paul Pogba’s through ball into his path before blasting home his sixth goal in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 10 games in charge just nine minutes in.

A 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in midweek is the only match Solskjaer has failed to win and another victory lifts United a point above Arsenal and to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea in the fight for Champions League football next season.

However, as is often the case on the road, United relied on goalkeeper David de Gea for all three points as a Leicester side that have often troubled the top six this season improved after half-time.

Twice the Spaniard stood tall to deny Jamie Vardy, but De Gea’s best save came from Rachid Ghezzal’s free-kick that arrowed towards the top corner.

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NAKURU, Kenya, Feb 3 – KCB Nakuru Rally winner Onkar Rai has predicted a ‘fast and furious’ Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) season following a neck-and-neck  tussle with teammate Baldev Chager and defending champion “Carl “Flash” Tundo.

Onkar became the first ever driver to rack up a hat-trick of wins in the Nakuru Rally history after he eclipsed Tundo in a last stage shootout at the expansive Gicheha Farm.

The level of competition witnessed at the weekend is a clear indication of what we can expect from the Premier Class lot  in 2019. If you make a mistake you pay for it. Timings in Nakuru serve-up great moments ahead for KNRC lovers,” said Onkar.

It was a three horse with Tundo, Onkar and baldev Chager dictating the pace.

Carl came through the 18km penultimate stage at Frank’s Landing with a 25 -second advantage but returned third fastest on the repeat run of the technical and twisty last stage at Gicheha (CS8) where Onkar beat him by 30 second to win the home event by a mere 4 seconds from Tundo.

As the Nakuru dust settled, 41 seconds separated the top three with Tundo taking second place and Chager completing the podium dash.

Mahesh Halai in a career best fifth emerged the Division One winner ahead of Mombasa duo of Sonanjeet Puee and Ammar Haq.

Issa Amwari in 8th place took division 2 top honors despite the myriad mechanical hiccups he had to contend with on both loops.

Onkar (Skoda Fabia R5) and Tundo (Mitsubishi EvoX R4) won four stages apiece in what went down as the closest of margins in the Rift Valley Motor and Sports Club (RVMSC) organized leg.

“Nakuru was purely exhilarating, given the frontrunners’ fast and furious knack. Hats off to Tundo for his brilliant drive given the fact that the Skoda is a superior car. He gave his all and drove the car to its full potential to match our speeds,” said Onkar.

Asked about his poor run in the last loop, Onkar went on:

“We made too many mistakes in the first loop where we encountered immense dust and even spun thrice. We then sort of warmed up for the second stage but had already done a lot of damage to our timings. Going into the last section, we were compelled to attack in order to get our time back on but had to do it sensibly to ensure we don’t bash the car.”

Tundo was happy with second overall and indeed a good start to his title defence.

“We did our best in the opening loop trying to gain as much advantage as possible, but as we all know, Gicheha is a Skoda paradise. I dint just have enough firepower in the second loop to stay ahead.”

“We had a few hiccups like overheating and fuel pump issues which also slowed us don in the first loop. But all in all it’s a hoog start to the championship. To beat the Skodas we now have to drive at 150 percent which will be a gigantic task,” said Tundo.

Out of 19 starters, only 9 survived the demanding conditions. Among the casualties were Ian Duncan, Eric Bengi, Paras Pandya and Daren Miranda who was the only 2WD entrant in Nakuru.

FULL RESULTS

1. Onkar Rai/Gavin Laurence (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h50m10s
2. Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (EVOX) 1h50m14s
3. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (EVOX) 1h50m51s
4. Tejveer Rai/Zaheer Shah (EVOX) 2h02m20s
5. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru N12) 2h06m38s
6. Sohanjeet Puee/Adnan Din (Subari N10) 2h02m20s
7. Ammar Haq/Victor Okundi (EVOX) 2h07m08s
8. Issa Amwari/Mwngi Waithaka (EVOX) 2h31m36s
9. Karan Patel/James Mwangi (Subaru GC8) 2h25m03s

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MARUGAME, Japan, Feb 4 – Betsy Saina pulled away from Ayuko Suzuki in the final kilometre of the Marugame Half Marathon to successfully defend her title at the IAAF Silver Label road race in 1:07:49 on Sunday.

