NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 5 – Tusker FC’s bid to win a 14^th FKF Premier League title and defend the crown they clinched last season remained on course as they beat Bidco United 2-0 at the Kasarani Annex, as second placed Homeboyz earned free points after FC Talanta dished them a walkover at the Ruaraka Complex.

The two teams remain perched at the top with 60 points each, but Tusker are ahead on goal difference with the title now set to be decided on the last day.

While Tusker sweated it out against Bidco, Homeboyz were on a tour of Nairobi as FC Talanta decided against honoring their own home match at the Ruaraka Complex, with the players supposedly staging a protest over dues owed to them.

Coach Ken Kenyatta and his technical bench were at Ruaraka, with the team bus as well, but the players were nowhere to be seen and most with their phones off.

Homoeboyz arrived later on and with no opponent in sight, were given a 2-0 walkover victory.

They moved straight to the Kasarani Annex, where Tusker was playing Bidco, hoping that the Thika-based side would do them a fabour and they earn double victory on the day.

But, the brewers ensured they remain perched on top after seeing off Bidco, with second half substitutes Rodgers Ouma and Lawrence Luvanda delivering the goals to hand Robert Matano’s men maximum points.

With news trickling in from Ruaraka that Homeboyz were awarded three points without kicking a ball, pressure was on Tusker to battle for three points and keep their hopes of the title alive.

They were off to a strong start and came close to the opening goal after just two minutes when Charles Momanyi powered a header from Daniel Sakari’s long throw, but was denied by the woodwork.

Sakari’s long throws were proving to be a problem for Bidco to defend and another caused trouble in the 18^th minute when Clyde Senaji sneaked in at the near post, but he flushed the effort inches wide.

The brewers had forced Bidco to play on the backfoot and their only effort on target was a shot from Alex Sunga which was well read by Patrick Matasi.

They were almost caught out though in the 43^rd minute and they needed a goalline clearance from Momanyi to keep the scores barren.

When play was turned the other way, Tusker had another opportunity when Ugandan Deogratious Ojok picked the ball on the right and powered a shot home, but the keeper made a brilliant flying save.

Off the resultant setpiece, Isaac Kipyegon floated a curling corner, and Momanyi was once again denied by the upright when he angled in a strong header against the crossbar.

In the second half, Tusker rang changes as coach Robert Matano tried to re-jig his forward line. Shami Mwinyi and Shaphan Oyugi who had struggled to assert their authority were rested right at the start and Luvanda was brought in as well as Stewart Omondi.

After quarter of an hour, the coach made more changes, Rodgers Ouma coming on for Senaji while Jackson Macharia came on for Eric Zakayo.

The changes struck immediate results as Ouma, with virtually his first touch of the ball struck home the opener. The midfielder picked the ball inside the box after Luvanda’s header from Kipyegon’s freekick came off the crossbar.

Ten minutes later, the Brewers completed the job when Luvanda, just returning from a three-week injury lay-off struck a belter from distance.

Tusker held on to the lead to ensure they earned three points, with the goal difference between them and Homeboyz remaining at four.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 5 – Seventeen year old Emmanuel Wanyonyi continued with his imperious form, beating a loaded field to clinch the 800m title at the Rabat leg of the World Athletics Diamond League on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Mary Moraa also won the women’s race with an impressive sprint to complete a Kenyan double in the two-lap race.

Wanyonyi, also the World Under-20 champion showed immense last lap power to win his race in a time of 1min, 45.47secs ahead of Botswana’s Nijel Amos who timed 1min, 45.66secs.

“I gave everything I had today. I had the opportunity to win this race in Rabat, so I didn’t want to miss it. Actually, it was quite easy. I’m in a good shape, I’m feeling great on the track, I’m very confident,”  said Wanyonyi after he won the race.

He added; “Now I need to focus on the next event, a very important one: the trials in Kenya for the World championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I hope to qualify for these two competitions.”

Wanyonyi was part of a loaded line up that had compatriots Emmanuel Korir, Ferguson Rotich and Michael Saruni as well as Botswana’s Amos who is a silver medalist from the 2012 Olympic Games.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 7 – On Monday night, in an elaborate ceremony set up at the Nyayo National Stadium, former Prime Minister and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Presidential hopeful Raila Odinga launched his manifesto, with a bevy of promises to Kenyans if he will be elected to be the country’s fifth President.

Odinga, a huge football fan, patron of record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia and an ardent Arsenal fanatic has laid a raft of promises including a pledge to re-organize funding to sports entities at a time when most are suffering due to lack of finances.

