NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Kenya has been thrown out of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, following the Government’s failure to meet demands of reinstating the Federation given by world governing body FIFA.

In a statement, CAF have said that both Kenya and Zimbabwe, who are both under suspension from FIFA for similar reasons, will not be part of the qualification journey towards next month’s tournament in Ivory Coast.

“As a consequence of having failed to have their suspensions by FIFA set aside, CAF has confirmed that both Kenya and Zimbabwe will not participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifiers,” a statement from CAF said.

It added; “CAF had included them in the official draw earlier in April 2022 on condition that the suspension must be lifted two weeks before their first match day.”

Kenya was slapped with a suspension from FIFA early this year due to Government interference after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over Government interference.

FIFA had asked the CS to rescind her decision and reinstate the elected officials, but she was adamant in her decision to ‘clean up’ the sport which she accused of rampant corruption and misuse of public money.

The CS had created a caretaker committee to run the game in the country and after their mandate lapsed two weeks ago, she then morphed the same committee into a Transition team, to take charge for the next five weeks.

Kenya was due to play Cameroon away and Namibia at home in the first two qualification matches but the games have now been cancelled and Group C will remain with three teams; Cameroon, Namibia and Burundi.

Consequently, Kenya is also set to miss out on the qualification for next year’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) whose draw is scheduled for Thursday.

The country has already missed out on the qualification for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Kenya handing a walkover to Uganda in the final round of qualification due to the same reasons.

Amina has been evasive on whether or not she is willing to engage FIFA and pull Kenya out of the current quagmire even as Kenya looks to miss out on more international matches.

If the situation remains the same, then no Kenyan team will play in next year’s CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup while Women’s League winners Vihiga Queens will not play in the qualifiers for the second edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Already, Kenyan referees will miss out on appointments to officiate in the upcoming qualifiers and international assignments until the mess is sorted out.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – The battle for the 2021-22 season FKF Premier League title will go down to the wire with three rounds of matches left, and the gap between the top three being ever so close.

Tusker lead the standings with 57 points, same as Kakamega Homeboyz, but have a better goal aggregate while Bandari are third, four points behind but still with massively realistic chances to bag the title.

Mathare United’s expulsion from the Premier League after dishing three consecutive walkovers have had a huge impact on the title race. Homeboyz had already played Mathare and won, while Bandari were the first beneficiaries of their walkovers.

The FKF Premier League rules dictate that if a team is expelled in the second leg, then all teams which had gained points from them will have the same deducted.

While Bandari and Homeboyz both had three points deducted from their tally, Tusker were yet to play them and thus while the rest of the teams have three matches left, Tusker have only two.

Fate is now on Kakamega Homeboyz’s hands and the title is theirs to lose while Tusker and Bandari both hope someone does them a fabour and holds the Kakamega based side.

AFC Leopards might just turn out to be the kingmakers for this season’s title, both for Tusker and Bandari.

Homeboyz face off with ‘big brothers’ Ingwe at the Bukhungu Stadium this weekend in a match that will have a huge impact in the title race. If Leopards beat Homeboyz at their Bukhungu Stadium backyard, then Tusker, who don’t have a match this weekend, will have fate back in their hands.

A draw will be a good result for Homeboyz as well, but not entirely for both Tusker and Bandari as it will mean the Western Kenya based outfit still has fate in their own hands.

Bandari face Ulinzi Stars away from home and will also look to win to keep their tempo high in the title race.

After this weekend’s round of matches, all teams will now be on a similar number of games remaining; two.

Here is the run in towards the FKF Premier League title.

Tusker FC

The brewers have literally risen from the dead, having been as many as 15 points behind Homeboyz at some point in the season following a disastrous start. But, Robert Matano’s men should be proud of the distance they have covered to once again be in the title fight.

They find themselves in a similar situation to last season at the tail end of the league when they were in a two-way battle with KCB.

Uninvolved this weekend, Tusker get their title fight back on June 5 when they play away to Bidco United at the Thika Stadium. Last season, Tusker beat Bidco 2-1 on the last day of the league to lift the title.

They hope the same fate can cling on them ahead of their meeting in the penultimate stage of the season, having already beaten them in the first leg.

