NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10- Champions Gor Mahia claimed their fifth Kenyan Premier League (KPL) victory on the bounce after coming from a goal down to edge out Sofapaka 2-1 at City Stadium on Saturday.

Elsewhere, surprise challengers, Chemelil Sugar levelled in the dying minutes to hold hosts Western Stima to a 1-1 stalemate to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.

At a rocking City Stadium in Nairobi, Patrick Kagogo gave Sofapaka the lead but Dan Sserunkuma and Rama Salim scored to give K’Ogalo victory in a match full drama and controversy.

Sofapaka will feel hard done by after the referee awarded a first half penalty for a perfectly timed Felly Mulumba tackle while Salim scored with a defender lying prostate on the ground after dislocating his shoulder after a collision with the goalscorer.

Gor lined up in a 3-5-2 formation but were soon on the back foot as the Sofapaka duo of Kagogo and Damson Kago made good use of spaces down either flank.

John Baraza put Kagogo through early on but his low cross was cut out by David Owino.

A mistake by Yusuf Juma presented Gor with their first chance but Sofapaka keeper David Okello made a fine save to keep out Sserunkuma’s goalbound shot.

K’Ogalo thought they had taken the lead but Sserunkuma’s goal was chalked off by a raised offside flag.

Sofapaka went ahead on 26 minutes when a deft Baraza pass put Kagogo through and he finished with aplomb.

Gor equalized in controversial circumstances on 37 minutes after Sserunkuma went down following Mulumba’s inch perfect challenge but the referee pointed to the spot.

Sserunkuma dusted himself up to score the resultant penalty.

Sofapaka had chances in the second half but wasteful finishing kept the scores at 1-1.

The winner for Gor came 18 minutes from time and again there was controversy surrounding it.

Mulumba landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Salim but despite the Sofapka stopper lying in pain, Gor went ahead with play and Salim tapped the ball home sparking wild celebrations in the stands.

Gor move to 26 points, four ahead of Chemelil who were held by Western Stima.

David Okello put Stima on the driving seat in the 15thminute with a perfect header from Shafik Batambuze’s corner that was too hot for Chemelil goalkeeper Jairus Adira to handle.

Chemelil’s second half substitute Valen Mahero leveled the scores in the dying minutes to spoil Stima’s celebrations.

-Reports by SuperSport.com

KERICHO, Kenya, May 10-Alice Chelang’a Kimetto successfully defended her Kericho International Marathon women’s title as 2012 winner Felix Kipchirchir Kandie dominated the men’s race during the fifth running of the event Saturday.

Unlike last year, the course was properly measured to the required 42.195km distance after some of the competitors ran up to 52km with organisers earning a stern rebuke from Athletics Kenya (AK).

Running in cold and chilly conditions, the reigning Kass International Marathon champion floored 2011 Boston winner Caroline Kilel to cut the tape well ahead in 2:39:10 ahead of her closest challenger who clocked 2:45:60 for second.

“I had prepared well for the race and I’m so happy to defend my title because there was stiff competition. I was with the leading pack that was led by Kilel and half way she opened the gap but I was able to close and take charge up to the finishing line.

“Today the weather was fair compared to last year where we were affected by the sun and confusion of the route. I feel good having won in the presence of my fans and family since this is my home town. I will not run in any race until October where I will decide the next race I will take part in,” Chelang’a who finished fourth at this year’s Vienna City Marathon said.

Kandie reclaimed his place at the middle step of the podium after pulling away from her rivals with 2km having failed to finish in his title defence last year.

“I’m very happy to come back and win the race after I dropped out last year even though it was not easy. We ran together until 40km where I decided to take off after I saw my competitors struggling.

“I had the advantage since I was familiar with the course. For now I will rest and maybe compete again in October since my target is to run two marathons in a year to improve my time,” the 26 year-old who finished second at the 2012 Sydney Marathon who took the honours in 2:17:20 said.

Ernest Ng’eno (2:18:50) was comfortable in second as Ronoh Kipkoech (2:19:40) completed the podium.

Over 700 athletes participated at this year’s event with AK South Rift chairman, John Wachira saying they had to repair the bridge that was washed by the heavy rains last year which according to him was the main cause of athletes missing the route.

“Everything went well and I’m glad we were favoured by the rain. We could not change the course since it was measured and approved by IAAF officials so next year we plan to make it bigger and more competitive.”

Both winners walked home with Sh1.5m (USD 17,201.87) in prize money each.

LEADING RESULTS
MEN
1. Felix Kandie 2:17:20
2. Ernest Ng’eno 2:18:50
3. Ronoh Kipkoech 2:19:40
4. Boaz Kipronoh 2:19:50
5. Bernard Kitur 2:21:20
6. Samwel Kibiwott 2:22:10
7. Fredrick Kemboi 2:22:20
8. Barnabas Kipyego 2:22:50
9. Rodgers Melli 2:23:40
10. Daniel Kosgei 2:24:30

Women

1. Alice Chelang’a Kimetto 2:39:10
2. Caroline Kilel Cheptanui 2:45:60
3. Elizabeth Rumugol 2:47:60
4. Isabela Jepchumba 2:53:30

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10- Kenya will face Australia in the Main Cup quarters after squeezing their way through to the last eight for the second successive time at the season ending HSBC World Series leg of London 7s on Saturday.

A tense 17-17 draw with surprise Scotland 7s beaten finalists Canada saw Kenya finish second in Pool B and earn a ticket to the main competition against Pool C winners Australia after beating USA and losing narrowly to favourites Samoa in their opening two fixtures.

Paul Treu’s charges took a 12-5 lead into half time in their last tie against Canada courtesy of tries from Mike Agevi and Billy Odhiambo alongside a Mike Wanjala conversion. Canada scored through John Moonlight.

Second half action saw Kenya concede a try, Justin Douglas making it 12-12. Sean Duke saw Canada go 17-12 up but Felix Ayange’s try levelled things, setting up the quarter final berth against Australia at 12.50pm local time (+3GMT) on Sunday.

A 19-12 defeat to Samoa in their second Pool B fixture at the London Sevens meant Kenya had to beat or hold the side that lost the Scotland 7s Main Cup to the New Zealand All Blacks last weekend.

Samoa were quick off the mark, going 5-0 up when Lio Lolo broke loose to touch down after just 21 seconds of play.
Mike Wanjala would soon visit the sin bin for a professional foul, the Samoans capitalizing on this to land their
second when Fautua Otto grounded with Tulolo Tulolo converting to see Pacific Islanders go 12-0 up.

Kenya would start to see more of the ball, visiting Samoan territory and putting their first points on the board when Collins Injera grounded, Biko Adema missing the conversion with the score at 12-5.

Adema would convert Billy Odhiambo’s try on the stroke of half time to square things at 12-12.

The second half was a close contest, Kenya just shading it in terms of possession. They would turnover possession,
Tulolo converting Tila Mealoi’s try for a 19-12 lead that they held right to full time.

Kenya began their London campaign by rallying from 0-5 to defeat the USA 22-5 in their opening Pool B encounter.

Despite dominating possession and territory, Kenya were unable to breach the American’s defence, poor handling their biggest undoing.

They were punished towards the stroke of half time, Danny Barrett grounding to put USA 5-0. Kenya’s response as immediate, Patrice Agunda’s try ensuring the sides were level 5-5 at half time.

