NAIROBI, Kenya, July 19- AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have been ordered to play their next Kenyan Premier League home match in an empty stadium by the league’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee.

The punishment arises from the troubled league match between the two arch-rivals held on May 12 at Nyayo Stadium that was halted for several minutes following violent skirmishes between their fans. Gor won 1-0.

Both clubs have also been handed a suspended fine of Sh1 million each that will be paid to the KPL upon determination that either club has failed to control its supporters as required by the rules of the league.

Trouble erupted in the match in the 73rd minute after Gor Mahia scored and both sets of fans engaged each other in a brawl and stone throwing forcing police to fire teargas canisters onto the stands. The game was stopped for several minutes.

While the home team was Leopards, IDCC observed that it was the responsibility of both teams in a fixture to manage the conduct of their fans.

“Rule 3.4(a) of the Rules of Kenyan Football makes clubs responsible for the conduct of their members and supporters, irrespective of whoever is organizing the matches in which the clubs are participating. Similarly, a club is responsible for the conduct of its members and supporters irrespective of whether it is the home team or the away team,” IDCC said in its ruling.

“AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC failed to control their supporters, who as a result caused the stoppage of the match for five minutes,” the ruling further said.

The disciplinary body said deterrent measures were required to help stamp out violence in the league.

“We emphasize, as we have stated in previous decisions that all clubs participating in tournaments organized by the KPL must understand that the KPL does not, and will not, condone any acts of hooliganism or other misconduct.

“In this respect, all clubs must observe the KPL’s Zero Tolerance Policy on Abandoned Matches and Assaults, which states that ‘A Club is responsible for the conduct of its officials, players and fans and will be held responsible for any assault on any person immediately before, during or after a match,’” IDCC said.

Leopards next home match is on July 1 against Thika United. Gor will next play at home on June 26, also against Thika United.

IDCC at the same time declined to punish AFC Leopards for crowd trouble attributed to their fans in their Top Eight match against Chemelil Sugar on April 17.

The committee observed that Leopards had taken internal measures to help curb crowd violence. IDCC however ordered Leopards to pay Sh113,700 to Avenue Health Care for damages caused to their vehicle by the club’s fans during the fateful match.

- KPL

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 20 — Having been an ever present in Kenya’s World Championships line-up since 2007 when she struck gold in Osaka, Janeth Jepkosgei has shelved plans to step up the distance to 1,500m in favour of seeking a Moscow swansong.

Speaking on Thursday after racing 55.6 in her 400m heat as the Kenyan National Championships got underway in Nairobi; Jepkosgei underlined she was preparing to challenge the might of the Russians when they stage the biennial global showpiece in August.

“It has been so tough (against them) in the last three years since the Russians have been doing so  but I hope this time, I will disturb them a bit and I hope to do my best. My aim and my mission is to challenge them at home. I was thinking of graduating to 1500m but this year I’m going to focus on 800m.

“I don’t know about next year, I have not planned anything. I’m not in the best form now but that is okay for me. I’m trying to be at my peak in Moscow, I’m pleased I have no injuries, I’m healthy compared to last year, my body is responding well,” she added.

Jepkosgei who was third at the Oslo IAAF Diamond League meeting on June 13, clocking 2:00.9 is enjoying some renaissance after finishing seventh at the London Olympics last summer.

The Beijing Olympics silver medallist who also won the second medal at the Berlin Worlds in 2009 ran her season’s best 1:58.71 (June 1) in Prefontaine having opened her season with a second finish at the second Diamond League meet in Shanghai, China where she clocked 2:01.28 on May 18.

“I have not started my specific training for the World Championships. I have been doing endurance and speed work and I still have part of training to do and if it goes well, it will help me in Moscow,” the runner who burst to prominence in 2006 when she ended the dominance of Mozambique legend, Maria Mutola, by beating her to Commonwealth gold disclosed.

Barring catastrophe, her Moscow ticket is all but punched since her main local rival, the 2008 Beijing champion and World Indoor titleholder, Pamela Jelimo, announced she was suffering a hamstring injury that is likely to see her out of action for three months, meaning she will miss the Worlds.

“I hope to be in the team for Moscow and the Trials are important to me. I want to be at my best and get into the final. We have young talent coming up and I hope they will join me, Eunice Sum, Nelly Chepkosgei and Winnie Chebet are those who can also make it so it will be easy,” she expressed on her prospects of donning her nation’s colours.

“I wish the young ones all the best but I’m still around, the Trials will be an open game,” she added.

Since bagging Kenya gold at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, Jepkosgei has medalled at all events she has competed for her nation except in London last year where she finished seventh at the final, making her the most decorated female athlete in her nation.