Abdi Nageeye, meanwhile, caught front-running Simon Kariuki just before the 20-kilometre point and went on to win in 1:00:24, taking 46 seconds off the Dutch record set 20 years ago by Greg van Hest.

Saina and Suzuki ran together, passing five kilometres in 16:02, 10 kilometres in 32:06 and 15 kilometres in 48:15. They were still together at 20 kilometres, reached in 1:04:25, but Saina then made her move and pulled away from Suzuki to win in 1:07:49, smashing her previous best of 1:09:17 set in Marugame last year.

The Kenyan became the fifth woman to win back-to-back Marugame Half Marathon titles, joining Eunice Kirwa (2016 and 2017), Tiki Gelana (2012 and 2013), Kayoko Fukushi (2006, 2007 and 2011) and Yasuko Hashimoto (2003 and 2004). Her time is also the third fastest time in Marugame.

Despite missing out on victory, Suzuki was still pleased with her 1:07:55 half marathon debut.

“I am bit disappointed to be outkicked at the end of the race, but it was good that I was able to keep the steady pace all the way,” said Suzuki.

Australian 41-year-old Sinead Diver finished third in 1:08:55, improving her own world W40 best by 25 seconds. Charlotte Purdue was fourth in 1:09:46, her first sub-70-minute performance.

Mao Ichiyama, who will be running the Tokyo Marathon in four weeks, was sixth in 1:10:49, about a minute shy of her PB.

The lead group in the men’s race went through five kilometres in 14:16 and then Japan-based Kenyan Kariuki pulled away from the pack.

He went through 10 kilometres in 28:24, about 20 seconds ahead of the chase pack, and managed to maintain that lead up to 15 kilometres, which he reached in 42:46.

Nageeye then started to reel in Kariuki and took the lead just before 20 kilometres, which he passed in 57:18. The 29-year-old continued to pull away from his competitors in the closing stages to win in 1:00:24, improving his PB by one minute and 44 seconds.

Kariuki finished second in 1:00:43, a PB by 42 seconds. Australia’s Jack Rayner was third in 1:01:36, while fourth-placed Takato Suzuki was the first Japanese finisher, just ahead of Masao Kizu, both credited with PBs of 1:01:45.

Yuki Sato and Kenta Murayama, who will both be contesting the Tokyo Marathon in four weeks, fell during the early stages and withdrew from the race.

LEADING RESULTS

Men

1 Abdi Nageeye (NED) 1:00:24

2 Simon Kariuki (KEN) 1:00:43

3 Jack Rayner (AUS) 1:01:36

Women

1 Betsy Saina (KEN) 1:07:49

2 Ayuko Suzuki (JPN) 1:07:55

3 Sinead Diver (AUS) 1:08:55

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – The Nyanza Region will have new Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Champions this weekend after holders Plateau Queens and Ombek Red Devils were eliminated in the group stages.

The Moi Stadium in Kisumu will host the finals on Saturday and Sunday where teams will square it out to inherit the throne, clinch the trophy and Sh200,000 cash reward that comes with it and above all, players hope to earn a chance in the select team that will travel for a training camp in Spain.

“Over 200 teams from Nyanza region took part in the preliminary rounds of the tournament and we can’t wait to see the top 8 in action this weekend. The fact that new winners will be crowned adds even more excitement to this particular regional final,” said Morris Onyango, the Nyanza tournament regional coordinator.

In the boys’ semifinals, Nyamira Springs will play Victory Strikers from Kisii while Kuria’s Nyamaharaga will take on Manyatta boys.

In the girls’ category, Manyatta Girls will face Kisii United while Migori Education Centre will take on NCEOD Queens from Homabay.

This is the second regional final of the season after Western region crowned Blue Saints and Bishop Njenga Girls, at Bukuhungu stadium last month to represent the region in the national final.