Billy Odhiambo would give Kenya the lead, showing his marker a clean pair of heels to touch down with Biko Adema converting for a 12-5 score. Incessant Kenya pressure saw them force the USA into infringements, Humphrey Kayange having the presence of mind to score a try off a quickly taken penalty, Kenya 17-5 up.

Substitute Mike Agevi would play in elder brother injera with a sublime grubber that he grounded to seal the result for Kenya.

-By Kenya Rugby Union

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 11- Once again Paul Treu’s former employers South Africa denied Kenya the chance to finish a largely underwhelming campaign with the Plate trophy by beating them 7-38 in the final as the 2013/14 HSBC World Sevens Series wrapped up in London on Sunday.

Treu ended the campaign without qualifying for the Main Cup semis he so much craved in the last two rounds in Scotland and London as yet again, his charges fell at the final hurdle in their second successive final after losing to England in Scotland last week.

Earlier in an action packed day, Shujaa paid for a poor start after going down to 5-12 to Australia in their London 7s Main Cup quarterfinal.

The South African who took charge in January after the team had gone through three of the nine rounds can however, look back at the last two legs that have offered him hope as he embarks on preparing for the 2014/15 World Series that will act as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the showpiece he was hired on a lucrative contract to lead Kenya to the first medal outside athletics and boxing.

New Zealand won the 2014 Marriott London 7s, beating trans-Tasman rivals Australia 52-33 in the final thanks to 22 points from Gillies Kaka having earlier trailed 21-0 in a roaring comeback as they confirmed their supremacy in the short version of the game yet again.

By winning the ninth and final round of the Series the All Blacks 7s had extra cause for celebration having already secured a 12th Series title in 15 years on day one.

In the Plate final, Seabelo Senatla scored his 11th, 12th and 13th tries of the London 7s to help South Africa win the Plate by beating Kenya 38-7 in the final.

By doing so, Senatla is only the third player in the history of Sevens to score 13 or more tries in a tournament and the first since the 2005 Paris Sevens.

Billy Odhiambo scored the only try for Kenya with Biko Adema converting close to the end of the first half that ended with the Blitzbokke, who have beaten their former boss six times this season, went to the break 7-17 to the good.

In the semi finals Kenya beat France 28-19 before Senatla completed a first hat-trick of the day in a 24-17 win for South Africa against Samoa, having trailed 17-0, a result which confirmed they would finish the season second overall behind New Zealand.

In the Main Cup quarters, Veteran Humphrey Kayange gave Paul Treu’s side hope when he grounded with over 5 minutes of the second half to go but Kenya were turned over cheaply as Australia held on to the slim victory.

It was not the best start for the Kenyans as Tom Lucas intercepted a pass from Michael Agevi on the half-way line to sprint clear for the first score of the game.

The in-form Sam Myers soon sprinted over for his sixth try of the weekend as Australia danced through Kenya’s defence.

Billy Odhiambo came so close to reducing the deficit by five in an extended final play but desperate Australia defending ensured they had a double-digit lead at the intervals they went in 12-0 to the good.

After the restart, Kayange hot footed the ball down down the right flank after a suspiciously-looking forward pass to give Kenya an all-important first score but the conversion was missed.

It remained a single converted try game as Kenya sat tight in their defence too and with Australia losing out in the breakdown.

Somehow, they manage to hold on, with Kenya looking for that one final break that never came as they advanced to meet England for a place in the final as Kenya set up a clash against France.

Kenya squeezed through the Main Cup quarters on Saturday after holding Scotland 7s finalists, Canada to a 17-17 draw following an opening match win against USA and a narrow loss to Samoa in their opening two games.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – The fate of the abandoned AFC Leopards vs Thika United match will be decided in a fortnight, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) announced Monday.

The match was called off Sunday when Leopards fans invaded Nyayo National Stadium pitch seven minutes to full time as Thika were leading 1-0 courtesy of captain Dennis Odhiambo’s free-kick.

In a statement signed by Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda said KPL are waiting for the official reports from Match Commissioner and referee Nasur Doka before taking action.

“KPL wishes to categorically condemn the acts of crowd trouble witnessed in Match No.91 between Thika United FC and AFC Leopards SC.

“As the body mandated to run this prestigious league, KPL is saddened by these acts which have tainted the hitherto trouble free record of the 2014 season which we have worked so hard for,” part of the statement read.

“The KPL Governing Council put in place the “Zero tolerance policy on hooliganism” in our events and specific recommendations thereof, to address these vices from the beginning of this season.

“KPL will consider the necessary facts and forward to the league’s judicial body Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee for determination.

“We assure all our fans and corporate stakeholders that a decisive and far reaching step will be taken to redress the indecent acts of this past weekend and ensure that in partnership with Football Kenya Federation strive to eradicate the vice in totality,” the statement concluded.

Ingwe are struggling in 12th with 14 points while Thika are two places and a point above last season’s runners-up.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – Struggling AFC Leopards have been drawn in a relatively easy Group B of the inaugural May 22 to June 4 Cecafa Nile Basin Cup in Sudan where 16 teams have confirmed participation.

The GOtv Shield winners will take on host club Merreikh Al-Fasher, Tanzania’s Mbeya City and Elman from Somalia while Uganda’s Victoria University are in Pool A alongside Sudanese giants Al-Merreikh, Southern Sudan’s Malakia and Police FC from Zanzibar.

Speaking Monday when announcing the draw in Nairobi, Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye said the tournament will take place in three cities; Khartoum, Port Sudan and Shandy with only Eritrea failing to send a representative from the 12 regional affiliates.

“We are looking forward to have a good competition and our intention is to organise many competitions to give our teams strength to compete with the rest in Africa.

“This is our mini Cup of Nations and we expect to have a competitive tournament at the end of the day since it’s our first event before we break for the World Cup and come back for the Club Championship,” Musonye declared.

At the same the Secretary General added they are on course to introduce the women tournament in their calendar from next year as well as the Under 17 competition.

Egypt who are the guest nation and the hosts have produced two teams each for the planned annual competition that features clubs that finished runners up or won cups in their domestic leagues.

Ingwe, who will be based in Khartoum, will open their campaign against Elman on the second day then face Mbeya before wrapping up their preliminary round with Al-Fasher as the first two progress to the quarter-finals to be held May 29 and 30.

Eritrea might have opted to give the event a berth after most of their national side went missing last December during the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya won by the hosts.

It was the third time for the nation’s talent to go missing from their country at regional tournaments after earlier absconding from the same event in Uganda and again Kenya.

Nile Basin Draw

Group A: Al-Merreikh (Sudan), Victoria University (Uganda), Malakia (Southern Sudan), Police (Zanzibar)
Group B: Merreikh Al-Fasher, AFC Leopards (Kenya), Mbeya City (Tanzania), Elman (Somalia)
Group C: Al-Ahli Shandi (Sudan), Al Masry (Egypt), Defiance (Ethiopia), Dkhill FC (Djibouti)
Group D: Hey Al Arab (Sudan), Arab Contractors (Egypt), Flambeau EST (Burundi),Etincelles (Rwanda)

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – Five junior players from six counties will qualify for this year’s Real Insurance Lawn Tennis Kenya Open that runs from May 31 to June 2 at Nairobi Club.

Qualifying rounds for the men and women senior event will be held on June 15 with winners joining seeded players.

Speaking during the launch on Monday, tournament director Wanjiru Mbugua said the competition will roll out in Kiambu, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Kakamega and Machakos counties.

They were selected among the 47 depending on current state of tennis infrastructure and producing players especially within the school system.