She is planning on competing only once abroad ahead of the Moscow Worlds.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 21- AFC Leopards have until Monday to sever ties with Wananchi Programming Limited (Zuku TV) or face the axe from the Kenyan Premier League following an emergency governing council meeting on Friday.

According to a statement from KPL, the Ingwe deal with the local rival to broadcast sponsors SuperSport that was announced last month has “already begun undermining the marketing rights of clubs in a view of the reduced television coverage of matches involving AFC Leopards SC.”

Following the Governing Council meeting held at a Nairobi hotel, Leopards have been directed to pull the plug on their agreement with Zuku to produce a documentary programme named Ingwe TV by Monday 5pm or they will not be permitted to participate in KPL matches.

“Further, AFC Leopards SC must immediately confirm, also in writing, that they shall not continue engaging with Wananchi Programming Limited/Zuku TV on the broadcasting rights,” the statement added.

According to KPL, Ingwe’s agreement with Zuku had brought serious recriminations with their South Africa based broadcast sponsors, SuperSport who have already removed Leopards matches from their roster.

“As we go to press, SuperSport have undertaken other more serious measures against KPL without revoking the License Agreement altogether,” the statement signed by the league management body’s chairman, James Musyoki explained.

“In all meetings held between AFC Leopards SC officials and KPL, Leopards promised to comply. However, they have not complied by suspending its activities with Zuku.

“KPL therefore, delayed in exercising its rights in line with its spirit of encouraging unanimity in its decision making. On the other hand, SuperSport has objected to the action by Leopards to grant secondary broadcasting rights and has stated clearly that they shall cite KPL for breach and potentially interpret any breach and enforce any further action,” KPL stressed.

They argue that meetings held by concerned parties on May 21 and 29 did not yield the desired outcome with Leopards taking the position that they construed their obligations under KPL/SuperSport as to allow them to enter into secondary broadcasting agreements with other parties.

Leopards are scheduled to kick off their second leg of this season’s KPL campaign against 2009 champions Sofapaka in the highlight fixture of the weekend at Nairobi’s City Stadium on Saturday.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 23- As far a drawing battle lines go, world champion Asbel Kiprop has sounded the most audible of war cries ahead of his title defence at the Moscow World Championships by declaring his bold intention to attack his 1,500m personal best in Monaco on July 19.

And should he achieve his aim of beating his 3:28.88 career best ran at the same track last year, Kiprop believes he will have delivered the perfect warning to the potential challengers to his crown across the globe.

“I cancelled running in Oslo (June 13) in order to prepare for Monaco. When I’m looking forward to trying and break my personal best. I went there and did 3:28 and it was exciting, I was happy to have run the fastest time since 2004,” Kiprop said late on Friday after qualifying for the final of the 800m during the Kenyan Track and Field Championships in Nairobi.

The deposed Olympics champion was categorical that the monumental effort in Monaco that was achieved less than a fortnight ahead of the London competition did not cost him the title.

“It was not a problem during the Olympics, the problem was the injury,” the titleholder stated alluding to the hamstring strain incurred in his final training session in Nairobi before Kenya departed for the London Games.

“I had to encourage myself and say what if I had fallen in the heats or semi finals? It came as planned, you can never know what will happen on the track,” he told of how he lifted himself up after surrendering the Olympic title he won in Beijing after the initial champion, Bahrain’s Rashid Ramzy was banned for drug use.

Since he has automatic entry in the Moscow Worlds as a titleholder, Kiprop believes his country stands a better chance to hold on to the title he won in Daegu, South Korea while the pressure associated with making the Kenyan team has been lifted off his shoulders.

“We still have more than a month to prepare. It will be easy for us in the men 1,500m in Moscow and whether I will be a repeat world champion, I want it to come as a surprise.

“Right now, I cannot say I want to be this or that, I will prepare well and run my best,” the champion explained.

He is confident that his shape is coming about nicely after spending most of the latter end of last season recovering from the injury that saw him scoop the wooden spoon in London, a shocking outcome for a titleholder.

“In Doha, the first one, I was comfortable, I went to Shanghai and managed to win but in Eugene, I was a little bit tired and Silas (Kiplagat) managed to win,” he summed his Diamond League campaign.

The league campaign has seen him collect victories in Doha (3:31.13/May 10), Shanghai (3:32.39/May18) in his speciality before he was beaten by compatriot and Commonwealth champion, Silas Kiplagat over the Mile at the Pre Fontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon where he clocked 3:49.53 for second.

Kiprop explained his preference for Monaco where he achieved his dream to run under 3:30 for the first time in he clocked his 1:43.15 lifetime best in 800m in 2011.

