Author: Bonface Osano

Before 1978, only the 11 players who played on the actual final and were on the pitch when the match ended received winners’ medals. You played in the tournament but missed the final match, you received no medal, you were an unused sub on the final day, you received no medal. You played in the final but got subbed before the match ended, you received no medal. FIFA changed that absurd rule after the 1974 tourney and in 1978 all players on the winning team’s list received medals, plus all the non playing staff in the technical bench. Read: Triumph For…

Kenyan assistant FIFA referee Aden Marwa has been handed a life ban from all CAF football related activities over corruption. CAF communicated the same Saturday following a meeting of its Disciplinary Board. Ten more match officials from across the continent were handed lengthy bans in the biggest ever clean-up by the Cairo based organization. Eleven others were provisionally suspended pending their appearance before the disciplinary body. Aden was captured in a documentary by the dreaded Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas receiving a bribe of $600 in Morocco. The rest were also caught in the corruption web by Anas. The stinging piece…

Croatia have made the semi-finals of the World Cup for the second time in their history having knocked out hosts Russia on penalties (4-3) in Sochi on Saturday. The Balkan side have also got a monkey off their back by ending their hoodoo against hosts, having been eliminated by France in 1998 and lost to Brazil in the opening match of the 2014 showpiece. Roared on by a boisterous crowd at the Fisht Stadium, the Russians sought to press high up the pitch early on. Yet despite this pressure, the Croats refused to be cowed, continuing to play their game…

Kenya registered their third successive Gold Cup win, defeating Uganda 38-22 in a thrilling encounter at Nairobi’s RFUEA Ground on Saturday 7 July 2018. Jacob Ojee out the Simbas ahead with a try on eight minutes, Darwin Mukidza sure with the conversion but the Ugandans soon hit back, Philip Wokorach with an unconverted try to make it 7-5. Further converted tries from Davis Chenge and Sam Onsomu saw the Simbas go 21-5 before Mukidza set up debutant Felix Ayange for try, adding the extras to see the Simbas lead 28-5 at the break. Uganda began the second half with purpose…

England are through to semi-finals of the Russia World Cup following a 2-0 win over Sweden in Samara on Saturday. Harry Muguire and Dele Ali were on the scoreboard for the Three Lions as they made the round of four for the first time since Italy 1990. Sweden on the other hand were aiming to return to the semis since finishing third in USA 1994, however, the Yellow-Blue did not show-up and played second fiddle to England the entire match. Read: World Cup: Hosts Russia Out To Extend Luck Against Croatia Harry ignited the game at the half hour mark with…

Fifa stands to rake in an obscene 6 billion USD from the ongoing world cup even as the host country only stands to break even. In most cases host nations are at a loss or barely break even yet people still scramble to host the mundial. Why? It’s about national pride, a place in the history of the glorified World Cup and of course the exposure that comes with it. Fifa’s cash glut during the world cup always comes from four main sources: 1. Sponsorships 2. Match tickets 3. TV rights 4. Merchandise. After expenses of about 3 billion USD,…

England and Sweden do not need to be told about the significance of their quarter-final in Samara today. No matter which team advances, it will be hugely significant due to the fact neither side has made it that far at a FIFA World Cup for almost a quarter of a century. Should Sweden advance to the semi-finals, it will be the first time since USA 1994, when they finished in third place. As for England, a last-four appearance in Russia would be their first since Italy 1990, when they finished fourth. Sweden are coming off the back of a resilient…

Russia meet Croatia on Saturday in the last match to be played in Sochi at this year’s FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Fisht Stadium has already witnessed some of the most intense and spectacular action of Russia 2018 and the local fans will be hoping to bid a fond farewell to the venue by seeing the hosts advance to the semi-finals. Both teams came through tough battles in the Round of 16, in matches held only a few hours apart. Despite enjoying precious little of the ball against Spain, the Russians fought tooth and nail to protect their goal and eventually…

Belgium stunned favorites Brazil 2-1 to sail through to the semi-finals of the World Cup in a nail biting encounter played at Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia on Friday. An own goal from Fernandinho in the 13th minute, 11th of the tournament, and Kevin De Bruyne’s rasping shot in the 31st minute from a devastating counter-attack were enough to humble the five times world champions. Renato Augusto netted the consolation for Brazil with a well taken header deep into the match but, the game was already locked for Belgium. The victory was the Red Devils’ fifth consecutive at the World Cup,…

France made it to semis of the World Cup following a convincing 2-0 win over Uruguay in the quarter-finals at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia on Friday. Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann scored in each half to end Uruguay’s unblemished run at the finals. Heading into the first match of the round of 8, the La Celeste had won all their previous matches – conceding only once but, all that went up in smoke before the well-oiled French side. After dull early exchanges, Varane lit up the stadium – heading past Fernando Muslera, Griezmann’s free-kick in the 40th minute after Rodrigo…

Cameroonian Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embeiid will make the third NBA Africa tour this year after missing last year’s edition due to injury. So who is Joel? Joel is a member of the 2018 All-NBA and 2018 All-Defesnive Team. He will be making his debut at the NBA Africa Game. He was injured last season when he first got the call, just like his first season in the NBA but is ready to make the long-awaited splash on the continent. He is a Basketball Without Borders alum after all. Embiid is not your regular or average player, and this is…

Sweden national team captain Andreas Granqvist has been blessed with a baby girl ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against England in Samara, Russia. Andreas’ wife Sofie brought to the world baby Mika early Friday morning at 12.26 AM. “So happy and proud of my wife. Both are healthy and well,” the defensive kingpin posted on Instagram. “And she arrived and made our life complete, baby Mika,” Sofie posted. Sofie and Andreas have been married for three years and the couple share a daughter Nova, four. Read: Serena Williams Set To Marry Baby Daddy Alexis Ohanian Today The 33-year-old former…

Kenya Rugby family is mourning the passing on of ex Blak Blad player Morgan Andayi Emali. Emali, who played as a lock for the 2016 Nyeri 7s Cup winners from 2014-16, was found dead at his house Thursday, according to reports. Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) sent a message of condolence to family and friends following his demise. “We join the family, friends and members of Blak Blad Rugby Club in mourning Morgan Emali who passed on away on Thursday 5 July 2018. May Morgan’s soul rest in peace.” Read: Brand Kenya Honoured Agreement, KRU Mismanaging Rugby In The Country The…

In the second quarterfinal match Friday, five times champions Brazil will take on Belgium at Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia. The potentially explosive clash involving two attack-minded sides will kick-off at 9:00 PM Kenyan and will be preceded by the game between Uruguay and France. Brazil are traditionally famous for their flair for spectacular, their thirst for goals and their “Joga Bonito.” Yet, at Russia 2018, the Selecao’s current total of seven goals puts them fifth in the scoring charts, five behind the top team, Belgium. Indeed, the Red Devil’s return of 12 goals for and just four against is almost…

Uruguay take on France today in the first quarterfinal fixture of the World Cup at Nizhny Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia in a tie billed as “clash of teammates.” Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez lock horns with Atletico Madrid teammates Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, while Paris Sait-Germain strike partners Edinson Cavani and Kylan Mbappe also cross swords. Both teams are unbeaten heading into this clash of former champions. While Uruguay have won all their games and have conceded just one goal so far, Les Bleus knocked out Argentina in a spectacular Round of 16. France will look to the finishing…