NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 11 – Uganda Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre has opened up to the possibility of friendly matches between his men and Kenya’s Harambee Stars in preparation for June’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Desabre was in the country over the weekend for the Mashemeji Derby on the invitation of his fellow Frenchman, Kenya’s Sebastien Migne and with both having qualified for the Cup of Nations, he says it would be great to size up against each other.

“Maybe yes, it is a possibility. If we can play together to prepare it will be very good for both of us because Kenya has a good team and we also have a good team,” Desabre told Capital Sport.

“But first we must await the draw. Maybe we are in the same group,” the Uganda Cranes boss further joked.

Kenya was assured of a place in the Cup of Nations for the first time in a decade and a half following Sierra Leone’s expulsion from the qualifiers while the Cranes currently lead their group with a match to spare.

“It is great that both of us are going to Egypt and I am happy for him (Migne) and Kenya fans because they deserve this. He is a great and very professional coach and I wish him all the best. Maybe we (Kenya and Uganda) are not the favorites to go and win but we will go there and do our best,” he asserted.

There is a possibility of the three East Africa Nations, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania all qualifying for the Egypt showpiece. But, Tanzania’s qualification heavily depends on a win against Uganda at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Uganda is the only team assured of a qualification slot from Group L as they have not lost any of their five games. Lesotho (2), Tanzania (3) and Cape Verde (4) all have a chance of qualification.

If Tanzania beats Uganda in Dar and Lesotho drops points against Cape Verde, then the Taifa Stars will complete the East African trinity to Egypt. But Desabre says he is not about to do anyone favors.

“We have qualified but the match against Tanzania will be important for us. We want to finish the qualification without conceding a goal,” the Frenchman stated.

Meanwhile, the tactician has said there is a place in his team for Gor Mahia left back Shafik Batambuze, bit has urged the former Tusker FC man to continue working hard as the position is highly competitive.

Desabre watched Batambuze put up a solid 90 minutes during the derby and also had a few glances at Erisa Ssekisambu who came on as a second half substitute. AFC’s Baker Lukooya didn’t have a chance to audition in front of the tactician as he was an unused sub.

“He did a very good game today and I am very happy for the boy. But, in this position we have up to four players; there’s Walusimbi (Godfrey), Ochaya Joseph) who is playing in TP Mazembe and Muleme (Isaac) in Egypt. But, it is a possibility and that is why I am here today,” Desabre said.

He added; “I follow many players and that is my job. I am from Europe where I looked at some players. We have 50 players we are following up for the AFCON,” he added.

Looking back at the derby, Desabre said he was impressed by Gor Mahia’s display and they were deserved winners over their arch rivals.

“At the end of the game 2-0 was a correct result for the game. Leopards had two chances, but I think Gor Mahia controlled the ball well with good organization in their 4-4-2 style,” the Frenchman added.

The post Cranes, Stars friendly possible, says Desabre appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 –The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup returns this year, with Uganda hosting the regional football competition in December after members endorsed it during a consultative meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday.

Having not been held in 2018 after Kenya withdrew the hosting rights, members of the oldest regional body committed to contribute to a solidarity fund that will guarantee the staging of the annual competition.

Uganda last hosted the competition in 2012 where they won 2-1 against Kenya in the final stated at the Namboole National Stadium in Kampala.

At the same event that was officiated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF boss Ahmad Ahmad, members attended the inauguration of the Regional FIFA Development Office which will be based in Addis Ababa to cater for the development programmes of CECAFA and the North Zone.

For the second year running, FIFA will fund five activities among the seven that members endorsed the hosting rights to various countries that will commence June to end in December as part of regional football growth.

The programs funded by FIFA are the Under 17 Challenge Cup in Eritrea, Under-17 Women Challenge Cup in Kenya, Under-20 Women Challenge Cup in Uganda, Senior Women Challenge Cup in Tanzania and Under-20 Men Challenge Cup in Uganda.

“FIFA has really helped us in terms of developing football in the region especially women and youth which are the core areas of tapping talent. The Kagame Cup and Senior Challenge Cup is upon us the CECAFA Secretariat to fund it and the good thing is that members have committed to support it and ensure we don’t miss it. This year all the competitions will be successful,” Musonye told Capital Sport.

The meeting that was held on the sidelines of the Africa Union Summit, will see a setting up of a development office in Addis Ababa.

CECAFA is among three regions in Africa that were selected to host FIFA regional offices, with others being set up in Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg in Sourth Africa.

Other tournaments will see the highly competitive Kagame Cup return to Rwanda in July under the sponsorship of Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Azam TV.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – Despite missing legendary Dennis Oliech, Kenyan champions and Group D leaders Gor Mahia are hopeful of keeping on the winning momentum when they take on Angola’s Petro Atletico in their second CAF Confederation Cup pool match on Wednesday in Luanda.

Gor will be without Oliech after the Harambee Stars great failed to recover on time after sitting out of the Mashemeji Derby 2-0 victory over rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday last weekend.

K’Ogalo, who launched their campaign on a high, beating nine-time CAF title champions Zamalek of Egypt 4-2, are upbeat of overcoming the tough test against an Angolan side that lost 2-1 to NA Hussein Dey in the opening matches.

But the only Kenyan club to win an African competition — the 1987 Cup Winners Cup — have often flattered only to deceive and Petro Atletico of Angola in Luanda will be a big test.

In other fixture, a Zamalek team boosted by Tunisian pair Hamdi el Nagguez and Ferjani Sassi and Moroccan Khalid Boutaib need all three points when they host NA Hussein Dey of Algeria.

Gor, who are in Angola, have been dealt a major blow after Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge and right-back Philemon Otieno were ruled out.

The two are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards. Tuyisenge scored twice and assisted one as Gor whipped Zamalek 4-2 in the first match day against Zamalek and will be a great miss for the Luanda assignment.

Gor squad to Angola

Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch, Fredrick Peter Odhiambo.

Defenders: Wellington Ochieng, Shafik Batambuze, Joash Onyango, Shakavah Haron, Charles Momanyi, Joachim Oluoch.

Midfielders: Wendo Ernest, Lawrence Juma, Kenneth Muguna, Francis Kahata, George Odhiambo, Boniface Omondi.

Strikers: Nicholas Kipkurui, Erisa Ssekisambu, Francis Mustafa.

-Other fixtures-

Nkana FC of Zambia host Al Hilal of Sudan in the CAF Confederation Cup this Wednesday boosted by a record of never having lost at home in 56 African matches.