“It is the best track; I feel most comfortable running there. When you compare all 1500m guys, Silas Kiplagat, Nixon Chepseba, the American guys and Olympic champion, Makhloufi all carried their personal bests in Monaco.”

Kiprop was in imperious form during the domestic championships where he booked his ticket for the men 800m by winning his semi-final in 1:48.1.

“I hope Athletics Kenya will give me permission to run in Monaco since I have cancelled races in Paris and Oslo to concentrate on this one,” he concluded referring to the Kenyan sports governing body tough stance against competing outside once the team for Moscow is selected.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24- Kenya’s world marathon champion, Abel Kirui, will not defend his title in Moscow in August following an ankle injury suffered during training that saw him miss the London Marathon in April.

Confirming the development on Sunday, Athletics Kenya (AK) president, Isaiah Kiplagat added the withdrawal of Olympics bronze medal winner, Wilson Kipsang, from the global showpiece as he focuses on breaking the world record in Berlin in September had compelled them to bring forward the naming of the Kenyan marathon torch bearers in Russia.

“It is true, Abel will not defend his title and Kipsang has pulled out to focus on other things. We intended to name the marathon team after the Trials since they have been training but that is no longer necessary,” Kiplagat said.

“The Executive Committee is meeting on Monday and afterwards, we will release the marathon team for Moscow,” Kiplagat added.

Kirui, 31, become the first Kenyan to be crowned a double world marathon champion when he successfully defended the title he first won in Berlin 2009 in Daegu, South Korea two years ago.

Last year, he was beaten to the Olympics gold medal by Uganda’s surprise package, Stephen Kiprotich, and despite the fact AK shortlisted 10 for Moscow in the men’s marathon squad, Kirui was definitely a show-in to defend his crown due to his exemplary duty for his nation.

“It is very disappointing but that is sport. There is still the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Olympics to look forward to but I was so eager to become the first man to win three world titles,” the crestfallen Kirui said from his Iten training base, Kirui said.

“This ankle has refused to heal the way I planned and there is no need of going to war when you are not ready,” the affable runner added.

The withdraws of Kirui and Kipsang leaves Boston and New York marathons course record holder, Geoffrey Mutai and 2009 Worlds silver winner, Emmanuel Mutai as the rank favourites to spearhead Kenya’s assault in Moscow.

On Saturday, Mutai who also struggled with injury at the London Marathon announced his return to top form by winning the Kenyan 10,000m title with a blistering 27:55.30 performance in punishing altitude in Nairobi.

“I’m looking forward to make the Kenyan team as a marathoner for the first time. It felt great to win a race that had such high pace and feel no reaction to the injury.

“If I’m not selected in the marathon team, I will return to the Trials to compete the 10,000m race since I want to be remembered for what I did for my country,” the World Marathon Major winner widely regarded as the best athlete on the planet over the distance proclaimed following his victory.

Mutai won bronze for his nation at the 2010 Africa Championships in 10,000m before finishing fifth at the Punta Umbria World Cross the following year competing in the 12km men senior race.

LONDON, England, June 25- Celtic are believed to have accepted a bid from Southampton for Victor Wanyama, but terms have not been agreed between all parties.

The Saints are hoping to pip a number of their Premier League rivals to the 21-year-old’s signature, with interest in his services having mounted steadily.

They have, however, seen the highly-rated midfielder snub their first contract proposal.

Wanyama has admitted that he turned down the initial proposal from St Mary’s and revealed that he is prepared to listen to offers from other sides now that Celtic have opened the exit door.

“While the bid was okay for Celtic, the terms were not right for myself and my agent,” he said in the Southern Daily Echo.

“I am open to what offers are made, but I am relaxed and it’s important that Celtic are happy too.”

Cardiff City are reportedly ready to jump to the front of the transfer queue as they step up their search for new recruits, while Stoke City and Liverpool continue to watch events unfold.

- Football365.com

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26- If only this would happen in Kenya! The entire Ethiopian FA is to step down after the 2014 World Cup qualifiers end in September after the officials agreed to fall on their sword following the fiasco involving playing an ineligible player.

Sahilu Gebremariam, Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) president and his entire executive will not offer their candidature during the forthcoming elections with the country expected to be docked points for fielding Minyahile Beyene against Botswana on June 8 after he picked two yellow cards.

This is despite the fact that Ethiopia are one win away against minnows Central African Republic to seal their passage to the final knock-out phase in the race to Brazil.

Their clumsy colleagues at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) led by Sam Nyamweya are still sitting pretty in office despite making no headway since 2011 when they were swept to office with a promise to revitalise the country’s game.

