Author: Bonface Osano

Kenya’s Harambee Stars manager Sebastien Migne met with Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama Wednesday in London ahead of back to back Afcon 2019 qualifiers against Ethiopia. Wanyama, who is the Stars’ captain is among 21 players the Frenchman summoned for the national duty despite failing honor a previous call up. The midfielder did not show up for last month’s crunch tie against Ghana in the qualifiers which Kenya narrowly won 1-0 at the Kasarani Stadium as he remained behind to continue with his rehabilitation after along injury layoff. Migne alluded to unprofessional-ism on the part of the former Celtic player for…

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is poised to tour Kenya in the coming months. While in the country, the ex-England international will conduct soccer clinics and meet his fans, according to tour planners. The tour is sponsored by Kenya’s giant brewers EABL and has elicited varied reactions from across section of Kenyans. Some feel that money used to finance the tour could have gone into developing grassroots football in the country so that Kenyans can also have their own “Rio”. EABL owned Kenyan Premier League side Tusker FC is nowhere near being a professional side. The club’s playing ground…

A request by a group of MPs and Senators to attend this year’s Volleyball Women’s World Championships in Japan at taxpayers’ cost has been turned down by Speaker Justin Muturi. The tournament kicks-off Saturday and the legislators wanted a 14-day trip which includes air-tickets, meals and accommodation, match tickets and per diems among others. Kenya will be represented by the Malkia Strikers at the global event. According to sources the Senators are; Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Andrew Lang’at (Bomet), Christine Zawadi, Beatrice Kwamboka and Victor Prengei (nominated), MPs Beatrice Kones (Bomet East) and Dan  Wanyama (Webuye West). Wanyama, who is the…

Zesco United beat and relegated Nchanga Rangers 4-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola Wednesday to win the 2018 Zambian Super League on the bounce. Kenya’s Harambee Stars international Jesse Were was once again on the mark, netting the third goal from the spot to take his tally to 18 goals as the golden boot race hots up. Mwepe Mwelwa, Solomon Sakala and Marcel Kalonda were also on the score-sheet for “Zega Mambo.” Were, who is in his third season with the Ndola-based outfit, is just one goal behind leading top scorer Idris Mbombo. Congolese forward Mbombo failed to score for…

That the relationship between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba is at all-time low is no longer a secret. During Tuesday’s training at Carrington, the Portuguese gaffer reportedly told Pogba that he will never skipper the team ever again under his watch. He did this in front of other players, who reportedly were in agreement with their boss. But if that was not humiliating enough, a video clip has emerged of Wednesday’s training in which Mourinho can be seen intentionally ignoring the French midfielder as he tries to greet him. Pogba, 25, was acquired from Juventus for a record breaking fee,…

Gor Mahia skipper has dismissed media claims that he was paid for rent by fans after August salaries were delayed. According to the allegations propagated by one of the club officials, Shakava was among players whose houses were locked for failing to pay rent promptly. The situation was occasioned by delayed August salaries that were eventually paid on Monday. “Let me put it straight and clear that nobody paid for my rent,” the defender was quoted by the club’s website. “I received Ksh 12,000 as a gift from a group of fans, I never asked for it. It was abnormal…

Man United gaffer Jose Mourinho has vowed that Paul Pogba will never captain the team again under his tenure as the relationship between the two hit a new low. This follows Pogba’s criticism of the Portuguese’s tactics after Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves at the Old Trafford. “Jose told the players that Pogba will not be the captain because he doesn’t represent what a captain is and Manchester United is bigger than anyone,” a source at Carrington training ground said. “The players were happy with that decision and the reasons behind the manager’s decision.” Pogba, 25, who has been linked…

Disgruntled Gor Mahia officials led by organizing secretary Judith “Nyangi” Anyango and Secretary General Ben Omondi are demanding to know details of the club’s sponsorship deal with gaming giants SportPesa. The duo, who came into office two years ago when the deal was already in place, are alleging that it is shrouded in mystery and only known to a few officials. Nonetheless, their intended purpose is unclear as SportPesa has kept their end of the bargain to-date according to Gor’s chairman Ambrose Rachier. The amount which SportPesa pays to Gor which stands at about Ksh 65million is also public knowledge.…

Lyon’s Pape Cheikh Diop has turned down an offer to play for his native Senegal, pledging his international future to Spain. Diop, 21, left Senegal for Spain at 14 and helped them to European U-19 success in 2015 as well as played for the U-21s. “I have been called by Senegal FA several times, but I remain committed to Spain,” the Dakar-born told Spanish newspaper Marca. “Of course, I can never forget my origin, I am Senegalese, but I also feel Spanish. Spain have given me everything and I want to give back in return. I am very happy with…

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has been diagnosed with acute appendicitis and is set to undergo a surgery. The 26-year-old suffered pain in his stomach and appendicitis Tuesday and was to undergo a surgery which could see him out of action for a month. He’s set to miss Real’s mid-week clash against Sevilla and weekend’s tie against Atletico Madrid. Read: Google Faces Ksh502 Billion Fine By EU For Unfair Competition By Android Appendicitis is a medical condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus, causing pain. Left untreated, an inflamed appendix will eventually burst, or perforate, spilling infectious materials…

For the umpteenth time no African player made Fifa’s World XI for 2018. Not even Egyptian Mo Salah, who finished third in the men’s player of the year award behind Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo. The world’s best starting eleven was revealed at a ceremony in London Monday. The list is voted for by all association football players from across the world. Africa’s only consolation was the Puskas Award for the best goal which went to Liverpool’s Salah. Salah’s wonder strike against Everton in his first Merseyside derby last year December was voted by fans as the best goal of…

Luka Modric was Monday night crowned the Fifa men’s best player of the year 2018 at a ceremony in London. Marta grabbed the women’s honors while Mohammed Salah’s goal against Everton in his first Merseyside derby won the Puskas. 33-year-old Modric had an envious season, winning the UEFA Champions League for the the third straight time with Real Madrid before guiding Croatia to the Final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, losing 4-2 to France. He became the first player other than Messi or Ronaldo to bag the gong since Kaka in 2007. “It’s a great honour and a beautiful…

Horn of Africa Development Initiative (HODI) has been awarded FIFA Diversity Award for 2018 for their role in empowering young girls in North Eastern Kenya through football. HODI was fated Sunday in London “for their work empowering adolescent girls through football.” The Diversity Award recognizes an outstanding organization striving for diversity and anti-discrimination. HODI’s Noor Abdulkadir told the BBC that “this award is an important recognition and puts the wind behind our sails. It means the work we are doing is important and it gives a lot of confidence to young women in northern Kenya that we are on…

Kaizer Chiefs are yet to pay Gor Mahia for transfer of Godfrey Walusimbi, Ambrose Rachier, the club’s chairman has said. Rachier was responding to social media allegations attributed to one of the club’s officials that the money was already received and embezzled. In a strongly worded statement that touched on various issues including the delayed payment of August salaries of players, Rachier was categorical that nothing could be further from the truth. He went ahead and provided Chiefs contacts and challenged his doubters to confirm with the South African giants. “It was a term of the agreement that the agreed…

AFC Leopards Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata reportedly bid players goodbye after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Sofapaka in the SportPesa Shield. The bitter loss effectively ended Ingwe’s dreams of a silverware this year. They also missed a golden opportunity to represent the country in the Caf Confederation Cup next season. Zapata, who joined Leopards in May from Gaborone United of Botswana and was handed a six-month contract, reportedly said; “It was nice working with you and wish you the best in your future endeavors,” the 51-year-old said. Zapata, a custodian in his playing days, was Leopards’ 13th coach in one year.…