Author: Bonface Osano

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga has hailed the present football leadership in the country for transforming the game. In an interview with FIFA, the world’s football body, the former Gor Mahia forward acknowledged a lot still needs to be done, but the future is looking good. The present Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa and his team came to power in 2016 under ‘Team Change’ banner. Olunga played at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt when Kenya made a return to the continent’s biggest football showpiece in 15 years. “There has been a change of leadership and…

With football suspended over Coronavirus, ardent Gor Mahia fan famously known as Jaro Soja has ventured into mask making business. Masks are critical in the fight against the deadly virus with governments making them a must wear for anyone venturing outside their homes. With demand so high and global production overwhelmed, most African countries, Kenya included, have opted for local production. Jaro is just one businessman, who has jumped into the trade, making brightly branded masks using Gor Mahia’s green and white colors. “We can no longer go to the stadium as Gor Mahia fans, so I came up the…

Arsenal’s first-team players and head coach Mikel Arteta have agreed a pay cut to help with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Premier League club said the “voluntary agreement” sees those involved have their annual earnings reduced by 12.5%. The club’s core coaching staff are also among those taking cuts to their pay. If the Gunners hit certain targets on the pitch, the club says “agreed amounts” will be paid back. “We will be able to make those repayments as hitting these targets, which the players can directly influence, will mean our financial position will be stronger,” Arsenal…

Former Harambee Stars winger Innocent Mutiso has poured cold water on Sam Nyamweya’s quest to regain Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leadership saying he has nothing new to offer. Nyamweya, who previously served as the federation’s general secretary and president announced Sunday he would go for the top job in the forthcoming elections. But Mutiso feels the present regime led by Nick Mwendwa deserves another term of office to finish the work they started. “Nyamwea has been there before as general secretary and chairman and did nothing, he has nothing new to offer,” the former Mathare United and Gor Mahia player…

Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya has officially declared intention to challenge for the seat in the forthcoming elections. Nyamweya sensed defeat and withdrew from 2016 polls which the current jefe Nick Mwendwa won by a landslide. Even after exiting the scene, Nyamweya used all means to distabilise Nick’s rule especially through court battles some of which he won. Twice his group managed to stop FKF elections using Sports Dispute Tribunal, creating a crisis which has called for FIFA intervention. Read: FKF: Harambee Stars’ Kshs244 Million Afcon Budget Excluded Match Bonuses If elected, he has promised among other…

To show appreciation for the efforts made and risks braved by healthcare workers and other professionals who are giving their all to ensure society continues to function in the face of the coronavirus, football stars both past and present have come together to pay tribute to humanity’s heroes. Across the globe, staff and volunteers at medical facilities have been risking their lives on a daily basis to support humankind. Some have, sadly, paid the ultimate price. https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/1251600512664907776?s=19 People working or volunteering in law enforcement, pharmacies, shops, warehouses, delivery services, public transport, and safety and security have also been playing a…

Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed has denied that Ministry of Sports owes Harambee Stars Kshs 10million Afcon 2019 match winning bonus. In a recent interview with the Daily Nation Amina stated they don’t have any financial obligations to Stars in as so far as the tournament is concerned. “I know without a shadow of doubt that all the monies requested for the Africa Cup of Nations were paid in full,” said Amina. A budget of Kshs 244million was approved for the team’s preparations for the meet which included a camp in France and a number of friendlies. But Football…

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has clarified that Harambee Stars’ 2019 Afcon budget of Kshs 244million excluded match bonuses. In a separate arrangement, the federation requested ministry of sports for Kshs 10million per win for players and members of technical staff. Stars’ sole victory in the tournament hosted by Egypt was against neighbours Tanzania in their final group match after suffering two back to back losses against finalists Senegal and Algeria. “Match bonuses and athletes rewards for exemplary performances are not factored in the preparation budgets,” said Barry Otieno, the FKF Chief Executive Officer. Otieno said two days to the showpiece…

Sadio Manè’s national teammate Keita Balde has weighed in on his increasingly uncertain future at Liverpool saying he may need a change at some point in his career. Sadio’s future at Anfield has been a subject of speculation with certain quarters linking him with a move to Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid. But according to Balde, a decision to move or stay will have many determinants one being a need for change. “It depends on many things,” Monaco star Balde told AS. “I don’t know what his decision is. In a year or two, you may want to change. Read: Ex-Gor…

Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has said he will distribute supplies to 100,000 people to help support efforts to combat coronavirus in his home country. Eto’o runs a foundation in the country and has promised that it will be used to “share soaps, sanitizers and several food items to fifty thousand households in four cities – Douala, Buea, Yaoundé and Bafoussam.” An additional 50,000 protective face masks will also be supplied – specifically for taxi drivers in the country. “This is a serious humanitarian crisis and only via proper sensitization and the distribution of health kits can we…

Chelsea have launched an initiative to provide 78,000 free meals to National Health Service (NHS) staff as they battle COVID-19 pandemic. Charities that support the elderly and vulnerable groups will also share in the meals over six weeks for a start. Thirteen thousand meals will be given out per week. United Kingdom is one of the most hit regions in the world with 98,476 Coronavirus cases and 12,868 deaths – stretching the health workers. “The initiative is aimed at helping NHS staff who are working long shifts and therefore may find it difficult to obtain good-quality food on a regular…

Adept British football commentator Peter Drury has urged Kenyans to “Keep safe, do everything your government is asking you to do” during these difficult times of Coronavirus pandemic. Known for his poetic commentary style which leaves his audiences charmed, the 53-year-old, like many football fans, is missing the game but thankful for good health. Major sporting events including leagues across the world have been suspended to help curb the desease’s spread through contact. The English Premier League which Drury covers and is loved to crazy levels by most Kenyans is just one of them. “Hello Kenya its Peter here from…

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu resumed training with his Swedish side IF Elfsborg Monday in anticipation of new season start when the Coronavirus storm clears. Sweden’s top flight ‘Allsvenskan’ 2020 season was scheduled to kickoff early April, however, the plans were iced following government’s ban on large gatherings to curb spread of the pandemic. As at Wednesday, Sweden had crossed the grim milestone of 1,200 Coronavirus deaths with authorities coming under fire over perceived slow response. However, Boras, the city where IF Elfsborg is based, is yet to report a single Coronavirus case or related deaths. While the government has…

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge is missing company of his teammates while training as need to observe social distancing takes precedence. As a measure to curb spread of COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are urged to among other things observe social distancing. The 35-year-old has continued to do personal training despite major sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics being postponed. “I’ve been enjoying these wonderful runs in the early morning when the roads are empty. I miss my teammates but our main goal at the moment is to stay healthy,” Kipchoge tweeted. https://twitter.com/EliudKipchoge/status/1250395040758878209?s=19 Kichoge, who hails from Nandi County, bacame…

Wazito FC owner Ricardo Badoer has urged Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to hand them the Kenyan Premier League title if the season will not be completed over Coronavirus. According to Badoer, Wazito deserves the title because “we are the only team in Kenya that is well run.” “What are the other teams going to do? They don’t have any money, let Nick (Mwendwa) give us the league so that when the league starts next season we can go represent Kenya in continental football,” the Dubai based businessman told Madgoat TV. Before suspension of the 2019-20 season, Wazito were placed 13th…