In that period, Ethiopia qualified for the 2013 Nations Cup and the Wayla Antelopes are only three games away from making history as the first East African nation to qualify for the Mundial.

During the stormy EFF meeting in Monday where members of the federation and journalists, yes, journalists! Pressed for the entire executive to stand down, Ashenafi Ejigu, the Secretary General was sacked.

Here, some members of the press sadly, are the lead cheerleaders for Nyamweya and his lumbering team that thrives on a raft of empty promises and one would not envisage a situation where the FKF boss would face such open dissent from the country’s press hounds.

EFF who admitted fielding an ineligible player rejected the resignation offer by vice president Berhanu Kebede, who had previously been blamed by the body for the mix-up.

“This was a massive blunder so we all should have resigned,” Sahilu told Reuters. “But we have responsibilities ahead so we voted to stay until September.”

Ethiopia’s 2-1 win over South Africa in Addis Ababa on June 16 had given them an unassailable five-point lead in their group and place in the final phase of African qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But hours later, world governing body Fifa said it was investigating allegations Ethiopia had played a suspended midfielder.

If the points are redistributed, Ethiopia will have 10, South Africa will be on eight and Botswana on seven with each team having one match left to play in the group.

Ethiopia play the Central African Republic on September 6, while South Africa lock horns with Botswana. Victory for the Antelopes will grant them a slot in the play off even if they are docked points from the win over Botswana.

While they look forward to realising their World Cup dream, here we can only look forward to cheering them at the greatest stage of football since we still have our blundering officials with us!

LONDON, England, July 27- Neil Lennon has confirmed that Celtic have accepted an offer from Southampton for the transfer of Victor Wanyama, although the Hoops boss insists there are still a number of clubs interested in the striker.

Wanyama, 22, has attracted attention from the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Cardiff after a successful season in the Scottish Premier League.

Although Celtic have previously resisted the temptation to cash in on Wanyama, Lennon has conceded the Kenyan is likely to leave Scotland in the summer.

“What we have done is accepted a bid from Southampton, who are a very good club, a very progressive club,” Lennon said. “Personally, I think it would be a very good move for Victor in terms of his career going forward but there seems to be other bodies who want to block the deal.

“The ball is firmly in the court of Victor’s representatives. You don’t know what’s around the corner. I would imagine there would be other interested parties but we’ve had no confirmation from any other clubs yet.”

However, there appears to be an ongoing dispute between Wanyama’s representatives and Celtic, with the Scottish champions being accused of undervaluing their striker.

“The fact that we have accepted a bid tells you that we feel that matches our valuation of the player,” Lennon added. “We don’t know where we are with it at the minute, there seems to be a bit of a stand-off.

“We felt the money was right for us, a good business deal for the club. Whether it resurfaces again, I don’t know.”

- ESPN Staff

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 27- As she spent her last minutes at her Nairobi Women’s Hospital bed before she was discharged, Philadelphia Olando still wondering how the sport she loves almost ended her life.

As a member of the national women’s 15 a-side squad, the Mwamba RFC player still bore the ugly scars of the savage beating she got in Kampala last weekend at the hands of assailants suspected to belong to the Ugandan team after they were apparently enraged by their Elgon Cup defeat to the Kenyans.

Capital Sport caught up with her on Thursday afternoon but when word reached Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) officials of our presence, she was immediately barred from speaking to the media who insist, ‘investigations are going on to the matter.’

“I cannot say anything to you, the Union is handling this matter,” she stated after being shown communication from a director at the Union.

Fearing for repercussions on her playing future, Olando opted to obey the directive, with the Union releasing a statement immediately afterwards explaining their position on the incident that comes a year after Kenya lost her captain Abedeen Shikhoyi in the same nation during an Elgon Cup clash.

One part of the Union’s statement caught the eye, “We do request that her privacy be respected,” while evidently, she was very much willing to pour her heart out on the events that transpired during the attack moments before she received the gagging order.

“At the time, the most important thing was to attend to her welfare and we flew her immediately and checked her to hospital. Apart from the injuries she suffered during her ordeal, she was severely traumatised.

“She could not remember exactly who attacked her since she said it was from behind and doctors advised us to give her time so that she can recall exactly what happened. Our chairman and his Ugandan counterpart have been investigating this matter and when we establish the facts, we shall release a comprehensive statement,” Paula Lanco, the Director of Women’s rugby at KRU explained the gag-order.

However, there is growing dissent on how the deep-rivalry between the two neighbours on the pitch is spiralling out of control, with the injured player alluding to it although not on record.