In Azimio’s blueprint in urging Kenyan voters to tick their box in the August Polls, Odinga says his administration will look into how funding can be made more meaningful for a measurable impact in lives.

Odinga’s manifesto has also promised to work with the bodies of non-Olympic sports to prioritize their long-term success and support.

“Sport is part of our national identity. We take pride in hosting some of the greatest sporting competitions and athletes on the planet. It teaches our children how to rise up to challenges, nurtures character building and teaches discipline,” Odinga said as he laid out his plans for the sporting industry.

He added; “Sport encourages us all to lead healthier and more active lives and contributes Sh10bn annually. Above all, sport is fun and brings us together as a nation.”

The Manifesto has also promised to improve standards and management in the sector by improving sports management, enhancing transparency and accountability as well as improving coaching standards.

With the previous regime having failed flat on their promise to build new stadia across the country Odinga’s regime has promised to work on this by improving the existing facilities.

Currently, even as Kenya grapples with a FIFA suspension from all sporting activities, none of the facilities in the country have been passed fit to host any international football matches.

Azimio’s manifesto has promised to reclaim illegally acquired sports and recreation facilities and sites as well as increase quality sports facilities in the country.

Meanwhile, the manifesto has also promised to create a ‘Sports Cabinet’, bringing together the Sports County Executive Committee members in all the counties to help achieve a coordination and sharing of best practices.

“We will also establish a new mandatory governance sports code that will be rigorously enforced at home and set a new standard internationally as well as introducing a mandatory ‘Duty of Care” for all athletes and participants,” Odinga said.

The Government has also promised to integrate sports training and talent development at all levels of education by creating 47 county sports talent development centres across the country. This promise was also made y the previous regime, where they had pledged to create an academy in each of the 47 counties.

Currently, only athletics, through Athletics Kenya, have come close to achieving this by identifying talent nurturing centres in most of the athletics rich regions.

“We will also establish a Sports Business Council to develop a new business strategy, improve access to finance and skill development whose membership will be drawn from leading public and private sector organizations working in sport,” said the former Prime Minister.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 7 – After being bankrolled with millions from the Kenya Commercial Bank ahead of the WRC Safari Rally, Kenyan driver Nikhil Sachania says he targets to finish within the top 20, a replica of his target last year.

Sachania, who will be the only disabled driver in the rally, finished at 21^st place last season, but hopes he can step up at least two places at the end of the three-day grueling rally.

“Last year my target was to come up within the top 20 and we came up at position 21. This year my goal is more or less the same right now. Obviously the WRC level has more superior drivers, but being locals we have the advantage in that we know the terrain. But you know these boys are bred for this so it will not be easy against them. Let’s see if we can achieve the top 20,” Sachania told Capital Sport.

The Kenyan driver is a beneficiary of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission grant and with more financial support coming in from KCB, he expects an even better performance.

Sachania is one of two drivers sponsors by the Kenyan bank to a tune of Sh9mn for the rally.

“I am so glad that they have taken me on board and I want to prove myself to them with the good results they want,” said the driver.

Due to his physical state, he drives a hand-controlled Mitsubishi Evolution-X.

An accident he got in 2011 in Athi River changed the course of his love for motorsport, but never took away the passion he had. He was involved in an accident as he was testing his new quad bike with Shazar Anwar and Zane Young trying to get ready for what would have been his first National event.

He then hit a rock at high-speed and landed head first. The impact shattered his spine.

“As soon as I had enough strength, I jumped into the first car I could get. My father and my uncle (Kiran Patel) gave me the kind of advice or guidance I needed, so I always knew whom to turn to,” Sachania said as he battled getting back to competition after the accident.

He added; “The first three months were the hardest, since I had also broken my left hand. Getting around was very difficult and frustrating. But once I got back, everything was back to normal- work the next day and partying over the weekends!”

Despite the accident, he was never denied the love for competing in the man and car sport and has gone on to claim several accolades. He was named the Kenya Motorsport Personality of the year in 2014, where he also ended up winning the SOYA Award.  

That same year, he won the Specially Prepared Vehicle Category in the Kenya National Rally Championship. He won the title again in 2018 and in that same year, clinched the KNRC Division Three title.

This year, he wants to end up with an unforgettable experience at the Safari Rally.

“Last year we competed for the first time and the experience was on another level. We enjoyed the rally and of course the FIA gave me a lot of provisions because of the condition I am in and we felt great. The Cameras were on us and we felt like Superstars,”

“This is the second time and I am sure the hype will be more with fans being allowed and hopefully we put in a good show for them. We want to have fun and have good results,” said Sachania.

