NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 13 – The ministry of sports has surprisingly included Deputy President William Ruto’s Sh50mn African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification promise to Harambee Stars in the team’s final approved budget for the preparation of the biennial championship.

The Deputy President made a promise to the team that qualification to the 2019 showpiece will attract a hefty reward from the government but now, it appears the ministry has included this as part of the Sh244mn approved budget for the team towards the biennial championship.

This promise was made on December 19, 2017 when Ruto hosted the team at his official residence in Karen after their triumph in the CECAFA Senior Challenge trophy held here at home where he also rewarded the team with Sh5mn.

RECAP: Harambee Stars promised Sh50mn for AFCON qualification

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Nick Mwendwa the amount will be deducted from the entire approved budget which they hope to get by end of week.

“We had forwarded a budget estimate of Sh244mn for AFCON beginning from the Ghana game to the tournament in Egypt. We also had a separate budget for the team that plays in the Olympic qualifiers but the ministry through the Principle Secretary told us that in football, all we are getting is the Sh244mn until July 1,” Mwendwa said.

He added the Federation will keep its promise of giving the team 70pc of the Sh50mn to divide among themselves while the federation keeps the remaining 30pc to aid in preparations. With this, the players are set to receive Sh35mn to divide amongst themselves.

“We had a deal with the players and we will stick to it. Once they come in to camp next week we will give them the money hoping it comes into our accounts early and they will divide it among themselves,” Mwendwa noted.

This means that the team will now have a sum total of Sh209mn to facilitate all their plans for AFCON 2019 including the final qualifier against Ghana and the intended three-week training camp in France as well as the final tournament in Egypt.

The federation however received a Sh20mn boost from betting firm Betin of which Sh15mn will go towards the preparation kitty. FKF boss Mwendwa also noted they are set to unveil two more partners by next week to boost their finances.

“We want to give the coach and the team everything they ask for. This money will go into preparations of the team as well as settling bills from last season including Starlets’ unpaid allowances. The team will camp at Safari Park this time and so will the Under-23 Olympics team,” Mwendwa explained.

“It is expensive to undertake all these things and that is why we want to bring on board more sponsors. The camp in France is expensive, we will play two or three friendly games there and it is also expensive to have them,” he further stated.

At the same time, the FKF boss has estimated a cash reward of Sh7mn for the team for any win they pick in Egypt and if, against all odds they go all the way and lift the title, then the team will earn a whooping Sh120mn reward.

“That is what the coach has proposed and that is what other teams do. We have tried to negotiate a bit with the players but that is just about the estimate of what they will earn with one win. This money is not in the Sh244mn budget and that is why we need more partners on board,” Mwendwa noted.

According to plans, the team is set to travel to France on May 15 for the training camp at a location selected by the coach in Paris.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 13 – Defending champion Lorenzo Gagli is looking forward to defending his title though he acknowledged that he anticipates a tough competition since this year is a European Tour, coming hot on the heels of his outing at the Qatar Masters last week.

Gagli, who won through a three-hole sudden-death play-off at the Muthaiga Golf Club last year after tying for first alongside Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring, missed the Cut in Qatar but says that he is looking forward to reigniting his form from last year at the Karen Country Club.

“It’s amazing to come back to Kenya. I have a lot of good memories from last year so I’m really excited to play here again. The prize giving was really fun last year, there was a lot of people and the president of Kenya, it was really special to be there.”

Commenting on the hectic travel schedule Pro Golfers under the European Tour have, Gagli said:

“Sometimes it’s not easy, it’s a tough job, but at the same time it’s really good because you can visit all these kinds of countries like Kenya. I love Kenya and Africa. The people are amazing here.”

Gagli tees-off today at 1:40pm in his Pro-Am game alongside National Treasury PS, Kamau Thugge, and two others.

The 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship tees off at the Karen Country Club tomorrow, the 14th of March. Tickets for the tournament can be purchased via the website www.kenyaopen.golf.

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KAKAMEGA, Kenya, Mar 13 – John Avire’s header at the stroke of half time was all Sofapaka needed to edge out AFC Leopards 1-0 in a charged clash at the Bukhungu Stadium to go top of the Kenyan Premier League.

Avire glanced home an Umaru Kassumba cross to take the 2009 champions to 33 points, one ahead of previous leaders Bandari.

In other results, Chemelil Sugar stunned Western Stima 2-0 to move out of relegation zone, sitting 13th on 17 points while at the Kasarani Stadium, Eric Kapaito scored in the 20th minute to hand Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 win over visiting Nzoia Sugar.

The game served up some drama towards the end when some of the AFC Leopards backroom staff members sent a ball-boy to ‘steal’ keeper Justin Ndikumana’s towel at the side of the goal with the Burundian keeper snatching it away from the kid as he raced away.

On the pitch though, it was a full throttle contest.

Harambee Stars Under-23 forward Avire who had been a constant menace to the AFC backline glanced his team ahead at the stroke of halftime, rising high unmarked inside the box to head in from a well delivered outer foot Umaru Kassumba cross from the right.

While the entire AFC defense keenly watched the Ugandan who has scored eight times for Batoto ba Mungu this season, Avire found space and was running in behind the defense at every opportune moment.

Sofapaka took charge of the opening half and had their first chance inside five minutes when Brian Magonya picked out Piston Mutamba with a through pass inside the box but the striker’s effort at cutting back the ball was blocked.

On the other end, AFC’s first opening at goal came in the seventh minute through Victor Majid who cited space ahead of him and went for a shot, but keeper Justin Ndikumana saw it early and gathered.

In the 18^th minute, Batoto ba Mungu came ever so close when Stephen Waruru rose highest inside the box off an Elli Asieche corner, but his glancing header went over.

It turned out to be a half of set pieces, each side trying their luck on the dead ball and AFC had their go close in the 33^rd minute when Robinson Kamura arrowed a fierce one from the left but Ndikumana fisted the ball away.