The 40 victories and 16 draws came in the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and two now defunct competitions, the African Cup Winners Cup and the CAF Cup.

Unfortunately, the magnificent home run has not led to any CAF titles for the Kitwe-based outfit, who came closest when losing the 1990 Champions League final on penalties.

Nkana need maximum points against Hilal to get back into contention for a top-two finish in Group C after losing their matchday 1 clash at fellow Zambians Zesco United.

“Our goal remains unchanged — we want to progress beyond the group stage,” stressed Nkana coach and former star Beston Chambeshi. “One loss does not deter us.”

AFP Sport previews the second series of group matches in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

Group A

Trophy-holders Raja Casablanca and fellow Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane can create three-point gaps above their rivals provided they use home advantage to secure victories.

Raja recently hired French coach Patrice Carteron and a side stacked with Moroccan internationals should be too strong for Congo Brazzaville visitors AS Otoho Oyo.

Berkane fired five goals past Senegalese Jaraaf in their previous home match and a repeat of that form with Togolese Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba leading the charge, should sink Agadir.

Group B

Record three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia have home advantage over Enugu Rangers of Nigeria in the most attractive matchday 2 fixture.

It is the only match-up featuring clubs who won their group openers and Enugu will parade the most prolific Confederation Cup scorer this season, six-goal Godwin Aguda.

Sfaxien are coached by Ruud Krol, once a star defender who suffered the disappointment of being part of the Netherlands teams that lost the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals.

Group C

Nkana are not the only club seeking redemption in this section with once formidable Asante Kotoko of Ghana desperate to beat Zesco after losing away to Hilal.

The Ghanaians reached nine finals in various CAF competitions between 1967 and 2004 but, frustratingly, won just two of them.

“We believe we have what it takes to be one of the two qualifiers for the quarter-finals from this group,” insists Kotoko coach and former Ghana captain CK Akonnor.

-Additional reporting from AFP- 

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 12 – Sofapaka stretched their winning run to five consecutive matches after handing Mathare United a 4-1 beating in a mid-week Kenyan Premier League match hosted at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday to go third in the standings.

In other results, Bandari FC whipped Vihiga United 2-0, Kariobangi Sharks picked a 1-0 win away to Kakamega Homeboyz while Posta Rangers stunned Nzoia Sugar 2-0.

At the Kasarani Stadium, Ellie Asieche sent Sofapaka ahead in the second minute before Titus Achesa doubled the lead in the 32nd minute while Umar Kasumba added the third two minutes to half time.

In the second half, Kevin Kimani pulled one back for Mathare United in the 72nd minute before Kasumba completed his brace one minute to stoppage time.

The win saw Sofapaka stand on 23 points, two behind leaders Mathare United who are on 25 points same as second placed Bandari who have a game in hand.

Asieche, who limped out with injury before the half was over, netted as early as the 2nd minute with a superb strike from distance though Mathare keeper Allan Owiny could have done better in trying to keep it out.

The goal rocked the log leaders who conceded another on the half hour mark after a free kick from Achesa was deflected in; the set piece coming after Roy Okal had conceded a foul after losing possession just outside the area.

The game would be put to bed with two minutes remaining of the stanza when Ugandan forward Kasumba reacted quickest to Owiny spilling out a John Avire free kick.

A more improved showing in the second-half from Mathare would see Sofapaka play on the back foot and it paid off in the 70th minute when Kimani netted his fourth of the campaign from close range but the comeback would not come to be as Kasumba riffled a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net on 90 minutes to register his fifth goal of the season.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 13 – Four games without victory – two losses and two draws – have seen Mathare United’s early lead at the apex of the Kenyan Premier League standings cut down with Bandari tied on points with the Slum Boys only separated by goal difference.

Tuesday afternoon’s 4-1 loss at the hands of Sofapaka was crushing for the 2008 league champions and head coach Francis Kimanzi has admitted that his boys are now lowering the guard allowing the chasing pack to catch up with them.

“Of course we have to be worried because in those four games we had planned to get maximum points. We haven’t achieved that and now we have to go back and plan again and see whether we can bounce back in the next game which is an away match,” the tactician stated.

He added; “We believe that we can stretch the lead again and of course there is an opportunity for us to compete.”

Mathare began the season in emphatic fashion, carrying an enviable unbeaten run which was however broken by Mount Kenya United in Nakuru in the 11^th round. However, Tuesday’s loss at the hands of Sofapaka was damaging.

“I think honestly today we had a poor game. I did not see my team. We really struggled at the beginning and it became difficult after we conceded an early goal and it was hard to get our composure back after being three goals down,” the tactician admitted.

A goalkeeping mess in the second minute saw Elli Asieche break the deadlock for Batoto ba Mungu before Titus Achesa and Umaru Kassumba made it 3-0 by half time.

Batoto ba Mungu’s pressing and quick transition in attack made it difficult for Mathare whose charge was further weakened with the absence of top scorer Cliff Nyakeya.

“Every player who adds more value and lots of influence, you always need him. When you don’t have him, sometimes it becomes difficult for the other players to accept a new link,” the tactician stated.

Meanwhile as Kimanzi and his Mathare side rue their recent run that has put their title credentials sharply in focus, Sofapaka are building their own confidence and after a horrendous start to the campaign, they are now considered as possible heirs to Gor Mahia’s throne.

The victory, Sofapaka’s fifth in six games saw them move to third in the standings with 23 points, just three short of the leaders.

“We cannot be satisfied with this result. I still want more from them and the journey still continues. It was important to get this victory especially against a team that’s ahead of us. We have been doing well and the goals have been flying in training so the team is getting that confidence back,” Baraza who took charge after the departure of Melis Medo stated.

“It has been about the relationship with the players and the understanding we have with each other. The attitude they have shown has been superb and we are performing on the field,” the tactician further stated.

Baraza believes the confidence they have picked up after Tuesday’s performance will spur them on ahead of Saturday afternoon’s duel when they clash against the defending champions in Machakos.

A further victory against Gor will instill more confidence on the side that they are an outfit that should be seriously considered for the title.

The post Mathare’s slump worrying, Kimanzi admits appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 13 – Kenya’s sports development company Star Field Sports has formed a strategic partnership with South Africa’s Gary Kirsten Cricket (GKC) to spearhead the development of cricket in the East African region through a series of high profile sports events.

High Performance Coaching Camps, Coach Education Courses and private academies and some of the events that the country is set to benefit on.

Gary Kirsten is the iconic South African cricket legend, and India’s World Cup winning coach in 2011.