Meanwhile, he says having the WRC top drivers coming in to Kenya is a huge boost for local drivers as it gives them a chance of measuring themselves up and learning on new advancements in the motorsports world.

“Having World Class evens such as the WRC gives us motivation as local drivers and insight into the world of motorsports and how things are developing,”

“Like now we have Hybrid cars coming in and within a year so much has changed and for us this is a learning curve. We need to see where motorsports is now and where are we heading and what we can adapt as local drivers,” he said.

The WRC Safari Rally is scheduled for June 23-26, with more than 35 drivers set to compete.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8 – African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala believes he has what it takes to break Usain Bolt’s 9.58secs world record set in 2009 in Berlin, and he is optimistic the mark is within his reach in the near future.

With a Personal best of 9.77secs which is the eighth fastest 100m of all time, Omanyala believes if he can tactically improve a few aspects of his race, he has what it takes to become the first Kenyan to ever hold a sprint world record.

“Just believe,” Omanyala told Capital Sport.

“I have started to get a perfect start and in the last four I have been really good. It is just about the fifth to 10^th step where there’s a bit of delay. I want to correct on that and improve on the transition from low drive to top speed running. If I get it smooth I believe I will save up to 0.3secs of my MP,” a confident Omanyala said.

He added; “I believe it is possible. One day one time Kenyans will wake up in the morning to see on their screens that I have broken the World record and I am really prepared for it.”

His coach Duncan Ayiemba is also optimistic that Omanyala can break the World record.

“He is really prepared for it and with the shape that he is in right now, I will not be surprised if he does it. The World Record is just about having the perfect weather and then it happens. In terms of shape and fitness, I believe he is there,” Ayiemba, who has coached the 26-year old since 2016.

Omanyala who set the African record and his PB at the Kip Keino Classic last year started off his season with the World Indoor Tour and reached the semi-finals of the World Indoor Championships.

His aim was to try and improve his movement off the blocks in the 60m dash and he says he accomplished his ambition.

He has only lost one race this year, at a meet in Germany, something his coach Ayiemba has attributed to over confidence.

“I think he underrated the guy. In sprints, once you let someone take two or three steps ahead of you then it’s done. He realized it when the guy had already sped off and he was also not willing to slow down. Also, he had a minor strain on his back which I think made him a bit more cautious,” the coach stated.

Omanyala is currently in Mauritius for the World Indoor Championships, where he hopes he can lower his personal best and possibly run 9.60secs.

“I believe I can run a 9.6 in the next few months and if I get a perfectly executed race, then I will run a World Record. I am ready for it any time any place,” he said.

His coach Ayiemba is equally optimistic.

“9.6 is in sight and in Mauritius, I think he is capable of running 9.7. He has trained really well and his confidence is improved,” said Ayiemba, who has accompanied him to the African Championship.

The 26-year old sprint sensation says he wants to win three titles at the African Championship having qualified for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay.

“Mauritius will be a huge stepping stone and I am going there for three gold medals. I believe I will do that and I am confident about it. I am ready and in good shape,” Omanyala said.

He added; “There’s competition but I don’t think they will match up to my standards. They should come ready for a big battle and come prepared only to lessen the gap.”

His coach Ayiemba said; “I believe he can get the 100m and 200m. The 4x100m is a team effort and hopefully the team clicks well and they execute a perfect race.”

The African championships gun off in Mauritius on Wednesday, with Omanyala set to compete in the Heats on the opening day of the competition.

Omanyala was in a class of his own as he clocked a fast time of 10.04secs to win his heat, ahead of Nigerian Ekevwo Raymond who timed 10.11secs.

Another Kenya, Samuel Imeta also progressed to the semis after clocking 10.34secs to finish second in his heat behind South African sprint star Akani Simbine who clocked 10.14secs.

Dan Kiviasi failed to make it to the semis after finishing sixth in his heat with a time of 10.63secs.

Imali meanwhile timed 11.50secs to qualify from her heat in the women’s race after finishing second while Eunice Kadogo also earned a place in the semis after clocking 12.00secs to finish second in her heat.

Monica Safania did not progress off the heats after clocking 12.23secs in finishing sixth in her heat.

The African record holder clocked 10.07secs, the fastest winning time in the three semi-final heats to earn a spit into the final.

Gilbert Maseko of Namibia was second but nowhere close Omanyala as he clocked 10.15secs.

Only South African Akani Simbine, who Omanyala has already beaten this year, clocked a close time as he timed 10.09secs in winning the third semi-final heat.