“This is going to go too far and something needs to be done about it. In my opinion, we should not play matches against Uganda until this issue is resolved. Last year we lost our captain, this year we almost lost another player.

“The Union needs to safeguard our players because the girls have hugely been affected by what happened in Kampala,” Mike Shamiah, the Strength and Conditioning coach for the side told Capital Sport.

Shamiah broke ranks with the Union’s red-tape to rend his voice on a grave issue the authorities are determined to sweep under the carpet and he is not sure he will be retained in his job for speaking to the media.

According to reports, Olando was attacked outside the field and left with a broken nose, a swollen shut eye and other nasty injuries not to mention the mental trauma that could take longer to heal than the projected three months of action she will miss on the field.

She was discharged from hospital on Thursday afternoon to continue recuperating at home as investigations continue.

We await the report.

For now, here’s KRU’s statement on the incident reproduced in full

Nairobi, Thursday 27 June 2013

The Kenya Rugby Union confirms that an incident away from the field of play took place in Kampala on Saturday 22 June 2013 involving a player from the Kenya Lionesses and other individuals.

With the key priority being to ensure the player’s safety and well being, she was airlifted to Nairobi and admitted at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital on Sunday 23 June and has responded well to treatment and since been discharged to go home.

The union would like to ensure the public that this matter is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves and due action will be taken once investigations by both the Kenya and Uganda Rugby Unions are completed. We do request that her privacy be respected.

Released by KRU Media & Communications

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 28- Veteran warhorse Humphrey Kayange starred as Kenya got their 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign to the brightest of starts by stuffing minnows Philippines 45-5.

The result saw Mike Friday’s side seize the initiative in Pool C after rivals Samoa edged fellow Africans Zimbabwe 21-14 in a close encounter in the tournament opener at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.,

Oscar Ouma raced away to score the first try for Kenya, converted by Biko Adema for a 7-0 lead before Felix Ayange crossed the whitewash for the second with the latter’s boot once again coming true for a 14-0 lead.

With Shujaa coasting to the break, Gareth Holgate, made history for the rank outsiders when he held-off Biko Adema to force a try for a 14-5 half-time lead.

Friday asked his charges to be more composed on the ball and aim for the flanks during the breather and upon resumption, the fourth finishers from Dubai four years ago turned on the screw propelled by their veteran record try scorer.

A quick brace of converted tries from Kayenge put Kenya out to a comfortable 28-5 lead before his younger brother, Collins Injera, Ayange with his second and Eden Ogello completed the rout.

The Pinos however, celebrated a momentous occasion in their country’s sporting folklore as the first team to represent their nation at a World event

Earlier, Samoa edged fellow African contenders, Zimbabwe 21-14 in the opening match of the event.

Zimbabwe were the first scorers of the RWC7s 2013 after the Cheetahs turned the ball over and captain Jacques Leitao sprinted away to score. Tangai Nemadire landed the conversion for a shock 7-0 lead.

Samoa hit back through a try to Alastasi Tupou, converted by Lolo Lui, to make it 7-all.

But right on half time Gardener Nechironga put through a clever grubber to score for the Cheetahs.

The conversion by Nemadire was good and Zimbabwe led Samoa 14-7 at half time.

However, converted tries to Afa Aiono and Faatonia Autagavia put Samoa up 21-14 with three minutes remaining for the final score although Fortune Chipendu raced away for Zimbabwe to try and score the leveller but he was brought down in a try saving tackle by Samoa.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 29- Kenya shifted through the gears to book their place in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup Sevens where they will take on France after beating Zimbabwe and Samoa to complete a sweep of Pool C matches.

Mike Friday’s charges followed up their 45-5 win over Philippines in their Friday opener with a 31-5 stuffing of Zimbabwe in their second before edging out their main rivals and sevens titans, Samoa 17-12 to make the last eight.

Kenya became the first side through to the quarters by beating Samoa thanks a late try from Michael Wanjala to send Friday’s side through as the second seeds and will meet France who came from 17-0 behind to draw 17-17 with Australia thanks to a penalty drop goal from Terry Bouhraoua.

South Africa’s Blitz Boks are seeded first in the last eight draw after completing their Pool B fixtures without conceding a point at the end of an enthralling second day of action at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Paul Treu’s side added 41-0 and 33-0 victories over Scotland and Japan to their defeat of the hosts on day one and will face Fiji in the quarter finals after the Islanders lost to Wales in the Pool E decider and enter as the second best runner-up.

In their crunch showdown against Samoa, former skipper Humphrey Kayange settled the nerves for Friday’s outfit when he touched down for the first try but Biko Adema missed the conversion.