He played 101 Test matches and 185 One Day Internationals for South Africa between 1993 and 2004, mainly as an opening batsman.

His vision is to develop an internationally renowned cricket services business to develop the game and help spread his coaching legacy globally. His state-of-the-art facility in Centurion, Gauteng Province provides coaching for cricketers from around the world.

Speaking at the conclusion of the negotiations, Director of Star Field Sports, Karan Kaul said.

“We believe this partnership will double down on the strengths of each organization – Gary Kirsten Cricket’s expertise, experience and reputation combined with Star Field’s market knowledge, work ethic and drive is a perfect fit to take over the East African market and develop the game of Cricket.”

The partnership with Star Field Sports in Kenya will aim to support cricket development, starting in April 2019 with a High-Performance Camp and Coach Education Workshop run by GKC at The Nairobi Gymkhana. The camp is open to both professional cricketers in East Africa and young aspiring cricketers. Kirsten’s foray into East Africa is a first for his organisation.

Star Field has in the past, organized highly successful Youth Cricket Tournaments that attract players from East Africa, India and South Africa – the most recent of which was the Hayer One Starfield Youth League in August 2018.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 13 – Gor Mahia’s hopes of a second successive CAF Confederations Cup Group D win was halted on Wednesday evening after going down 2-1 to Angola’s Petro Atletico at the November 11 Stadium in the capital Luanda.

Gor travelled to Central Africa on the back of a hugely motivating match day one 4-2 win over giants Zamalek in Nairobi but had the stubborn monkey on their back of failing to win away from home.

First half goals from Manguxi Quiberto and Brazilian Toni Roso Ribeiro saw the home side pick maximum points and throw Group D wide open.

Nicholas Kipkurui headed home in added time off a Kenneth Muguna delivery, but it was too little too late.

Despite a good start to the tie, Gor found themselves trailing after 12 minutes. Shafik Batambuze was caught in possession on the right by Leal Tiago who skipped into the box and cut back for Manguxi to wrap his boot around the ball and curl it beyond Boniface Oluoch.

Gor had kept possession from the first whistle and had a sniff at goal in the third minute when Francis Mustafa, stepping in for the suspended Jacques Tuyisenge had a go at goal from distance but it didn’t trouble the keeper.

Despite going down early, Gor still dictated the pace of the game and had the bigger chunk of possession.

But they couldn’t create anything meaningful in the final third of play, the attacking duo of Mustafa and Erisa Ssekisambu failing terribly in their audition to permanently mark themselves a starting role in the team.

-Oluoch mistake

Gor were almost caught out after 31 minutes when Oluoch came off his line to punch away a cross from the left, but it fell kindly on Job Ricardo. However, the skipper couldn’t get a shot on target, the effort on the half volley going wide.

Three minutes on the turn, the Kenyan champions had their first effort on target when Batambuze’s effort with a freekick from range flew straight into the keeper’s arms.

With the little possession they had, the home side always created danger when they went up in attack.

In the 35^th minute, Leal came close to doubling the tally but his header off a Joao Diogenes cross went inches off target. Two minutes later though, they were 2-0 up.

Joash Onyango playing as a makeshift right back in place of the suspended Philemon Otieno was turned inside out by Gaspar Mateus who swung in a frsit time cross that was met by Antonio’s diving header at the edge of the six yard box.

With a 2-0 scoreline off their favor and a torridly ineffective forward line, Gor boss Hassan Oktay sought to re-jig matters and pulled out Boniface Omondi for George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo with two minutes to the break.

-Gor Mahia survive

At the start of the second half, the home side looked to get a third and put the game to rest and they began with pace. Four minutes after the restart, some fancy footwork saw Ricardo skip away from Joash to lift in a dangerous cross but Leal’s header was straight at Oluoch.

Oktay made changes, the ineffective Mustafa coming off for Kipkurui

K’Ogalo still got their tempo on, keeping possession and trying to open up the defense. In the 56^th minute, Lawrence Juma tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box but it went just over.

Odhianbo had Gor’s next chance when his glancing header at the edge of the six yard box went just wide off a beautiful Kenneth Muguna cross.

As they threw bodies forward, Gor were almost caught off their guard when another move on the wings saw Diogenes find space on the right to cross, but Leal’s shot from the cutback, unmarked, went wide.

On the turn, Petro keeper Jorge Elber made a brilliant save to finger tip Charles Momanyi’s header from a corner.

The Kenyan champions kept their surge and with 12 minutes left, Oktay threw in his last dice, Ssekisambu coming off for Samuel Onyango.

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TORONTO, Canada, Feb 13 – Racing Point unveiled its new look for the 2019 Formula One season on Wednesday, showing off a striking pink livery branded with the logo of African betting company Sportpesa.

At a formal media presentation at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto, Racing Point’s car was displayed alongside drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

The team was rebranded as Racing Point after a consortium led by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll took over Force India last year ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Racing Point principal Otmar Szafnauer said the team was targeting a top four finish in the world championship this season after failing to make a podium in nine races last year.

“The long-term aim is to take this team to the very top of the sport,” Szafnauer said.

“We want to be fighting for podiums on merit and aiming for a strong top four finish in the championship.”

Mexican driver Perez retained his drive after recording five podium finishes with the team in its Force India guise after joining in 2014.

The 29-year-old said he hopes to benefit from the removal of the uncertainty surrounding the team’s ownership.

“We have stability and strong leadership at the top, which is important because it means I can simply focus on the driving and performance,” he said.

“I want us to be the best of the rest once again.”

Perez has a new team-mate however in Lance Stroll, the son of the team owner.

Stroll joins from Williams after racing two seasons in Formula One which included a first podium in 2017 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

“I want us to be competitive right from the start,” Stroll said. “It’s way too early to know how we compare to the other teams, but right here today I believe we should be fighting for points in every race.

“My goal is to get back on the podium in 2019 as well.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Organisers of this year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship have opened ticket sales that can be purchased via the website www.kenyaopen.golf ahead of the biggest competition scheduled to be held March 14-17 at the Karen Country Club.

The Kenya Open Golf Limited announced provision for daily tickets as well as season tickets to cater for the different needs of golf and lifestyle enthusiasts expected at the tournament.

Daily tickets are retailing at Ksh1,000 while season tickets will sale at Ksh 3,000 for the four days.

To encourage the uptake of the sport among juniors, the Kenya Open Golf Limited has made provision for children under the age of 12, as well as members of the Junior Golf Foundation, to have free access across the four days.