The brewers will then finish off their campaign at home against Posta Rangers FC, a side that almost denied them the crown last season. They were beaten 1-0 at home by the mailmen as they edged close to the title, but managed to recover and pip KCB on the line.

This season, Posta also beat them 1-0 in the first leg. Can they revenge when it matters most?

Kakamega Homeboyz

After AFC Leopards, Homeboyz will travel away to Nairobi to take on FC Talanta, most likely at Tusker’s home ground Ruaraka.

The Premier League newbies are one of only three teams, including Tusker FC, to beat Homeboyz this season. They won 1-0 away at the Bukhungu Stadium in the first leg and this will be another crucial match that both Tusker and Bandari will be following closely to hope for favours from Ken Kenyatta’s men.

After the trip to the city, Homeboyz finish off their season at home against Kariobangi Sharks.

Bandari

The dockers have been turned into title contenders out of the blues by Anthony Kimani, who took charge on interim basis after his boss Cassa Mbungo, who he deputized, was shown the door after a poor run.

Eight wins in the last 10 matches have seen the dockers rise all the way to third and are now considered title contenders.

After this weekend’s duel with Ulinzi Stars, Kimani’s men will be at home against Sofapaka. A win in this tie, against a side they beat in the first leg will keep their hopes alive.

They will then finish their season against Sammy Omollo’s Police FC in Nairobi.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Ferdinand Omanyala says he does not want to lose a single 100m race this year and looks forward to another successful outing when he lines up at the 24^th Internationales Leichtathletik meeting at the Paul Greifzu Stadium in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany on Wednesday night.

Omanyala travelled to Germany straight after his successful outing in Grosseto, Italy where he ran a Meeting Record time of 10.11secs at the International Castiglione Athletic Meeting at Zecchini Stadium.

And now, the Kenyan sprint sensation and African record holder says he is looking forward to another fast time clocked in Germany.

“I have been training well for the past few days and I am feeling good. My body is also responding well. I am looking forward to a fast race and to continue with the winning streak. I don’t want to lose any race this year and Germany is no exception,” said the Kenyan sprinter.

Omanyala is the fastest athlete in the 100m field in Anhalt on Wednesday night and is one of only two sub-10 runners on the track.

Nigerian Enoch Adegoke, 22, is the other sub 10 runner in the field with a Personal Best time of 9.98secs. Omanyala has a PB of 9.77secs set at the Kip Keino Classic last year, the eighth fastest time ever in the world.

The Kenyan also ran a season’s best time of 9.85secs at this year’s Kip Keino Classic.

Sri Lankan Mudiyanselage Yupun Abeykoon (10.09secs) German Julian Wagner (10.11secs) and Denmark’s Musa Kojo (10.14secs) are the other fast athletes in the race.

With the focus on him, Omanyala remains confident as he says he shines under pressure.

“I am going in heads up and ready to compete. I am looking forward to running a good time. I have seen the stadium, it is nice, the weather is nice, the food is also good so I just have one option, to run fast,” he added.

After Germany, Omanyala heads to the Czech Republic where he will compete at the Golden Spike Meeting in Ostrava, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour meet.

The Ostrava race will be a step higher and he will be competing against his sprint idol Yohan Blake.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Juliano Belletti, the man who broke Arsenal FC hearts in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final will be in Nairobi on Thursday, accompanying the FIFA World Cup Trophy on its tour to Nairobi as the official ambassador.

Belletti, then playing for FC Barcelona, scored an 80^th minute winner for the Blaugrana as they beat the Gunners 2-1 to deny them an opportunity of their first ever Champions League trophy.

But, Arsenal and Kenyan football fans by large will not have that much on their minds as the Brazilian legend will be in town for a better and happier cause, bringing the World Cup Trophy on a two-day tour.

Belletti won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and has been capped 23 times by the Selecao.

The former defender Brazilian is the current assistant manager for Cruzeiro, a Brazilian sports club based in Belo Horizonte.

 “We are very excited to not only host the FIFA World Cup trophy but also one of the greatest footballers of all time and a football legend who played for key teams in Europe. Juliano is no doubt among the world-renowned players and football fans in Kenya can brace themselves for an experience of a lifetime when the trophy lands on the 26th of this month” Said Isabel Kariuki, Frontline Marketing Director, East and Central Africa Franchise.