“The event has been taking place in Nairobi with only players from Mombasa and a few from Kisumu registering outside the capital but this time round we want to take the sport to all the counties.

“The new County Government structure and by extension in sports has inspired us to open up avenues for them to run preliminary editions leading up to the main competition,” Wanjiru, who revealed intentions to spread the competition to 23 regions in three years, stated.

All defending champions have confirmed participation in the senior singles and doubles in ladies and men as well as the junior boys’ and girls’ that with will feature Under 10 to 18 contests.

Veterans aged over 40 and wheelchair divisions will be drawn to compete with the seniors in a maximum of three events while juniors are restricted to a single and doubles.

However, junior players aged 13 years and above are allowed to participate in the senior ranks.
Wanjiru added that County organisers have started preparations as they expect to enter as many players as they can.

Entry forms are available in all leading tennis clubs, schools and sports houses with registration closing on June 12 before the draw is conducted at the host venue two days later.

Meanwhile, title sponsor Real Insurance renewed its three year partnership when they injected Sh3m (USD 34, 423) towards the event with Sh1.2m (USD 13,768) going to prize money.

“Last year entries were well received from East Africa and other regions including Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe so we hope the Kenya Lawn Tennis Association will ensure we get more entries from as far as Central Africa.

“The increase in sponsorship also stems from the proposal by the Association to spread the game throughout the country and hope it will bring a higher level of international participation.

“We hope that through the sponsorship our country will produce a tennis champion worthy of the grand slum tournaments of Wimbledon, USA, Australia and French Open if we achieve that we will have succeeded in promoting tennis in the country,” Real Insurance CEO Joseph Kiuna said.

The preliminary round in the Counties will run as follows:

County Venue Coaches Workshop Tournament
Kiambu Thika Gymkhana 16th – 17th May 2014 18th May 2014
Mombasa Mvita Sports Club 16th – 17th May 2014 18th May 2014
Kisumu NLTA Center 16th – 17th May 2014 18th May 2014
Eldoret Moi Girls Eldoret 23rd to 24th May 2014 25th May 2014
Kakamega Kakamega Sports Club 23rd to 24th May 2014 25th May 2014
Machakos Machakos High 30th to 31st May 2014

NAIROBI, Kenya 13th May – Striker Divock Origi, son of Harambee Star’s legendary striker Mike Okoth, has been named in Belgium’s 24-man squad to play in the World Cup next month.

Born on 18 April 1995, Divock will be the first Kenyan born player to play in a World Cup having already been capped at Belgium’s U15 and U16 sides and recently got an elevation with his first game with the Belgian U17 squad in a tie against Montenegro.

The 19 year old who ply’s his trade as a attacking striker at French side Lille , started his career at RC Genk, where his father helped them in winning the Belgian Jupiler league in the 2001/2002 season.

He will play along side Manchester City Captain, Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini.

Belgium are in Group H along with Fabio Capello’s Russia, South Korea and Algeria.

NAIROBI, Kenya May 14 – Fast paced 25 hair pin corners, a long 35Km competitive section and mind boggling scenic views will be some of the highlights in the next round of the KCB Nation Rally Championship set to be held in the Kerio Valley on the 24th of May 2014.

The rally dubbed the KCB Mtaani Eldama Ravine Rally and organized by Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club (RVM&SC) will see two old historic stages make up the fourth round of the season.

Speaking on behalf of Clerk of the Course and Safari Rally veteran Frank Tundo at the media briefing Tuesday at the KCB headquarters in Nairobi, rally aficionado and veteran navigator Abdul Sidi shared the planned route for the day.

“From the start at Eldama Ravine we go 40kms down into the Kerio to a place called Tugumoi down to the very bottom-the main Tenges Florspar road we go in there and that’s where the first stage is. The second stage is an old stage that has not been used for the last 40 years. There should be no tracks or anything on it.

Sidi added that several stages will make the rally even more appealing for the drivers and will be repeated.

“Then we come to Florspar which is really amazing rally-wise and driver-wise. We will repeat the first stage and do another stage that we did 40years ago then come up at Flourspar for the second time. We got a short spectator stage near service that will be run twice,” said Frank.

KCB the title sponsor of the long running championship were at hand to usher in the fourth round of the series.

Speaking at the briefing Marketing and Communications Director Angela Mwirigi said;

“KCB has for years taken initiative to support the sport in a venture to nurture talent and develop the sport at all levels. So far the bank has invested cumulatively over Sh440 million in the sport since 2003 as title sponsor,” she said.

Mwirigi said that the KCB brand resonates well with motorsport both locally and regionally.

Weather condiotions

It’s anticipated that this will be a very wet rally and drivers will have to prepare adequately.

Speaking at the same function, three-time KNRC champion, Azar Anwar who celebrated his 60th birthday today said that mud compound tyres will be key to success in the rally.

“I love Nakuru rally because this was the event where I recorded my first KNRC victory 20 years ago when it was called Sanyo 2000, meaning 2000km,” he said during a briefing at the KCB Headquarters in Nairobi yesterday.

RVMC will run the routes around the world famous Kerio Valley stage at Flouspar which was synonymous with the WRC Safari Rally when world- famous drivers would be compelled to make countless hairpin bends on massive escarpment drops.

KCB Eldama Ravine branch will be the location for the official start on 24th Saturday where the Baringo Governor Hon. Benjamin Cheboi will flag off the rally cars from 7am as they head to tackle the competitive sections laid out in the Baringo and Elgeyo Markwet counties.

After flag-off, the rally traffic will then head 40kms towards Eldoret, Kerio valley, Fluorspar, Kinwogo forest region and into the only service of the day at Kamwosor service park.

The rally is scheduled to end at around 3pm where the Governor of Elgeyo Markwet Hon. Alex Tolgos will preside over the finish.

Photo by Simon Mulumba (CMONCY IMAGES)

NAIROBI, Kenya, May – 14 Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche, alleges he played a role in Kenyan born Divock Origi declaring for Belgium ahead of his selection in the country’s provisional squad for the Brazil World Cup.

The French Ligue 1 Lille forward will be the first player of Kenyan heritage to play in the Mundial having decided to pledge his international career to the nation of his birth and has represented Belgium at the Under 15 and 16 sides.

Origi, a son of retired Harambee Stars striker and former record scorer, Mike Origi Okoth, was recently promoted to Belgium’s Under 17 squad in their tie against Montenegro and his elevation is now complete after featuring in coach Marc Wilmot’s World Cup plan.

“If I had a player like Origi I could be the happiest man but I was with the Belgium head coach in the last coaching course in Germany and we talked about the player. Maybe I persuaded him indirectly to consider him for World Cup because I told him if he does not select him I will give him 100 percent opportunity to play for Kenya.

“But I think it’s a personal choice and I respect his decision since I don’t think he did not like his country because his father played for Kenya. We can get another Origi here, so I hope I will work together with youth coaches to bring players in the likes of Dennis Oliech, Macdonald Mariga, Jamal Mohamed and Victor Wanyama because we cannot reach the standards of Origi,” Amrouche who compared Origi with Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba stated.

On his part, former captain and AC Ajaccio striker Oliech who supplanted his father as Kenya’s record international goal scorer congratulated him.

“I’m happy for him, I know he is capable and he deserved the call up since he has all the qualities.

“We have played together in France and what I can say is only to wish him all the best,” Oliech whose side were relegated as Lille qualified for the Champions League underscored.