The other Kenyan in the semi, Samwel Imeta finished third in his semi-final heat with a time of 10.27secs and couldn’t manage to squeeze into the final.

In the women’s race, Maxmilla Imali did not finish in the top two but her third place time of 11.26secs was enough to earn her a non-automatic qualification time.

Meanwhile, Elias Ngeny (1:47.16) and Nicholas Kiplagat (1:50.20) sailed into the final of the 800m after finishing first and second respectively in the men’s 800m.

In the men’s 400m, Kenya’s overall team captain Collins Omae and Seewua William both finished third in their heats, Omae timing 47.60 while Seewua clocked 45.67secs with both qualifying for the semi-final.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8 – After boycotting last weekend’s duel against FKF Premier League title chasing Kakamega Homeboyz, FC Talanta showed up on Wednesday, but were spanked 2-1 by Gor Mahia who finished their season on a high.

The game had been rescheduled after Gor refused to travel to Kakamega last month where Talanta had taken the match, citing failure to obtain a venue for their home match in Nairobi.

And Talanta showed up, having handed title chasing Homeboyz three free points on Sunday when they refused to show up for their home match at the Ruaraka Complex with players allegedly on strike over non-payment of salaries and bonuses.

Peter Lwasa scored a double, hitting one in either half to hand Gor a comfortable victory in their final game of the season.

After a period of dominance by K’Ogalo, Lwasa broke the deadlock two minutes to the break when he simply tapped the ball into an empty net off a well weighted cutback from George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo.

The latter had been sent through on the left with a delightful defense splitting pass from Victor Ochieng, Odhiambo doing the task of slashing in a low cross.

Before then, Gor had chances to score. In the seventh minute, Benson Omalla had a glorious opportunity when Odhiambo’s cross from the left found him unmarked, but his flying header went wide.

Two minutes later Lwasa had a chance when he turned well inside the box, but his shot on the weaker left foot hit the side netting.

In the 13^th minute, Gor came close again, this time Dennis Ng’ang’a’s well curled freekick from 30 yards out being palmed away by Talanta keeper Isaiah Wakasala.

Talanta had been forced to play on the backfoot most of the game but they sniffed a chance when Vincent Owino found space from range but his shot was punched away by Gor keeper Dolph Owino.

Gor managed to sustain some late pressure from Talanta and sneaked away with a 1-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, Talanta came back stronger and had chances, but were too casual in attack.

In the 58^th minute, a well weighted cross from Alvin Ochieng on the right found the run of Francis Kahiro at the edge of the six yard box but he dummied to Michael Jairo. However, the forward chose to pass to Mathew Angel who could not pull the trigger.

They were punished immediately for the chance lost off a counter.

Keeper Owino raced off his line to clear the ball, the shot falling on Lwasa who sped away off his marker before mazing past the keeper and shooting low into the net.

Talanta trued to up the tempo in attack, but their poor decision making when it mattered most let them down.

They were almost caught out by a swift counter but Omalla’s shot after being put through on the left by Ernest Wendo went inches wide.

With five minutes to play though, Talanta grabbed one back from a freekick after substitute Angel curled the ball over the wall and into the top left corner.

Gor Mahia finish the season with 52 points, but their final positioning will be known on Sunday when the rest of the teams play their final games of the season.

Kenya once again struggled in the men’s 25-lap race which was dominated by Ethiopians , with Abraham Tumay winning gold in a time of 29:19.01 while compatriot Gudeta Debele was second for silver in 29:22.74.

Longosiwa’s last ditch effort of squeezing in for either gold or silver in the final 200m of the race was not successful as he only afforded third in a time of 29:23.02.

Compatriot Julius Kipkwony was fourth in a time of 29:24.41.

“It was a bit tough especially at the finish. I had really wanted to work hard for the gold but nonetheless I am still grateful for what I got. It is my first time to come to this Championship but I have learnt a lot. It is not good to be beaten by Ethiopians but we will try device a way to win again,”  Longosiwa said after the race.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala will line up from Lane 6 on Thursday afternoon in the final of the men’s 100m as he seeks his first ever major title at the Africa Athletics Championship in Mauritius.

Omanyala was peerless as he literally cruised in winning his heat in 10.05secs and the semis in 10.07secs on Wednesday, and now he has set sights on the Championship Record of 9.94secs set in 1998 and the Gold medal.

“The championship record was set when I was two years old, so I am looking forward to breaking it in the final. I am hoping the conditions will be perfect, I hope it won’t rain and I hope for a perfect race,” Omanyala said after he cruised to the final.