The World Cup Trophy Tour is being sponsored by FIFA partners Coca-Cola.

“By bringing Juliano Belletti here together with the FIFA World Cup trophy, we are hoping to inspire the next generation of footballers and hope that they can learn from his experience” added Kariuki.

Belletti began his football career in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with Cruzeiro, São Paulo and Atlético Mineiro, being awarded the Silver Ball by Placar for his performances on loan during the 1999 season.

He earned 23 caps for Brazil from 2001 to 2005, scoring once. He was part of the teams that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup and competed at the 2001 Copa América and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The World Cup Trophy is expected to land in Nairobi at 11am and will be received at State House by President Uhuru Kenyatta. It will be available for public viewing at the KICC Grounds on Friday, before it departs Saturday morning.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala lost his first 100m race of the year after finishing second at the 24th Internationales Leichtathletik meeting at the Paul Greifzu Stadium in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany on Wednesday night.

Omanyala clocked 10.14secs to come in second behind lanky Sri Lankan Mudiyanselage Yupun Abeykoon who clocked a new Personal best time of 10.04secs.

Abeykoon had a better finishing kick, recovering in the final 40m of the race to beat Omanyala with his long strides.

The Sri Lankan had come second to Omanyala in the Heats, where the Kenyan had clocked a slow time of 10.23secs to win after a slow start off the blocks. Even in the heats. Abeykoon had recovered in the final 40m of the race but Omanyala had long wrapped up his win.

Omanyala had travelled to Germany on the back of a successful race in Italy, where he won in a Meeting record time of 10.11secs.

The 26-year old Kenyan now turns attention to next Tuesday’s Golden Spike Meeting in Ostrava, a World Athletics Continental Gold Label race where he will face off with his sprint icon Yohan Blake.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Daniel Munguti won the men’s 1500m race, timing 3:37.87 after commanding the race from start to finish.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26 – As Kenya reels on a current suspension by FIFA from all international football, President Uhuru Kenyatta says he hopes that one day, national football team Harambee Stars can qualify, and probably win the FIFA World Cup.

President Kenyatta was speaking on Thursday afternoon at State House Nairobi as he hosted the FIFA World Cup Trophy which arrived earlier in the morning ahead of a two-day tour of the country.

Ironically, Kenya is suspended by FIFA due to Government interference after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the Football Kenya Federation due to allegations of graft at Kandanda House.

However, President Kenyatta has said his government will continue investing in sports, to see to it that one day the national team plays at the prestigious tournament.

“The presence of this trophy which comes to Kenya now for the fourth time is without a doubt an inspiration for our football and the youth, giving them an objective to achieve greater success in football so that one day football’s top prize will be added to Kenya’s trophy collection,” President Kenyatta said.

He added; “Even though our national fortunes in football have not been as bountiful as it should be, football remains a strong part of our national fabric and remains the most popular sport in Kenya. We want to thank FIFA and thank Cocacola for bringing this trophy to Kenya.”

The trophy arrived in Nairobi on Thursday afternoon before heading to State House where it was received by the Head of State.

The Trophy is on a tour of 51 countries around the world and Kenya is one of nine African countries that the trophy will make a stopover.

A hosting dinner will be hosted on Thursday evening while fans who wish to view and take photos with the trophy will do so on Friday at the KICC Grounds.

NAIROBI, Kenya, may 27 – Kenyan tennis teen sensation Angela Okutoyi travels to Paris, France on Friday, ready for another history setting performance at her second ever Grand Slam Tournament in the Roland Garros.

Okutoyi made history in January this year when she became the first Kenyan to ever reach the third round of a Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

READ ALSO: The African Serena Williams? The Audacity Of Hope And Angela Okutoyi’s Ambition To Become The Next Big Thing In Tennis

The African Junior Champion has been training in Italy for the past three weeks, sharpening her skills as she looks forward to another history setting performance in the French capital.

“It has been really great training in Italy for the past few weeks. The games have not had the best results I have wanted but overall it has been a good experience training here,” Okutoyi told Capital Sports from Italy.