The 19 year-old began his professional career at Racing Genk, where his father helped the club win the Belgian Jupiler league in 2001/02 season.

The forward has so far scored five goals for Lille this season and his call up to the national team means he has the chance to line-up alongside stalwarts such as Manchester City Captain Vincent Kompany, on loan Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini and Arsenal defender and captain Thomas Vermaelen.

Belgium are in Group H alongside Fabio Capello’s Russia, South Korea and Algeria.

NAIROBI, May 15- Kenya’s double Olympic steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi has been hit by fresh legal trouble linked to his alleged turbulent private life, a report said Wednesday.

The Star newspaper said the athlete was being sued for child negligence by a former girlfriend with whom he allegedly fathered a now two-year-old son, and that the estranged couple were involved in a fight in a Nairobi hotel on Saturday.

It said the woman had confronted Kemboi over a lack of child support, and that the star tried to force the woman to again have sex with him, prompting a fight and the intervention of hotel security.

Kemboi angrily dismissed the allegations, saying he was a victim of extortion.

“That lady is a frustrated person. We were friends some time back but she is now a married woman. How can I be involved with somebody else’s wife?” the 31-year-old told AFP by telephone from his hometown of Eldoret.

“I did not have a child with her. She should have gone to court to sue me for the alleged paternity instead of tarnishing my name in the media,” he added.

Kemboi, who is also a police officer, beat a similar case in 2012 when another woman claimed he stabbed her after she refused his sexual advances but later decided to drop the charges.

The athlete, who had denied all the charges, was bailed in time to participate in the London Olympics, where he won the 3,000m steeplechase gold medal, becoming the first Kenyan to take two Olympic titles in the event, which he also won in Athens in 2004.

He is also a three-time world champion.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15- Having stormed to record books last Friday at the opening IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha, Worlds bronze medallist, Hellen Obiri, took pride of place by emerging the undisputed star of the 35th Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Championships that wound up in Nairobi on Thursday.

Obiri, 24, successfully defended her women 800m and 1500m double before helping her Laikipia Airbase team to the third medal in the 4X400m with one eye on the inaugural IAAF World Championships in Bahamas where she is part of the 4X1500m squad.

Other highlights from the three-day affair held at Nairobi’s Safaricom Stadium included a new National Record in the women’s High jump of 1.75m leaped by Caroline Cherotich on Wednesday.

World Half Marathon women’s champion Gladys Cherono was peerless as she easily held on to her 5000m and 10000m crowns as Olympics steeplechase bronze winner, Abel Mutai, three-peated in his speciality.

Momentum builds for Obiri

The dust has hardly settled after the barnstorming 8:20.68 AR, NR, MR and fifth fastest of all time unfurled by the Laikipia Airbase (LAB) based Corporal Hellen Obiri in Doha over 3000m before she returned home to command the headlines again on Thursday.

Obiri easily raced to the 800m and 1500m crowns without breaking sweat with the clocks returning 2:00.6 and 4:10.0 in that order before she anchored her LAB team to finish third in the 4X400m relay in 3:53.1.

She completed a commanding 4 second victory over Sela Jepleting (2:04.4) over two laps before out-haring the same closest challenger in the longer event by 5 seconds (4:15.0).

The World Indoors silver winner immediately shifted her focus to once again append her name in history by helping her nation’s 4X1500m quartet to improve on their own 17:05.8 WR* in Bahamas even though she was not part of it when it was run at the April 26 Trials having been given as wildcard to the event.

“I’m in pretty good shape and since we are travelling to Bahamas in a week’s time, it was important to keep it going. We have a strong team in the women 4x1500m and I promise Kenyans first the gold then world record,” the Istanbul 2012 World Indoor champion said.

She was coy whether she could break the long-standing 8:06.11 world record set by Wang Junxia in 1993 after her huge PB in 3000m in Doha by stating she would focus on establishing herself first in 1500m where she’s eyeing a slot in the Kenyan Commonwealth team.

“It has taken 20 years for such a time to be run and the record of 8:06 is very far. For now, to run 8:20 is hard but in future, it will broken by someone else if not myself.

“We knew Genzebe (Dibaba) had asked for a World Lead and we decided with Mercy Cherono who we have trained together in the national team camp to sit and wait.

“With 300m to go, we saw she was not running away and we went past and Cherono pushed me for 80m in the homestretch but I knew I’m good over the last 100m and I won. I believe I will be in better shape in another month and we shall see,” she added in recognition of her Doha bridesmaid and Worlds 5000m silver winner, Cherono.

Thika’s Edwin Kemboi (1:45.5) and former World Junior silver medallist, James Magut (3:40.4) prevailed in the men 800m and 1500m races in that order.

Cherono on the double

Having scaled to the World Half Marathon title in Copenhagen on March 29, Corporal Gladys Cherono who is also the Worlds silver winner over 10,000m broke no sweat when holding on to the long distance double.

Her assault started Wednesday when she held on to her 5000m crown in 16:49.8, stopping Lineth Chepkurui (16:52.1), the 2009 senior women World Cross fourth finisher before she retained the 25-lap title by out-sprinting the hard chasing 2013 Boston Marathon champion, Sharon Cherop (34:13.0 against 34:16.0) on Thursday.

The corresponding men’s races were shared between the 2008 World Cross senior bronze medallist, Vincent Kiprop Chepkok who won the 10,000m in 29:04.6 with John Chepkwony, the 2010 World Junior silver medallist dominating the distance in 13:37.8.

Mutai eyes break in

Surprise London Olympics steeplechase bronze winner, Abel Mutai, erased the disappointment of being forced down to seventh in the start-studded Doha DL meet where she clocked a year best 8:17.77 to win his third Forces title on the bounce in 8:35.0.

Fast finishing Wilson Maraba (8:35.6) and perennial challenger Abraham Chirchir (8:36.2) took the lesser medals.

With reigning Commonwealth and World Cup titleholder, Richard Mateelong, held back from action by long-term injury, Mutai is keen to break to break into the country’s steeplechase championship winning trio that includes two-time Olympics and three-time world champion, Ezekiel Kemboi and the man he supplanted from both crowns, Brimin Kipruto.

“It’s the third time to win and this is preparations for the Africa Championships and Commonwealth Games and wherever I’m selected, I will compete.

“The veterans are still competing and they have been there for long but I will try as hard as possible to get among them. For now, I’m still not into good shape and I’m training to get close to Kemboi and Brimin,” the African champion added.

Agnes Chesang (9:46.1) broke away from the challenge of 2008 World Juniors silver medallist, Elizabeth Mueni (10:02.0), to rule the roost in the women’s water and barriers race.

Bahamas warm-up for sprinters

With the inaugural World Relays in Bahamas only ten days away, KDF sprinters selected in the national team in the men 4x200m and 4x400m squads used the meet to gain some competitive shape.

Commonwealth 400m titleholder Mark Mutai (46.3) was humbled by Boniface Mucheru (45.2) his team-mate in the 4x400m Bahamas line-up as he failed to reclaim the crown he last won in 2011.

“I’m happy for finishing in a respectable position and with the training we have done, we are capable of doing very well and get into the final. We are ready for Bahamas since we have been in the finals of Commonwealth and Africa championships.
“The team of the young athletes we have will give us an edge and today, we have seen the individual performances. We are targeting 3:00 or less in Bahamas,” Mutai said.

“My plan of defending the Commonwealth title is in place and I’m hoping come June, I hope to be ready and have run 45.5,” he added.

