NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 24 – Three years since the High Court validated a decision by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Arbitration Tribunal to award Former AFC Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert Sh2.6mn for unlawful termination of his contract, the Belgian tactician is yet to receive his full payment.

In an exclusive interview with Capital Sports Minnaert says he has only received Sh500,000 of the Sh2.6mn that the Tribunal awarded to him.

“Three years ago, the court ruled in our favor that what the Tribunal awarded us was legal. They gave us permission that we could block the club’s accounts but for me that is not what I want to do. It is better to find a friendly solution,” Minnaert told Capital Sport.

Minnaert joined Leopards in mid 2016 but lasted just a few months after being axed due to poor results. He took the matters to the Tribunal arguing that his sacking was unfair and demanded a payment of the entire period remaining in his contract, totaling to 18 months.

However, the Tribunal only awarded him six months’ pay worth Sh2.4mn while AFC were also ordered by the costs to pay him for the costs of the case, a total of Sh200,000.

Minnaert says he is still waiting on leopards to meet their end of the bargain.

In a separate interview with Capital Sports, AFC chairman Dan Shikanda says they are still working to resolve the matter.

“I have talked to him twice and this is something we are willing to settle. He was in the country and it is unfortunate he has had to go back before we talk but definitely we will find a solution and pay him his dues. We are facing a difficult time as a club and so it is not entirely easy,” Shikanda stated.

Minnaert however says he will patiently wait on a word from the club’s management and says he is in contact with Shikanda who was however not in power when Minnaert was sacked.

“We will try to find a good solution,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Belgian tactician says he does not regret his tenure at Ingwe and picks out his side’s 1-0 derby win over arch-rivals Gor Mahia as his best moment at the den.

“That was a memorable moment for me because we broke their unbeaten run and then we scored a goal straight from how we had been working in training; get the ball from the sides, into the area and score. I loved it,” the tactician notes.

He added; “I also loved the first game we won against Bandari. It was also the same way; get the ball to the side, into the area and then we scored. We played really well. For me, AFC is like home and I would love to come back but at the moment it is not possible.”

He has also challenged the club to find more sustainable ways of being competitive, key among them being the establishment of a vibrant youth structure as well as reducing the turnover of players in the team.

“Every time they want to change more than half of the players and it is not good. They need to find stability with at least 15 players who can stay there for many years and if it is to change maybe three or four players.”

“They also need to invest in youth so that they don’t have to go and buy expensive players every time. Instead, they should be developing players and making money through selling them,” the coach also opined.

Minnaert had been in the running for the vacant Zambia national team head coach, but all indications are that former Uganda boss Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic will be handed the role.

He however says he has several offers in Europe and Asia but will be making a decision on his next move in the next several days.

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Jan 24 – Eliud Kipchoge, regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time has been crowned the 2019 Safaricom Sports Personality of The Year for the second year running at a glamorous SOYA gala held at the Mombasa Sports Club on Friday.

The world record holder had a hugely successful 2019 season, defending his London Marathon title in London and going on to become the first man to ever run the marathon in under two hours after clocking 1:59:40 in the Ineos 1:59 challenge in Austria.

For clinching the award, Kipchoge, also the reigning Olympic champion, pocketed Sh1mn and a glittering trophy engraved with his name.

The world record holder in marathon was also named the Sportsman of the Year 2019, winning the gong ahead of fellow athletes, Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto, world champion Timothy Cheruiyot, world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor and footballer Michael Olunga.

In the Sportswoman category, the sensational Hellen Obiri floored a galaxy of stars to bag the award that saw her win the accolade she last scooped in 2017.

Obiri, who won two world titles in 2019, the World Cross Country and the 5,000m at the World Championship, won the award ahead of two-time London marathon champion and women’s marathon world record holder, Brigid Kosgei, world steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech, world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich and body builder Evelyn Okinyi Owala.

Full list of winners:

Sports Personality of the Year:

WINNER: ELIUD KIPCHOGE

Sportsman of the Year;

Winner: Eliud Kipchoge

2. Timothy Cheruiyot (Athletics)
3. Geoffrey Kamworor (Athletics)

Sportswoman of the Year;

Winner: Hellen Obiri

2.Brigid Kosgei (Athletics)

3. Ruth Chepng’etich (Athletics)

Sportswoman Living with disability (Men);

Winner Samuel Muchai (Athletics)

2. Onesmus Mutinda (Special Olympics)
3. Vincent Mutai (Athletics)

Sportsman Living with disability (Women);

Winner: Catherine Nyaga (Athletics)

2. Ruth Jemurgor (Athletics)
3. Nancy Chelagat (Athletics)

Coach of the Year;

Paul Bitok (Malkia Strikers)

Sports Team of the Year men;

Winners: KCB Rugby

2. Kenya Morans
3. Bandari FC

Sports Team of the Year women;

Winner: Malkia Strikers

2. Kenya Lionesses
3. Harambee Starlets

Federation of the Year;

Kenya Special Olympics

Most Promising (Boys);

Winner: Geoffrey Okwach (Rugby)

2. Dominic Ndigiti (Athletics)
3. Daniel Sakari (Football)

Most Promising (Girls)

Winner: Jentrix Shikangwa (Football)

2. Belinda Wanjiru (Golf)
3. Faith Chepkemoi (Athletics)

School coach of the year:

Justin Kigwari (Kwanthanze Girls’ volleyball)

School team of the year (Boys)

Winner: Kakamega High School 9Rugby 15s)

2. Upper Hill High School (7s rugby)
3. Friends School Kamusinga (Hockey)

School team of the year (Girls)

Winner: Kwanthanze High School (Volleyball)

2. Moi Girls Kamusinga (Handball)
3. St. Cecilia Misikhu (Girls hockey)

Most outstanding player (Girls)

Maria Bianchi (Swimming)

Most outstanding player (Boys)

Stephen Ndegwa (Swimming)

Community Hero;

Johannah Omollo (Football)

Hall OF Fame inductees

Dorcas Ndasaba (Volleyball)

Mahmoud Abbas (Football)

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 25 – Kakamega Homeboyz went to the top of the Kenyan Premier League standings after a 2-1 victory over Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Stadium while Gor Mahia thrashed Bandari 3-0 in Nakuru to move second on the log on Saturday.

The away victory took Homeboyz to 39 points after 18 matches, just one ahead of Gor and two ahead of Tusker FC who play Ulinzi Stars at Ruaraka on Sunday.

Boniface Onyango had given Sharks a 22^nd minute lead, but Homeboyz fought back with Kennedy Onyango drawing them level in the second half. Ali Bhai then struck the decisive goal nine minutes from time to hand them a fourth successive victory.

Meanwhile in Nakuru, goalkeeper David Mapigano scored a rare goal as K’Ogalo completed a double over the troubled Bandari to keep them firmly in chase for a 19^th league crown.

Mapigano who was returning to the starting team after playing second fiddle to Boniface Oluoch for the last several months broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when his long clearance caught his opposite number Justin Ndikumana way off his line.

Gor then doubled their tally two minutes from time when newly signed left back Mike Apudo capped off his debut with a goal.

It was a goal that punched Bandari right in their faces, coming just after they had threatened with chances, Mohamed Siraj coming close with a shot that came off the bar.

Hopes of a second half comeback were thwarted when the defending champions scored their third in the 73^rd minute when Kennedy Otieno added the third.

Bandari had a chance to score a consolation at the stroke of full time after Darius Msagha was brought down inside the box by Charles Momanyi, but Wilberforce Lugogo saw his effort saved by Mapigano.

Elsewhere in Kisumu, AFC leopards cemented their hold on sixth spot with a 2-0 victory over Kisumu All Stars. John Mark Makwatta lost a penalty, but still managed to find the back of the net for his 13^th goal of the season, adding on to Vincent Oburu’s opener.

Meanwhile in Machakos, Wazito’s struggles continued when they suffered a sixth successive lost with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Posta Rangers.

Joseph Mbugi struck a brace in the fourth and 60^th minutes with Clinton Kisiavuki adding the third to further compound Wazito’s woes and raise more relegation worries.

In other results, Chemelil Sugar picked up a massive morale boosting point as they played to a 1-1 draw with Sofapaka while Nzoia Sugar and Zoo Kericho played to a goalless draw in Bungoma.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – Shujaa picked 10 points from the third stop of the World Sevens Series in Hamilton this weekend, moving a spot up from 11^th to 10^th in the overall standings following their seventh place play-off loss to Argentina.

The 10 points takes Kenya to 25 points having picked four in the season opening Dubai Sevens, 11 in Cape Town and now 10 from Hamilton.

Shujaa had earlier on finished second in Pool B having pulled a shock 36-14 victory over South Africa to record the biggest win over the Blitzbokke in the history of the series.

But, with the new format of the World Series, they could not progress to the Main Cup contention as it has now been left as a preserve of group winners only. They had earlier lost 24-19 to England and drew 12-12 with Japan in their second group match.

The win over South Africa earned them a date against Argentina, a tie they were leading 17-7 at halftime, but dropped the pace in the second half with the Argentines winning 19-17.

Against the Argentine side, Shujaa fell off early when Felipe del Maestre dotted down across the whitewash to give them a 5-0 lead.

But Shujaa who have been in high spirits in the tournament staged a remarkable comeback with Nelson Oyoo, Collins Injera and Willy Ambaka dotting down one try each, one of them being converted while one came against the upright.

But, the Argentines staged a comeback in the second half, del Maestre adding his second before Franco Sabato evaded tackles a few metres to the try box to extend a hand and dot down the winning try which was converted.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 25 – Tusker’s hopes of regaining their hold on the summit of the Kenyan Premier League standings were thwarted after being held to a 1-1 draw by four-time champions Ulinzi Stars at the Ruaraka Complex on Sunday.

Enosh Ochieng who had broken the lead should have won it for the soldiers at the death but his snap header from the edge of the six yard box went inches wide.

Ochieng scored with four minutes before half time but Tusker raced back to level through Timothy Otieno who scored a second half penalty.

Tusker remain third with 38 points, same as second placed Gor Mahia and one behind leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

Ochieng broke the deadlock in the 43^rd minute with a brilliant volley after being picked out by an equally well placed pass from youngster John Njuguna who curled the ball behind the defense into the striker’s path behind the defense.

Before that, the soldiers had chances to score with Ibrahim Shambi’s shot being well saved by Tusker goalie Emery Mvuyekure while Boniface Onyango had a header off a corner cleared off the goalline.