Sofapaka thought they had the lead nine minutes to half time when Mutamba headed home after George Maelo had arrowed the ball back to the edge of the box, but the ref cancelled the goal for an infringement on Whyvonne Isuza.

Nonetheless, Sofapaka ensured they went to the breather one up when against the run of play, Kassumba cited Avire’s run and picked him out with a superb cross.

In the second half AFC came back a better side and pushed Sofapaka to defend deep.

Ten minutes after the restart, Ndikumana had to be alert inside the box to stick out a foot to cut out Mainge’s cross from the right with Asuza lurking waiting to pounce.

While AFC threw bodies upfront, they were almost caught on their rear twice. In the 63^rd minute, they conceded a goal off a counter and Asieche floated it in, Waruru heading it against the bar. Mutamba picked up the spills and shot goal-ward but the effort was blocked off the line.

Almost immediately, another counter saw Asieche release Mutamba with a through pass but the Harambee Stars forward could not beat Jairus Adira one on one.

AFC pushed and in the final quarter of an hour handed new signing David Ochieng his debut coming in to midfield while Aziz Okaka was also brought on for Vincent Oburu. However, they could not get the goal, to earn them in the least a point.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 13 – BetLion Goliath Jackpot on Wednesday released the odds for the Magical Kenya Open Golf Tournament to take place in Karen Country Club from March 14-17.

The main motivator behind pricing this tournament was in appreciation of how Kenyans love their sport and what better way than they can enjoy and make some money as they get entertained.

South African, Justin Hardin has been primed as favorite to win the tourney with odds of 12.00.

Hard hitting Dismas Indiza, Greg Snow, Mike Kisia are leading the pack for Kenya with a healthy 501.00 odds while BetLion’s David Wakhu is priced at 751.00 for tournament winner and 251.00 as first round leader.

Customers can log in and bet at betlion.co/KenyaOpen

“As BetLion, we love sport and are always dynamic enough to price up whatever sport our customers enjoy,” said Spencer Okach, Managing Director – BetLion.

BetLion commits to always be having markets of such tournaments, giving the best odds while at it.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 13 – Italian pro Renato Paratore and his partners returned a combined stableford score of 92 points to claim the top prize in the Magical Kenya Pro-Am at the Par 71 Karen Country Club Course.

Paratore’s team comprised of three amateurs A. Addison, C. Addison and G. Recizac.

French professional Clément Sordet in the company of Dr. P. Wambugu , Joe and S. Nduati returned a combined total of 88 to finish second. Sordet is an experienced golfer having played college golf at Texas Tech where he won six times

Third was the 2015 Kenya Open champion Haydn Porteous with a combined score of 86. Porteous was accompanied by N. Muturi, P. Kanyago and T. Ole Kina.Paratore will be among the pros to watch this year.

He enjoys the globetrotting nature of life on the European Tour and is gracing this year’s Open after back to back events in the Middle East, and before playing in Malaysia next week.

The 2017 Nordea Masters winner has not played the Kenya Open before and is expecting a good test at high altitude.

“I feel good,” he said. “I like the course, it’s a good challenge, also very good weather so I’m going to enjoy it.

“You have to play every part of the game well because from the tees and also around the greens is not easy, so it’s a good test.

“When you are in Europe four in a row is easier, but I went from Qatar to here and then Malaysia. It’s good because I like to travel and discover new places.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – Johnnie Walker-sponsored Dismas Indiza started off his 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship campaign to a flyer, finishing 2-under par 69 to leave him in fifth by the time he left the 18th green.

He started his round from the par-4, 10th tee with a birdie before following it up with another at the par-5,11th.

He however struggled to hole consecutive bogeys at the par-5, 12th, par-4, 13th and par-3, 14th holes before holding par on the rest of the holes for a total of 37. He found the groove back on the first nine to play blemish-free to hole birdies on the par-3 4th, par-5, 6th and par-4, 7th holes for a total of 32.

Speaking after the round, Indiza said:

“I tried my best to play well since I started with consecutive birdied at the 10th and the 11th holes before struggling at the 12th, 13th and 14th holes; but I later calmed down and started playing well but it was generally a decent outing for me today and I felt that I don’t have much to improve on going into round two tomorrow.”

Commenting on the course conditions, Indiza said:

“The course is in good shape; the fairways are a bit dry, but the greens are in very great shape. It got tricky with the wind in the morning, but I can only sympathize with the afternoon groups when the wind really picks up here.”

Indiza will be teeing off at the first tee tomorrow at 1:00pm alongside India’s Shubhankar Sharma (who finished 3-over par 74) and Spain’s Adri Arnaus (who finished 5-under par 66 to top the leaderboard as of 3:00pm on Round One).

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MACHAKOS, Kenya, Mar 14 – Gor Mahia came from a goal down to score two within two minutes and beat Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday to move second in the Kenyan Premier League standings.

Luke Namanda had given Homeboyz a 50^th minute lead before substitute Francis Mustafa and Boniface Omondi scored in quick succession to hand the league holders a vital win and keep their title retention hopes alive.

With the players on a go slow due to unpaid allowances and February salaries, Gor had only 15 men travel to Machakos, the 11 starting and four on the bench with youngster Eric Ombija landing the rare chance of being in the squad among the subs.

Among the regulars, Harun Shakava, Nicholas Kipkurui, Ernest Wendo, George Odhiambo and Lawrence Juma were started. Loudly absent were Francis Kahata, Jacques Tuyisenge, Samuel Onyango and Dennis Oliech, though they might be rested for Sunday’s crucial CAF Confederations Cup match.

Gor had not trained since their return from their CAF Confederations Cup assignment against Zamalek in Egypt and Thursday afternoon was their first day together on the pitch since the Sunday tie.

It was a slow encounter with few chances. Homeboyz had the first go at goal after 11 minutes when Ali Bhai’s low corner was missed by everyone in the box landing on Sosthenes Idah’s feet but the centre back skied the shot.

In the 26^th minute, Gor had their first real foray at goal when off a counter attack, Nicholas Kiokurui put Erisa Ssekisambu through with a delightful through pass but the Ugandan hit the effort high from the right.