Bahamas bound Walter Moenga clinched the men 100m and 200m double dashing to 10.3 and 21.2 victories.

“Today was my day. The KDF is more or less like the nationals and if you make it through here, you cannot get stuck. This was like a time trial and it is very stiff in camp since we are five in the team and only four will run,” Moenga, a Superintendent attached to Thika observed whilst revealing he was feeling the effects of a slight strain observed.

“We are going to take the sprinters to the same place as the middle distance runners,” he added.

High jump record

Lena Serem long standing national record of 1.70m set at the 1991 National Championships fell on Wednesday when Private Caroline Cherotich of Kahawa Garrison leapt to 1.75m.

The new mark will officially enter local history books when it is ratified by Athletics Kenya.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – Limping Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants AFC Leopards ended their long search for a new head coach by appointing Dutchman Hendrik Peter de Jong to replace sacked James Nandwa on Thursday.

De Jong who is expected in the country on Sunday to pen down a one year deal is a youth director at the Hungary national soccer academy and has been involved in Dutch federation KNVB coaching courses in Netherlands.

Confirming the appointment, club Secretary General George Aladwa added his first assignment will be to lead the club to the inaugural Cecafa Nile Basin Cup in Sudan where Ingwe are drawn in Group B alongside Merreikh Al-Fasher, Tanzania’s Mbeya City and Elman from Somalia.

“It has been a long journey in our quest to get a new coach and we can state categorically we have finally landed on the man who is ready to commit for betterment of our beloved club.

“He is experienced having worked with the Dutch football federation as youth coach and we hope he will steer our team back to our winning ways,” Aladwa declared.

The Secretary General disclosed Briton Trevor Morgan, whom they had earlier settled upon turned down the offer due to what he claimed was pressure from Leopards fans.

“Morgan could not sustain the pressure after watching one of our matches since he requested us to give him two weeks so he can decide but unfortunately he called the chairman to decline the offer,” he alleged.

However, de Jong who will be unveiled on Monday at the team’s training base in Nairobi has been given a target to revive Leopards fortunes by mid season.

“He must deliver because our fans want results since we have not registered good league results. We hope he will work with the technical bench that is under assistant coach Abdallah Juma, who has done well since we appointed him.

“I call upon our players to dedicate themselves to the club and pull up their socks since we are paying them a lot of money and they lack nothing. Of late they have been unable to score so I hope they will know their importance at the club since Leopards is a big club.

“Our fans don’t want anything else rather than a win, if we lose a match and the players gave their all they will understand,” he concluded.

The Executive Committee has been under pressure from fans who blamed them for taking long to appoint a new coach with some invading the Nyayo National Stadium pitch last Sunday demanding the Secretary General to vacate office.

The clash was called-off in the 83rd minute as Thika United were leading 1-0 courtesy of captain Dennis Odhiambo free kick.

Ingwe who have won three matches, drawn five and lost three are sitting 12th with 14 points.

The team will depart for Sudan on Tuesday next week.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – Harambee Stars head coach; Adel Amrouche, will not take chances when they host Comoros in the preliminary round first leg of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

The team was boosted by the arrival of Oman based Jamal Mohammed and MC Algier winger Edwin Lavatsa who joined other foreign players in Friday’s training.

The Belgian heaved a sigh of relief after his captain and English Premier League side Southampton midfielder, Victor Wanyama, his elder brother Macdonald Mariga and Belgium based duo of Ayub Timbe and Johanna Omolo arriving on Thursday.

However, after he expressed ‘annoyance’ with the late arrival of the overseas based players, midfielder Francis Kahata (KF Tirana/Albania) and Patrick Osiako (Azerbaijan) were yet to arrive by press time while US based Lawrence Olum simply ‘ignored’ his call-up.

With both sides having been forced to start the qualifiers in the preliminary stage due to poor FIFA rankings, Kenya sitting in 106 has an upper hand in the clash against their opponents who are 184th in the global rankings.

Amrouche wary

But that does not appear anywhere in Amrouche’s thoughts as he is adamant he will not underrate them, urging his charges to focus and be determined.

“We are taking one match at a time, our main objective is to win Sunday’s match and then think on the return leg. I’m happy to have a full house today and its now upon us to give our best since all the players are in good condition.

“I have told players to give their best and not disappoint the nation and the 40 million Kenyans, I want to call upon all fans to turn up in large numbers and cheer the team since they need the morale.

“We are playing at home and we should not let down our supporters,” Amrouche who will be looking to steer the country to the continental showpiece after a decade said.

The riddle of Amrouche’s starting line-up will be the key to unmask his intentions especially in midfield and upfront after Mariga returned following a three year absence with the likes of Timbe yet to play under him.

But he seems to invest faith on local based players who won him the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup last December after giving most the call-up.

Missing Stars

With Norway first choice keeper Arnold Origi, missing in goal since he will is committed to his Lillestrom club and his understudy Duncan Ochieng (Sofapaka) injured, Bandari man, Wilson Obungu is the favourite to stand between the sticks.

At full back Tusker FC‘s Aboud Omar is likely to get the nod on the left, James Situma (AFC Leopards) on the right with David ‘Calabar’ Owino (Gor Mahia) and David Ochieng (Al Taawon/Saudi Arabia) the likely centre-half pairing.

Wanyama, Mohammed, Omolo, Anthony Akumu, Mariga and Lavatsa are the bets to marshal the midfield with Dennis Oliech (AJ Ajaccio/France) and Allan Wanga (AFC Leopards) the probable strikers.

With Amrouche boasting depth, his opposite number Amir Abdou, is a worried man with four key players expected to jet in match day, affording them little time to gel with their team mates.

Captain Nadjim Abdou who plays for English Championship side Millwall, cautioned Stars to expect a rough ride after proving their giant-killing credentials with their 1-1 draw against 2013 Afcon finalist Burkina Faso in a friendly.

“We are a young nation and team but we have come here to compete as well even though we expect a tough match.

“We have the quality and we will be playing for pride of our country and we want to achieve something as well. Kenya has good players I only know Wanyama whom I used to follow when he was a Celtic and Mariga they are good,” the midfielder told Capital Sport Friday after concluding their training at Nairobi’s City Stadium.

“We know Kenya is an experienced side and physically strong so we want to play our game at least different from what we played against Burkina Faso since this is a totally different side,” he added.

The Islanders who first entered qualification for the World Cup and Nations Cup for the 2010 will suffer a blow with the other notable player in the squad namely; France Ligue 2 Nantes’ Atlantique midfielder, Chaker Alhadhur held by his club.

Kenya will face the winner of the Liberia /Lesotho preliminary if they overcome Comoros over two legs and should they progress further, a place in Group C of the final pool qualifiers featuring Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola awaits.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17- A storming victory by Worlds 5000m bronze medallist, Isaiah Kiplang’at Koech and the mugging of World Indoor champion, Caleb Mwangangi by the fast finishing former Commonwealth champion, Augustine Choge spiced up the 2014 National Police Service Championships that concluded Saturday.

With Police luminaries such as Olympics champions, David Rudisha and Ezekiel Kemboi as well as Worlds titleholders, Eunice Sum, Asbel Kiprop, Edna Kiplagat and Milcah Chemos among others sitting out, the two-day annual meet held at Nairobi’s Safaricom Stadium under clear sunny skies was stripped of quality but certainly not entertainment.