Just a few minutes after conceding, Tusker should have drawn level when Timothy Otieno chested the ball down for Jackson Macharia inside the box but the midfielder shot wide from close range.

In the second half, Tusker boss Robert Matano started off by making a double save with George Odhiambo and David Majak coming in.

The changes brought some punch in the Tusker attack with Odhiambo having a shot go just over after being played through by Macharia.

However, in the 66^th minute they drew level when Otieno scored from the spot after he had been brought down by Ulinzi keeper Jacktone Odhiambo as he raced to a beauty of a through pass from Odhiambo.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige and Muthaiga’s Greg Snow braved difficult conditions to shoot a round of 70 apiece on the first round of the Sigona Golf Club leg of the Safari Tour Golf Series to end the day as joint leaders; one shot better than their nearest challenger going into the second round.

The day got off to inclement weather with rain, fog and chilling cold welcoming players at the first tee. As the rain eased off, it gave way for strong gusts of wind that made playing conditions very tricky.

On his part, Ngige carded a first nine total of 35 having holed birdies at the par-3, third and the par-5, ninth; with his only dropped shot on the first nine coming at the par-4, first.

On the back nine, he got off to a bogey at the majestic, but very tricky, par-5, 10th hole.

He dropped another shot at the par-4, 13th before holing an eagle at the par-5, 15th. He followed this with consecutive birdies at the par-4, 16th and the par-4 17th; before dropping another shot at the 18th to card a back nine total of 35.

Speaking after the round, Ngige said:

“I played here yesterday, and learnt that if you miss the fairway, you are in trouble as the rough is quite high due to the good rains we have been experiencing. The secret here is to keep the ball in play, avoid the rough and then you can score. Today I couldn’t putt very well, so I will hit the practice green and work on that. I am very happy with my game overall.”

Meanwhile, Snow carded a first nine total of 36, having holed birdies at the par-4, second and the par-3 third; but having dropped shots at the par-5 fourth and the par-5, ninth.

On the back nine, he played blemish-free, holing birdies at the par-3, 11th and the par-4 17th for a back nine total of 34.

“It was a difficult day with the conditions of wind and rain, so I had to keep patient all day. I played conservatively in the conditions as it’s one of those days you blow yourself out the event if not careful. So, I tried to really grind and stick in. Staying patient was the key today keeping to the game plan; three more good rounds of consistent golf I should get it done,” Snow said.

Snow, who has three Safari Tour wins to his name this season, will be looking to posting a good result at the Sigona outing to enhance chances of topping the Road to Kenya Open ranking; where he is currently ranked third with 300 points – 30 points off the leader.

Ngige will be looking at solidifying his hold on second place in the ranking where he currently sits with 307.9 points.

Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi ended his round one outing in third place having posted a 1-under par 71 score to keep him in contention for top spot. On the first nine, he carded a total of 37 having dropped a shot at the par-4, first; and having held par on the rest of the holes.

On the back nine, birdies at the 10th, 11th, 15th and 18th holes cancelled out dropped shots at the 16th and 17th holes for a back nine total of 34.

Meanwhile, Royal Nairobi’s Erick Ooko ended the day with a level-par 72 score to end the day in fourth place, as Vet Lab’s Mathew Omondi posted a 1-over par 73 score to finish the round a solitary fifth.

Six players, Jastas Madoya, David Wakhu, Rizwan Charania, Tony Omuli, Kopan Timbe and Mutahi Kibugu (AM), ended the day tied in sixth with 2-over par 74 scores.

Dismas Indiza, who currently tops the Road to Kenya Open ranking, ended the round tied in 12th with a 3-over par 75 score.

Action in the second round of the tournament tees off on Monday with a field of 45 players; among them six amateur golfers.

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SAN VITTORE OLONA, Italy, Jan 27 – Steeplechase specialist Leonard Kipkemoi Bett took the honours at the 88th Cinque Mulini in San Vittore Olona, the seventh leg of this season’s World Athletics Cross Country Permit series on Sunday.

Ethiopian 18-year-old Tadese Worku led a seven-man pack including Kenya’s Bett, Jackson Kavesa Muema, Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo, Burundi’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Morocco’s Abdelati Iguider and Italian 10,000m record-holder Yeman Crippa during the first lap.

Worku, the world U20 cross-country silver medallist who won back-to-back races in Elgoibar and Seville earlier this month, stepped up the pace during the second lap and kept the lead for most of the race, closely followed by Muema, Bett, Ndikumweanayo, Chelimo and Crippa.

Worku went through the second lap mark in 8:39 with a gap of one second over Muema, Bett, Ndikumwenayo and Crippa. The Italian running star was dropped by seven seconds after the halfway mark.

The leading group was whittled down to Worku, Bett and Muema, who pulled away from Ndikumwenayo after the bell and battled it out for the win during the final lap.

Worku and Bett ran neck-to-neck for most of the last lap before it came down to a final sprint with Bett overtook Worku on the final straight to cross the line in 32:08, holding off his Ethiopian rival by just one second. Muema finished third in 32:10.

Bett won the 2017 world U18 steeplechase title and followed it with silver at the following year’s World U20 Championships. Last year he finished fourth in the U20 race at the World Cross Country Championships and ninth in the steeplechase final at the World Championships in Doha.

“Cross country is the perfect build-up for running the 3000m steeplechase,” said Bett after securing the 16th win for Kenya in the history of the Cinque Mulini in what was his first cross country race outside of his home country.

