Author: Bonface Osano

Ex-Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini has achieved something truly special. For six glorious years, the Belgian midfield plied his trade at Old Trafford to constant groans from supporters, but continually forced himself into the team under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. But even during his more successful seasons at both United and Everton, goals weren’t exactly a commodity for the Belgian and he only surpassed double figures for a season once in England. However, there was a moment during United’s home win over Crystal Palace during the 2017/18 campaign where nobody could keep a straight face because Fellaini was…

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga scored his first hat-trick in the Japanese League as Kashiwa Reysol hammered Vegalta Sendai 5-1 on Sunday. Olunga has now bagged eight goals in seven outings and is now the leading top scorer in the top flight. https://twitter.com/bonfaceosano/status/1287368279103864837?s=19 Nakama opened the scoring for Reyasol in the 20th minute before Olunga sealed a comfortable first half with the second in the 40th minute. On resumption, Nashimura reduced the deficit eight minutes into the game, but Olunga restored the two-goal cushion in the 58th minute. Read: Brace For Michael Olunga As Kashiwa Reysol Bag First Season Win…

Midfielder Tyler Onyango has signed a first professional contract with Premier League side Everton, penning a three-year deal until the end of June 2023. The 17-year-old, who joined the Blues aged eight, has been rewarded for his impressive progress throughout his time at Everton Academy. Having consistently shone for Everton’s Under-18s team, Onyango was promoted to the Blues’ Under-23s set-up during the 2019/20 campaign. A skilful, athletic central midfielder who boasts a tireless work-ethic and eye for goal, Onyango played in seven Premier League 2 matches before the campaign was ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic. His development was…

The 2020-21 Premier League season will start on 12 September and finish on 23 May. The current campaign will end on Sunday after it was suspended for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Premier League said it would “continue to consult” with the Football Association and English Football League (EFL) “regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions”. The start date for teams still in Europe is under discussion. It remains possible they will be given a delayed start, given they could be playing well into August. Last-16 ties in the Europa League – featuring Manchester United and Wolves…

It’s no secret anymore Kenya’s top most league will no longer be managed by Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited, but Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL). The former’s mandate ends September and FKF boss Nick Mwendwa has made it clear it will not be renewed, marking an end of over ten decade reign of the KPL. https://twitter.com/Nmwendwa/status/1286600742539874305?s=19 The declaration is not surprising as the two bodies have endured nothing but a frosty relationship and more often than not read from different scripts on major issues. Nick is promising clubs “true” say in the management of FKFPL, unlike KPL whose real…

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has won the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year award. The 30-year-old midfielder, who led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years this season, received more than a quarter of the votes. “As grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own,” he said. “I owe a lot to so many people but none more so than my current team-mates, who have been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.” Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane, Manchester City’s Kevin de…

Elijah Manangoi, the 2017 World 1500m champion, became the latest Kenyan to be suspended over anti-doping violations. Manangoi has been provisionally suspended in a case of whereabouts failures, the Athletics Integrity Unit, track and field’s doping watchdog organization, announced Thursday. Athletes must provide doping officials with their whereabouts, or locations to be available for out-of-competition testing. Three missed tests in a 12-month span can lead to a suspension, even if an athlete has never tested positive. The Athletics Integrity Unit did not disclose details about Manangoi’s case, such as if or when he has a hearing to determine anything beyond…

Gor Mahia have signed former German Side Fortuna Babelsberg goalkeeper Levis Opiyo on a two-year deal. Levis is the immediate former Nairobi City custodian, a side he helped gain promotion to the Kenyan Premier League last season. He was a free agent after running down his contract with City. Opiyo boasts a vast experience in the KPL, having played for various clubs including Thika United, where he begun his senior career, Posta Rangers and Vihiga United. https://youtu.be/xJlP6n_RwVo In 2018, he made a switch to German lower league side Fortuna Babelsberg for a short stint before returning home. At Gor Mahia…

A fixture to the end of the season, Arsenal have unleashed their kit for the 2020-21 Premier League season. The Gunners are expected to adorn the Adidas made kit when they face Watford in their season finale on Sunday. In a statement, German sports apparel maker Adidas, stressed the importance of home as a fortress. “This is home. Arsenal’s home at Emirates Stadium is the source of our confidence, where we are our best and truest selves. It’s where we feel most comfortable, most confident, most ready. It gives us the power to embrace uncertainty, overcome adversity and take chances.…

Chinese state television is taking English Premier League football matches off the air, bringing the lucrative world of professional soccer into the increasingly fraught relations between Beijing and the U.K. CCTV, which has the rights to broadcast Premier League matches in China, won’t show the remainder of the current competition round, said a person familiar with the decision. A match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC wasn’t aired as planned Wednesday night, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing internal matters. There is one final round of matches remaining this season, slated to be played this weekend. CCTV’s…

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy on the Kop at a near-empty Anfield to mark the club’s first top-flight triumph for 30 years. Henderson received the trophy from Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was manager when Liverpool last won it in 1990, during a spectacular ceremony after the champions beat Chelsea 5-3. Liverpool were confirmed as champions on 25 June with seven games to spare, when nearest rivals Manchester City lost at Chelsea, but they had to wait until their final home game of the season to be presented with the trophy. They did so in…

Victor Wanyama survived a nasty challenge to help Montreal Impact to a 1-0 win over DC United in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida on Wednesday. Brazilian stamped on the Harambee Stars’ skipper’s thigh in the 34th minute with play being temporarily stopped, but the Kenyan international managed to continue with the game with Felipe escaping with a yellow card. “His tackle was nowhere near the ball, he is lucky to have stayed in the game and I am lucky to be feeling okay,” Wanyama, who was named man of the match,…

Latest reports state that Aston Villa forward Mbwana Samatta could be granted a quick exit route from the club at the end of the season. Samatta has struggled for form since the return of football – after impressing in his early stints with goals against Bournemouth and Manchester City. It’s clear that the Tanzanian icon was brought into the club to convert crosses into the box – something that hasn’t happened at all since Villa kicked off their run-in back in June. Samatta hasn’t managed a shot on target since – something of a symptom of Villa’s new-look stability which…

Kenya’s oldest stadium, City Stadium, has been in disuse for close to five years now and there’s no hope that will change any soon. The last attempt to rehabilitate the 10k capacity facility, which is located right within the capital, stalled almost immediately contractors started the work in February 2019. After some work on the changing rooms, the contractor downed tools for nonpayment, leaving the rest of the stadium to rot away. According Nairobi County Chief Officer For Youth and Sports Daniel Ngare, the contractor, who has been rehabilitating Nyayo Stadium, will resume work at City once they are through.…

Egypt Premier League side Wadi Degla SC are close to signing Ghana legendary striker Asamoah Gyan. According to Ghanasoccernet.com sources, negotiations between the club and the players and the player’s representatives are far advanced. Wadi Degla want to make the all-time Black Stars goalscorer as their marquee signing for the 2020/2021 season. Gyan is currently without a club after his spell with Indian side NorthEast United FC came to an end in January 2020. The 34-year-old scored four goals in eight appearances and with one assist in the Indian Super League. Wadi Degla are fond of signing veteran players to…