Kenya Open Golf Limited’s Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, said that this year’s tournament will offer spectators a holistic experience on and off the course; adding that this year’s village at the tournament will offer spectators great food, music and entertainment to add on the experience.

“Spectators to this year’s tournament can look forward to the best golf on the course from some of the best golfers across the world, as well as the best experience off the course. Our tickets are fairly priced to give as many people an opportunity to come and experience the 2019 Kenya Open experience,” Obath assured.

“This year’s village at the tournament will have a greater offering on food, music and entertainment across the four days, giving both the golf and lifestyle enthusiast a memorable experience,” he added.

This year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship will feature music concerts by renowned artists as well as a lives stream of the action on course through tournament tv screens that will be placed at strategic places at the Karen Country Club – the venue of this year’s tournament.

2019 Kenya Open Golf Championship programme

Date (Main event):   14th to 17th of March 2019

Date (PRO-AM)       Wed 13th March 2019

Venue:                      Karen Country Club

Total Prize Money:    Ksh 124mn (Euros 1.1 Million)

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Nyali, Sigona, Thika, Nakuru and Royal golf clubs will host a qualifying Pro-Am competition for this year’s KCB Karen Masters to be held at the Karen Country Club on June 25-30.

The title sponsor KCB Injected Sh2 Million as prize money for the local pros – Sh500,000 for each of the four tournaments they will take part in.

While launching the series at the venue, Karen Country Club, KCB Group Director of Marketing and Communications Angela Mwirigi said:

“We are redefining golfing in Kenya by increasingly giving more opportunities to amateur and professional golfers across the country. We believe in growing sports talent for local and international competitions,” Mwirigi underscored.

“It’s our way of using golf to promote sports tourism and as a result catalyzing Kenya’s economic growth agenda. We appreciate the confidence the golfing fraternity has on our brand and we certainly see this as a long term partnership with mutual benefits both for the golfers in the region but for the Bank as well in terms of extending its reach across the country,” she added.

The Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK) which has been tapped by KCB to coordinate the pros for the Road to the Masters said the players will miss out of one of the tournaments as they will be engaged in another national competition.

PGK Chairman Charan Thethy said that the prize money for the pros will be split 60/40 for each leg with 60% being prize money for the top 15 finishers and 40% will be set aside as a bonus amount for those who meet the set scores for the different courses.

Each of the 5 Legs will be used as amateur qualification round to play the Pro-Am event at the KCB Karen Masters where 6 winners will be selected from each leg, this means 30 amateurs stand a chance of participating at the prestigious international golfing event.

From each club, the qualifiers will be men winner, lady winner, guest winner, staff winner, junior winner and a wild card winner.

This year, the Bank has enhanced its sports sponsorship, reaffirming its confidence in the power of sports to influence lives positively with the sponsorship across disciplines being a strategic avenue to engage with communities and build talent across the East African region.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Former Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere has proved an instant hit at his new club, Tanzanian giants Simba SC.

He moved for free from Gor, but the Ugandan born-Rwandese international has proved to be a worthy buy for the Dar es Salaam based club, and the fans have not shied away from showing their love for him.

They sing his praises whenever he touches the ball or goes out to warm up and Kagere, nicknamed ‘Pacman’ during his stint in Kenya has repaid their confidence by scoring vital goals.

He scored two of the three goals as they beat Musa Mohammed’s Nkana to book a ticket to the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

On Tuesday evening scored the lone goal as they picked a vital 1-0 win over Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their third group match at the National Stadium, or what they fondly refer to as ‘Kwa Mchina’.

Capital Sports sat with the experienced Rwandese international in Dar es Salaam and he has admitted, contrary to his spell at Gor where they nicknamed him ‘Luanda Magere’, he feels more loved in the streets of Dar.

Q. Simba fans are evidently in love with you. Do you feel more loved here than you did in Kenya?

Kagere: The fans here have a lot of passion and even if you do something small, they will always remember that. Here is not like Nairobi where I used to move freely in the streets and no one stops me. In Dar, if I am going to town for a 10 minute errand, it can take two or three hours. The fans really show they appreciate you and you really feel loved.

Once you deliver in football the rest is left to the fans. If you do what they want you are their friend.

They appreciate when you do wrong, they show disappointment but appreciate more of the good things. They look at your good side more and don’t pin out the bad side much.

Q. Has that helped you settle into life in Dar es Salaam?

At first when I came here, they were a bit skeptical because of the history they have had with players coming from Kenya. They said that most players come from Nairobi with a good reputation but fade out when they get here.

I took it as a challenge because once you know that your friends went somewhere and things did not work out, you need to understand why and learn from them. I am a foreign player and I can’t be playing like a local. I have to work extra hard.

I have worked hard and proved them wrong. I always want to be on the winning side and that has pushed me to work hard and their support has been great.

Life is all about coping with the situation. As a player, I take myself as a tourist whereby if you get a chance to play somewhere you take it. Life here is okay I am used to it now. It’s fun playing for the big clubs. The exciting part is when the team is winning.

Q: You have had a successful start to life here. But one thing didn’t work out, you chance of winning a third consecutive SportPesa Cup trophy didn’t materialize. Has that dampened your start to life in Simba?

Meddie: It was painful not to win, but life has to go on. There was so much around our campaign because we had a Cup to play in Zanzibar, we had the league to play and then we had the Champions League matches. It was difficult for us to maintain one squad because the coach had to do a lot of rotation.

Winning the SportPesa Cup would have been good because we would have the chance of playing an English Premier League side. But I have already achieved that though I didn’t travel to the UK, but all is okay. There will always be a next time.

Q: You helped the team qualify for the group stages of the Champions League with two goals against Nkana. How was that feeling at a fully packed stadium?

Meddie: It was great. It was a target that I had and seeing it fulfilled was brilliant. The team has not been at that stage for 15 years and achieving that was something huge

When I came in, my first target was the season opening Charity Cup. I wanted a medal in Tanzania. The second was the Champions League group stages because at Gor we never got to that level. That’s in the bag. The other thing I want now is the league title.

What next now is personal; I want to score more goals, win individual trophies like the top scorer in both champions league and local league that will also help the club win more games, I always want to challenge myself, today if I score two I want to score more tomorrow.

Q. Then there is this issue of your exit from Gor Mahia. You have been accused of ‘running away’ from the club when they thought you were signing a new contract. What really happened?

Kagere: People thought I ran away from the club. I didn’t.

Football is a job. It is not a fantasy or some thing we are playing for fun. You have to leave something to dedicate your life to football. I have my family to take care of and I have my own life to put in a good place. I thin forward. I don’t look at the present.