Bett plans on competing at the African Cross Country Championships in preparation for the Olympic season.

In the women’s race, a pack featuring 2013 world 5000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono, Gloria Kite, double European U20 cross-country champion Nadia Battocletti, defending champion Winfred Mutile Yavi and Jackline Jerono took the early lead on the first lap.

Kite went to the front and went through the first lap mark in 8:59. Battocletti, still aged just 19, managed to keep the pace with the leading quartet on the first two laps.

The smooth-striding Yavi pulled away from Kite and Jerono during the third lap to increase her lead over her opponents. By the time she reached the finish line in 17:22, her lead had grown to 11 seconds.

Kite finished second in 17:33, three weeks after her third place finish at the Campaccio in San Giorgio su Legnano. Jerono completed the podium, taking third place in 17:34 ahead of Cherono (17:47). Battocletti was fifth in 17:56.

“I am improving race after race,” said Yavi, whose victory last year came in a race held in totally different conditions with snow and freezing temperatures. “My second consecutive win at Cinque Mulini means a lot. I enjoy running on this course.”

Leading results

Men (11km)

1 Leonard Bett Kipkemoi (KEN) 32:08

2 Tadese Worku (ETH) 32:09

3 Jackson Kavesa Muema (KEN) 32:10

4 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (BDI) 32:29

5 Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 32:47

Women (6km)

1 Winfred Yavi Mutile (BRN) 17:22

2 Gloriah Kite (KEN) 17:33

3 Jacklne Jerono (KEN) 17:34

4 Mercy Cherono (KEN) 17:47

5 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 17:56

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 27 – Kenya Sevens boss Paul Feeney says he expects a stern challenge for his boys when they parade against Hamilton 7s champions New Zealand, Fiji and Wales in Group A at next weekend’s Sydney 7s in Australia.

The tactician admits his team will face a tough time against some of the best teams in the Series, but remains optimistic it will be a chance for him to see how much his side has grown.

“Crazy pools; very tough with New Zealand and Fiji and definitely Wales has improved very much. I think it is great to have this kind of pools so that we can test ourselves against the best. It is better to face them now and find out where we are as a group,” the tactician stated.

He added; It will be a great challenge for us and after we find out the good, the bad and the ugly of our game, we will have time to fix our problems and work on our strengths.”

Shujaa finished eight at Hamilton having won two matches, lost a similar number and drew one.

Feeney was disappointed with the day one performance where they dropped a lead against England to lose and drew against Japan.

On the second day though they responded with victory over South Africa, but then dropped the pace in the seventh-place play-off against Argentina, losing a first half lead to go down and finish eight.

“We had a good first half against England but in the second half we couldn’t get our hands on the ball. Against Japan, we let ourselves down by drawing. It was a poor performance from us but we had a meeting that night and I was pleased with the response from the boys against South Africa,” Feeney noted.

Heading to Sydney, the fourth stop of the World Series, Feeney will need to work on the endurance of his side as they have given massive shifts in every opening half, but ended up losing the step in the second halves.

Meanwhile, Feeney was full of praise for youngster Geoffrey Okwach who made his first tour with the team and said he showed his worth with a good performance every time he was called upon.

Okwach who was on Friday named Kenya’s most promising sports personality was the top try scorer at the Safari Sevens and showed his immense talent having just earned promotion from the junior team, Chipu.

Among the players who are also expected to play a vital role for the team in Sydney is Collins Injera who over the weekend played his 80th tournament.

Injera has just returned after recovering from a shoulder injury and showed he still has it with a good performance for the team, cementing his place as the second highest scorer ever in the series.

Sydney 7s draw:

Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, Fiji, Wales

Pool B: France, Argentina, Samoa, South Africa

Pool C: Australia, USA, Scotland, Japan

Pool D: England, Canada, Ireland, Spain.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 – Western Stima tactician Salim Babu has picked his second Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month Award this season, beating Tusker FC’s Robert Matano for the belatedly December gong.

Both coaches won three games and drew once in the month of December but Babu’s goal haul propped him above Matano.

Stima scored ten goals and conceded four playing against Nzoia Sugar, Zoo, Chemelil Sugar and Sofapaka while Tusker scored half what Stima managed while conceding just two.

The Stima coach pocketed Sh75,000 courtesy of the event sponsors Fidelity Insurance and becomes the third tactician to win more than two of the monthly awards since its inception five years ago.

“I’m glad this is happening again this season and I want to thank my family and teams for enabling me win this award. December was competitive and I must say we really did our best to win the games that we played,” Babu said during his coronation at Moi stadium, Kisumu.

Babu feels frustrated that Stima is not in the top five clubs of Kenyan Premier League and will not celebrate his monthly awards if his side remains rooted in mid table.

“We are trying hard to make the entire team develop and compete for the league trophy. We had a good pre-season training and started the season really well, but results have not been as consistent,” he added

Babu won the first the first award of the 2019/2020 season and hopes the December performance will give Stima a shot in the arm to finish the season with a flourish.

“We will take our chances in the remaining games and finish in the best position possible. We still have a good team and just need to keep our focus for the remaining games,” the former Kenyan international defender said.

The post Stima’s Babu named Dec KPL best coach    appeared first on Capital Sports.