In the 32^nd minute, some fancy footwork from Festo Omukoto saw him skip away from Wendo, but his eventual shot at goal was weak, Peter Odhiambo gathering easily.

In quick succession in the 34^th and 37^th minutes, Gor had their first shots on target. First, Wendo cited some space ahead of him and went for a shot, but it was an easy catch for David Juma in the Gor goal.

Three minutes later, Boniface Omondi’s corner went straight into the upright and he recycled the ball, sought space and shot at goal with David Juma punching the effort away for another corner.

The game picked up in the second half with Gor showing intent early, Juma’s shot from distance being smothered away by keeper Juma.

Homeboyz broke the deadlock five minutes into the half when Bhai put Namanda through with a defense splitting pass, the winger dinking the ball over keeper Fredrick Odhiambo.

But Gor, match fitness notwithstanding kept the pressure and left back Geoffrey Ochieng showed intent in the 61^st minute with a rifling shot from distance punched away for a corner by Juma.

The goals finally came, and in quick succession.

Mustafa volleyed Gor level in the 67^th minute from inside the box after Homeboyz struggled to clear the ball off an Ochieng long throw. Two minutes later, the home side was 2-1 up in almost similar fashion.

A long throw wasn’t cleared away and the ball fell back on Ochieng who crossed in and cleared away straight to Omondi’s legs. The winger took a delightful first touch before taking a shot at goal, the ball being deflected on its way in.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – England’s Jack Singh Brar and South Africa’s Louis De Jager returned a score of 7-under par to share the lead after round one of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open, played at the Karen Country Club on Thursday.

Singh started off his round in steady fashion, not dropping a shot in the opening five holes, before turning on the style with an eagle on the par-5 sixth, following it up with a hat trick of birdies on the par-4 seventh, eighth and ninth for a first nine score of 30, 5-under par.

He kept his form going after turning with further birdies on the par-5 11th and 12th, while holding par on the rest of the holes to return a blemish free card of 7-under par, 64 for the round.

Speaking after his round, Singh mentioned how the Karen Course was different from the ones he is used to and how he managed to hit the right shots at the right time.

“Through the round I got up and down when I needed to and then I was five under through my last four – a great way to finish the round. It was my first time at this course, it is very different to a lot of the courses that we play, it’s quite quirky, and that is something which has suited me in the past, and I like it here.”

On his part Louis had a slow start, dropping two shots at the par-3 second, but recovering with birdies on the par-4 third and par-3 fourth holes. He wrapped up the front nine in great form, picking up a further four shots in the last three holes to return a score of 30, 5-under par at the half way point.

He went on to pick up further shots at the par-5 12th and par-4 13th, before faltering with a bogey on the par-3 14th, a further birdie at the 18th saw him return a score of 34, 2-under par for a total score of 7-under par 64 on the day.

Speaking on his round, De Jager mentioned how great it was to be back in Africa and how glad he was that he was playing well.

“It is always nice to be back in Africa, and when we came here on Tuesday, I felt right at home on my home continent and it felt very similar with the altitude to Pretoria which is home for me. I have been hitting it really well over the past two weeks and I did that again today, but just managed to hole a few putts too.”

“It was a lot windier today than I am used to here, so to come away with the score that I did was really satisfying.” He added.

The two finished one shot ahead of India’s Bhullar Gaganjeet (-6) and the pair of Spain’s Adri Arnaus and Nothern Ireland’s Michael Hoey who finished on 5-under par. On what was a low scoring and windy round one at the Karen Country Club.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn finished the round tied for 24th, on a score of 1-under par, alongside the 2016 Kenya Open winner Sebastian Soderberg.

Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige led the Kenyan players after the round, returning a score of 3-under par, 68 to place him 13th on the leader board, one stroke ahead of Mumias based hard hitter Dismas Indiza.

Round two action is set to tee off at 7:20 AM, with the field of 144 golfers looking to make the CUT to play in the third and fourth rounds.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – Kenyan players taking part at the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship posted mixed results on round one of the tournament; with only a couple playing under-par going into Friday’s round.

Thika Sports Club’s Simon Ngige finished the round as the highest ranked local pro having returned an impressive 3-under par 68 score to end the day 13th on the leaderboard; four shots behind the clubhouse leaders.

Starting off at the first tee in the afternoon, he only dropped two shots on the first nine – at the par-4, first and the par-3, second – before holing birdies at the par-5, sixth, the par-4, eighth and the par-4, ninth for a total of 34.

On the back nine, he dropped a lone birdie at the par-3, 16th; but birdies at the par-5, 11th, the par-4, 15th and par-4, 17th holes were enough to secure a total of 34.

Speaking after his round, Ngige said:

“I had a shaky start dropping two shots at the start, but a conversation with my caddie stabilized my approach and I attained some level of focus. The wind was a challenge, and the course was quite bumpy as some groups had played on the course in the morning, but overall it was a good day for me,”

“Going into tomorrow’s round, I want to remain focused on the game and ensure that I am just playing the ball.”

Johnnie Walker-sponsored Dismas Indiza started off his campaign to a flyer, finishing 2-under par 69 to leave him in fifth by the time he left the 18th green. He started his round from the par-4, 10th tee with a birdie before following it up with another at the par-5,11th.

He however struggled to hole consecutive bogeys at the par-5, 12th, par-4, 13th and par-3, 14th holes before holding par on the rest of the holes for a total of 37. He found the groove back on the first nine to play blemish-free to hole birdies on the par-3 4th, par-5, 6th and par-4, 7th holes for a total of 32.

Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort’s Jastus Madoya returned a level-par 71 score to finish the round tied in 36th; and third overall among the Kenyans at the tournament after the round.

He carded a total od 37 on the first nine courtesy of three bogeys – at the second, sixth and ninth – and a lone birdie at the par-4, seventh. On the back nine he hit three birdies – at the 11th, 12th, and 17th holes – and dropped a single shot at the 14th for a total of 34.

