Author: Bonface Osano

Kenya has climbed up two places to position 105 in the latest FIFA ranking released Thursday. The positive movement can be attributed to Harambee Stars’ recent exploits in the Afcon 2019 qualifiers where they drew 0-0 with Ethiopia before thumping them 3-0 earlier this month. Uganda retain their position as the best ranked nation in this part of Africa after moving up four steps to position 79. Uganda Cranes were also impressive in the qualifiers hammering Lesotho 3-0 at home and 2-0 away over the same period. Tanzania is the other biggest gainer in the region moving up four places…

Egyptian Mo Salah has now scored 50 goals for Liverpool in just 65 games – setting a new record at the Premier League giants. “King” Salah achieved the feet Wednesday night as he grabbed a brace against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League at Anfield. The former Roma man reached the 50 goals mark faster than legendary Albert Stubbins (72), Fernando Torres (84), Daniel Sturridge (87) and Suarez (91). “That’s great. I’m happy to score 50 goals for Liverpool. I’m very proud about that and I hope to keep scoring to help the team win games,” Salah said. Senegalese…

AS Vita Club whipped Al Masry 4-0 in the Caf Confederation Cup semi-finals second leg match at Martyrs Stadium – Kinshasa, DRC on Wednesday to sail through to the finals for the first time. Fans filled to the brim the 80,000 sitter capacity facility also known as the theatre of Congolese football, creating an incredible atmosphere befitting the occasion. And they were not disappointed as the Black Dolphins produced a memorable display to storm into the finals of the continental showpiece for the very first time in style. Midfielder Eddy Ngoy Emomo got the party underway with the opener five…

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will be the official broadcaster for the twenty second edition of the Safari Sevens. The tournament will takes place from 9th to 11th November 2018 at its inaugural venue, the RFUEA Ground. The national broadcaster will air the tournament live on its free to air TV channel. Played every year since 1996, the tournament returns to the RFUEA Ground after an eight year hiatus that saw it move to the Nyayo and Kasarani Stadiums in the intervening years. Read: AWCON2018 – Harambee Starlets To Know Opponents As Draw Set For Tonight This year’s tournament will involve…

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been named United Nations person of the year in Kenya. Kipchoge was awarded by the United Nations office in Nairobi on Wednesday by Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma. He was awarded for his extraordinary performances, his work on HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and his endurance and courage. Juma said he was awarded for his athletic heroism and determination to advance the spirit of sports. Kipchoge was feted as the United Nations celebrated its 73rd anniversary. “I will be responsible and continue to support the youth and be an inspiration,” the marathon king said. Read: Mourinho Vows Pogba Will Never Skipper…

Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo faced the media Tuesday donning a stunning watch worth Ksh230 million. The Portugal international showed off the diamond-encrusted watch on his return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Champions League. The match ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors with Cristiano providing the assist. An emerald version of the watch is worth 1.85 million pounds approximately Ksh 230 million but Ronaldo’s version could be even more. A brand ambassador since 2013, Ronaldo has regularly displayed luxury items from the company. Photos Courtesy Do you have a story you want told? Do you know…

Harambee Starlets coach David Ouma has named his provisional squad for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana. Notable faces in the list of 32 is former Thika Queens forward Esse Akida, who recently joined Israel’s Hamat HaSharon FC. The 25-year-old is among the team’s mainstay and was present throughout the qualifiers. She scored Kenya’s lone goal in the 2016 AWCON in Cameroon against Ghana. Makolanders Neddy Atieno, who missed the 2016 showpiece as she was undergoing military training has also made the cut and so is Cheris Avilla of Spedag. The USA-based Marjolene Nekesa is another…

Al Ahly edged out ES Setif on away goal’s rule Tuesday night to book a date with Esperance de Tunis in this year’s Caf Champions League finals next month. Ahly carried a healthy 2-0 lead into the semi-finals second leg encounter played at Stade 8 Mai 45 – Setif, Algeria and only needed to avoid a heavy defeat to sail through. After a barren first half, Walid Soliman gave the visitors the lead in the 61st minute off a precisely executed counter attack. The lead lasted only six minutes before Mohamed Bakir restored parity – powering a stinging shot past…

Esperance de Tunis are through to the finals of the 2018 African Champions League following a 4-3 aggregate win over Primeiro de Agosto at Stade 7 Novembre – Rades, Tunisia Tuesday. Heading into the thrilling match that was marred by fans unrest and questionable refereeing, Esperance needed to overcome a 1-0 first leg deficit to book the finals slot. But it was Agosto who took an early lead through Hermenegildo Bartolomeu in the 8th minute, capitalizing on some lousy goalkeeping by Rami Jeridi to compound the Tunisians woes. Backed by an intimidating crowd, Esperance continued to probe the Angolans’ rear…

Simbas head coach Ian Snook has named a 30-man squad for next month’s Repechage tournament in France. Making a return to the side is former skipper Wilson Kopondo who last featured for the national 15s side in the Regal Hotels Cup of Nations at Kings Park Sports Ground, Hong Kong in 2017. The Simbas will be battling for a spot in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Snook has also drafted four Kenya Sevens regulars into the team namely, Collins Injera, Nelson Oyoo, Samuel Oliech who makes a return to the Simbas since 2015 together with Andrew Amonde. A…

Harambee Starlets will play neighbors Uganda in a friendly as part of their preparations for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa confirmed the same Tuesday while adding that they are still planning for a second friendly. The team which is yet to be named will report for a two-week camp at the Kasarani Stadium starting Monday next week to begin the preparations. To fully get ready for the championship which starts on 17 November to 1 December in Ghana, the team will require Ksh43 million according to the…

On this day in 1940, Edson Arantes do Nascimento popularly known as Pele was born in Brazil. He went on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time and is the only player to win three World Cups. Last week the legend did however recognize another legend in the making, Neymar Jnr who surpassed his record. “Congratulations, [Neymar], on your caps this week,” he said. ‘You surpassed my 92. Now go and get my goals record too – Brazil needs you!” Pele said in a tweet. Responding to Pele, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward said: “I will do everything.”…

WWE superstar, Leati Joseph Anoa’i, professionally known as Roman Reigns has announced that he will step away from the ring as he battles leukemia. Roman will also relinquish his WWE universal championship. Fondly known as “The Big Dog”, Reigns was diagnosed with the disease 11 years ago when he was 22. “I’ve been living with leukemia for 11 years and unfortunately it’s back,” he announced during Monday night RAW. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1054527508320739329?s=19 He is taking the battle with leukemia public in an effort to help raise awareness and funds for research in order to advance cures for the disease. Do you have…

African Champions League semi-finals return matches conclude Tuesday with Premeiro de Agosto traveling to Esperance de Tunis and ES Setif hosting Al Ahly. Record eight-time champions Al Ahly of Egypt carry a healthy 2-0 first leg win into the encounter as they seek to reach the two legged finals for the second time on the bounce and 12th overall against the Tunisians. Waleed Suleiman and Islam Mohareb were on the mark in Cairo three weeks ago for the victory which puts Ahly in a commanding lead ahead of the rematch. The deadly duo will be among players to watch in…

Jose Marcelo Ferreira “Ze Maria” has been sacked as KF Tirana head coach over poor performance. The former Gor Mahia coach guided the team back to Albanian Super League but has found the going tough eight matches into the topflight. Tirana have only managed two wins in eight outings and are currently placed seventh in the 10-team league. “There are times when divorce is needed in case a marriage doesn’t get on well and it’s high time we divorced,” the former Brazil left back said. Read: Madagascar Government Awards Players Ksh3 Million For Afcon Qualification “We will see as time goes…