If your contract is finished, you are a free player. If I was under contract then it would have been different. If you are really interested in a player, you don’t have to wait until the contract runs out then you start negotiating. You start the conversation early.

You realize that you need a player when it’s too late and he has already made up his mind. As a player, I can’t go to the office and say ‘add me a contract’. That’s underestimating myself. I want the office to see my capability and say ‘we love you and we want you to renew your contract’ then we talk.

Q. So no one talked to you when they knew your contract was almost running out?

Meddie: We played the SportPesa Cup, they knew my contract was almost done. The teams I am playing against are asking about my contract situation and I informed them. The office asked me if I am talking to them but I said no. That’s my secret.

If you are clever, this player is performing and you here he is wanted by big teams, what do you do? You capture him, not unless you are not interested.

Gor is a good team and I had a good time there. But sometimes they feel like players can always be replaced because all players want to play for Gor. But they don’t put in mind you can never have the same Meddie in the team.

Q. Did all that happened at the end spoil what would have been a beautiful ending for you and Gor?

Meddie: Of course it wasn’t right.

After that some people in the office started saying they helped me get back. As a matter of fact they didn’t help me. They saw my capabilities and decided to take me back again. They had a player three months before me, but still decided to pay a ticket for me to travel from Rwanda to sign the same contract they had rejected the first time.

I was to go to Zamalek, but I couldn’t because the window closed just before I got my visa. I went back home and I could have signed for many clubs. APR, Rayon, AS Kigali they all wanted me to sign so bad. Even a two-month contract. But I was not ready to play at home because I knew what I wanted.

Q: At your age, you are still going strong, playing like a 22-year old. What’s the secret?

Agge doesn’t matter; what matters is what you do in the pitch. When I left Gor, they said I am too old I can’t play. When I came here, Azam and Yanga wanted me so bad and they didn’t care about the age. They know the work I put on the field and that is what is important for them.

I am there because I know how to keep myself; that’s what keeps me in football. Sometimes I tell the young players they will leave start coaching and I will still be playing.

I might be playing until I am 70 years old! As long as I know how to keep myself.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – The Kenya Tae Kwondo Federation has unveiled various teams for upcoming regional and international games in a function held at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) offices in Nairobi.

The Federation, which has for years been plagued with internal leadership wrangles demonstrated a rare unity of purpose as they came together in solidarity, following their resolve to turnaround the Federation for the good of the athletes under them.

“We have long been a factional Federation, which has hurt the growth and development of our popular sport and athletes but that is now a thing of the past. We are focused on building a formidable team for all upcoming championships, with an eye on the prize during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics next year,” Federation President Suleiman Sumba announced.

NOCK President, Paul Tergat expressed his great delight to see the Tae Kwondo Federation of Kenya come together in unity having bridged all that divided them in the past.

“I have all along expressed my disappointment with the many divided houses in our sports federations and associations in Kenya. Today, Tae Kwondo Federation have shown us the way to go- that we are better together than apart,” Tergat stated.

“I hope and pray other Federations with wrangles of whichever kind will get inspiration and follow the example of Tae Kwondo so that we can be able to prepare our young people for national assignments without distraction. I commend them,” Tergat added.

Tergat assured the Federation that was accompanied by their athletes that NOCK was not only their home but was ready to offer them the necessary support, working with other stakeholders so that they can be able to bring glory and honour to our country.

He urged the officials to take up the challenge and prepare a formidable team for the competitions lined up leading to the qualification and selection of Team Kenya to the upcoming Games such as the Olympics, Commonwealth, Youth Games and ANOCA Zone Five, to mention but a few.

The function was attended by officials from the Ministry of sports and Kenya Academy of Sports.  The technical personnel unveiled and presented to NOC-K and others were:

All Africa Games:

Bobby Musingo (Team Manager), Nesmus Wesonga (Coach), Maxwell Omondi (Assistant Coach)

All Africa Games Ladies    Team Manager:

Carol Kihurani (Team Manager), Eliakim Ogenga (Coach), Peter Kamau (Coach)

ANOCA Zone V Games:

George Wasonga (Team Manager), Philip Khaemba (Coach), Mary Muriu (Assistant Coach)

PARA:

Simon Munga (Team Manager), Philip Khaemba (Coach), Mukanda Okisai (Trainer)

World Championship:

Harisson Kalama (Coach Men), Linus Mwarangu (Coach), Carol Kihurani (Team Manager Ladies), Martin Mahaba (Coach Ladies)

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NYERI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Four years ago, Susan Gatwiri put her best foot forward to bag two gold medals in the Los Angeles, USA Special Olympics where Kenya registered it best ever performance, hauling 40 medals.

The young athlete won gold in 3000m and 5000m thus helping Kenya to bag more fortunes in the Olympics as the country scooped a total of 26 gold, 2 silver and 12 bronze medals.

Gatwiri had hoped the same would translate to self-fortunes by giving her a monetary award besides getting medals in order liberate her mother back at home who wallows in extreme poverty.

But contrary to her expectations, the athlete only came home with a Sports Personality of the Year Award (SOYA) after winning the 2015 Sports Woman Living with Disability gong, that was accompanied by Sh75, 000 that she gave to her mother to rent a house, pay some fees for her siblings and obtain ordinary chattel of a table and chairs.

Her case emerged after her story was shared on social media highlighting her struggles with life despite the fact that the Government had promised to award all gold medallist Sh200,000, meaning Gatwiri is entitled Sh400,000.

However, up to date, the Government has never fulfilled its promise, leaving Kenyans call on the Ministry of Sports to intervene.

Gatwiri’s aunt, Judith Kiende said that the youngster athlete had undergone all her primary education as a special learner.

“I enrolled her to school as an ordinary learner only for things to change later after teachers proved she could hardly read or write despite being fully trained to do so,” the aunt said.

In deed all her certificates of merit in school sports competition shows that she has until the day she sat for KCPE participated in the category of persons with intellectual disability.

The athlete scored 105 marks after sitting for her KCPE at Meere primary school, but she did not go to secondary school due to financial constraints.

The dejected Gatwiri who now earns Sh6000 per month works as house girl in the outskirts of Nyeri town, an amount she uses to cater for her needs and those of her jobless mother who resides in a rental shack in near Narumoru forest.

“I went through learning as a special learner both a school in Timau and in Mere Primary school,” Gatwiri said.

The athlete is now calling on the Government to intervene and pay all her dues to the glory and fame she brought in the country.