The record is held by Nigerian Sean Ogunkoya set in Dakar in 1998.

Having already run 9.86secs for a season’s best at the Kip Keino Classic run in high altitude in Nairobi, Omanyala is more than capable of lowering the 9.93secs mark.

“I hope to break the record but most of all I want to get the African gold medal,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Omanyala says the new expectation around his head is not pressure on him but a motivation to go on and give a good performance.

“I t is a motivation because now everyone expects me to run fast. I always want to give people a show and coming here, all eyes are on me and everyone expects something. That is something I worked hard for and I am looking forward to giving a good performance,” said Omanyala.

He will come face to face with South African Akani Simbine again having already beaten him at the Athletics South Africa Championships in May. Simbine clocked the closest time to him in the semis, having run 10.09secs in winning his semi-final heat.

Homeboy Bibi Noa, Nigeria’s Raymond Ekevwo, Cameroon’s Emanuel Eseme, Gilbert Maseko of Namibia and South African Bruintjies Henricho are the other men at the starting blocks of the men’s 100m.

Meanwhile, Omanyala will be up for his second charge of a medal as he leads the Kenyan team out for the men’s 4x100m heats which will be the last event for the day.

Kenya will have an opportunity of bagging medals in four events with the women’s 100m, 5,000m and 1500m final also scheduled for today.

In the 1500m women’s final, Kenya’s charge will have Purity Chepkirui and the seasoned Winny Chebet while Caroline Nyaga and Beatrice Chebet lead the charge in the women’s 5,000m final.

National record holder Maxmilla Imali will line up in the women’s 100m final.

At the same time, Nicholas Kiplagat will be Kenya’s solo representative in the men’s 800m while William Seewua and Team Captain Collins Omae line up in the men’s 400m semis. Veronica Mutua and Jacinta Shikanda line up in the women’s 400m semis.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – Did you know that M-Sport Ford World Rally Team star Gus Greensmith gave up a potential football career with English Premier League Champions Manchester City once he became hooked on rallying?

Greensmith told WRC+ Commentator Becs Williams on www.wrc.com: “I started off as a goalkeeper and that was something I was enjoying. From the age of seven or eight until about 12, and then I gave that up pretty quickly once I realized how much fun four wheels and an engine is.”

“Just before I quit, I was doing trials to get into Manchester City and then I quit. That’s how much I wanted to do motorsport instead of football, because I was pretty happy to quit.”

A former junior goalkeeper for Manchester City F.C. and a karter before moving up into the ranks of rally driving, Greensmith also told Becks about how his fledgling motorsport career was put on hold when his school grades dipped.

The footballer-turned-rally driver will pilot one of the five Ford Puma Rally 1 cars for M-Sport in the forthcoming WRC Safari Rally.

Greensmith’s teammates in the five-car M-Sport Ford lineup for the 2022 WRC Safari (23-26 June) include Sebastien Loeb (France), Craig Breen (Ireland), Adrien Fourmaux (France) and Jourdan Serderidis (Greece).

As a karter who went to school in Manchester, Greensmith appeared in the CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship in 2012, racing alongside the likes of Charles Leclerc, Ben Barnicoat and Joey Mawson.

In 2014, he won the British Junior Rally Championship.In 2015, he appeared at RallyGB again this time paired with the co-driver for Ken Block, Alex Gelsomino.

Greensmith has made rapid progress through the ranks since his rallying debut in 2013.   Much of his experience has been gained behind the wheel of Ford Fiestas in various classes.

MORE ABOUT GUS GREENSMITH

NAME: Fergus “Gus” Greensmith

DATE OF BIRTH: 26.12.1996

BIRTHPLACE: Manchester, GBR

FIRST WRC: 2014, Wales Rally GB

CO-DRIVER: Elliott Edmondson

COUNTRY: Great Britain.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 9 – African Record holder Ferdinand Omanyala finally earned his much-desired major championship title after edging out South African Akani Simbine in a photo finish to clinch the 100m gold title at the Africa Athletics Championship in Mauritius on Thursday.

Omanyala clocked a9.927secs to dip in first ahead of Simbine who timed 9.930secs in finishing second.

He ran lower than the 24-year old Championship record of 9.94secs set by Nigerian Sean Ogunkoya set in Dakar in 1998, but it didn’t count as a record because it was wind assisted.

In the women’s race, Maxmilla Imali missed out on the podium after finishing fifth in 11.29secs.

Winny Chebet had earlier on won Kenya’s first gold medal at the Championship after cruising to victory in the women’s 1500m, leading a Kenyan 1-2 finish with Purity Chepkirui finishing second.