She added; “I have been playing points in practice and it has helped me a lot and now I feel more confident when I am playing. I have tried to work on what hasn’t been working for me in matches and I believe I have improved.”

Okutoyi says her target is to do better than she did in Australia, and that will potentially mean a place in the quarter finals which will put her name on the books of history.

Said Angela; “I am excited to be going to Paris and I am looking forward to do well. My main aim this time round is to do better than I did at the Australian Open and I feel pretty confident that it is possible.”

The draws for the preliminary round of the Junior Roland Garros will be conducted on Sunday with qualification matches starting on Friday.

Okutoyi is ranked number 66 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings.

Kipyegon who finished second in her season opener in Doha in the 3,000m behind Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, showed her superb and devastating finishing kick to win the women’s 1500m race in a time of 3mins, 52.59secs.

Kipyegon’s time was the ninth fastest in the 1500m history and it sets her up nicely towards qualification for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

She beat Ethiopia’s World Championship bronze medalist Gudaf Tsegay who timed 3mins, 54.29secs.

Meanwhile, in the corresponding men’s Bowerman’s mile, the Kenyan duo of Abel Kipsang and world champion Timothy Cheruiyot finished third and fourth in a race won by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Kispang who has been in sizzling form this season could not replicate his form as he finished fourth, timing 3:50.87 which ranks as his personal best in the race.

Reigning world champion Cheruiyot timed 3:50.77 with winner Ingebrigtsen clocking a world leading time of 3:49.76. Australian Oliver Hoare was second. Vincent Keter finished a distant 12^th.

-Shelly Anne wins women’s 200m

Elsewhere, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce made it a women’s sprint double for Jamaica with a victory in the 200m in 22.41, after Elaine Thompson-Herah had won the women’s 100m.

America’s Trayvon Bromell, the fastest man in the world last year, bounced back from a false start disqualification in Birmingham last weekend to win a star-studded men’s 100m in 9.93sec.

Jamaica’s Thompson-Herah, who won back-to-back Olympic 100m-200m doubles in 2016 and last year, captured the women’s 100m in 10.79.

Neither was a world best for 2022, but Thompson-Herah said she was just pleased to hit the line first and healthy on a rainy day in Eugene at the same venue that will host the athletics World Championships on July 15-24.

“I’m excited I crossed the line healthy,” Thompson-Herah said. “I don’t care about the time. The rain was falling. It was a little cold.

“It shows I’m on a great path,” added the Jamaican star, who pulled out of the Birmingham Diamond League meeting with a shoulder injury, testing herself in a lower-level meeting in Kingston last Saturday instead.

“I’m getting into shape,” added the Jamaican, who said on Friday that her training had also been disrupted by a nagging Achilles injury. “I’m getting where I need to be.”

Thompson-Herah made a smooth start on the damp track and took control at the 50m mark. Rising US star Sha’Carri Richardson won a close battle for second place ahead of Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, both credited with a time of 10.92.

Richardson, 22, shot to prominence last season at the US Olympic trials with a wind-aided 10.64 in the final. But she missed the Tokyo Games after a positive test for marijuana.

Compatriot Fred Kerley, silver medallist at the Tokyo Olympics last year, was second in 9.98 and reigning world champion Christian Coleman, still working his way back after an 18-month suspension for violating doping whereabouts rules, completed a US podium sweep in 10.04.

-Additional information from AFP

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 – National Sevens Circuit defending champions KCB have set up a repeat final at the Christie Sevens against Strathmore Leos after both sides greased through their semi final fixtures on Sunday afternoon.

The two sides met in the final of the season opening Kabeberi Sevens last weekend with the bankers narrowly winning 12-10 and Leos have a chance to lay revenge and claim bragging rights from the second leg, the 55^th edition of the Christie Sevens.

While KCB needed sudden death to see off Menengai Oilers 17-12 in the first semi, Leos were more devastating, thrashing Western Bulls 29-7 in the second semi-final.

Mathew Mogaya crossed over twice for the University side as they ran riot over Bulls. He broke the deadlock crossing over on the right after some patient build up.