Golf Park’s Tony Omuli shot a decent 1-over par 72 on the round to finish the day tied in 54th; with his scorecard featured an impressive eagle at the par-5, sixth.

Meanwhile, Muthaiga’s Greg Snow and Vet lab’s Edwin Mudanyi finished the round with a two-over par score to finish tied in 74th.

Greg, who played in the company of 15-time European Tour Champion and immediate former Ryder Cup captain, Thomas Bjorn and the winner of the 2019 Qatar Masters, Justin Harding, looks to reverse his luck Friday for any chances of making the Cut.

“I was a bit shaky off the tee today and I didn’t hit it well, but I grinded it out really well on the back nine, where I found some form, and that’s how I was able to finish the day off with a 73. Tomorrow I’ll just go out there and have fun, shoot a good score and we should be good for the weekend,” he said.

David Wakhu, David Odhiambo and Nelson Simwa all returned a 4-over par 74 score to finish toed for 95th. Among the pros, Jacob Okello struggled the most to fining the day tied in 139th place with a nine-over par score.

Among the amateurs, Samuel Njoroge was best of the lot with a 4-over par score to finish tied in 109th.

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Mar 15 – Tanzanian club Simba SC boast a perfect CAF Champions League home record this season and can book a quarter-finals place by beating Democratic Republic of Congo visitors V Club Saturday.

Record eight-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt and JS Saoura of Algeria are also chasing top-two finishes in Group D on the final matchday in the elite African club competition.

Saoura top the table with eight points, Ahly and V Club have seven each and Simba six, but the final order may be quite different.

Ahly, another club with a 100 percent home record in this Champions League, are expected to defeat Saoura in Alexandria and finish first.

And Simba can leap from last to second provided they avenge a five-goal drubbing from V Club in Kinshasa two months ago.

AFP Sport previews the sixth matchday with 11 clubs hoping to join defending champions Esperance of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the March 20 last-eight draw.

Group A

While Sundowns have qualified, who finishes first and whether Wydad Casablanca of Morocco or ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast also progress are issues to be resolved.

The South Africans need a point at Wydad to remain top while ASEC, away to Lobi Stars of Nigeria, must achieve a better result than Wydad to snatch second spot.

Sundowns and ASEC boast in-form goal scorers in Themba Zwane and Amed Toure respectively as they seek first away victories in this section.

Group B

Esperance have won the group thanks to three home victories and two away draws, leaving Horoya of Guinea and Orlando Pirates of South Africa to scrap for second place.

Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has been reminding his squad of 1995, when the club stunned ASEC in Abidjan to win the competition, then called the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

But multi-national Horoya, whose stars include Ghana-born striker Ocansey Mandela, are one point ahead of Pirates and have home advantage so the odds favour them.

Group C

Five-time champions TP Mazembe from DR Congo have, like Simba and Ahly, won all their home games, including a group-record 8-0 thrashing of Club Africain from Tunisia.

They look set to defeat Algerian visitors CS Constantine, who have managed only four points from a possible nine since firing three unanswered goals past Mazembe in north Africa.

Constantine should qualify as runners-up, though, given they have a three-point advantage and a far superior goal difference than Club Africain, who host bottom side Ismaily of Egypt.

Group D

Ahly have a goalkeeper crisis with injuries reportedly ruling out first choice Mohamed el Shenawy and reserve Sherif Ekramy, leaving Ali Lotfy to start against Saoura.

The Egyptian club, runners-up in the past two editions, have been impressive at home, winning their three qualifying and group matches by scoring nine goals and not conceding.

Simba hope a multi-national attack of Rwandan Meddie Kagere, Zambian Clatous Chama, Tanzanian John Bocco and Ugandan Emmanuel Okwi can deliver victory over former champions V Club.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15 – The stage is set for the third round of the Kenya National Motocross Championship at Jamhiri Park racetrack this weekend.

The event organized by East Africa Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) under the auspices of Kenya Motor Sports Foundation (KMSF) has attracted the crème de la crème of the series including Ethan Nyachae (MX2), Samuel Magwa (MX85) and Tai Wahome who will all be going for their third straight wins.

The MX50 has attracted leader Zawadi Nyachae who will be up against Mathenge Kamandia and Gisa Benzinge for the podium tussle. Zawadi, who tops the MX 50 log on 97 points against Mathenge’s 96, has a slim lead and will be hoping to collect maximum points on the three heat runs to improve his tally.

MX 65 leader Tanav Choda, who has won the last two races, will renew rivalry with Wahome Mutahi. The two are separated by 17 points and it will be interesting to see just how they will the podium dash.

Also, in the 65 mix is the outgoing MX50 champion Atete Benzinge who is lying third on the log. Atete, who has moved up from MX50 Class to MX65 was voted the EAMSC Lady Rider of the year   2018 during the recent Awards Ceremony at Nairobi Polo Club.

Samuel Magwa hopes to maintain his dogged campaign in search of MX85 honors with a fight against lady rider Nandi Kiplagat, Dekker Kihara and Neo Wahome.

It will I’ll be interesting to also see a podium showdown involving leader Ethan Nyachae, Kigen Kiplagat and Rolf Kihara in the MX2 Class which is expected to be the highlight of the race meeting.

There will be continues racing throughout from 9am to the afternoon session which will determine the winners of the third race meeting.

Fans will also be treated to some exhilarating displays of racing artistry with music and a public address system which will keep them in touch with results.

Kenya Motocross Standings After Round 2

MX50

1. Zawadi Nyachae 97
2. Mathew Kamundia 96
3. Gisa Benzinge 85

MX65

1. Tanav Choda 114
2. Wahome Mutahi 97
3. Atete Benzinge 86

MX85

1. Samwel Magwa 114
2. Mandi Kiplagat 108
3. Neo Wahome 84

MX125

1. Tai Wahome 120
2. Vince Schrier 96
3. Christian Chege 94

MX2

1. Ethan Nyachae 120
2. Kigen Kiplagat 98
3. Rolf Kihara 92

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15 – Steeplechase king Ezekiel Kemboi is eagerly-anticipating to making his marathon debut on April 28 in Hamburg after organisers confirmed his entry alongside that of 2012 Olympic champion Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich.