Willy Ambaka extended lead with a second try with Adema getting his range to give Kenya a 12-0 lead at the breather.

Substitute Lio Lolo went over and Alatasi Tupou converted just over two minutes into the second half to make the game a five point affair.

Lolo got his second try with just over a minute left to the final hooter to level matters with Uale Mai missing the conversion that would have given his side the lead.

That set the stage for Wanjala to be the hero right at the death as Samoa crashed out of the Main Cup despite finishing second in the Pool.

In their second tie, Zimbabwe made life difficult for Kenya early on, dominating the early exchanges but Adema settled the nerves by dummying his opponents before grounding the ball, his unconverted try putting his side 5-0 up.

Kenya ate into Zimbabwe’s territory and Felix Ayange scored his third try of the tournament, Adema missing the conversion with the scores at 10-0.

Ambaka would score the simplest of tries, Adema’s conversion putting Kenya 17-0 before Tafadzwa Chitokwindo pulled one back for the Cheetahs, 17-5 the half time scores.

Kayange punished a mistake from the Cheetah’s on the restart, scoring under the posts with Adema converting for a 24-5 lead before Oscar Ouma sealed the deal for Kenya, his try and Lavin Asego’s conversion handing them a 31-5 result.

Their clash against France will be played at 1.06pm local time (+3GMT) with the sides having met once before where Kenya won their Bowl Quarterfinals 12-7 in the 2001 edition in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP

Fiji v South Africa 12.00pm

New Zealand v Wales 12.22pm

England v Australia 12.44pm

Kenya v France 1.06pm

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 30- Willie Ambaka’s sudden death try saw Kenya reach a second successive RWC Sevens semi final as they edged France 24-19 in a tense quarter final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday.

France opened the scores through Jean Bapitse Gobelet’s unconverted try after a period of sustained dominance, bossing the break down and retaining possession.

Kenya responded through Collins Injera with Biko Adema’s conversion seeing the side 7-5 up but Manuel Dall Igna’s try and Terry Terry Bouhraoua’s conversion saw the French lead 12-7 at the interval.

Humphrey Kayange scored a try for Kenya after the restart, Adema converting for a 14-12 lead and what transpired next was a moment of anxiety for players and fans alike, both sides looking to win this game.

A second Kayange try put Kenya 19-12 up but the French equalized after sustained pressure,Bouhraoua converting Paul Albaladejo’s try to send the game to extra time.

Kenya saw more of the ball in extra time and it took the experience and vision of Lavin Asego, who came in for Adema midway through the second half to create space for Ambaka who lurched on to the ball at full pace, beating his French defenders to score under the posts and send Kenya into the semi final against England at 4.02pm.

Meanwhile, play in the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament was suspended on Sunday after a massive thunder storm over the Luzhniki Stadium.

New Zealand were leading Fiji 12-0 in the Cup semi-final when claps of thunder echoed around the stadium and bolts of lightning lit up a darkened sky.

Torrential rain followed, and South African referee Marius van der Westhuizen was left with no option other than to usher the two teams back into the changing rooms.

“The thunder storm around Luzhniki Stadium has temporarily halted this Cup semi-final in the men’s tournament with New Zealand leading Fiji 12-0,” the IRB said.

The winners of the All Blacks-Fiji clash will play the victors of the second semi-final to be contested by England and Kenya.

- Kenya Rugby Union and AFP

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 30- Dan Norton was the hero for England as brave Kenya saw their spirited run end at the Main Cup semi finals at for the second Rugby World Cup Sevens in a row following a 12-5 defeat to England in a rain soaked Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday.

Mike Friday’s side simply could not handle the ball in atrocious pitch conditions as heavy rains pounded the Russian capital, conceding possession easily and were made to pay in the first half of a cagey match.

Norton proved to be the difference, scoring both England’s tries in the first half before making a try saving tackle right at the end to deny Kenya a chance to complete their second half fight back after Andrew Amonde went down to cut the deficit to 12-5 after the breather.

England kicked-off the match and soon, Kenya knocked on allowing the winners to spread the ball wide from the scrum but the defence held well to prevent the try.

However, they were made to pay when they lost the ball as Norton sprinted away to touch down for a converted try to give his side a 7-0 lead.

He scored his second from another Kenyan knock on when he kicked the ball ahead, chased after it and touched down to score for a 12-0 lead after a failed conversion.

Amonde brought his side back by going down and this caused unease in the English ranks as Kenya tried to force the issue.

However, Norton had the last word, saving a certain try with a last ditch tackle.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 30- Kenya ended their Rugby World Cup Sevens World Cup in fourth place after a 5-29 loss to Fiji in the third place playoff at the Luzhinki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday to emerge the top African nation in the last edition of the event.