The seasoned Chebet clinched victory in a time of 4:16.10 while Chepkirui timed 4:16.28. Ethiopia’s Asegu Ayal prevented a Kenyan podium sweep when she edged out Brenda Chebet for third to clinch the bronze medal.

Kenya ended the second day of the Championships with three gold medals after Beatrice Chebet clinched the win in the women’s 5,000m, clocking 15.00.82 to finish ahead of Ethiopia’s Azale fentaye who clocked 15:01.89.

Nyaga, the National Police Service Cross Country Champion finished third in a time of 15:05.34.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 10 – After quenching his thirst for an African title with the 100m crown on Thursday, Ferdinand Omanyala will be gunning for a double on the third day of the Africa Athletics Senior Championships on Friday in the final of the men’s 4x100m.

Omanyala won the 100m title edging out South African Akani Simbine in a photo finish on Thursday and closed out the day with an emphatic performance with the Kenyan 4x100m team, leading them to the final today.

At the same time, the women’s team will also seek for a rare sprint medal as they also qualified for this evening’s finale.

Kenya will have an opportunity of clinching more medals to add on to the current haul of six with finals in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase, women’s 400m and the men’s 800m.

In the men’s steeple, Olympic bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen who also won the Africa Games title in Rabat in 2019 will lead the charge alongside Geoffrey Kirwa.

In the women’s 400m, Veronica Mutua will be hoping for a podium finish. None of the men made the final.

Nicholas Kiplagat and Elias Ngeny will meanwhile lead the charge in the men’s 800m.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 10 – Nicholas Kiplagat, Geoffrey Kirwa and Veronica Mutua took Kenya’s medal count at the Africa Athletics Championship to eight on Friday afternoon after winning silver and two bronze in the men’s 800m, 3,000m steeplechase and women’s 400m.

Kiplagat finished second in the men’s 800m, clocking a new personal best time of 1:46.43, coming in behind Algerian Moula Slimane who timed 1:45.59.

“It has been a good result. I have been working on this and I was expecting to win gold. It didn’t happen but now I focus on the World Championship. Execution was challenging. I had some strength to go but I didn’t manage to come out of the inner lane in time,” said Kiplagat after the win.

Compatriot Elias Ngeny finished a distant fifth, stopping the clock in 1:46.81.

Meanwhile, Mutua finished third in the women’s 400m, with a time of 52.76secs. South African Coetzee Miranda won the race in a time of 51.82secs while Zambian Niddy Mingilishi was second for silver in 52.36.

In the men’s steeplechase, Geoffrey Kirwa timed 8:29.74 to finish third in a race won by Ethiopian Hailemariyam Amare who led a 1-2 finish with Tadese Takele finishing second.

Olympic bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen could not match up as he finished a distant fifth.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 10 – On form Ferdinand Omanyala struck gold number two at the Africa Athletics Championships in Mauritius on Friday afternoon as he anchored the Kenyan 4x100m team to victory.

Omanyala had on Thursday clinched the 100m title in a tight photo finish against South African Akani Simbine for his first ever Major title.

And on Friday, he finished off the race as Kenya struck its 10^th medal in Mauritius, finishing off with a powerful sprint as the Kenyan boys won in 39.28 ahead of South Africa who finished second for silver in 39.79.

Zimbabwe finished off the podium with a 39.81 timing to come in third.

-More to follow

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 13 – Tusker FC withstood final day pressure to be crowned the FKF Premier League champions for the 13^th time on Sunday after beating Posta Rangers 2-0 at their Ruaraka Complex base.

Shaphan Oyugi and Jackson Macharia’s goals were the difference for the brewers who successfully defended the title they won last season.

They edged out Kakamega Homeboyz on goal difference after the latter were handed a 2-0 walkover following Kariobangi Sharks’ failure to honor their tie in Mumias.

“We worked so hard for this and as a team we are proud of what we achieved. Everyone has put in the effort and we are delighted to defend the title. I am also happy for the guys who came in and won the title for the very first time,” Tusker skipper Humphrey Mieno said.

“You should be proud of yourselves and proud of what you have done. I am proud of you as a team,” Tusker boss Robert Matano said as he addressed the team following the victory.

Heading into the tie, pressure was on Tusker to win after Sharks failed to travel to Western Kenya for their tie against Homeboyz and the brewers needed any victory to retain their title.

They were off to a fast-paced start and had two chances, first Eric Zakayo’s curled freekick being punched away by the keeper before Shami Mwinyi rifled a volley just wide off a pass from Kevin Monyi.