Kemboi, a two-time Olympic and four-time world champion in the 3000m steeplechase, will for the first time tackle the 42km after transiting from track.

Kiprotich meanwhile, the 2012 Olympic and 2013 world marathon champion, will return to the northern German port city for the third time, after finishing second in 2017 and fifth one year ago.

The 29-year-old, who is the national record holder at 2:06:33, clocked sub-2:08 performances in both of his Hamburg appearances.

The fastest runner on the start list is Ayele Abshero, who clocked 2:04:23 in his marathon debut at the 2012 Dubai Marathon. The Ethiopian returns after finishing third last year.

World half marathon record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, who will also be making her marathon debut, and two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui were previously announced.

Kirui, the world champion over the distance in 2009 and 2011, has already announced his intention of chasing the course record of 2:05:30, set by Eliud Kipchoge in his marathon debut in 2013.

Compatriots Jonathan Korir and Amos Mitei, who have personal bests of 2:06:51 and 2:07:28 respectively, are expected to join the hunt. Japan’s Taku Fujimoto, who clocked his personal best of 2:07:57 in last year’s Chicago Marathon, will also be in the race.

The women’s contest will also feature Portuguese star Jessica Augusto, who won the race in 2017 clocking 2:25:30. The field will also include Madai Perez of Mexico (2:22:59 PB), Japan’s Tomomi Tanaka (2:23:19) and Dibabe Kuma of Ethiopia (2:23:34).

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15 – Ahead of the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Denmark, world U20 title holder in the 5000m Beatrice Chebet is charged to end Ethiopian dominance and bring back home the elusive women’s junior 6km gold that Kenya last won in 2013.

Olympic and World champion in the women’s 1500m, Faith Kipyegon is the last Kenyan to win the junior gold medal six years ago when the event was held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, leading Agnes Tirop to a 1-2 finish.

But having seen the East African athletics powerhouse only bag bronze in the last event hosted in Kampala, Chebet is determined to break the jinx.

“My cross-country season has been fantastic, and I believe I am in the best shape thanks to my coach. I am training hard to make sure I bring home the gold, I am confident we will make it, I just urge my team-mates that we embrace team work,” Chebet, who won the National Cross Country cum World Cross trials in Eldoret, underscored.

Chebet will team up with Betty Chepkemboi, Jackline Rotich, Agnes Mwikali, Lydia Jeruto and Mercy Chepkorir to ensure Kenya reclaims back both its individual and team glory when the 43rd edition will run March 30 in Aarhus, Denmark.

Chebet, 19, has experience in the international stage having competed in the World U18 and Africa Championships in Algiers and she is not only setting her sights on the World Cross glory but also emulating superstar World Record holder, Eliud Kipchoge in dominating the globe.

“I want to run better and be like Eliud Kipchoge and break many world records, I want to be awarded many times as Kipchoge,” Chebet told Capital Sport.

In Kampala, as the Kenyan senior teams both men and women extended their dominance, the juniors struggled with Celliphine Chespol managing to bag bronze as Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey lead compatriot Hawi Feysa to a 1-2 finish.

In 2015 when the event was held in Guiyang, China, Kenya did not make it into the podium as rivals Ethiopians recorded a clean sweep.

“I don’t fear Ethiopians, I have trained hard and I will be ready for them,” Chebet stated.

The Kenyan team is intensifying its training in Kigari, Embu county under the watchful eyes of head coach David Letting.

The post Chebet eyes elusive women’s junior WC gold appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 15 – Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Nicholas Muyoti was left fuming at his players after they let go of a single goal lead to lost 2-1 to a Gor Mahia side he described as the weakest they have ever fielded.

Two goals in two minutes saw an under strength Gor side which had only four players on the substitute’s bench come from behind to win and move second in the standings.

“I am very disappointed with how we played today. We conceded two goals from long throws because of concentration lapses. This Gor side is one of the weakest they have ever fielded in this league and it is sad we lost,” the tactician offered.

The tactician blamed his players for failing to sustain pressure and also offered that his frontline was not as creative as he would have wished.

“We were under pressure and that’s when I expect my players to be cool, calm and collected but we were not. Our attack was blunt and we didn’t create much infront of goal,” Muyoti further stated.

Looking into the transfer window, the tactician who recently joined Homeboyz from Nzoia Sugar says the club is looking out for three new players; a keeper, defensive midfielder and a left footed winger.

Homeboyz hope to quickly shrug off the disappointment of losing out to Gor when they take on Mathare United at the Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday.

While Homeboyz are looking to get their feet back in for a top half race, fourth placed Mathare will be aiming their efforts at getting back to the top of the standings.

Mathare are on 31 points, two behind leaders Sofapaka and victory in Kakamega will hoist them to the top with 34 points.

The post Muyoti fumes at loss to Gor’s ‘weakest team ever’ appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay has issued a passionate plea to football fans to turn out in large numbers at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday when they take on Angola’s Petro Atletico in a do-or-die CAF Confederations Cup match.

Gor who sit bottom of Group D are eyeing a place in the quarter finals of the competition for the first time ever but must beat the Angolans regardless of the result Nasr Athletic Hussein Dey and Zamalek post in the other group match.

“I want to ask my players number 12, the fans to come out and support us. Not only the Gor Mahia fans but all Kenyans because when we are playing, we represent Kenya. It doesn’t matter whether it is Gor Mahia, Bandari, Sharks or whoever is playing. When you are in this competition, you are representing the country,” Oktay noted.

Gor have just the six points from their home wins against Zamalek and Hussein Dey. Had they posted better results away from home, then they would have finished the job early but now find themselves in a tricky situation.

Under pressure, Gor are not known to be the best. Last season, they only needed a point against Rwanda’s Rayon Sport to qualify for the quarters but they ended up losing 2-1. This year though, they are counting on their imperious home form to topple Petro.