Even before Bulls could cross their half, Strathmore were 10-0 up when Philemon Olang crossed over on the left after greasing through one tackle and outsprinting the second.

Bulls grabbed themselves some hope when they won the ball off a Strathmore line out 10metres from the try box and Duncan Kibet sneaked in to dot down their first try, with the converted try taking them 10-7 close.

But Strathmore responded immediately, the impressive Brunson Madigu feeding off Festus Safari, the latter speeding off down the middle for a converted try that put them 17-7 up at the break.

Mogaya would add his second in the second half and Dan Kisakyamukama adding another as Strathmore completed the job.

Earlier on, KCB were made to work before beating Oilers.

Michael Wanjala had given the bankers a perfect start, dotting down after picking some space following a scrum with Levy Amunga converting for a 7-0 lead.

However, Austine Sikutwa drew Oilers back into the game with a try on the right, evading a last ditch tackle from Wanjala before crossing over. The bankers led 7-5 at the break.

In the second half Oilers took the lead when Sikutwa ran down the left before dotting down for his second under the posts after Dennis Abukuse had picked the ball off a set piece before running down the left and feeding off his teammate.

Michael Kimwele’s converted try however put the bankers back in contention after picking up an offload from Jacob Ojee with the conversion going wide. The scores stood 12-12 at full time and the game had to go to sudden death.

Straight from kick off, Ojee picked an offload from Wanjala who collected the kick off and ran down the middle to hand KCB the win.

Former Tusker FC defender Collins Shivachi and Nigerian Ojo Olaniyi scored in either half to give Leopards the victory.

Homeboyz remain second in the standings despite sharing 57 points with Tusker, the defending champions sitting top of the table on goal difference.

They now just need to win both their remaining matches against Posta Rangers and Bidco to retain their crown.

Meanwhile, Homeboyz hope that Tusker falter in at least one of their two remaining games, while they collect maximum points against FC Talanta and Kariobangi Sharks in their two remaining games.

Against Ingwe, Homeboyz needed to win, knowing too well even a point in their match in hand would play a big role in keeping fate within their hands.

But they were stunned early on when Shivachi who was handed a rare starting opportunity poked home from close range, a goal that would send huge relief at his former stable in Ruaraka.

Despite conceding, Homeboyz piled the pressure but were unfortunate to miss opportunities from close range.

In the second half, Homeboyz closed out the game 10 minutes after the restart, Olaniyi shooting home from inside the box.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia twice came from behind to beat Nairobi City Stars 3-2 and move fourth in the standings to 51 points.

Sammy Onyango and Benson Omalla had scored either side of goals from Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani and Timothy Ouma before an own goal from Dennis Wanjala six minutes from time handed K’Ogalo maximum points.

In Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar are halfway into safety after beating KCB 1-0 at the Sudi Stadium. The victory at home takes Nzoia to 30 points, nine away from 17th placed Vihiga Bullets.

They are now safe from automatic relegation and four points away from the play-off zone. They now just need one point from the remaining two games to assure themselves of safety.

Wazito FC meanwhile look set for the play-off after suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Bidco United to remain at 16th place with 25 points.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 – Strathmore Leos revenged for last weekend’s 12-10 loss to National Circuit defending champions KCB at the season opening Kabeberi tournament, beating the bankers 15-10 to clinch the Christie Sevens title at the RFUEA Ground on Sunday.

The Leos ran in three unconverted tries in the opening half while the bankers only responded with one as they won their maiden title to continue with their impressive start to the season.

Philemon Olang, Barnabas Owuor and Mathew Mogaya dotted down for Leos while KCB’s consolations were off Geoffrey Okwatch and Levy Amunga.

Coming in after a brilliant run in the semis where they thrashed Western Bulls 29-7, Leos were confident and it showed in how they started the match.

Straight from kick off, they forced KCB to play in their own half and dotted down two quick unconverted tries through Olang and Owuor on either flank of the try box.

KCB charged back and drew one level through Okwatch who rallied for a run down the right flank, but minutes later, Leos were flying once again when the bulldozing Mogaya forced his way across the try line on the right.

In the second half, KCB tried to push in for a comeback but despite Amunga’s try, the University students held on for the remaining minutes of the match to claim their first ever victory in the Cup final at the Christie Sevens.