-By John Gathua-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – World half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei will make her eagerly awaited marathon debut at the Haspa Marathon Hamburg on April 28.

Jepkosgei’s debut over the 42.2km distance has been fervently anticipated since the Kenyan, now 25, produced her sensational 2017 season, breaking six world records.

Four of those came in one race, the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon, where she clocked 30:05 at 10km, 45:37 at 15km and 1:01:25 at 20km en route to a 1:04:52 performance over the full distance.

She clipped another second from that mark in Valencia the following October, lowering the world record to 1:04:51 where it currently stands. In 2017, again in Prague, Jepkosgei shattered the 10km record at the Birell Prague Grand Prix, clocking a phenomenal 29:43.

Slowed in part by illness, her follow-up year didn’t produce the same record-shattering achievements, but she did race to silver at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia in March.

Hamburg organisers were quick to draw a parallel to another high profile marathon debut on their course, that of Eliud Kipchoge in 2013 when the Kenyan ace cruised to victory in 2:05:30. He’s since gone on to be considered the best marathon runner of all time. Jepkosgei insists that parallel wasn’t on her mind when choosing the setting for her debut.

“My manager and my coach both told me that Hamburg has a fast and flat course,” she said.

“I would like to achieve a time of around 2:22. But there are still two months of preparation to come. I have to wait and see how my body reacts to the training. Once I am a week away from the race I will see what kind of form I am in. Then I will determine my final goal.”

As a final preparation, Jepkosgei will run the United Airlines NYC Half on 17 March in New York.

Organisers also announced that 2009 and 2011 world marathon champion Abel Kirui will be among the headliners in the men’s field. Kirui will be targetting the Kipchoge’s course record.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 0 – The third edition of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Cross Country will take place tomorrow, Saturday at the Thange market grounds in Kibwezi East, Makueni County.

The Cross Country race features the usual senior and junior men and women events of 10km among other races.

According to the event organiser Agnes Mueni, who hails from the region, the race is a perfect opportunity for the local youth to hone their running skills and become productive in their lives.

She added that the community in Thange and Makueni County in general have limited opportunities to train and advance themselves in athletics and life skills.

“The Thange race is a welcome benefit for our youth because Makueni County has limited or no structured athletic races and sports activities to engage our youth. This is an opportunity for growth for our young people,” she said.

“This year, we want to do it differently. The participants will not just run, they will also be engaged in leadership and mentorship programmes, life skills training and athletics talent development. I am happy that KPC has given us the chance to focus on empowering our local youth,” Agnes added.

Acknowledging the importance of tapping the rich hidden talent in Makueni County, KPC acting Managing Director Hudson Andambi applauded the local community of Thange and the larger Makueni County for their huge support during the last two editions of the race and most importantly during the clean-up exercise following the 2015 oil spill.

“It is our corporate tradition to always partner with communities that host us and our facilities through various strategies of mutual benefit. Thange has a special place in our community of partners and we feel proud that we are able to carry out a sports activity that will in the long run see the transformation of young people who can develop their running potential to career level and earn from it,” Andambi said.

“As Africa’s premier Oil & Gas Company, sports is one avenue of empowering

the people to become change agents in their own communities. This is what our corporate social investment agenda is all about. Please come out in large numbers today and take part in this race,” he added in a statement to the media.

“I am also grateful to the chairman and my Board of Directors for the support that they have accorded the people of Thange throughout the clean-up process. This shows that as a company, we want to build a lasting bridge with the people of Thange,” the KPC boss said.

During today’s event, winners of the various categories, which will also feature children and adult races will receive enhanced cash prizes for the top five for each of the categories. The prize money will be distributed in kind in form of vouchers for food from local traders and some cash to meet other household needs. Children winners will also receive vouchers for school books from a local bookshop.

Winners in the elite youth category will pocket

Sh15,000 while first and second runners up will receive Sh12,000 and Sh9,000 respectively.

The top three in the junior and senior men and women categories will get Sh7,000, Sh5,500 and Sh4,000, respectively also with top 5 finishers awarded.

Besides, the best placed 3 local runners in all the senior category will equally be awarded, among other attractive prizes for each category.

The race will be open to the general community including women, the elderly, children and persons with disability with the main categories including general race 10Km (18-49 years); elderly race 3Km (above 50 years); people with disabilities 3Km while children up to 17 years will run for 5 Km.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – Unbeaten Kabras Sugar will look to keep their invincible form intact when the Kenya Cup action enters match week 10, but they should be keeping caution as the side they face in Kakamega, Homeboyz RFC, was one of the only two teams to inflict defeat on them last season.

Homeboyz beat Kabras 30-12 on match day eight at their Kakamega backyard, but the latter managed to bounce back when the two clashed again in the semi-finals winning 29-13 in Nairobi.

The two clash once again on Saturday in Kakamega, with Kabras under the tutelage of South African tactician Henley du Plessis on top of their game with an enviable nine-match winning streak.

“What’s inspiring so far in the season, is the level of commitment shown by the Kenyan players, rugby is really picking up and the skills of the players have improved. Our next month is an uphill battle but I think the boys are ready for it. They are very disciplined and that is a core value if a team is to be successful. We are very strict on the discipline,” du Plessis told Kenyacup.co.ke.

Kabras took victory over Kenya Harlequins last weekend, in what was termed as their toughest test this season, and they look to keep the hunt against Homeboyz.

Du Plessis has made only two changes from the team that won against Quins. Winger Felix Ayange and lock Charlton Mokua are recalled to the starting line-up taking over from Paul Abuto who will start on the bench and Brian Juma who is not in the match day squad.

The tactician will look on to the inspiration from sensational Ugandan Philip Wokarach who has been in sizzling form for the Kakamega based side this season.

Meanwhile, sixth placed Homebozy will look for inspiration from within to charge for a place in the play-offs.

The Simon Odongo coached side will be boosted with the availability of burly eighth man Joshua Chisanga who has been included in the 23-man squad but will start off the bench.

Chisanga has not featured for Homeboyz this season after several months in Poland and interestingly, the last time he featured for the side was during the semi-finals against Kabras last season.

“His return is timely and will help us a lot. You can’t replace his experience. He has recovered from an ankle injury during the repechage,” Homeboyz tactician Odongo told RagaHouse.

In the other interesting fixture of the weekend, Nakuru RFC will face siblings Menengai Oilers in the Nakuru Derby at the Nakuru Athletic Club, alias ‘Suguta Valley’.