“We have made a plan, and a good plan for that matter. I am confident that we will win. I am not worried. We will play good football; that’s my philosophy because I want to see people happy,” the tactician stated.

Gor’s preparations for this important tie have been slowed down with players going on strike over unpaid salaries and allowances, but the same was resolved and they managed to train on Friday evening.

The league champions had to field only 15 players for Thursday’s league match against Kakamega Homeboyz and Capital Sports understands that some of the players who were to be rested were called in late after most of their mates boycotted the game.

“It is difficult for me to work like this because I didn’t even prepare much for this game. I tried talking to the players individually to ask them to come and even on the pitch before the game I tried talking to them. But we have talked and resolved,” the coach said.

He added; “This is like a marriage. Sometimes you fight with your wife and it is normal to disagree. It is the same for football as well you might disagree. We are a big family and sometimes we disagree. We have problems but we have solved them.”

The tactician has also decried the lack of help from league managers in postponing their games to allow them prepare better.

“In Algeria, Hussein Dey had their games cancelled while for us before that, we played against Tusker with 10 men for 70 minutes three days before the game. We don’t mind playing three games in a week after we are done with CAF games. I think they should help us to prepare well and rest players,” the tactician offered.

The post Oktay calls for 12th man noise on Sunday appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 15 – Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige and Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort’s Justus Madoya impressed on the second round of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship to post 2-under par 140 and level-par 142 scores for the two rounds respectively; making them the only Kenyans who made the Cut for the remainder of the tournament.

Ngige, who started his round at the 10th tee in the morning, carded a total of 37 on the back nine courtesy of three bogeys at the par-5, 12th, the par-3, 14th and the par-4, 15th holes; and a couple of birdies at the par-5, 11th and the par-3, 16th holes.

On the first nine, he carded a total of 35 thanks to a couple of bogeys at the par-4, first and the par-4, seventh; and a couple of birdies at the par-5, sixth and the par-4, ninth for a round of 1-over par 72.

Ngige, who is making his 13th Kenya Open Golf Championship appearance, has only made the cut at the tournament twice, in 2016 and 2017, where he went on to finish 46th and 34th winning Euros 1,012 and Euros 1,496 respectively.

On his part, Madoya continued with his steady run at the tournament, matching yesterday’s round of 71, leaving him tied in 39th place and firmly within the cut.

Starting at the 10th tee in the morning, he holed a solo birdie at the par-4,13th but picked a double bogey at the par-4, 15th and a bogey at the par-3, 16th to card a back nine total of 38.

On the first nine, he dropped a lone shot at the par-4, third, but holed brides at the par-3, second, the par-5, Sixth and the par-4, ninth holes to card a total of 33.

Madoya, who is making his sixth appearance at the Kenya Open Golf Championship, has never made the cut before at the tournament.

Meanwhile, both Greg Snow and Dismas Indiza, the top-ranking Kenyans on the 2018/19 Safari Tour Golf Series, exited the tournament with identical 3-over par 145 scores to leave them tied in 83th place; one shot off the cut line of 2-over par.

Snow started off the round steadily, holding par at the par-4, 10th, before holing consecutive birdies at the par-5, 11th and the par-5, 12th. He held par on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes, before hitting consecutive bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes to card a total of 36.

On the first nine, where he struggled with form on round one of the tournament, he carded a total of 36 courtesy of two birdies at the par-4, first and the par-4, seventh; a bogey on the par-4, third and a double-bogey on the par-5, sixth.

Snow was making his 12th Kenya Open appearance where he has previously made the cut three times; with his best finish coming in 2014 when he finished 10th talking home Euros 4,066.

On his part, Indiza wasted away a 2-under par 69 head start he had secured on Round One of the tournament, to return a 5-over par score on the second round to take his total for the tournament to 3-over par 145.

He had a first nine to forget, carding a total of 41 courtesy of bogeys at the first, fourth, sixth and seventh holes and a triple bogey at the third; with his solo birdie on the first nine came at the ninth hole. On the back nine, he carded a total of 35, courtesy of birdies at the 10th, 11th and 16th holes. He dropped shots at the 15th and 18th holes.

Indiza was making an appearance at his 20th Kenya Open Golf Championship; where he previously has made the cut nine times -with his best finish coming in 2008 when he finished 10th taking home Euros 3,555.

Among the amateurs, Samuel Njoroge was best of the lot, finishing tied in 95th alongside Nelson Simwa and David Wakhu.

The post Ngige, Madoya impress, make Kenya Open cut appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – South Africa’s Louis de Jager played a round of 5-under par 66 during the second round of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open, to storm to the top of the leader board, with a total score of 12-under par.

Louis, who started the round sharing the lead with England’s Jack Singh Brar on 7-under par, wasted no time in making his intentions clear.

Starting from the 10th tee, the South African started his round with back to back birdies, on the par-4, tenth and par-5, eleventh, following these up with further birdies on the thirteenth and eighteenth to finish his first nine without dropping a shot for a half way score of 4-under par, 32.

His next nine holes offered a stiffer challenge, as he dropped a couple of shots at the par-3, second and par-4, fifth.

He would however recover well with a birdies on the third, sixth and ninth holes for a round score of 5-under par and a total score of 12-under par after the two rounds played. Four strokes ahead of Jack Singh Brar and Spain’s Adri Arnaus who are tied for second slot.

Jack lost his grip on top spot after playing a round of one-under par, 70 following two bogeys and three birdies, with Arnaus shooting a round of 3-under par on the day to follow up his 5-under par score in the first round.

Speaking after his round, De Jagger was delighted with his start and mentioned that he was getting used to the feel of the course as it was very similar to the conditions in South Africa.

“I started off birdie-birdie and it got me in the right mindset for the round, I kept it going, kept it on the fairways, kept hitting the greens and made a few putts. I am getting used to the feel of the Kikuyu grass and the ball travels the same as back home in Pretoria, distance wise, so it really feels like we’re back home.” He said.