They were rewarded for the positive start after 26 minutes when Oyugi broke the deadlock with a finish from close range.

A brilliant cross-field ball from Christopher Oruchum found the run of Shami who did well beyond his markers on the right before laying in a low cross. Ibrahim Joshua’s initial effort came off the upright before Shaphan landed on the rebound to hit home.

Oyugi should have made it 2-0 five minutes to the break when a poorly defended cross from the right hung up nicely for him, but he rifled the volley over.

Right at the start of the second half, Tusker made changes, Shami and Shaphan making way for Lawrence Luvanda and Macharia.

But, it was Posta who threatened to spoil the party as they were more offensive. Joshua Nyatini came close when he rifled a freekick from range, but it took a slight deflection off the wall to whistle just inches over Patrick Matasi’s goal.

Tusker played on the back foot, but pressed forward when they got a chance to, They ultimately got a nerve settling goal in the 78^th minute when two substitutes combined.

Omondi read a looped ball well behind the defense, rushing to the byline and volleyed a cross into the area which Macharia tapped home.

The brewers had to finish the match with 10 men when Kevin Monyi was sent off for a second yellow card, but the job was long done for them as they guarded the two-goal cushion to earn victory and the title.

Only South Africa had more medals than Kenya, after clinching 36, but the former finished second by virtue of having lesser gold medals, with nine against 10.

On the final day of competition, Kenya clinched a whooping five gold medals to ensure they finished top, just like they did at the last Championship in Asaba, Nigeria, in 2018.

Emily Ngii, Samuel Gathimba, Julius Yego, Abel Kipsang and Jarinter Mwasya provided the gold medals for Kenya on the final day of competition.

Ngii and Gathimba clinched gold medals in the women and men’s walk respectively, Ngii clocking 1:34:30 to finish ahead of Ethiopian Beletew Mitiku. Sylvia Kemboi timed 1:39:40 to finish third and ensure Kenya had two medals on the podium.

In the corresponding men’s event, Gathimba clocked 1:22:40 to finish top ahead of South Africa’s Wayne Snyman. Kenya’s World Under-20 Champion Heristone Wanyonyi could not finish after dropping off.

Yego meanwhile beat Kip Keino Classic Abdelrahman Ihab of Egypt to gold in the men’s javelin with a best throw of 79.62m in his second attempt. Ihab’s best throw was 77.12m.

However, Yego said he could have thrown better were it not for the wet conditions in Mauritius that made it difficult for the javelin throwers to have a proper grip.

Compatriot Alex Kiprotich finished fifth with a best throw of 70.36m.

Kipsang, the Olympic fourth placed finisher continued with his impressive start to the season as he won the men’s 1500m 3:36.57, edging out South Africa’s Ryan Mphahlele in a tight sprint finish.

Kumari Taki finished outside the medal brackets as he came fourth in 3:38.31, his last ditch effort at edging out Ethiopian Kasaye Embaye on the line falling off.

In the women’s 800m, Mwasya clocked 2:02.80 to win the gold medal ahead of Ethiopia’s Netsanet Desta. Brenda Chebet finished sixth while Naomi Korir was eighth.

In the women’s steeplechase final, Kenya once again played second fiddle to Ethiopians with Woldemanuel Werkuha winning gold ahead of Kassa Zerfe for an Ethiopian 1-2 finish. Kenya’s Caren Chebet was third for bronze in 9:43.64.

Daniel Simiyu was second in the men’s 800m to clinch Kenya a silver medal, same as the women’s 4x400m relay team.

Kenya’s medalists in Mauritius

Gold: Ferdinand Omanyala (100m), Winny Chebet (1,500m), Beatrice Chebet (5,000m), 4x100m (men), Caroline Nyaga (10,000m), Samuel Gathimba (20km race walk), Emily Ngii (20km race walk), Abel Kipsang (1,500m), Jarinter Mawia (800m), Julius Yego (javelin)

Silver: Purity Chepkirui (1,500m), Nicholas Kiplagat (1,500m), Maximilla Imali (200m), Daniel Simiu (5,000m), Women’s 4x400m relay

Bronze: Caroline Nyaga (5,000m), Abraham Longosiwa (10,000m), Geoffrey Kirwa (3,000m steeplechase), Veronica Mutua (400m), 4x400m relay women, Sylvia Kemboi (20km race walk), Wiseman Were (400m hurdles), Caren Chebet (3,000m steeplechase)

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 13 – Fans turned up in their numbers at the RFUEA Ground on Saturday to cheer on the Kenyan Simbas, pushing them to stage a superb comeback to hit South Africa’s EP Elephants 41-24 for a second consecutive Currie Cup Division 1 victory.

