Author: Bonface Osano

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Egypt as the new hosts of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Egypt beat South Africa to the rights to replace initial hosts Cameroon, who failed preparedness test late last year. The North African football powerhouse will be staging the continental championship for the fourth time after hosting and winning the 1959,1986 and 2006 editions. Read: Cesc Frabregas Bids Emotional Farewell To Chelsea Fans – Video This year’s showpiece will have 24 teams up from 16 and will for the first time run from June to July. Kenya’s Harambee Stars have already…

Ahead of the next two legs of the IRB 7s series up to 16 key Shujaa players are on a go slow over reduced salaries and have boycotted training. According to a new remuneration structure, which is bringing tension, financially crippled Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has slashed senior players leg takings from Ksh170,000 and Ksh145,000 to Sh100,000 and below in addition to performance bonuses. Each player is entitled to get Sh100,000 for a leg in the Series and Sh50,00 for reaching the final. For third place finish, the players were meant to draw Sh40,000, while they are entitled to Sh35,000…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive will sit in Dakar – Senegal on Tuesday to announce the new 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) host. The showpiece was initially scheduled for Cameroon but the country was stripped of the hosting rights late last year for unpreparedness. Cameroon has since accepted to welcome the 2021 edition as a compensation. Two countries, Egypt and South Africa, expressed interest to step in and salvage the 2019 tournament and they duly submitted their bids to stage the first ever 24-team championship. On paper South Africa’s bid is superior owing to fact that they…

Draw for the third edition of SportPesa Cup to be staged in Dar Es Salaam – Tanzania has been released. The eight-team tournament, comprising four teams from Kenya and the other four from Tanzania, will run from 22nd to 27th January. AFC Leopards have been handed a tough draw against Tanzania giant Simba SC with the winner facing either Bandari FC or Singida United for a spot in the final. Simba were the 2018 edition losing finalists, going down 2-0 to Gor Mahia at Afraha Stadium – Nakuru. Read: KPL Transfers – Sofapaka, Tusker, Leopards Set To Sign Rwandan Keepers Two…

Kenya Sevens star William “Lomu” Ambaka and Harambee Stars keeper Patrick Matasi will battle three athletics celebrities for the Sportsman of the Year accolade during the 2018 Sports Personality of the Year Award (Soya). Ambaka and Matasi will be eyeing to become among the few sportsmen from other disciplines other than athletics to win the coveted gong during the Soya Gala planned for Friday at the iconic Fort Jesus, Mombasa. Some of the other sportsmen to have won the crown away from athletics are swimmer Jason Dunford (2007) and another Kenya Sevens rugby star Collins Injera (2009). But whether the…

Nick Mwendwa has demanded that AFC Leopards produce the hooligans who beat up referee George Mwai after their 1-1 league draw against Nzoia Sugar on Sunday. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president is “appalled” that hooliganism is raring its ugly head again and wants Leopards to move with speed and help identify “these shameless fellows.” “Leopards, tusaidiane (let’s help each other) and let’s make it fast. Produce these shameless fellows beating a referee in broad daylight,” Nick tweeted. “I am appalled because for a while this behaviour had gone. It’s your home game and you have to do your job…

Lionel Messi netted his 399th La Liga goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Getafe and is now a goal away from reaching 400 goal mark in the Spanish topflight. The Argentine opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he slotted in from a tight angle. Louis Suarez doubled the lead with a venomous shot from the edged the box but Jaime Mata fired in to reduce the deficit. Read: Ex-Gor Mahia Winger Innocent Wafula Joins Uganda’s Vipers SC The victory moved Barcelona five points clear at the top of the log on 40 points from 18 games. Atletico Madrid, who…

Former Gor Mahia winger/right back Innocent Wafula has joined Ugandan champions Vipers SC on a three-year contract. Wafula was a free agent after refusing to renew his contract with K’Ogalo at the end of last season, according to the club’s hierarchy which said the player declined to come for contract negotiations. The controversial player, who joined Gor Mahia from Chemelil Sugar in 2015 said he was “delighted and very proud” to join the Venoms who have chased for his signature since mid-last year. “I am, of course, delighted and very proud to be joining Vipers SC,” Wafula told the club’s…