Meanwhile defending national boys’ champions Kapenguria Heroes failed to make it past the group stages after losing their North West Rift branch final to St. Antony’s Solidarity Boys.

The exit of Kapenguria means that this season’s tournament will have new winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories following the elimination of Plateau Queens.

After the regional finals, the qualifying teams will move on to the grand finale set for June 2019 in Meru where the winning teams will each walk away with Sh1mn in prize money.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza on Sunday said his players ‘are now playing with smiles on their faces’ after a 2-0 victory over Kariobangi Sharks hoisted them to fourth in the Kenyan Premier League standings.

Baraza’s lucky wand at the 2009 champions has seen them win three of their last four games and amassed 10 points, three more than they had picked after seven matches with previous boss Melis Medo.

“When I took charge I just told the boys to go in there and play with a smile on their faces and I gave them the freedom and the smile came. We are heading in the right direction and we hope to keep playing well and winning and catch up with the leading teams,” Baraza told Capital Sport.

Sofapaka had struggled with American Medo in charge, the team picking only one win in seven matches. But now, Sofapaka seem to have found their mojo back and Baraza has warned they want to vie for the KPL title.

Sharks meanwhile saw their fine run cut short in a match that head coach William Muluya was forced to make do without several of his key players who are nursing injuries after a treacherous run that has seen them play back to back games.

Skipper Patillah Omotto, strikers Duke Abuya and George Abege as well as winger Harrison Mwenda all missed the tie with injury and Muluya was short of admitting those he called on to step up failed to make it count.

“It’s tough for them trying to fit in the shoes of those who made those positions their own. But despite this loss today, we push on. This is behind us now and we focus on the next assignments. For sure we will get back to winning ways,” the tactician stated after the loss.

The result saw Sharks drop to eighth in the standings with 15 points, having played one match less than everyone else.

Meanwhile, league leaders Mathare United also saw their unbeaten run checked with a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of bottom side Mount Kenya United in Nakuru.

The Slum Boys were on a brilliant run of 11 games and away at the apex with a six point gap over second placed Bandari while Mount Kenya had lost three of their last four games.

However, Medo who returned to the side after his short stint at Sofapaka saw them revive hopes of survival with a vital win that took them to six points, four away from safety.

Meanwhile, Bandari FC bounced back to winning ways in resounding fashion, hitting AFC Leopards 4-1 at the Mbaraki Complex.

Bandari had suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz in midweek, but they bounced back to squeeze the gap between them and Mathare to three points and with a game in hand.

Tusker retained third spot despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Posta Rangers in Machakos, the result bringing to an end a four-match losing streak by John Kamau’s side.

KPL weekend results:

Mount Kenya United 2-1 Mathare United, Posta Rangers 0-0 Tusker FC, Ulinzi Stars 1-1 Chemelil Sugar, Bandari 4-1 AFC Leopards, Zoo Kericho 2-2 KCB, Kariobangi Sharks 0-2 Sofapaka, Nzoia Sugar 3-2 Sony Sugar, Kakamega Homeboyz 1-1 Vihiga United.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 4 – Gor Mahia boss Hassan Oktay says his side will handle the heat that comes with a tough glut of fixtures staring at them over the next month with their involvement in the CAF Confederations Cup.

The tactician believes he has enough depth in his squad to deal with the tough run and Sunday evening’s 4-2 win over Egyptian giants Zamalek in their CAF Confederations Cup assignment will act as a huge motivator in the next coming days.

“It is tough when you have to play back to back games and that is why you have to rotate players and give everyone rest. We have a huge squad and it is ready to work. As a team we have been improving day by day and this win is a motivation for us to keep working,” the tactician stated.

After their game on Sunday against Zamalek, Gor will travel to Kakamega to take on Vihiga United on Wednesday before returning to shift their focus on arch rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday.

After the weekend Mashemeji Derby, Gor will re-focus back to their Continental campaign when they travel to Luanda, Angola to take on Petro Atletico next Wednesday.