Nakuru who are in the risk of missing out a place in the play-off for a second consecutive season will welcome back Kenyan international Oscar Ouma who is set to play his first 15s game for Wanyore in close to two years.

Ouma pairs Tyson Asiago at midfield as Hannington Wabwire and Walter Okoth start on the wings. Crispin Onyango is at fullback while Martin Muita will be the team’s joint.

Oilers lost 22-24 to Impala Saracens on matchday 9 and are also desperate for results to avoid dropping to the relegation zone in their maiden Kenya Cup campaign.

Kenya 7s international Harold Anduvate replaces Aziz Annan in the match day squad and will skipper the team while Derrick Keyoga comes in for Peter Wanjala on the right wing.

Elsewhere at the Lions Den in Nairobi, defending champions KCB will take Impala as they look to keep their hold on second position and a probable haul at first if they win and Kabras fall to Homeboyz in Kakamega.

Head coach Curtis Olago has made four changes from the side that beat Strathmore last weekend.

Kenya Simbas skipper Davies Chenge is up for his first start since the Rugby World Cup repechage and replaces Nick Ongeri in the second row. The latter also played his first game last weekend since last season’s Kenya Cup final.

Scrum-half Samuel Asati replaces Michael Wanjala (bench), Essau Otieno comes in for Brian Omondi (bench) as the second five-eighth while Kenya 7s captain Jacob Ojee starts on the blind wing replacing Stafford Abeka.

Felix Ojoo is back on the blind-side swapping with Brian Nyikuli (bench).

Impala will meanwhile hand Ugandan Saul Kivumbi his maiden appearance and he will start from the bench alongside Edmund Anya, Richard Sidindi and Kevin Okeyo.

Sammy Oliech is back to the fray after sitting out in the win over Oilers and takes over from Sidindi at fullback as Xavier Bett starts at fly-half to see Antony Nyandigisi move to midfield and Samson Onsomu traditionally at number 9.

The only front-row change sees Davies Makori replaces Edwin Gatungo (bench). In the backline, Derrick Mayar (blind wing) replaces Bradley Ochieng.

-Additional information courtesy Raga House

Kenya Cup weekend fixtures:

Mwamba vs Mean Machine- 2pm The Den

KCB vs Impala -4pm The Den

Nondies vs Strathmore Leos -Nondies

Kabras Sugar vs Homeboyz -Kakamega

Blak Blad vs Kenya Harlequin -KU

Nakuru vs Menengai Oilers -NAC

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 16 – The KCB Kenya National Autocross Championship returns this weekend with the second round set for Nairobi’s Jamhuri Park race circuit on Sunday.

The event, organized by Kenya Motor Sports Club (KMSC) will begin with Signing On and Scrutineering from 7:30am followed by Drivers Briefing at 8:30am and Official Practice at 09:.00.

Drivers will then embark on Official Heats runs from 09:30 onwards.

Throughout the day spectators will be kept in touch with fast and furious racing and results by a public address system. Refreshments will be available at reasonable prices. The format for the event will be a two car track whereby drivers will cover the same distance in simultaneous action.

The 2WD Turbo, 2WD Non Turbo and 4WD Turbo classes will be the main crowd pullers with drivers anticipated to roar round the challenging black cotton gravel in a series of power slides, jumps and tear away bursts of speed along the short straights.

The Pee Wee Class which is the newest Class on the KCB sponsored series and Bambino are expected to also treat spectators to some exhilarating displays of racing artistry. The diminutives in the two classes for small underpowered machines will be cheered on by fans while they go through their heats.

Official racing will feature four heat runs of which the best of three will count in the final classification with the Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) earning competitors two bonus points on the championship log.

After the season-opening KCB Simba Autocross 1 in Mai Mahiu, drivers are itching to rev with 2WD T leader Kunal Patel from Nanyuki and his main rivals Imran Hakada and Shaz Esmail expected to return in their “Attacker 1” buggies. 2WDT leader Zameer Verjee will drive a Rage Buggy.

Leader Illiyun Mughal, defending champion Yuvraj Rajput and Tesvi Soni are the drivers to watch in Bambino Class. Kiana Rajput and Tsirav Sink will also resume their fight for Pee Wee Class points.

Posting of results will take place after the last heat with Prize Giving scheduled to happen after confirmation of results.

KCB KENYA NATIONAL AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 STANDINGS AFTER RD1

CLASS 1 – 2WD NON TURBO

1 Zameer Verjee 22

2 Sameer Mehboob Nanji 17

3 Rajveer Singh Thethy 15

4 Sahir Mughal 14

5 Albert Kigen DNS 0

CLASS 2 – 2WD TURBO

1 Kunal Patel 22

2 Imran Hakada 17

3 Nazir Verjee 15

4 Shaz Ismail 14

5 Shalien Mughal 13

CLASS 4 – 4WD TURBO

1 Sahib Omar 22

2 Jackson Wandeto 17

CLASS 5 – OPEN

1 Imran Hakada 22

2 Shelien Mughal 17

3 Hamza Anwar 15

4 Kirit Rajput 14

CLASS 6 – QUAD

1 Wayne Fernandes 20

CLASS 7 – BAMBINO

1 Illuyun Mughal 20

2 Yuvraj Rajput DNF 0

3 Tsevi Soni DNF 0

CLASS 9- PEEWEE

1 Tsorav Soni 20

2 Kiana Rajput NE 0

NE – Not Eligible for points

DNF – Did Not Finish

DNS – Did Not Start

DNE – Did Not enter

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – The absence of four first team players in Gor Mahia’s 2-1 CAF Confederations Cup Group D loss to Angola’s Petro Atletico in Luanda still hurts boss Hassan Oktay who believes they should be on six points in the campaign.

The Kenyan champions missed the services of striker Jacques Tuyisenge and defender Philemon Otieno who were suspended for the tie while Dennis Oliech and Ernest Wendo missed the trip to Luanda due to injury.

“It is very disappointing because we dominated that game and we should have at least picked one point. We missed four first team players who were important in the Zamalek game. It showed when we played in Angola. If they were there, those should have been six points for us now,” the tactician told Capital Sport.

“But that is how football is sometimes. It is sad that we lost after creating chances but we have to dust ourselves and move on,” the tactician further stated.

Oktay was forced to field Joash Onyango as a makeshift right back with Philemon’s absence and Wellington Ochieng also out with injury while Erisa Ssekisambu and Francis Mustafa led the hunt upfront in Olecih and Tuyisenge’s absence.

However, they did not hit the right notes, especially the front two until Nicholas Kipkurui came on to halve the deficit with a late goal.