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan 28 – Rampant defending champion Novak Djokovic powered past Milos Raonic to set a blockbuster Australian Open semi-final against Roger Federer Tuesday after the Swiss ace saved an incredible seven match points in one of his greatest escapes.

The Serbian world number two, despite trouble with his contact lenses, tamed the big-serving Canadian 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) as he targets an eighth Melbourne Park crown and 17th Grand Slam title.

Six-time champion Federer is next, after one of his most memorable comebacks against unseeded American Tennys Sandgren.

The 38-year-old great, the oldest man to reach the Melbourne semis since Ken Rosewall 43 years ago, came through an action-packed clash 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3.

He fended off seven match points and was slapped with a warning for swearing, while taking a rare medical timeout for a groin injury that hampered his movement.

But he dug deep to set up yet another showdown with his old rival Djokovic. The pair are all-conquering in Melbourne, sharing 12 of the last 14 titles between them.

They have played each other 49 times, with the Serb in front 26-23.

“I have tremendous respect for Roger,” said Djokovic, who became emotional in his on-court interview when asked about the tragic death in a helicopter crash of Kobe Bryant, a personal friend.

“The match-ups I have had against Roger and Rafa (Nadal) have made me the player I am today,” he added. “May the best player win.”

While Federer — into a record 15th Australian Open semi — has laboured through 14 sets in his last three matches, Djokovic has had a much easier ride, dropping just one set all tournament.

But the world number three Swiss star insisted he felt fine.

“It really depends sometimes how you’re feeling inside, how much it takes away from you. But I must say I feel pretty good right now,” said the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

His comeback against Sandgren was the stuff of legend, with the victory his 102nd at Melbourne Park, surpassing his tally at Wimbledon to make the Australian Open his most successful Slam in terms of matches won.

After comfortably taking the first set, he felt the groin strain midway through the second. He wasn’t moving well and making too many errors.

He took a medical timeout but lost the set and the next one.

But he seemed to get a second wind and saved four match points at 5-4 down in the fourth set and another three being winning the tie-breaker and romping to victory as the adoring crowd went into a frenzy.

Federer admitted he was “incredibly lucky” to still be in the tournament, but he planned to make the most if it.

– Focused –

The fit-again Raonic reached the Melbourne semi-finals in 2016, when he lost to Andy Murray, and the quarters on three other occasions, including last year.

He had failed to beat Djokovic in nine previous attempts, but possesses a monster serve and was unbeaten in 59 straight service games heading into their clash.

That all changed when he faced his nemesis, perhaps the best returner in tennis.

“I felt great on court, I was very focused,” said Djokovic.

He threatened straight away, earning break points on the Raonic serve several times before finally converting to take the set and snap the Canadian’s run.

After the 63-game streak on his serve, his next amounted to just one game, broken again in the fourth game of the second set as Djokovic took a stranglehold.

The relentless Serb, who has won 11 straight matches this season, went toe-to-toe with the Canadian in the third set when at 4-4 he called for new contact lenses, which turned into a medical timeout.

Raonic wasn’t impressed that he didn’t wait until the changeover.

Djokovic appeared to struggle with his vision on his return, but it quickly came back into focus as he raced through the tiebreaker to book his ticket to the semi-final.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee in a Special General Meeting adopted the newly composed Electoral Board ahead of the repeat elections.

The new Board comprises of Kentice Tikolo, Patrick Mathew Onyango, journalist Ali Hassan Kauleni, Alfred Ndinya, and Samuel Karanja.

Eighty delegates were in attendance, among them representatives from the 48 FKF Branches as well as Kenyan Premier League, National Super League, Division One League, and representative of the FKF Women Premier League.

Top on the agenda at the SGM was the adoption of decisions by the National Executive Committee, adoption of the newly composed Electoral Board as well as the 2019/2020 Electoral Code.

The delegates also voted to adopt the amended Electoral Code, which will now be in force for the upcoming elections.

Following the meeting, the Board will now be mandated with conducting repeat elections.

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KIAMBU, Kenya, Jan 28 – Muthaiga Golf club’s Greg Snow is on track to win a fourth Safari Tour title after carding an impressive score of 4-under par, 68 in round three at the Sigona Golf club going into the final round of play.

Snow, who recorded a total score of 6-under par, 210, was even more impressive considering the fact that he hit a triple bogey at the par-5, fourth.

Up until this point, the Snow had hit two birdies at the first and third and a bogey at the second, a further two birdies and a bogey in the next five holes saw him turn with a 1-over par 37 score.

A dropped shot at the par-5, tenth was the only blemish in a stellar back nine run, that included four birdies and an eagle three on the par-5, 15th, earning him that 6-under par score.

Speaking after his round, Snow mentioned how much he enjoyed his round while looking forward to an even better performance in the final round.

“I played well today, I am pleased with my round and the fact that I have started getting consistent, which is what I was struggling with in the last couple of legs. I look forward to another great showing tomorrow and hopefully win the title.”

Snow now holds a four stroke advantage over second placed Robson Chinhoi of Zimbabwe, who is on a gross score of 2-under par, 214 after returning a score of 1-under par 71 for the round. Chinhoi hit birdies at the third, fourth and seventeenth while dropping shots at the first and fourteenth.

Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Erick Ooko moved into third place after returning a 2-under par score for the round which took him to within one stroke of Robson on 1-under par, 215.

Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige is in fourth on 2-over par, 218, two strokes ahead of the trio of CJ Wangai, Sujan Shah and Dismas Indiza who are on 4-over par, 220.

Attention now shifts to the last round of action which tees off at 7:30aAM, with all eyes on Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow and the scramble for the ten slots to the 2020 Magical Kenya Open presented by ABSA.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 – In a bid to ensure Kenya enters as many teams as possible in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the government in collaboration with respective federations and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) will facilitate funds for teams that will compete in the qualifiers.

This was announced on Tuesday by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Sports, Ambassador Amina Mohamed while opening the sports marketing workshop organized by the NOCK) in Nairobi where all the federations attended.

The CS’ sentiment comes after a number of national teams have struggled to raise funds for qualifiers with the national women’s rugby team, the Kenya Lionesses and their counterparts from the volleyball team, Malkia Strikers being victims.

“We had requested that federations present their funding proposals before the end of the year and most them have done that, we will be looking at those proposals and they should not expect what they asked for, we are going to rationalize and make sure everybody is given what is needed and not what they asked for,” the CS stated.

Her sentiments were echoed by the NOCK treasurer Anthony Kariuki, who said they presented the budget to the Ministry of Sports and agreed the government should assist federations in terms of funding to ensure they do not miss the qualifiers.

“We have planned adequately and presented our budgets one of the largest item in the budget is the qualification procedures and we have agreed that clearly the government will assist in qualification, what the CS said is that we are going to relook at the budgets that were presented, rationalize them so that we can reason together with the federations and that is a key thing and once we tell them federations can work backwards,” Kariuki underscored.

Kariuki also underlined that teams that have already qualified, like the Malkia Strikers, Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Sevens and a huge chunk of runners should also be facilitated for ample preparations.

“We believe qualification is a key process, the teams that have already qualified have a serious budget in preparations so we want to concentrate on them to prepare adequately so that they can be ready for the games,” the NOCK treasurer underscored.

Acting Secretary General Francis Mutuku noted that NOCK will start building capacity within the sports federation and by extension within the sports building fraternity in Kenya.

-By Keziah Aoma-

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – Aston Villa has emerged as one of the transfer options for Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama and he could join up with Tanzanian counterpart Mbwana Samatta who made his debut for the Birmingham-based club on Tuesday night.

With the January transfer window set to close on Friday night, Wanyama is running against time to find a new club having faced limited playing time at Tottenham Hotspur this season.

Various media reports in Britain say Villa boss Dean Smith is considering a move for the 28-year old midfielder as he looks to expand his options in the middle of the pack.

Wanyama tweeted to welcome Samatta to England but in the next several days, the two might be teammates at Villa Park if a deal is struck between the two clubs and Wanyama makes the three hour trip down to Birmingham from North London.

At the same time, his former club Celtic is also interested to bring him back to Scotland.

However, Celtic who have been rumored to be close contenders to land the signature of the Kenyan are being pushed back by the financial demands that come with signing him; his wages and Spurs valuation.

Meanwhile, reports from Italy intimate that Spurs is one of the three players including Juan Foyth and Eric Lamela who have been offered to AC Milan in a deal to try bring in striker Krzysztof Piątek.

Sources close to Capital Sports disclose that the Kenyan skipper is looking to exit the club having only played as a late substitute in a dead rubber Champions League game against Bayern Munich since Jose Mourinho took charge.

The club has also brought in another midfielder in Gerdson Fernandes, further limiting Wanyama’s chances of making more minutes.

There have been offers from thre Premier League clubs, Italy and Turkish suitors as well as some in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but it is understood that Spurs’ high valuation is making the transfer more difficult.

Wanyama has struggled to get back into regular football since returning from a long term injury mid last season, having had a booming start to his career in North London when he joined from Southampton.

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KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 29 – For the first time since the awards inception, a schoolboy has clinched the LG/SJAK Player of the Month award after seventeen-year-old striker Benson Omala was belatedly crowned December finest to become the youngest player to achieve the feat.

Omala, who turns up for Kenyan Premier League side Western Stima, is a form four student at Kisumu Day High School and managed to net five goals to compel SJAK Football Commission to a unanimous decision of granting him the award that came along with a 49-inch smart television screen from title sponsors, electronic firm LG.

Among the many firsts he pulled in December, Omala become the first Western Stima player to ever score a hat-trick in a league match.

In winning the Player of the Month award, he became just the third player from Western Stima to do so in the award’s six year-history, following the footsteps of Kenneth Muguna in 2015 and Wesley Kemboi in 2016.

“I thank my coach for believing and nurturing me and I am glad I repaid their faith by showing my brilliance and scoring goals which is a striker’s primary target,” the confident KCSE candidate said after receiving the award in the presence of his schoolmates at their school.

“I’d like to score more goals if a I get game time and be among the top scorers. My ambitions are to play for the national team. I already scored two goals for the Under 20 national team in CECAFA and I’m glad I was called up in the senior team despite not making the final cut. I want to tell Kimanzi that he will see more of me,” Omala remarked.

He added; “If you are in class read like you will never play football and if you are in a football pitch play like you’ll never be in class. My target short term is to play two or three year in the local league then go to Europe,” he added

His coach Andrew Aroka lauded Western Stima for believing in Omala and giving him the chance to play in the big league.

“I’ve handled a lot of you players but very few compare to this boy. They have been good in their own right but Omala is just a complete striker with very huge potential.”