The Cypriot tactician though says his squad will be able to deal with the tough run.

Against Zamalek, Oktay left out the defensive pair of Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango despite them being available again after suspension and he opted to stick with Joachim Oluoch and Charles Momanyi.

Shakava and Onyango are however expected to slot back into the team on Wednesday when they take on Vihiga.

Gor soaked in the healthy win against Zamalek, one that ensured they start their campaign on a high and a dream of playing in the knockout phases for the first time ever remaining alive.

With the victory, Gor went top of Group D with three points, same as Algeria’s NA Hussein Dey who won 2-1 at home against Petro Atletico.

“We did everything perfect. It should have been five or six but to be fair to the team, three points are good enough for a start no matter what. This week we were feeling a lot of pressure but the victory has helped us to calm down,” Oktay noted.

He added; “We did some good homework on Zamalek. I watched their game against Pyramid and two others and we knew the way they play and we did in training what we wanted to do against them. Tactically we were very organized and I am happy with how we played.”

Meanwhile, Zamalek tactician Christian Gross said Gor deserved victory from the fixture, saying his team gave out poor goals but is not worried they might not make it to the quarters.

“It was an absolutely wrong way to start the group stages but that’s not the end of it. We still have a chance in five games. We had an advantage (against Gor) when we scored an early goal but we conceded due to poor defending,” the tactician stated.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards is considering a radical change within the technical bench after a torrid run of results, Capital Sports understands.

AFC suffered a third defeat in four games after a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Bandari FC in Mombasa on Sunday, and it appears the club’s Executive Committee is moving in to salvage the situation with a shake-up of the technical bench.

This might see the exit of Serbian tactician Marko Vasiljevic, barely two months into the job. Rumor has it that he might be demoted to the post of an assistant if a more senior coach arrives, but all that is yet to be decided.

“The truth is that the executive is considering making changes in the technical bench because of the current results. Probably even before the game against Gor Mahia on Saturday, we might see a new person in the bench either as coach or otherwise,” a source within the club confided.

The 25-year old Vasiljevic took charge after was-to-be coach Nikola Kavazovic ditched the side to move to Free State Stars in South Africa. Vasiljevic was supposed to be Nikola’s assistant, and was elevated once the latter went to South Africa.

And now, it has emerged that the youthful tactician might have lost the dressing room at Leopards with a section of the club’s executives questioning some of his decisions and relationship with some players.

“In my opinion, he might be too inexperienced for this job. In terms of tactics and all, he is okay, but remember this is his first job as head coach and he has so far failed to sustain the pressure,” the source further stated.

He added; “Also, his relationship with some players is not good. There are players he has not used purely because he does not like them. The likes of Ndayishimiye (Eric), Oruchum (Christopher), Mawira (Joshua), Baker (Lukooya) are not playing and when he is asked he says they are yet to adapt to his style,”

“We had Oduro (Isaac) injured in Tanzania, but he chose to play Kipyegon (Isaac) in central defense while we have Oruchum and Mawira who are first team players. Maybe, just maybe, managing a big team such as Leopards has proved tough for him.”

Ingwe are placed 15^th in the KPL standings with 10 points, having won only twice in 10 games and are only three points shy of the relegation zone.

They face arch rivals Gor Mahia on Saturday at Kasarani and another loss here will see them sink further in the standings.

It has been rumored that former coach Dennis Kitambi who is currently back at his native home in Tanzania might be one of the candidates for the top job.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – Western Stima tactician Paul Ogai was on Tuesday named the December Fidelity Insurance coach of the month.

Ogai beat stiff competition from Mathare United’s Francis Kimanzi to take the accolade in a poll conducted by the Sport Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) panel.

In his first Kenyan Premier League season, Ogai mesmerized the league with fine results, collecting three wins and one draw, in total amassing 10 points from the 12 available on offer.

“I’m so happy right now I don’t have words. In my life I’ve only been recognized once before during my high school days but that was internal. So, this one means so much to me and hopefully it’s the start of many things to come,” Ogai recounted after receiving the award at his training backyard.