But despite the loss, the tactician is confident his side’s run will not be deterred especially coming at a time when they have picked up rhythm both domestically and on the continental front.

Gor jetted back to the country midnight Thursday and had a light training session at the Parklands Sports Club on Friday as they prepare to shift their focus back to the Kenyan Premier League with a tie against on-form Sofapaka beckoning for them on Sunday in Nakuru.

All the four who missed the trip to Angola have been passed fit and will be ready to continue the hunt in a match that Oktay has admitted will be a tough one for the reigning champions.

“Sofapaka is a good team and they are in good form at this time. Also, any team that plays against Gor Mahia gives 110% but we always expect it because we are the best team in Kenya. It will be a tough game,” he said.

“But I am confident in my team because we have adopted the philosophy and we are now playing very attractive football and we are able to pick points even away from home,” added the Turkish-born Cypriot.

Only one point separates the two sides at third and fourth in the standings while the holders can go top with a win over Sofapaka, though on goal difference and a match at hand.

“For us we have to go step by step. We have to look at each game as it comes and try to win. We cannot look at the end of the season or the next week match,” the tactician who also said he is not interested in looking at the table said.

Gor have lost thrice domestically this season, but have been on a run of three successive wins since the defeat against KCB.

The post Oktay still hurt from Gor’s loss in Angola appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – Bandari FC skipper Felly Mulumba says talk that the Mombasa-based side should be considered as one of the favorites for this season’s Kenyan Premier League title has not heaped pressure on their shoulders.

Bandari who finished second last season have started the season on a high and are currently placed in the same position, only separated from leaders Mathare United by goal difference.

“It is absolutely not building pressure on us because that is not what is on our minds and we are not the ones who are saying we are title favorites. At the moment our strategy is taking a match at a time and remaining humble as we try to add more points,” Mulumba stated.

The dockers have picked up points against tough opposition this season, winning against champions Gor Mahia, Sofapaka and AFC Leopards and their performance in last month’s Sportpesa Super Cup further underlined their stature as one of the teams to watch in the title race.

Mulumba has attributed their good performance to a solid squad and the fact that there is stiff competition in the team.

“We have a team that has stayed together for almost three seasons and understanding each other is easier. Training is also so competitive because everyone wants to be in the team. We are stronger as a unit now,” the defender stated.

He adds; “Our target when the season started was to ensure we finish in the top five and that still remains what we have pegged down as a goal. We will not be swayed or take our focus off our ambitions.”

Bandari play Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday at the Kasarani Stadium in what will be a repeat of the SportPesa Cup in Dar es Salaam, where Sharks ran off 1-0 winners.

Nonetheless, Mulumba says they will not have revenge on their minds.

“In football you have to accept defeat and on that day, Sharks won and they deserved to win. We can’t come into the match with a mentality of getting revenge. What happened in the past is behind us and this is a new ball game,” he stated.

“We are focused on going to get the three points. We know it will be a tough game because Sharks are very organized and tactically they are good. Playing away from home and getting a win is something that we really want to achieve,” the defender further noted.

History is hugely stacked against the dockers as they have won only once, in Mombasa against Sharks who have won the remaining four ties.

Their only victory came in the second leg of last season when they won 3-0 in Mombasa having lost the first leg 1-0 in Machakos.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – Five wins in six matches and 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka have created the belief that a second title cannot be yonder than the 2018-19 campaign.

Emphatic victory against table topping Mathare United last Tuesday hoisted John Baraza’s men to third in the standings with a two-point deficit from the leaders and another victory against holders Gor Mahia on Sunday will all but surely put them firmly in the race.

Baraza who has engineered a turnaround for the side since taking charge says his side is focused on harvesting all three from Gor and believes they are in the right mentality to do so.

“It is very important to win because Gor just like Mathare, Tusker and Bandari are firm title contenders, same to us. We have to make sure we get points out of them and this will improve our position on the table,” Baraza told Capital Sport.

Tuesday’s four-star performance against Mathare has further fueled Batoto ba Mungu’s belief that they can go the full length and compete for the table.

“Mathare is a top team and getting a win over them was important for our motivation as a team. If we keep winning against such teams then, we are heading somewhere,” he noted.

The youthful tactician who won the league with the club as a player in 2009 took charge with results being hard to come by and the side willowing in the bottom half of the table with only one win in seven games.

However, he has brought back belief to the side and he attributes this to giving the players more freedom to express themselves.

One of the players who has hugely flourished under Baraza is defender Faina Jacoms whose prowess in the defensive pairing with Burundian international Mousa Omar has been phenomenal.

Faina arrived with former head coach Melis Medo from Mount Kenya United but was on the fringes for most of the games, only starting twice and playing at right back.

However, when Baraza took charge, he swung him into central defense and has flourished with the side conceding only three goals in six games, two of them coming off set pieces.

“He is a player that I knew from long ago because when I was playing and he was at Muhoroni, he was a tough defender to take on. When I took over, I knew immediately where to place him and the results have been evident. He has been one of our best players,” Baraza added.

Sofapaka has only won thrice against Gor Mahia in 20 league meetings. Last season, the first leg ended 3-3 in a dramatic game in Machakos. Gor were leading 2-0 before Sofapaka fought back to lead 3-2, but then conceded a late equalizer.

The second leg was a one-way swing for Gor ho comfortably won 3-0. The last time Sofapaka beat Gor is in June 2017 when they won 2-0.

Baraza’s men will hope to capitalize on Gor Mahia’s fatigue as they will have only two days to rest after playing a tough game away in Angola in the CAF Confederations Cup.

Meanwhile, under pressure AFC Leopards will be out to leave the doldrums of relegation when they take on a struggling Ulinzi Stars in Machakos on Sunday.

Ingwe are second from bottom in the standings, only one point off the bottom having lost all their last four games. New boss Cassa Mbungo will have his work cut out as he looks to lift Ingwe off the bottom.

Ulinzi on their side are struggling as well, the military side failing to win any of their last five games with four draws and a loss.

KPL weekend matches:

Saturday: Kariobangi Sharks v Bandari (Kasarani), Nzoia Sugar v Chemelil Sugar (Sudi, Bungoma), Tusker FC v Kakamega Homeboyz (Ruaraka).

Sunday: KCB v Sony Sugar, AFC Leopards v Ulinzi Stars (Machakos), Zoo Kericho v Mathare United (Kericho), Western Stima v Mount Kenya United (Kisumu), Vihiga United v Posta Rangers (Kakamega).

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