Fiji went 12 -0 courtesy of Metusiela Talebula’s brace of tries and a conversion before Willie Ambaka reduced the deficit for Kenya with an unconverted try after being played in by Collins Injera, the scores reading 12-5 at half time.

Further tries in the second half for Fiji through Samisoni Viriviri, Watisoni Votu and Ilai Tinai tries and a sole conversion.

All in all it was a battling performance from Kenya, topping Pool C to reach the cup quarters where they saw off France to set up a meeting against England in the semis where they lost 12-5 in wet conditions.

Meanwhile, New Zealand swept the men and women’s titles at the Rugby World Cup Sevens on Sunday, mixing superior tactical nous with hard-nosed defence and fleet-footed attack.

Gordon Tietjens’ All Blacks team have dominated the IRB World Series Sevens, winning 11 of the 14 men’s titles on offer, but last won the World Cup in 2001.

However, they put England to the sword in the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, running in five tries to none as they took advantage of the tactically poor English kicking game in wet, muddy conditions.

Tim Mikkelson (2), Gillies Kaka, veteran playmaker Tomasi Cama and replacement Waisake Naholo all crossed the whitewash, Cama bagging three conversions and Kaka a fourth.

England were underpowered in the face of an aggressive All Black team happy to slow the game down and play for territorial advantage.

Ben Ryan’s team were pushed into resorting to a deep kicking game that played exactly into New Zealand hands. Rarely for the abbreviated game, there was a full minute of aerial ping-pong, which drew boos and jeers from the crowd.

“The conditions were hard, we thought we were playing cricket for a minute, getting rained out in the semis,” said All Black captain DJ Forbes.

“But they were tough, we stuck to our guns though and came out with the win. This is huge, for some of us the last Rugby World Cup we play.”

Coach Tietjens added: “It is awesome, a long time between drinks since 2001. We started slowly but we got that buzz going today.

“We won the World Series and have backed it up here which we haven’t won since 2001. A lot of pressure on one tournament, but to get up the way we did, was great.”

The Kiwi women’s team had earlier beaten Canada 29-12 and the results mean that New Zealand are now world champions in rugby 7s and 15s in both sexes.

The All Blacks scrapped past Fiji 17-0 in the semi-final, where play was held up for an hour because of a thunder storm over the Luzhniki Stadium.

While the claps of thunder and bolts of lightning subsided, the rain did not, continuing to teem through the whole finals programme.

England beat Kenya 12-5 in the second semi-final, played in similarly atrocious conditions, a try-saving tackle from Dan Norton the difference in a game also dominated by kicking.

The All Blacks had despatched Wales, unlikely outsiders who clinched victory in Dubai four years ago against odds of 80/1, in the quarter-finals.

“It wasn’t meant to be,” said Wales captain Lee Williams, the sole survivor from the squad that won in 2009. “Utterly disappointing that game was there for us, but errors cost us.”

Fiji had produced a display of extremely aggressive defence to batter South Africa, who had not conceded a point in pool play, into a 12-10 defeat at the same stage.

In the women’s competition, New Zealand outplayed Canada in the Cup final, defending champions Australia having paid the price for an injury to key playmaker Tiana Penitani in suffering a shock 14-10 defeat by Spain in the quarter-final.

The All Blacks won 29-12 thanks to tries from Portia Woodman (2), Kelly Brazier, Honey Hireme and Kayla McAlister, Canada responding through Ghislaine Landry and Arielle Dubissette-Borrice.

“We have worked really hard on our defence and we have played in this kind of weather so it was no problem,” Woodman said. “Canada threw stuff at us that we never expected but we coped really well and it’s amazing.”

NAIROBI, Kenya 5th July – Deputy President, William Ruto, led the calls of a return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) as the 2013 KCB Safari Rally got off to a ceremonial start on Friday morning in Nairobi.

Ruto flagged off the first 10 machines in the Main Class competition as they returned to the Parc Femme at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) ahead of the proper start of the 61st edition of the epic event at 1 pm.

“With the partnership between the motor sports federation, the ministry responsible for sports and all partners, we must come together and I want to tell you that the Jubilee Government is going to walk with you every step of the way so that we can go back to the World Rally Championship and place Kenya where it rightfully should be as a great sports giant in this part of the continent,” the Deputy President declared in his address ahead of the ceremony.

“I want to ask all the participants, spectators, the people who have come to enjoy themselves as they watch the rally to mind about their safety and the safety of their children and the safety of the rally drivers.