Trailing 0-17 after just fifteen minutes, and in what had looked like was going to be a tough encounter for the home team, the Paul Odera-coached side showed mentality, resolve, and utmost grit to clinch a 41-24 victory at full-time.

Here are some of the fan photos from Saturday’s encounter.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 14 – African Champion and record holder Ferdinand Omanyala now wants to medal at the World Championship and clinch a Commonwealth Games gold after ruling the continent with a title win in Mauritius last week.

Omanyala left the touristic nation with double gold, winning the 100m and anchoring the 4x100m relay team to victory as well and he now plots to take it a step higher at the World Championship and Commonwealth Games.

“Right now the focus is just on the trials. Maybe I will run one more international race in the Diamond League or Continental Tour. But in July, I will not be doing any competition, I will just be training for the World Championships,” said Omanyala.

He added; “I am going there as the fastest man in the world this year and I am not expecting less than a medal. I am looking at running 9.6 depending on the weather. I know the competition will be fine and I am an athlete who thrives under pressure. I hope I can get the pressure to run a good time.”

“After Oregon I am looking towards the Commonwealth Games and I am going for gold. I want to take it away from Simbine again.”

Omanyala clinched the African title in Mauritius after edging out defending champion Akani Simbine of South Africa in a thrilling photo finish. He however could not attain his target of a triple gold harvest after he missed out on the 200m final.

But to him, there wasn’t pressure on the 200m.

“The 200m is all about technicalities and I think I was fatigued after running six races already in the 100m and the 4x100m. But there are no excuses. My main race is the 100m and that is what I am carrying on,” Omanyala said.

At the same time, the 26-year old has urged the government and Athletics Kenya to invest in a sprints camp in order to tap the immense sprinting talent in the country that is yet to be noticed.

He hopes that him thriving at the world stage will open up doors for more sprinters to take up the sport and continue in the short distance legacy he has started.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan team from Mauritius jetted back into the country on Monday and were received by government dignitaries led by Sports CS Amina Mohamed.

“We are very proud today with all the achievements made by this wonderful team of athletes. We expect the same results throughout. We won’t accept anything less than now. They have really done us proud. We have proved that we can be unbeatable,” said Amina as she received the team at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 15 – The national women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers has appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to come through to their aid and finance their Sh46mn budget that will allow them compete at the World Championships in September.

The Malkia Strikers had landed a sponsorship from world governing body FIVB for a month-long training camp in Brazil after which they were to travel to Serbia for another month of training.

For the Brazil camp, FIVB would cater for all their domestic needs while in Serbia, they had already received a Sh10mn sponsorship from betting firm Mozzart.

They were to cater for their own air tickets and allowances, with the entire circuit leading to the World Championships in Netherlands set to cost a total of Sh46mn, as per Kenya Volleyball Federation vice chair Charles Nyaberi.

“We are stranded and we don’t know what will happen because we were supposed to leave on Saturday morning. Training has stopped today because our fate is not known. We don’t know if the World Championships will be affected as well,” said Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok.

He added; “The President His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta celebrated with us in Mombasa after we came back from the Olympics and promised us we will not have problems again. I hope he will remember this and keep his promise and talk to the ministry to give us funding for this trip,” he added.

Bitok says that the camp would have been hugely helpful for them to prepare for an assault at the second round of the World Championships.

He says the evidence and progress seen after the Olympic Games when Kenya had four Brazilian coaches training them would be even doubled should they get the chance to travel to Brazil and Serbia with a squad of 20 players.

According to Nyaberi, they had requested Sh23.26mn for the camp in Brazil, a further Sh6.5mn for the Serbia camp and Sh15,9mn towards the World Championships.

“FIVB picked on us as the only African team getting this sponsorship. We are just hoping that everything goes well. The government has always come through for us and we hope that they will come through again. This team has a track record of success,” Nyaberi stated.

Assistant captain Noelle Murambi has also asked the government to consider their plea to enable them do well in the World Championships.

“The Government has been very supportive of us in the past whenever we go out for any Championship and we hope for the same too. It will be important for us to have this camp to play against top teams and also gauge ourselves to improve. As players, we hope that they can finance us. We just need air tickets and allowances,” she said.

Meanwhile, Bitok is unsure whether the uncertainty also covers the World Championships which are scheduled for September, with Kenya playing its group matches in the Netherlands.