Ogai, who is in his second stint at Western Stima guided the newly promoted side to earning three wins and a draw to finish the month on top of the log in the season opening month of December.

They began the campaign with a 1-0 win over Posta Rangers before beating 2011 champions Tusker by a similar margin in Kisumu. A 2-1 home win against Kakamega Homeboyz at home ensured that they stayed top of the table and his combativeness was witnessed when he rallied his boys to picking a rare point against Bandari in Mbaraki.

With Mathare also doing well in the month, little separated Kimanzi and the eventual winner Ogai. In the poll, the Western Stima coach got 14 votes with Kimanzi scooping 7 of the total votes cast.

Ogai has had a success story of his own, guiding Western Stima to finishing first in the 2018 National Super League table thereby earning direct promotion to the top flight. He previously coached the now defunct Palos FC, Agro Chemicals and Kisumu All Stars.

He becomes the first coach to win the accolade in the newly revamped CAF calendar 2018/19 season.

“We hope to first avoid relegation like in 2017 then fight for a place in the top ten. Our squad is very balanced with young players and very experienced ones. I’m just looking forward to an exciting new chapter after the good start we’ve had,” Ogai stated.

The post Stima’s Ogai named Dec Coach of the Month appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – Experienced Daniel Nduva from Nyali Golf and Country Club leads a strong team of six amateurs to represent Kenya at the 2019 Kenya Golf Open scheduled for March 14-17 at the Karen Country Club.

Nduva, the winner of the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship will be joined by Samuel Njoroge who is the winner of the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Edwin Mudanyi, who was picked from the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC), Mike Kisia from Vet Lab Sports Club – picked from the KAGC ranking and Bradley Mogire who was handed a wild card by the Kenya Golf Union.

The Kenya Golf Union will announce the Junior Golf Foundation nominee to fill the sixth slot by the end of February.

-Awards-

Meanwhile, Kenya Golf Union on Tuesday announced the winners of the 2018 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (formerly known as the Golf of the Year (GOTY).

Samuel Njoroge from Railway Golf Club is the 2018 Kenya Amateur Champion having gathered 545.6 points throughout the year to beat his closest competitor, John Karichu from Limuru Country Club, who managed 469.6 points. Coming in third was the 2017 champion Edwin Mudanyi, from Vet Lab Sports Club, with 333.5 points.

Edwin Mudanyi was also the winner of the lowest average gross score. Of his 20 best rounds, he managed an average score of 71.20 strokes beating John Karichu who had an average of 71.60 strokes.

In the club category, Vet Lab Sports Club was announced as the winner; having contributed the most amateur golfers in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship throughout 2018. Royal Nairobi Golf Club came in second with Limuru Country Club taking the third position.

The Kenya Golf Union also announced the launch a program of talent development that will be led by the Golf Talent Foundation, a subsidiary of the union. The program that will take some of the talented amateur golfers through a training regime that will help equip them with skills that will see them do well even as they turn professional.

“The Kenya Golf Union will get into an arrangement with Golf South Africa and some of the federations in Europe that will see our amateur golfers get opportunities to play in competitions abroad and they will also get to send some their amateur golfers to play in Kenya,” said Lucas Marang’a, the Chairman of the Kenya Golf Union when announcing the start of the program.

“We recognise that to produce golfers who can compete effectively on the world scene as professionals, we must equip our amateur golfers and part of the program will be to expose them to golfers from countries that have continually produced the best golfers,” added Marang’a.

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MACHAKOS, Kenya, Feb 6 – Timonah Wanyonyi scored the winner against his former employers as Mount Kenya United picked their second win in succession, beating AFC Leopards 2-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday afternoon.

In other fixtures, Gor Mahia fresh from handing Zamakek a 4-2 beating in the CAF Confederation Cup match, beat Vihiga United 1-0 with Nicholas Kipkirui scoring the lone goal.

At the Kisumu Stadium in Kisumu, Western Stima were 1-0 victors over visiting Zoo FC.