Meanwhile, Oilers won the bronze medal match with a 12-7 victory over a hard fighting Western Bulls, Mwamba beat hosts Quins 26-5 to win the fifth place trophy while Homeboyz beat Daystar falcons 26-14 to clinch the Challenge trophy.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 – Kenyan tennis teen sensation Angela Okutoyi began her French Open campaign on a flying note, hitting Belgian Amelie Van Impe by straight sets in their round of 64 match on Sunday.

Okutoyi won in sets of 7-6 (8-6) and 6-4 to storm into the round of 32.

“It was a tough match but I am delighted to have won. The opponent was not that easy but I knew she was beatable,” Angela told Capital Sport from Paris.

The African junior champion endured a difficult start to the match, trailing the Belgian 3-1 before rallying to level.

At the tie break, Okutoyi found herself two set points down again, but her rallying power and belief pulled her to win 8-6.

She was more confident in the second set where she won 4-6 to book a place in the second round where she will face off with Croatian Petra Marcinko who won by straight sets against Canadian Kayla Cross (6-1, 6-4).

“I focused more on what I could do myself and just being me and that’s how I managed to rally back. In the second set I tried to be on the lead always and also tried to break her,”

“And I was also trying to be ore focused on the game rather than outside. There was a lot of crowd and they were against me but it was good.”

I know the second round will be tough want to go in with a tough mindset and focus more on myself rather than her and I hope for the best. I know I can do this,”  she added.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 – The 55^th edition of the Christie Sevens went down at the RFUEA Ground on Saturday and Sunday, with Strathmore Leos clinching the title with a 15-10 victory over Series defending champions KCB.

The two-day thrilling action, as always, attracted a huge number of fans who brought in the color and the noise.

Here are some of the best fan photos from Sunday’s finale.

Okutoyi lost in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) to see her Roland Garros journey come to an end in the second round.

She had started her campaign off on the right footing, hitting Belgian Angie van Impe by straight sets in the first round on Sunday.

Against a tougher opponent, Okutoyi had a slow start but slightly improved in the second set, though her late rally couldn’t force the game into a tie break.

Okutoyi lost to Marcinko who dropped just 2 sets en route to the girls’ singles title at the Australian Open in January, where she reached the third round.

Marcinko had become only the fourth Croatian player to win the Australian Open girls’ singles title (after Mirjana Lucic in 1997, Jelena Kostanic in 1998 and Ana Konjuh in 2013).

She is now bidding to become the first player to win two Grand Slam girls’ singles titles since 2013, when Konjuh (Australian Open and US Open) and Belinda Bencic (Roland Garros and Wimbledon) each won 2 junior Grand Slam titles.

She would also become the first Croatian player to win the Roland Garros girls’ singles title.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 30 – African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala will not be in Ostrava on Tuesday for a showdown against his sprint icon Yohan Blake after organizers of the Golden Spike meet revealed he will not line up for the 100m race.

Omanyala had been touted to be in Ostrava this week for the third of three races in Europe, but returned to the country over the weekend after his second race in Germany.

He was at the RFUEA Ground on Sunday for the Christie Sevens final day.

“Ferdinand will not be in Ostrava tomorrow,” Alfons Juck, the Ostrava Golden Spike Meet Manager told Capital Sport.

Omanyala had said he had chosen to sacrifice the race in Ostrave to enable him rest and recover in time for the Africa Athletics Championship which is scheduled for June 8-12.

The sprint icon is expected to go for a triple assault of medals as he is lined up for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m races.

“I would have competed on Tuesday, then come back on Wednesday and by the time I return to training it is Friday. The recovery and training time would not have been enough to be in good shape for Mauritius. We spoke with my coaching team and decided it’s best to prioritize the Africa Championship,” Omanyala said.

The Africa Championship team has already started training and are holding a residential camp at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Omanyala has been enjoying great form this season and he ran a meeting record time in Italy before finishing second in Germany, his only loss this season.

Omanyala had said he had chosen to sacrifice the race in Ostrave to enable him rest and recover in time for the Africa Athletics Championship which is scheduled for June 8-12.