Omala was in the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom All Star team that went to Spain last year after emerging top scorer in the Nyanza regional duels.

He hopes to get more play time with Western Stima but school schedule has come before football for him.

Kisumu Day High School Principal Daniel Mwaturo urged him not to sacrifice either academics or football career at the altar of another.

“Talent and good brains are God given and each of them should be nurtured. The boy only trains with the school team and only plays Western Stima’s home games except during holidays. He can really do wonders when fully dedicated to training with the team and playing all games. But I’m glad he is also doing well in academics and could get the myriad scholarships abroad,” said the Principal.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow emerged winner at the Sigona leg of the Safari Golf Tour after posting a 2-under par 70 score on the final day on Wednesday to take his tournament total to 8-under par 280; four shots clear of his nearest challenger.

Snow carded a first nine total of 35 having holed a birdie at the par-4 second, and an eagle three at the ninth; enough to cancel out bogeys at the par-5 fourth and the par-4 eighth.

On the back nine, he got off to a birdie at the challenging par-5 10th before picking a bogey at the par-3 14th. He followed it up with a birdie at the par-5 15th to card a back nine total of 35.

The outstanding performance at Sigona saw Snow make history as the first player to record a hattrick of consecutive Safari Tour wins (Muthaiga, Thika Greens and Sigona); leaving him in a league of his own as the only golfer to record four Safari Tour victories in a season.

Snow now leads the Road to the 2020 Kenya Open ranking with 350 points, having dislodged fellow Johnnie-Walker Sponsored golfer, Dismas Indiza (347 points), and says that he has no intention of letting go of the top position.

“My goal is to win the order of merit like I did last year. There are still two more events to go, being at the top feels good staying up there is a different story all together. I am pleased though that’s where I intend to stay. I am therefore looking forward to the next two events, and I have got to keep doing what I am doing by staying focused,” he said after being crowned Sigona Golf Club champion.

He said that he was happy with his performance at the event, adding that the wet conditions played to his strengths.

“I am satisfied with my performance this week as my game is heading in the right direction. My length off the tee in the wet conditions gave me an advantage as I knew if I drove the ball well off the tee, scoring was not going to be an issue,” he said.

With this victory, Snow banked KShs Sh150,000 in prize money.

Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi finished four shots behind Snow having posted an impressive 2-under par 70 score to take his total for the tournament to 4-under par 284.

His performance at this event marks his best outing at this season of the Safari Tour; having only played in four events, and his highest finish being fourth at the Great Rift Valley and Golf Resort outing.

He had a tricky first nine; carding a total of 37 courtesy of a double-bogey at the par-5 fourth and having only made a lone birdie at the par-4 seventh.

The back nine proved more responsive, where he played blemish-free and picked up birdies at the 10th, 14th and 15th to card a total of 33. For his stellar outing, he took home KShs 100,000.

Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s Erick Ooko completed the podium places having played a 2-over par 74 round to take his total for the event to 1-over par 289; taking home ShSh56,000.

Windor’s Riz Charania finished in solitary fourth while John Karicu and Simon Ngige ended their campaign tied in fifth.

Mutahi Kibugu, who was the only amateur to make the cut at the event, took home the Silver Salver, having finished tied in ninth alongside Tony Omuli.

After nine events this season, Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, Simon Ngige, Erick Ooko, Riz Charania, David Wakhu, Kopan Timbe and Tony Omuli occupy the top eight slots Kenya Open qualification slots reserved for local players.

The Safari Tour is back in action at the Kitante Open in Uganda from the 12th to 15th of February 2020 for the penultimate event on the calendar.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – Skipper Kenneth Muguna scored a second half winner as Defending champions Gor Mahia beat Sofapaka 2-1 in Kisumu on Wednesday evening to move to the summit of the Kenyan premier League standings.

Lawrence Juma gave the holders a 12^th minute lead before Batoto ba Mungu drew level six minutes later through Ghanaian import Jaden Nana. Muguna headed home the winner in the 63^rd minute.

The victory sees Gor scale to 41 points with one match at hand.

Meanwhile in the other midweek tie, Mathare United played to a 2-2 draw with Zoo Kericho to pick only their second point in six matches.

Playing their first of two games at hand, Gor had to ensure they pick maximum points to move top and they got the start they needed when Juma broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the tie with a neat finish off Boniface Omondi’s cross.

Batoto ba Mungu who have beaten Gor only three times since 2009 fought back and were on level terms six minutes later when their Ghanaian import reacted quickest after David Mapigano had spilled a shot from Kepha Aswani before tapping the ball home.

Sofapaka should have been 2-1 up by the half hour mark but Nana missed a complete sitter with just the keeper to beat, placing his shot wide.

Three minutes later, Titus Achesa made a run down the left before setting up Thomas Wainaiana, but the latter’s effort was turned behind for a corner by Mapigano.

Six minutes after the restart, Sofapaka had an even better chance when Wainaina’s tap from a Nana cross beat Mapigano in Gor’s goal, but defender Charles Momanyi raced back to clear off the line.

For that glaring miss, Sofapaka were punished when Muguna headed home a cross from substitute Samuel Onyango in the 62^nd minute.

In Kericho, Collins Neto scored the equalizer in the 70^th minute as hosts Zoo twice came from behind to salvage a point for the side which has now gone for six matches without victory.