A section of AFC Leopards attacked referee George Mwai after their team succumbed to a late Nzoia Sugar equalizer in a Premier League game which ended 1-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium – Machakos. Ingwe led by Brian Marita first half goal until 94th minute when the visitors from Bungoma leveled through Bakari Randy. In the build up to Randy’s goal the assistant referee signaled a foul on Leopards Rwandan goalkeeper Ndayishimiye Eric but the referee overruled him allowing the goal to stand. Read: Neighbors Uganda, Nigeria Qualify For The 2019 AFCON Finals This irked the supporters who felt they were…

Coach Hassan Oktay has named Gor Mahia squad to face Mathare United in a Kenyan Premier League match at the Kasarani Stadium starting 3.00pm on Sunday. The Cypriot manager has retained the same first eleven which started against Chemelil Sugar in a 2-0 victory on Wednesday. New K’Ogalo signing Dennis “The Menace” Oliech will start from the bench against his former Mathere United and is likely to make his much hyped return to the local scene for the first time in 15 years. Mathare United Vs Gor Mahia XI Fredrick Odhiambo (GK), Philemon Otieno, Joash Onyango, Harun Shakava, Shafick Batambuze,…

The much hyped return of Dennis Oliech “The Menace” to the Kenyan Premier League action after 15 years of professional football abroad maybe not happen today as has been rumoured. The former Harambee Stars skipper signed a two-year deal with K’Ogalo this week and was duly registered in time to play in the league but he is unlikely to feature today against his former side Mathare United at the Kasarani Stadium. “Not ready,” said Gor Mahia Cypriot coach Hassan Oktay when asked if the iconic striker would make his team for the game against the Slum Boys. “He is not…

Shabana FC renaissance has continued to excite their fans and light up the National Super League especially in their “spiritual” home of Kisii. Matches involving the former football giants at Gusii Stadium in the Kisii County draws many fans who show up to witness the team play. Saturday was no different as thousands thronged the venue to enjoy their game against visiting Wazito FC from Nairobi. Despite going down 1-0 through Zachery Gathu second half goal, the fans created an electric atmosphere which the opponents appreciated. Read: Shabana Edge Out Mwatate To Regain National Super League Status “Gusii Stadium was full.…

Cesc Fabregas played what is regarded as possibly is last game for Chelsea in a 2-0 win over Forest Rangers in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge Saturday. The Spaniard who was the day’s skipper played for 85 minutes before coming off for Frenchman Ng’olo Kante. But before exiting the pitch he emotionally bid farewell to his teammates and fans. https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1081692039006236672 Cesc had a chance to score one last time for The Blues but his penalty kick in the 30th minute went sky high. Alvaro Morata, who netted a brace to secure The Blues’ progression, said, “You don’t know how…

Vihiga United have signed prodigy Lawrence Luvanda on a one-year loan deal from AFC Leopards, the struggling Kenyan Premier League outfit has announced. “We are glad to have acquired the services of Lawrence Luvanda from AFC Leopards on a one year loan deal,” the Vihiga-based side announced on Facebook. Luvunda, a striker, is an immediate former Chavakali High School student. Read: KPL Wrap – Zoo, Tusker Pick Maiden Wins, Stima Maintain Perfect Record Vihiga are winless in their last four league outings and have only scored once in a 1-1 draw away to Chemelil Sugar over the period. The team lies…

Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe has disclosed Reading have approached his agent for a possible January transfer to the English Championship side. The 26-year-old is currently plying his trade with Chinese topflight outfit Beijing Renhe. The move may however not go through now because of a huge buy-out clause in his contract, according to close sources. “Reading have offered to take me to England in January but as it stands it might not work out because I have hitches concerning my current contract, the former Genk player said. “I have a feeling that the transfer can only happen in June…