The sprint icon is expected to go for a triple assault of medals as he is lined up for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m races.

“I would have competed on Tuesday, then come back on Wednesday and by the time I return to training it is Friday. The recovery and training time would not have been enough to be in good shape for Mauritius. We spoke with my coaching team and decided it’s best to prioritize the Africa Championship,” Omanyala said.

The Africa Championship team has already started training and are holding a residential camp at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Omanyala has been enjoying great form this season and he ran a meeting record time in Italy before finishing second in Germany, his only loss this season.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 01 – Kenya Commercial Bank stunned record champions Al Ahly to be crowned the Africa Women’s Volleyball Club champions after a thrilling 3-1 victory in Kelibia, Tunisia on Tuesday night.

The bankers, under the tutelage of Japheth Munala clinched the title for the first time since 2006 and became the first Kenyan club to win the title in nine years.

The last team to win the club title was Kenya Prisons who clinched the title in 2013.

Prisons had reached the final for the first time since 2009 and the victory on Tuesday was sweet revenge for the bankers as they had lost 3-1 to the same opponents in their last final in Nairobi.

“I am profoundly grateful to God, KCB Bank, and this team for the amazing experience here in Tunisia. We came here knowing the quality of our opponents and we did not take any side for granted. We have been solid throughout the tournament and the girls have been exceptional. They deserve it,” said KCB head coach Munala. 

Technical Director Bitok said; “It is unbelievable, to be honest. It has been about 15 years since we last won a continental trophy. I am proud of this group of ladies. We utilized the Covid-pandemic to adequately prepare for this tournament and today, we have reaped the fruits of our hard work.”

The bankers won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-22 and let their feet off the gas pedals in the third set losing 25-11.

However, they made amends in the fourth set to avoid a tie breaker, holding their nerves to win 28-26 and clinch the title.

Opposite hitter Sharon Chepchumba starred for the bankers, cumulatively making up for 32 points in a brilliant performance.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 1 – Former AFC Leopards midfielder Austin Odhiambo scored the winning kick against his ex-employers as Gor Mahia beat arch rivals Ingwe to clinch the ceremonial Madaraka Day Cup 6-5 on post match penalties at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The game was forced to penalties after an error from keeper Levis Opiyo led to a 1-1 draw in regulation time and Odhiambo, who left Leopards at the start of the season, scored the winner in sudden death.

Both teams scored their first five kicks and the game had to go to sudden death.

Skipper Peter Thiong’o skied his effort and Odhiambo responded, sending the ball straight through the middle for the winner.

For winning the Cup, Gor took home Sh1mn while AFC Leopards went home with Sh500,000.

-More to follow

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 2 – With football stars now heading into lavish holidays after the completion of gruelling seasons in Europe, Nairobi has been the host of one of Europe’s top stars with Argentine Mauro Icardi visiting on holiday with his beautiful wife Wanda Narra.

On Instagram, the Paris Saint Germain (PSG) midfielder shared photos of part of their holiday where they had breakfast at the famed Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.

“Today we were able to enjoy another beautiful story among animals, a story in which this ‘mansion’ called Giraffe Manor hides from the 70s and 80s, where the Rothschild Giraffe was in danger of extinction in Kenya with only a few hundred specimen,” Icardi’s caption on one of the photos of him feeding a giraffe stated.

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“In this ‘mansion’ they did everything possible to live with them and make the giraffes feel in their habitat and thus be able to satisfy all their needs and help this species to multiply more and more, a unique and unforgettable experience,” he added with a Kenyan flag emoji.

Icardi was part of the PSG team that won the Ligue One title, but his side was not as lucky in the Champions League where they lost to eventual champions Real Madrid in the round of 16.

Icardi has proceeded to holiday as he was not called up to the Argentine squad that beat Italy 3-0 on Wednesday night to clinch the Finalissima, a tie between the South American Copa America champions and the Champions of Europe.

Before travelling to Nairobi, the midfielder was in Rwanda.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 2 – After winning their second Africa Women’s Volleyball Club Championship title and the first since 2006, KCB have now set sights on clinching the elusive national title when the season heads to the play-offs.