In Machakos, focus was on new AFC Leopards head coach, Rwandese coach Cassa Mbungo who took charge of his first game having arrived in the country on Monday and announced as the club’s third coach this season yesterday.

However, it was a poor start for Mbungo as Mount Kenya United handed him a rude welcome to the Kenyan Premier League.

Defender Amani Kyata broke the deadlock for Mount Kenya after quarter of an hour before his nemesis on the opposite end Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdallah responded to take the sides to the half time break even.

Wanyonyi however ensured bottom side Mount Kenya eased their relegation fears with a goal 17 minutes from time.

Mbungo made several changes to the team with Rwandese keeper Eric Ndayishimiye starting ahead of Jairus Adira, Dennis Sikhayi returning at right back, Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdallah coming into defense while Jaffary Owiti was pushed back to his favorite position on the left side of attack.

But, Ingwe who have won just twice this campaign were stunned quarter of an hour into the match when Amani scored his third goal in two matches, sneaking in at the backpost to head in from a Moses Odhiambo freekick with Ndayishimiye caught flat out.

Mount Kenya had started the match with some belief of sorts coming into the tie after breaking Mathare United’s unbeaten run and before going ahead, they had a clean chance with Brian Nyakan missing a free tap in off a Timonah Wanyonyi cross.

AFC should have drawn level after 20 minutes but Wayeka Tatuwe missed a glorious opportunity unmarked at the backpost when he arrived a fraction late after Saad Musa’s low corner was missed by everyone in the box.

Three minutes later, keeper Philip Odhiambo had to be at his best to turn Robinson Kamura’s freekick from range behind for a corner and from the resultant setpiece that was defended with nerves, Musa sent a shot over from the edge of the area.

Owiti had a golden opportunity on the half hour mark when he was sent through on goal with a peach of a through pass from Eugene Mukangula, but the winger failed to beat Odhiambo one on one.

Three minutes later though, Ingwe were level.

Abdallah marked his return to the starting team with a goal, rising highest at the edge of the six yard box to thump a Marcel Kaheza corner home.

Mount Kenya almost threw in an immediate response but Ndayishimiye pulled off a brilliant save, leaping to his left to palm away an overhead kick from John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu off a Boniface Mukhekhe cross.

The two coaches made changes in the early minutes of the second half, Mount Kenya’s Medo bringing on Nahashon Thiong’o and Harun Nyakha for Samuel Ndung’u and Ndirangu respectively.

On the hour mark, Oburu was gifted with a chance barely five minutes into the pitch when a poor fdefensive header by Mount Kenya fell in his path, but he failed to hit a strong shot when he was pushed wide to his weaker right foot.

Medo was forced into a change minutes later, defender Mohammed Nigo coming off with a hamstring problem and was replaced by John Kamau.

AFC continued to push and had two good chances, first Wayeka missing a crucial connection of the ball at the backpost from a brilliant cross from Kaheza. Later, Mount kenya lost the bal softly and Oburu fed Owiti, but his shot went inches wide.

Chasing a winner, AFC were caught flat out in the 73^rd minute off a counter attack, their former player Wanyonyi rounding the keeper before hitting into an empty net despite a late tackle from Kamura.

Thrown off balance, Mbungo’s AFC went into attack mode again, Kaheza making way for Aziz Okaka, a change that didn’t go down well with the handful of AFC fans who had come into the midweek tie as he was one of their brightest players.

The post Wanyonyi hands AFC’s Mbungo debut loss appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 6 – A week after sending his coach and assistant packing over match-fixing allegations, Kakamega Homeboyz boss Cleophas Shimanyula has outlined that the vice is real in the Kenyan Premier League, only that many clubs fear to expose it.

Shimanyula, speaking at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Wednesday after seeing his young attacking midfielder Peter Thiong’o feted as the best player in December 2018, he declared that its in his club that the match-fixing menace had deep roots.