However, Kiplangat and Choge, two distance runner quite capable of headlining meets across the world, showed up and collected handsome victories in the men 5000m and men 1500m before making bold predictions of their intentions for the season ahead.

Kiplang’at jails competition

As the events on the programme ticked down to an unassuming end, Kiplangat decided to illuminate proceedings when he unshackled himself from nearest competitor; 2010 World Half Marathon bronze winner, Sammy Kitwara and the rest of the finalists with four laps to go motor powerfully to the line unchallenged.

The showstopper who ran the world leading 13:29.05 at the Melbourne Challenge in February otherwise known in local circles as ‘Chairman’ but now ‘President’ due to sharing his name with the overlord of Athletics Kenya boss stopped the clock at 13:42.2 in his first outing this season to lay a benchmark for his 2014 assault.

“Winning the bronze medal last year in Moscow made me so delighted and it has opened many doors for me. Now, I want gold at the Commonwealth Games since I feel I should now step up.

“Today’s race was easy, not what I’m used to but now I know I’m in shape. I was also in good shape at London Olympics and I missed a medal. Last year I broke records indoors and when I went to Moscow, I got a medal and now I believe I have learnt how to run at championships,” Kiplangat, displaying the lack of self containment that characterised his early days as a junior protégée stated.

And he was not done as far as setting lofty targets in his bludgeoning career was concerned for the world junior 3000m indoor record holder from 2012 (7:32.81) as he set his sights on Kenenisa Bekele’s 12:37.35 5000m outdoors all time best.

“Last year, I ran 12:48 (.64) in Paris and I’m still young and improving. Who says I can’t get to 12:37? That is one of the goals I have set myself in training, to bring the 5000m world record to Kenya. That is something I’m looking forward to challenge this year and if I don’t get it, then the next,” the 20 year-old power-pack asserted.

Daniel Komen was the last Kenyan to hold the 12 and a half-lap race world record when he powered to 12:39.74 in Brussels on August 22, 1997 before it passed on to Ethiopian giants, Haile Gebrselassie (12:39.36) a year later then Bekele in 2004.

Choge arrests Mwangangi

When they assembled at the Sopot World Indoors in Poland last March, the veteran men 3000m silver medallist from Istanbul 2012, Augustine Choge, 27, was the main man and Caleb Mwangangi, a junior 1500m gold winner from 2010, the apprentice.

However, a gripping medal race brought the global title for the understudy who dyed his hair red as the master limped home in ninth.

The pair clashed over 1500m on Saturday at the Police meet and a repeat of the new order was eminent as they came round the final bend. However, with the finish in sight, Mwangangi in the inside lane could not respond to Choge who came storming in Lane 2 before pick-pocketing victory from him on the line with the hand-timed timers returning a verdict of 3:35.5 against 3:35.8 in the close finish.

“In Poland, I had trained to win the gold having won silver two years before but mentally, I was not there in the final and simple mistakes cost me but I was not so disappointed since the gold still came to Kenya and Caleb ran a great race.

“My aim now is to return to the Commonwealth and win again, in the 5000m since winning the title in 2006 is the best thing to happen in my career and I want to experience it again. I will still run 1500m races but I have realised I have a better chance in 5000m,” the Berlin Worlds fifth finisher in the Metric Mile declared.

“I did all I could, it was hot but today, he was better prepared and congratulations to him. Winning gold in Poland has made me want more and the celebration is over, I have seen the competition is tough so all I have to do is to train harder,” Ndiku magnanimously offered.

Abednego Chesebe (3:39.0), Robert Kaptingei (3:39.3) and world’s third fastest 3,000m steeplechaser runner Paul Kipsiele Koech (3:40.5) closed the top five.

“This is the year when I aim to run faster and who knows? Even bring home the world record back to Kenya. We have come close to Shaheen (Saif Saeed) and with focus, it can be done.

“I know my problem with high attitude when it comes to the Kenyan Trials but if I make it this year, I would cherish adding a Commonwealth medal to my bronze from Athens Olympics (2004) but having come here for speed work today, my biggest target remains ending the year as the fastest steeplechaser in the world,” Kipsiele who opened his season with a third finish (8:05.47) in Doha a week ago underlined.

His career best 7:54.31 is just over 32 hundredth of a second out of the former Stephen Cherono’s 7:53.62 standard bearer in the water and barriers race that has now rolled on into its decade since it was run in Brussels on September 3, 2004.

Kisa, Wangare shines

Africa Cross silver medallist, Janet Kisa (4:16.0) carried the women 1,500m title ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Youth Games silver winner Stacy Ndiwa (4:16.1) with Florence Korir (4:24.9) claiming the bronze.

Monica Wangare (34:13.7) shone in 10,000m beating Consolata Chemutai (34:22.1) and Sarah Kebasu (34:32.4). Chepng’eno Lang’at (34:44.5) and Mary Chemutai (35:12.4) closed the top four.

On Friday, World Half silver medallist, Mary Wacera claimed the women 5000m title in 6:22.0 ahead of Ndiwa who bagged her first silver of the meet in 16:22.3, beating Ann Wanjiru Karindi (16:31.0) to the third medal.

Josphat Bett struck gold in the men 10,000m with the 2008 World Junior crownholder stopping the clock in 28:36.2 as Peter Kirui, the athlete who paced Patrick Makau to the world marathon record in Berlin in 2011 and former World Junior champion, John Kemboi running 28:36.5 and 28:40.0 for the lesser medals in that order.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 17 – Lock Martin Owila, was the hero of the day when he scored two tries to help Top Fry Nakuru RFC successfully defend the Kenya Cup title following their 20-13 victory over KCB Lions as 2013/14 season curtain came down at RFUEA Grounds on Saturday.

In the earlier kick-off, KCB II beat Nakuru II, 21-10 to lift the Eric Shirley Shield.

The win saw Wanyore beat the bankers for the second time after a month when they edged them 18-13 to be crowned Enterprise Cup champions for a sixth time.

“It was a great game since we have beaten them for the second time. We knew they had strong forwards but we took advantage in the scrum which we are best at to pin them down.

“For now we want to turn our attention to the chairman’s Cup and Bamburi Super Series where we are the defending champions under Ndovu, then hope to win safaricom sevens series for the first time,” delighted Nakuru head coach Dominique Habimana expressed after the win.

“I’m not happy with the officiating because the referee gave them all the 50/50 balls yet this was a very important game. But we tried our best and that’s how a final is you either win or lose.

“They have also known that we are good, even if they have won it did not come easy. We hope to perform well next season,” KCB captain Oliver Mang’eni stated.

Burundian, Habimana, kept faith with the squad that romped to their maiden title last season with Owila replacing injured Lawrence Buyachi as Mike Okombe and Nick Lang’o completed the back row.

The bankers on the other hand handed a surprise start to Stafford Abeka who partnered with Brian Sagara and Max Adaka at the back while internationals Moses Amusala and Curtis Lilako played as props with Peter Karia starting as a hooker.

With both sides playing cautiously, Darwin Mukidza opened the scoring for the Lions after 25 minutes through a penalty conversion before Javan Murayi, cut the lead when he also converted to level the scores at 3-3.

Wanyore extended the lead on the stroke of half-time after prop Isaiah Nyariki helped Owila touch the white wash from the scrum but Murayi failed to convert as they trailed three-time champions KCB 8-3 at the break.

The bankers resumed the better side with former international Peter Mutai being instrumental as Ken Moseti powered through to set Mukidza who sprinted from the left to touch down in the corner as he went on to convert his own to take the lead with 10-8 score line.