On his game plan for the coming rounds, he said, “My game plan is not too aggressive. The most important thing is hitting the fairways and hitting the greens because the greens are quite small.  If you hit the greens you’ve always got a good birdie chance.”

The CUT to play in round three and four was applied at 2 over par, 144 which saw a total of 79 golfers from the initial field of 144, progress to the next rounds.

Among them, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, France’s Romain Langasque and the 2015 Kenya Open champion, Sebastian Soderberg and the Kenyan duo of Justus Madoya and Simon Ngige.

Among the notable absentees are the 2018 Kenya Open winner Lorenzo Gagli, who played a round of 1-over par to take his total score to 3-over par. Others are Korean internet sensation Hu Sung Choi and Kenya’s Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow.

Round three action tees off at 7:10 AM, with Sweden’s Simon Forsstrom getting the action underway, as the players now battle it out for a stake of the 1.1 Million Euros (Kshs. 126 Million) prize kitty.

The post De Jager takes round two lead at Kenya Open appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15 – 2017 London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot and fellow Kenyan Erick Kiptanui lead strong field’s for the Lisbon Half Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road race scheduled for Sunday.

In the women’s field, Cheruyiot (marathon world rank: 3), the 2016 Olympic 5000m champion, is the undisputed star of the field.

The 35-year-old, who also won three world titles on the track and the 2017 London Marathon, was second in this race last year clocking 1:09:44. She clocked 1:07:43 at last year’s Great North Run to win that event for the second time.

“I’ve trained well, I intend to test myself on Sunday before the London Marathon,” Cheruiyot said. So I hope to run well and improve my personal best, so I expect to get the podium. I hope it will be the first place.”

She’ll face a formidable field however, led by Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka (road running world rank: 16), who has a solid 1:06:11 lifetime best set last year.

Her 20-year-old compatriot Zeineba Yimer (road running world rank: 13) has gone even faster, clocking 1:05:46 when finishing third at this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon.

Others to watch include Kenyan Linet Masai (marathon world rank: 93), who was third here in 2016 in 1:09:33 and Kenyan Veronica Nyaruai (road running world rank: 116), who has a lifetime best of 1:07:58.

Masai is also using the race as a tune-up prior to next month’s London Marathon. “I’m in good shape and I intend to do my best next Sunday, a test also before my next marathon in London.”

Notable debutantes include 21-year-old Kenyan Sandra Tuei (road running world rank: 41), a former U18 and U20 standout, and Swede Meraf Bahta (road running world rank: 44; 10,000m: 10), who clocked a 31:09 10km national record on 10 February.

-Men’s race-

Losing the men’s world record to Valencia last year was impetus for organisers to this year attract a men’s field that includes 21 runners with personal bests of under 1:01 and ten in the women’s field who have dipped under 1:10.

Kiptanui (road running world rank: 9) made his debut over the distance in this race last year, winning in 1:00:05, and went on to improve to 58:42 in Berlin one month later.

“My goal is to do my best and win again,” Kiptanui said. He added that he wasn’t targeting Abraham Kiptum’s 58:18 world record set in Barcelona last October.

Two other sub-59:00 runners are in the field: 2013 winner Bernard Kiprop Koech, who has clocked 58:41, and Solomon Kirwa Yego (marathon world rank: 93), who set his 58:44 best in the 2016 Rome-Ostia Half Marathon.

But there are more athletes in this race who can produce some surprises. Ethiopia comes armed with Mosinet Geremew (marathon world rank: 4), winner of the 2018 Dubai Half Marathon with a 59:11 lifetime best from 2014, and Betesfa Getahun (road running world rank: 35), who has a 1:00:26 personal best. He was third in the Barcelona Half Marathon last month.

Behind Kiptanui, the solid Kenyan contingent includes Micah Kogo (marathon world rank: 637), the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist over 10,000m who’s clocked 59:07; Simon Cheprot (road running world rank: 44) who has a 59:20 lifetime best; Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo (road running world rank: 23), who has a 59:26 best; Nicholas Kosimbei, who clocked 1:00:21 at this race last year; late addition Edwin Soi (road running world rank: 305), the 2008 Olympic 5000m bronze medallist, who improved to 1:00:24 in Granollers, Spain, this year; and Japhet Korir (road running world rank: 80), who has run 1:00:08.

“I’m in better shape this year,” said Kosimbei, who was fourth here last year. “I hope to improve my place from last year, because in 2018 the weather was not so good to the runners.”

Others to watch include Callum Hawkins (road running world rank: 147) of Great Britain, who’ll be looking to improve on his 1:00:00 personal best and Abrar Osman (road running world rank: 57) of Eritrea, who’s clocked 1:00:19.

RACE RECORD ASSAULT ON TAP IN NEW TAIPEI CITY

The strongest fields ever assembled for the New Taipei City Wan Jin Shi Marathon will be gunning for race records at this IAAF Silver Label event’s 19th edition on Sunday (17).

On the men’s side, four entrants with sub-2:10 credentials will be on the start line targeting the 2:13:05 standard set by Kenyan Josphat Too in 2013.

Among the favourites is Kenyan Mike Mutai, the winner of the 2016 Hong Kong Marathon who also boasts podium finishes from marathons in Singapore, Hangzhou and Hefei. Mutai, 36, clocked his 2:09:18 lifetime best in Dubai in 2012.

Another contender is Ethiopian Abraham Girma whose 2:06:48 personal best set in 2012 makes him the fastest in the field. More recently, he clocked 2:12:46 in Porto last November, finishing fifth.

A third contender is Philip Kangogo of Kenya, who set his 2:08:16 lifetime best when winning the 2015 Barcelona Marathon in his debut over the distance.

Mathew Kipsaat, who clocked 2:09:19 at the 2017 Rome Marathon, is also in the field.

Similarly in the women’s race, five women with sub-2:30 credentials have been recruited to set their sites on Kim Jong-hyang’s 2:34:53 race record set in 2014.