Daniel Lual broke the deadlock with his first ever goal for Mathare before Wilson Anekeya who joined Zoo from mathare drew his side level. Seven minutes from the restart though, James Kinyanjui put Mathare back ahead, but they couldn’t hold on.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 29 – Kenya Morans power forward Ariel Okall will leave the country on Wednesday night ahead of a move to Algerian outfit Union Sportive Setifienne (USS) for an initial six-month period.

Okal who has been featuring for Kenya Ports Authority in the Kenya Basketball federation (KBF) Classic National League will be playing in his fifth season out of the country.

“I am really pleased to be making this move because everything a player wants is progress. I look forward to the challenge and I know it is going to make me a better player,” said the forward.

Okall was initially set to join USS last year but had to stay back to help KPA in the inaugural edition of the Basketball Africa League where they reached the second round.

The Kenya Morans man made his first sojourn out of the country in 2005 and has previously played in Oman for three seasons and in Seychelles as well.

“This IS a huge challenge for me because Algeria is a top league in Africa and the competition is tight as well. But the good thing is that I am not new to the Arab leagues and I know how they play, I know the pace and it will not be difficult for me to adapt,” Okal further told Capital Sport.

Okal will become the second Kenyan to play in North Africa with Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukota now plying his trade in Tunisia.

He believes the more Kenyan players move abroad, the better the team’s standards will be especially now that they will be competing in the qualifiers for the FIBA Afrobasket Championship.

“The more we go out the more exposure we get to very high quality competition and better facilities which we normally don’t get here at home. In the long run, this will be good for the national team because everyone will improve in quality,” stated Okall.

He also hopes that on top of improving his own game, he will also attract more interest from bigger clubs.

“The Algerian league is huge and also, being close to Europe, there will definitely be interest on that end. I want to work hard and do my best so that I am able to take another step up,” he added.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30-  The World Athletics has postponed the 2020 World Indoor Championships that was scheduled for Nanjing, China due to the Coronavirus that has hit the country.

The biannual event that was slated for March 13-15, 2020 will now be held March 2021.

“We know that China is doing all it can to contain the new Coronavirus and we support them in all their efforts but it is necessary to provide our athletes, Member Federations and partners with a clear way forward in what is a complex and fast-moving set of circumstances,” World Athletics said in a press release.

“The advice from our medical team, who are in contact with the World Health Organisation, is that the spread of the Coronavirus both within China and outside the country is still at a concerning level and no one should be going ahead with any major gathering that can be postponed.”

“We have considered the possibility of relocating the event to another country and would like to thank the cities that have volunteered to host the championships. However, given concerns still exist regarding the spread of the virus outside China, we have decided not to go with this option, as it may lead to further postponement at a later date.”

“The indoor season for athletics falls within a narrow calendar window (up to the end of March) and we believe we will be able to find a suitable date in 2021 to host this event. We would like Nanjing to be the host given the extensive planning and preparation they have put into this event.”

“We have chosen not to cancel the championships as many of our athletes would like this event to take place so we will now work with our athletes, our partners and the Nanjing organising committee to secure a date in 2021 to stage this event.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30 – In the wake of the success of Benson Omala and David Majak, both graduates of the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom youth tournament, Ulinzi Youth’s Brian Kafero hopes to follow in the same footsteps with his ambition being to mirror AFC Leopards forward John Mark Makwatta.

Omala, a star of the season two of the tournament, became the youngest ever winner of the LG Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Kenyan Premier League player of the month after he was crowned the December winner.

Majak was the star of season one and is currently pulling the strings at Tusker FC, having been named the Kenyan Premier League most promising youngster of the 2018/19 season.

“For sure, some of these success stories really inspire me and someday, I want the same to be written about me as well. Since I started playing football, this has been my dream, to succeed,” the 18-year old forward told Capital Sport.

Kafero was the top scorer at the Central regional Finals in Nanyuki a fortnight ago and apart from scoring two goals, caught the eye of the fans and scouts with his darting runs and aggressiveness inside the box.

He wants to mirror on the success of AFC forward Makwatta who also played for Ulinzi Stars before making a move abroad and coming back home where he is the current league top scorer.

“I always watch him a lot whenever I can because I love how he plays as a striker. He is someone I would want to emulate because if you look at his path, he became a big star while playing at Ulinzi and hopefully I will follow the same path,” he further stated.

Kafero turns out for Nairobi region based club Spit Fire FC but is on the radar of Ulinzi Stars having trained with them several times. He hopes that his performances both at the Chapa Dimba tournament and with Spit Fire where he has scored four goals in nine matches will attract a deal from the soldiers.

“The coach has talked to me and watched me in training so I just hope something good comes out of it. This tournament has helped me to shine even more and going into the national finals, I hope I can do even more so that we win the trophy,0” Kafero opined.

The forward believes the Ulinzi Youth side have what it takes to go all the way to the national finals and clinch the trophy on their first ever assault at the crown.

“We have a very good team with lots of discipline and we work hard. The mentors from Ulinzi Stars and those from Chapa Dimba have really helped to shape us and we believe we have a strong team and mentality when we go to the national finals,” he noted.

Kafero also hopes his prowess will attract the eyes of selectors who will be picking up an All-Star team to head to Madrid, Spain courtesy of a partnership between Safaricom and La Liga.

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