KCB could not sustain pressure from Wanyore who scored once again from the scrum with Owila who was awarded the most valuable player notching his brace after managing to push through to the white wash as Murayi’s kick went through the post for 15-10.

Mukidza pulled back when he converted a penalty to cut the lead to two points but that seemed to be their last score as Edwin Okemwa beat the defence to sprint from the right to slide home for the winner that saw Murayi miss conversion for a 20-13 win.

To reach the finals Nakuru had beaten Strathmore Leos 30-16 while KCB eased past former winners Lunch Bar Quins 18-13.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Losing the women 4x800m title to America at the inaugural IAAF World Relays left a sour taste in Kenya’s mouth as the triumphant squad returned from Bahamas to a rousing reception.

A huge welcome party was accorded to the 16 athletes who returned to the country at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night and on Tuesday when they were hosted at Athletics Kenya (AK) headquarters in the capital.

The team that was missing some of its stars such as world champions Asbel Kiprop and Eunice Sum as well as Worlds medallists Mercy Cherono and Hellen Obiri among others who will race in Saturday’s Prefontaine Classic IAAF Diamond League meeting in Oregon earned plaudits for winning three gold medals and setting world records in both men and women 4x1500m events.

However, missing the chance to overhaul Jamaica in second place in the overall standings behind powerhouses USA left head coach, Sammy Rono, smarting after the fancied Kenyans lost the women 4x800m honours to the Americans who raided their stronghold and ran away with the honours.

USA completed a wire-to-wire victory in an event record of 8:01.58 as the Kenyans who had reigning World champion, Eunice Sum and the 2007 titleholder, Janeth Jepkosgei in their ranks secured silver in a national record of 8:04.28.

“I lost one medal that I did not want to lose because we strategised well. We wanted to slow the first and second laps and that is why we used our junior runners to start before putting in our senior runners to finish because we knew the Americans were there.

“They put their strong ones to start and they pushed the pace so hard,” Rono told reporters.

World indoor champion Chanelle Price gave the USA a lead of more than 10 metres on the first leg in 2:01.00 before the baton changed to Geena Lara who was ran close by Kenya’s Sylvia Chesebe and Mexico’s Cristina Guevara.

World junior champion Ajee Wilson ran a 1:59.10 split to pull clear of Jepkosgei and by the time Sum came for the last leg, world bronze medallist Brenda Martinez maintained the advantage to hand her nation a stunning upset win.

Apart from the established distance stars, Bahamas gave the long suffering Kenyan sprinters their moment to test their might against established powers of USA and Jamaica.

An African record in the men’s 4x200m of 1:22.35 was achieved by the quartet of Stephen Barasa; US based Carvin Nkanata, Tony Chirchir and Walter Moenga who finished fifth in the final.

“We were praying and hoping for a national record but breaking the African record was a big win for us. We are going to take sprinters to where they belong but people run out there,” Moenga noted.

AK were quick to lavish praise on the squad they had ironically, initially omitted from the Bahamas line-up after the Kenya Trials last month only to include them after pressure from local media.

“There is hope for our short distance runners. To become number five in the whole world is a huge achievement and we will continue encouraging them,” AK vice-president, David Okeyo, who led the Bahamas delegation, deadpanned.

Kenya finished third on 35 points behind USA (60) and Jamaica (41) riding on the back of their distance running excellence.

Their women 4x1500m quartet of Cherono, Faith Chepng’etich, Irene Jelagat and Obiri slashed their own previous world record by a staggering 32 seconds for gold in 16:33.58.

The corresponding men’s squad produced another all time best of 14:22.22 as Collins Cheboi, James Magut, Commonwealth champion, Silas Kiplagat and world titleholder Kiprop scorched the track to shave 14 seconds off the previous best.

Kenya’s gold hunt was started by the men 4x800m squad of Ferguson Rotich, Sammy Kirongo, Job Kinyor and Alfred Keter, the World Youth champion who won gold in 7:08.40 but they failed to get near the 7:02.43 world record set by their compatriots in 2006.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- The international career of Kenya’s record goal scorer and former captain, Dennis Oliech, hangs in the balance after he was left behind from the travelling party to Comoros on Wednesday.

The forward who was relegated from French top flight Ligue 1 with AJ Ajaccio at the end of last season, fell out with head coach Adel Amrouche, who banished him from the starting XI on Monday after he absconded the team’s camp for a week.

A bitter Amrouche vowed not to include the striker who has sunk 34 goals in 63 appearances in the side, ordering him to train with the fringe players and despite a grovelling apology from the star, the Belgian twisted the knife by omitting him altogether from the squad that faces the islanders on Friday.

“For the next game he should forget since I will not field him, he is a good player and may be our opponents will be happy but I will not entertain this,” the coach said on Monday when axing Oliech from the team for the second time since he took charge in February last year.

Following the latest incident, Oliech’s days in the national side he has served as an almost permanent fixture when available since he made his debut at the 2002 Cecafa Senior Challenge regional tournament appear numbered.

Amrouche has established himself a strict disciplinarian with other stars of the team, including captain and English Premier League side Southampton FC midfielder, Victor Wanyama and his elder brother MacDonald Mariga who is set to exit Italian Serie A giants, Inter Milan, staying put in camp.

Another seasoned veteran whose future is uncertain is Oman based midfielder, Jamal Mohammed, a popular ball artist with the fans who was also axed from the travelling party despite playing in the first leg of their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round qualifier against Comoros in Nairobi where Kenya won 1-0 on May 18.

Amrouche axed the flamboyant creative midfielder after he reportedly claimed he was sick although his past disciplinary record planted doubt in the Belgian’s mind with team mate and defender, David Ochieng, also reporting late to camp due to illness but he travelled.

“Ochieng and Mohammed were sick and they came to ask for permission and I gave them but Ochieng reported for training. Mohammed he has not come back yet so I will not give him a chance since he has not trained,” the coach explained.

“If one doesn’t want to play I can’t force him, I will give the chance to other players that I have been working with,” Amrouche gainsaid as he curbs indiscipline among the country’s foreign based players who have in the past ran roughshod on the squad.

Last June, Oliech was dropped from the team and stripped off his captaincy by the head coach after he led team mates Mohammed and Patrick Osiako to attend a local entertainment event three days ahead of a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

Mohammed and Osiako were pardoned and featured in the 1-0 loss that ended Kenya’s interest in the Brazil Mundial but the latter was not even called up for the Comoros knock-out clash.

However, it has not been lost on observers that by elbowing out Oliech and Mohammed, two of the team’s most vocal and influential players, Amrouche is slowly ushering in a new side anchored around the talents of Wanyama.

The Southampton midfielder and most expensive player in Kenyan history after moving from Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic to the Saints in a 12.5 million pounds transfer at the end of last season is soft spoken off the pitch but a commanding general on it, attributes that have endeared him to Amrouche.

“I build my teams from the back, then midfield and finally upfront. When I came, we had a problem in striking and my aim is to build a solid team defensively and Wanyama is very important,” the Belgian said last year.

Efforts in the past to replace Oliech as the main striking force has been a headache his predecessors have failed to resolve but Amrouche’s steady construction of a mean team is proving to be a possible solution.

Under his watch, Kenya won their first title in 12 years when they lifted the Cecafa regional trophy last December and besides eight foreign based players, Amrouche retained most of that squad against Comoros.