He Yinli (marathon world ranking: 164) of China is the fastest in the field with a personal best of 2:27:35 set at the 2015 Chongqing Marathon where she’s finished on the podium twice. She clocked 2:31:14 at the Osaka Women’s Marathon in January, her most recent race.

Kenyan Nancy Koech (marathon world ranking: 318) is another contender. She arrives armed with a 2:29:30 career best set at the 2017 Daegu Marathon, with wins at the Malaga, Copenhagen and Munster marathons to her credit.

Another Kenyan, Sylvia Medugu (marathon world ranking: 201), has a 2:29:09 personal best, set at the 2017 Frankfurt Marathon.

Another contender is Ethiopian Amente Sorome Negush (marathon world ranking: 268), whose 2:29:46 came at the 2017 Florence Marathon.

The field also includes Japanese runner Hiroko Yoshitomi (marathon world ranking: 223), who’s been called a female version of prolific marathoner Yuki Kawauchi. The 35-year-old set her 2:30:09 personal best in Fukuoka last November. On Sunday she’ll be running her third marathon in as many weekends. On 3 March she clocked 2:32:3o in Tokyo and 2:34:49 a last Sunday in Nagoya.

The start time forecast calls for some light rain and cool conditions.

The post Vivian Cheruiyot leads field for Lisbon Half appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 15 – This week’s decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in their Council meeting in Qatar regarding the 2020 Diamond League is not only outrageous but also punitive to Kenyan long-distance runners.

Sitting in Doha, which will host the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the council decided that the longest discipline will be the 3000m race. The event is an annual series of elite track and field athletic competitions.

The verdict automatically results in the IAAF striking out 5- and 10-kilometer races from the lucrative event. Sebastian Coe, the federation’s President, attributed these new developments to the need to make the activity friendlier for television viewing.

Early December last year, the same global athletics body made changes to the World Under 20 Championship to be hosted in Nairobi next year.

The council ruled that it had dropped the 10,000 meters race for both men and women from the event’s programme. It went ahead and cancelled the men’s 5000 meters race during the event.

It should not be forgotten that this is the race in which Kenya’s Edward Pingua Zakayo, currently a form three student at Kapsait Athletics Secondary School, won gold during the World Under 20 championship hosted in Tempere, Finland, in July 2018.

The Chairman of Athletics Kenya (AK) Nairobi Branch, Barnabas Korir, came out guns blazing over the IAAF’s decisions terming the moves as ‘retrogressive’.

Most track and field events enthusiasts relate with this feeling given that Kenya has dominated most of the long-distance events for decades. Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya’s legendary marathoner, won the 2003 World 5,000 meters title aged 19.

The Confederation for African Athletics (CAA), headquartered in Senegal, has not pronounced itself on these matters. However, the feeling that the IAAF decisions seem to be targeting Kenya owing to the country’s prowess in long distance races is slowly taking root among many athletics fans.

The country emerged top during the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, last year after bagging eleven medals out of which six were gold. This was the fourth time the country was topping the medals table in the competition having accomplished similar feats in Santiago, Beijing and Canada.

In the Finland event last year, Kenya bagged gold medals on the first day from from Rhonex Kipruto in 10,000 meters and Beatrice Chebet in the women’s 5,000 meters races.

Taking a walk down memory lane, specifically focusing on the now cancelled women’s 5000 meters race, the country bagged silver and bronze in the 2006 junior championships in Beijing. Our young, female athletes have continued to dominate that category in subsequent World Under 20 events winning various medals.

Similar excellent performance by Kenyan youth can be observed in the IAAF World Under 20 series for the past slightly more than a decade. These are talented athletes from some of Kenya’s remotest villages who have been shining glory to the country after which they have continued to excel in subsequent senior categories.

Curiously, even the government through its sports ministry has not voiced its concern over the new development despite the country playing host to the event in June next year.

There have been murmurs that the IAAF had initially included the four-kilometer race in cross country championships but went ahead and removed it after it was dominated by Africans.

In August 2009 the global athletics governing body introduced bi-annual world cross-country events from the usual annual ones after a decision supported by 132 delegates against 22 was arrived at in Germany.

The reasoning behind this move was to allow continental bodies to also stage their championships. However, avid athletics fans in Kenya argue that the move was part of the wider scheme by the IAAF to curtail Africa’s dominance in the category.

From the look of things, and if the trend continues, there is every likelihood that the IAAF would not hesitate to also strike off marathons from its activities especially if the decision is supported by majority of delegates.

There have been numerous attempts by scientists the world over to unravel the enigma behind Kenyan long-distance runners.

So far, no social or medical researcher has made ground-breaking discoveries regarding the performance of our runners; they remain the running mystery!

By striking out some of the major events that promote Kenya’s youthful athletes, the IAAF is simply rendering their talents useless. The net effect of this is a sudden pre-occupation by the youngsters to compete in short races.

In the process temptation to engage in vices such as doping will kick in. Those who will not make it will not only sink deep into depression, but they may also turn into crime and other social ills. Kenya’s economy will suffer the irreparable shock emanating from millions, if not billions, collected in form of taxes from investments made through proceeds of her world-record shattering youths.

By Simon Mwangi

(The writer is a Communications Specialist)

The post IAAF spare our talented youth: Opinion appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 16 – A second cut will be applied upon the conclusion of Round Three of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship Presented by Absa on Saturday to trim the field to the top 72 and ties.

This follows Friday’s cut, where 79 players were within the cut line – which was set at 2-over par for the tournament.

This is different from previous Kenya Open Golf Championships where the Cut was applied after the first two rounds to reduce the field to the top 60 players and ties.

Earlier in the week, the European Tour office had said:

“In the event that the cut after two rounds qualifies more than 78 players for the third and fourth rounds, then there will be an additional cut after three rounds to the leading 72 professionals and those who tie for 72nd place. This third-round cut will not be implemented where circumstances dictate that there is no re-draw between rounds 3 and 4.”

The second cut is a European Tour regulation to reduce the field to a manageable number to accommodate the demands of live TV come Sunday.

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