“Whoever will try it (match-fixing) here at Homeboyz, he will be handed a life ban. I can’t speak on behalf of clubs that I don’t know, but in so many clubs in the Kenyan Premier League there is match fixing, but in our team, it had roots. Its only that other clubs fear speaking out,” Shimanyula underscored.

The Kakamega Homeboyz chairman revealed how his now sacked head coach Ugandan Paul Nkata allegedly collaborated with George Mandela to match fix some of their matches.

“We have all the evidence and I wonder why the federation has not taken action on Nkata and Mandela, in Kenya there is a lot of Match fixing its only that people after fearing to speak, as Homeboyz we have strategy of catching them, match fixing is brought by greed.

“So, the coach (Nkata) used to give players Sh150 ,000 or Sh50,000 and because the players earn less, they will take the money and do as they are instructed since he (coach) is their boss. I won’t blame players as much. The coach used to substitute Allan Wanga w to avoid scoring goals that could have led to him losing bet,” Shimanyula told.

He added; “Federation has failed to take action on the matter because if in 2009 it happened as the FIFA report indicates, up to know what has the federation done?” Shimanyula questioned.

This comes after a 10-page FIFA report linked three former Harambee Stars defenders with alleged match fixing in the 2009 Kenya v Nigeria FIFA 2010 South Africa World Cup qualifier in a match played at the Moi international Sports Center Kasarani.

In the report, claims are the former defender George ‘Wise’ Owino was paid to let in goals in a match that Kenya ended up losing 3-2 to the Super Eagles and earn a slot in World Cup the following year.

-KPL to call meeting over match-fixing claims-

The development has prompted Kenya Premier League governing body to call an Executive Meeting with all stakeholders before the end of the week in a bid to establish the root cause of match-fixing scandal.

Speaking to Citizen TV digital, KPL Chairman Ambrose Rachier said the allegations have caught them by surprise but they are acting swiftly in a bid to determine the extent of the vice and try to curb it.

“We want to approve the appointment of an investigator to be able to come to the bottom of these allegations. Betting companies are sponsoring a number of teams in the whole world, so we will look for the best possible benchmarks that we have in other places and put those rules in place in our own country prevent this mischief from taking place in our own league,” Rachier said.

Contrary to Shimanyula’s comments, KPL CEO Jack Oguda said that Kakamega Homeboyz are yet to share their evidence with league management body.

“We have written to the club chairman asking him to present   us with the witness statement showing that there was match fixing so that we can take the matter to the Independent Disciplinary Committee.

“Until now they say they are protecting the players but without evidence there is no way we can they proceed because as it is they are allegations so let them also move with speed,” Oguda told Citizen TV digital.

The post Match-fixing is real in KPL – Shimanyula appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 – World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika is anticipating a tough contest when she faces Zambian Catherine Phiri in a rematch scheduled for March 23 in Nairobi.

The two boxers, who last fought in Kenya on December 2, 2017 will take on each other with the Zambian keen on avenging the loss in a fight night event that will also feature celebrated Tanzanian Super Welterweight boxer Hassan Mwakinyo.

Zarika departed the Country for United Kingdom to sharpen her skills, with the fight coming five months after flooring Mexican Yamelith Mercado in Nairobi.

“My previous match against Catherine was hard, so I expect a tougher match this time round,” said Zarika.

Zarika and Mwakinyo will both be in the United Kingdom for training until March 16, courtesy of their sponsor SportPesa with Mwakinyo expected to arrive in Liverpool by early next week.

They will be trained by a different set of trainers within the same gym in Liverpool, UK. Mwakinyo’s opponent will be determined later.

While in the UK the boxing duo will also get a chance to be mentored and trained by British boxer Tony Bellew.

“These are two very talented boxers and as SportPesa we wish them well. We have put a lot of resources behind them to ensure that they will get back from the UK ready for their matches,” SportPesa Chief Marketing Officer Kelvin Twissa said.

Twissa urged East Africans to throw their weight behind the two and prepare to turn up in large numbers in Nairobi in a venue to be announced late for the biggest annual boxing event.

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