Without Oliech, the goal scoring burden in Moroni falls on the shoulders of local stars, Allan Wanga and Jacob Keli who play for AFC Leopards although the pair have failed to hit the heights domestically this season.

Belgian based, Ayub Timbe, who impressed during the Comoros match and Algeria based Edwin Lavatsa are set to aid the goal hunt from the flanks but Kenya who need a draw to advance to the second round of the qualifiers will definitely line-out to defend and feed from possible scraps from set-plays and counter attacks.

Having forced Africa champions and World Cup bound Nigeria to a 1-1 draw away in Calabar last year that shook the Super Eagles to the core; it is not beyond Amrouche to leave the hosts red faced in Moroni by another master class in rearguard action.

The winner of the preliminary tie between Liberia and Lesotho that is also 1-0 to the former from the first leg awaits Kenya or Comoros in the second round where they will contest on knock-out basis the right to join the final 2015 Afcon qualifiers Group C that has Burkina Faso, Angola and Gabon.

Kenya are seeking passage to their first continental showpiece since 2004 in Tunisia when they exited at the group stages but notched a first Afcon victory against Burkina Faso when they ran out 3-1 winner in the last pool clash.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 – Southampton midfielder and Harambee Stars captain, Victor Wanyama has hinted a possible exit from the Saints to pursue the dream of returning to the UEFA Champions League.

The 22-year-old midfield maestro last played in the prestigious competition two years ago while with Scottish champions, Glasgow Celtic where he scored a goal in their historic 2-1 victory over four-time champions Barcelona at Park Head.

“I will be happy to play in any team that is in the Champions League, that’s my aim, I wanted to face a new challenge in English Premier League and now that I’ve conquered it, very soon I will be going back to playing in the biggest tournament in the world.

“I tasted it and I think it’s important to all footballers,” the soft spoken defensive midfielder told Capital Sport in Nairobi.

Wanyama became the first Kenyan player ever to score in the Champions League after netting the opener through a powerful flying header before forward Tony Wyatt struck the winning goal at a group game in Glasgow.

Now his ambition is to match elder brother, MacDonald Mariga who won the competition with Inter Milan in 2010.

“It was a good feeling when I scored against a big team like Barcelona since we were the first to break their unbeaten run before bitter rivals Real Madrid beat them too, so they only lost those two matches and that makes me feel proud until today,” he added.

Wanyama who joined Saints last summer on a four-year deal worth 12.5 million pounds (Sh1, 841, 756,822), becoming the second most expensive signing at the club.

His admission he would be open to greener pastures will come as another blow to Southampton who lost their manager, Maurico Pochettino to EPL rivals Tottenham on Monday in a development Wanyama expressed his disappointment.

The midfielder was hoping the Argentine could stay because he contributed a lot in his carrier development since he landed in England but after his exit, Wanyama termed it as a major blow to the entire team.

“I learnt a lot from him, he taught me more and that’s why I have grown as a player and there is a big difference compared to when I was at Celtic.

“I wanted him to remain because he had the passion for the club and I think the owners should not have let him go because the team can do better next season. It’s a big blow because he had good connection with the players,” he noted.

Pochettino left four months after Nicola Cortese tendered his resignation as chairman and Wanyama hopes key players such as England trio, striker Jay Rodriguez, midfielder Adam Lallana and left-back Luke Shaw will stay so they can build a successful team next season.

“When the chairman left it was sad for all of us and we agreed to perform well for his sake since he brought the team together and I remember when we started the league he was proud of the team because he is the one who made it.

“The rumours of Lallana and Shaw leaving started long time ago, it’s their future so I can’t talk more about them but it could have been good if they stayed so that the team can get stronger and grow together.”

Commenting on the difference between Scottish league and EPL, he said, “I feel good playing in EPL and actually being the first East African to play in a major league.

“There are big differences compared to Scotland where you find at most only five teams are competitive but here the league is tough since all teams are strong making every game a challenge,” he explained.

“There are few players who can play in EPL because it’s the hardest league, the pace is very high.

“It has quality players like Luis Suarez who is very intelligent having all the qualities a footballer may need since he has the speed and knows how to position himself giving defenders difficulties and can score at any time, he deserved the PFA Player of the Year award,” he added.

“Playing against big teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool was a priority to me since I gained a lot of experience but there is no small team, all are tough because most have excellent players so I usually take every game as a big match,” Wanyama continued.

Injury setback

After playing 12 games, the powerhouse midfielder suffered a hairline fracture to his leg during their 3-2 home defeat by Aston Villa and was sidelined for more than six weeks.

“It was so hard for me because I got injured after only playing less than 10 matches. I fractured my leg after colliding with Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan which kept me out for long.

“The injury continued to recur whenever I returned for the matches forcing me to miss many games, I felt bad because it was my first time to get long term injury but I worked hard and at the end I was fit something that helped me finish the league strong,” he disclosed.

Wanyama was upbeat they will perform better next season and hope to improve on their previous performance where they finished eighth with 56 points.

He pin pointed their first leg match against Liverpool who finished second, four points behind champions Manchester City as his most memorable match.

“My best game was against Liverpool where we beat them 1-0. Playing at Anfield against the passionate crowd saw my dream come true and that made me not forget that match since they were the toughest team at that time after going four matches unbeaten,” he concluded.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29- Olympic champion and world record holder, David Lekuta Rudisha makes running look so easy. Watching his fluid powerful paces pound the track almost in slow motion belies the fact he is literally flying when he is at or near his unassailable best.

On Saturday, the men 800m icon, 25, who was nicknamed the ‘Pride of Africa’ when he won the 2006 World Junior title in Beijing returns to competition after sitting out for just over a year injured at the Pre Fontaine Classic- the third stop of the 2014 IAAF Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon.

As the world waits in bated breath for the comeback of the athlete known at home as ‘King David’ in Oregon, the training track of Safaricom Stadium in Nairobi gave a glimpse of what to expect when he did a solo speed work out in the run-up to the Pre Classic.

At the end of it, the powerful athlete was all smiles, quipping, “Did you see that! I ran at race pace!”

The relief in his voice was palpable since, even he, the seemingly indestructible force in 800m running, was not sure he would ever get back anywhere near the imposing shape that has seen him break the world record thrice to the staggering 1:40.91 standard he motored to at the grandest stage of the 2012 London Olympics final.

Forget the records, Olympics and world titles, annihilating world class competition or even the scarcely believable 14 career sub 1:43 races, Rudisha mission in Oregon is simple – to just finish an 800m race for the first time since May 25 last year when he won the Adidas New York Diamond League meet in 1:45.15.

“I’m very happy my injury is almost fully healed. So far I feel my body responding well and what I will be very happy about is that my training has been good and I’m looking forward for my first race in Eugene.

“Since I’ve been out for long, I don’t want to speculate but after my first race, I will know exactly where my shape is. I’m almost doing similar type of training as I did last year,” he added after his work out in Nairobi.

Down memory lane

Even for the most accomplished of global sports icons, a long injury lay-off is a nightmare and for Rudisha, the end of his world title defence three months before Moscow left him with golden memories of his astounding 2012 season to hold on to.

“It was a great year for me; I achieved all things I wanted in an Olympics year. My greatest dream was to win the Olympics championships and to break the world record was a tremendous achievement.

“Coming to 2013, I did my good preparation early in the season, starting my races locally and I ran my personal best in 400m of 45.15 here,” he stated pointing to the nearby stadium where he achieved his landmark over one lap on May 3.