The bankers saw off record champions AL AHly three sets to one to clinch the title, becoming the first Kenyan team to bag the crown since Kenya Prisons did so in 2013.

Quickly, the bankers have now switched their focus on the league.

“Winning in Tunisia has given us courage. We beat Kenya Prisons in the quarters and Pipeline in the semis and that gives us an edge ahead of them and we are optimistic when we go to the play-offs,” said head coach Japheth Munala.

He added; “We now put this success behind our backs and focus on winning the national title.”

His sentiments were echoed by team captain Edith Wisa who stated that they are now more determined to go all out for the national title.

“KCB is now ahead and we have sent a good signal to our opponents when we play in the league. Everyone now knows that we are a tough team but we will not relax. We know that they will also be working on their weaknesses to try and beat us. We need to keep working on our end and when we meet with them, I know we will be victorious,” Wisa said.

The skipper was one of the stars of the KCB side that clinched the title and was aptly rewarded as the best middle blocker.

Above her individual award, Wisa was elated to have led the bankers to the title as captain.

“It is a huge honor for me to win my first ever Club title and as captain. We worked together as a team and it was not just my effort alone. We were motivated by the fact that we needed to reward our sponsors who had given us everything to be able to do well at the tournament,” Wisa added.

KCB had started off the tournament on a slow, losing to defending champions Carthage but coach Munala says this was a blessing in disguise for them.

“When we left for Tunisia, we had not played any friendly matches and the game against Carthage was our friendly match. It gave us an opportunity to see our mistakes and I can say that loss was a blessing in disguise. After that we didn’t look back and we kept improving,” said the tactician.

“After losing against Carthage, we remained brave. We knew we had lost the match but had not lost hope. We fought for the opportunity to finish second and we achieved that and went all the way to win,” captain Wisa said.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 3 – Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has splashed a whooping Sh100mn towards sponsorship of this month’s WRC Safari Rally Scheduled for June 23-26.

Of the Sh100mn, KCB has set aside Sh9mn to sponsor two local drivers, Nickhil Sachania and Evans Kavisi for the rally.

“We have settled on young, brave and brilliant talent with the hunger to win and we believe with clear stewardship and support, they will bring glory to Kenya and Africa as a whole,” said KCB Group Chairman Andrew Kairu during the official cheque handover on Friday.

He added; “Our support for these drivers is through our belief that harnessing the power of sport for the good of a whole society and investing in developing talent for future stars  in every sport, we can secure the future of sports to make our country more economically viable through sports investment.”

More than 12 Kenyan drivers have been entered into the Safari Rally this year, the second consecutive time it will be on the WRC calendar.

Sachania finished 21^st last year while Kavisi did not complete the rally, blaming it on ill preparedness because of the financial requirements that come with rallying.

Kavisi has only competed at the East Africa Classic Rally this season, also saying this has been down to finances.

“We are really excited for this sponsorship. It takes a lot to remain in the sport and it is nice to get support. Without it some of these evens we can decide to stay away like we have done for the bulk of the season,” Kavisi told Capital Sport.

He added; “We were in the Safari last year but we didn’t turn out well because of ill preparations but now we are happy that this stuff is happening early and it will give us time to prepare. Getting this sponsorship means we have the ability to replace the things that are breaking down and we have the ability to keep things current and active. It helps us to maintain our level at the sport.”

Shachania was also excited to land the sponsorship that he hopes will help him improve his 21^st place finish from last year.

“It is amazing and surreal. I can’t really put words into it. I am really excited that they have taken me on board and I will now look to give them good results,” Sachania said.

The sponsorship is set to help them to improve their machines and ensure they are well prepared for the grueling three day rally that will start with the flag off at the KICC before a Special Spectator Stage at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Kenya Motorsports Federation boss Phineas Kimathi says he is excited that KCB has splashed a good amount of money on the rally and it will go a long way in stepping up the levels from last year.

“It is exciting that we have such kind of sponsorship and this will help us to prepare in the best way possible. We are excited as the rally dates approach and we look forward to a great three days of action,” said Kimathi.

“We are lucky to be the first Rally this year to have the hybrid cars on the course and we are looking forward to really competitive action,” Kimathi said.