“We all must observe safety as a basic necessity for us to avoid instances where we get accidents. Am sure going forward necessary security arrangements will be made so that this becomes an event without incidents,” he stressed on the subject of security that has dominated the run-up to the event where observers from world governing body FIA are on hand to give it a scorecard.

This will go a long way in determining whether the event that is still part of the Africa Rally Championship roster will get back the coveted WRC billing it lost in 2003.

After the scheduled start, cars will proceed to Nairobi’s Jamhuri Park for the 2.2km spectator stage time trial as eager crew underline their credentials ahead of the event proper on Saturday and Sunday.

Pipeline, Ole Polos, Corner Baridi, Kajiado, Isinya, Konza, Andy’s Corner, Orien and Olkejuado are the areas where the loud, fast and daredevil machines will tear up the tranquillity on Saturday.

Sunday will pose the major test for the drivers in a run that starts at Il Bissel all the way to Parane which is the longest stage covering 84km, Isinya, Konza, Andy’s Corner and finally the survivors of the gruelling event will limp back to Nairobi at 3.30pm.

Once again, battle lines have been drawn between the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru makes with the latter nosing ahead in entry numbers. Other models on parade include VW Golf GTI, Toyota Celica, Ford Escort, a Porsche and a tiny Toyota Vitz that will compete in the 2-wheel category.

PARIS, France, July 7-Olympics and world champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, delivered a solid warning to rising youngster and world junior champion, Conseslus Kipruto by putting together a world leading and meet record victory at the Paris Diamond League meeting on Saturday night in France.

In one of the highlight performances of the meet, the defending champion who is not obliged to compete at next weekend’s Trials and Diamond League winner, Paul Kipsiele Koech who is also in the frame for automatic entry for the Moscow Worlds served up a treat with domestic favourite and double Olympics silver medallist, Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad.

The trio were together at 2000m when the pacemaker Haron Lagat dropped out and the clock read 5:21.10.

Koech then led for the next 600m but at the bell, the Frenchman, to the massive roars of the crowd, went to the front.

However, Kemboi is a dangerous man on the last lap and took the lead at 250m with three barriers remaining and never relinquished his lead before coming home in 7:59.03, the first time under eight minutes this year and a meeting record.

Indeed, he might even have gone slightly faster were it not for some familiar show boating about 20m from the line, drifting into the second lane with his arms held wide.

Mekhissi-Benabbad held his form to set a European record of 8:00.09, an improvement on the former continental standard of 8.01.19, which had been held since 2009 by his compatriot Bouabdellah Tahri.

Kemboi delivered a timely statement of intent having come to the meet against the backdrop of two loses to Kipruto at the Diamond League meets of Pre Fontaine Classic in Oregon where he was disqualified for shoving the World junior titleholder and in Oslo where he played bridesmaid to the teenager.

Elsewhere in the Paris meet, Usain Bolt fired out a warning to American arch-rival Tyson Gay by scorching to a world-leading time of 19.73 seconds in the 200m at the Paris Diamond League meet on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Jamaican, a two-time Olympic and world champion over the distance, held off the attentions of compatriot Warren Weir to streak past the field in emphatic style.

Edging Gay’s season best by one-hundredth of a second was the perfect broadside in the run-up to what promises to be a keenly contested World Athletics Championships in Moscow between August 10-18.

“All is building up towards a great world championships, you will see a big show there, it will be the climax,” warned Bolt.

“And I want to be ready for that.”

In perfect conditions with temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius (81F), Bolt led a host of impressive performances from a stellar line-up on the track and in the field.

Grenada’s Olympic and world 400m champion Kirani James ran a seemingly effortless world leading time of 43.96sec, holding off a late surge from American LaShawn Merritt, the man who previously held both titles.

James, who became Grenada’s first Olympic medallist in any sport in London, said it was impossible to nail down one thing as essential for winning gold in Moscow.

“Weather, shape, conditions, all that will play a role and there will be seven other guys in the final,” he said.

“You always need to pay attention to runners like LaShawn — if he were far too ahead, it’d be tough to catch and beat him.”

Ethiopian long-distance superstar Tirunesh Dibaba flew to a meeting record of 14:23.68 in the women’s 5000m – the seventh fastest of all time behind her own world record.

Dibaba, twice Olympic 10,000m champion and twice world champion at both 5,000 and 10,000m, had compatriot Almaz Ayana for company as she broke with 800m to go, but she was never in danger as she sprinted home.

“With more pacemaking, I could have run even faster,” Dibaba said, adding that her Moscow goals were clear: “I want to double at 5 and 10km. And next year to make my marathon debut.”

Jamaica’s Olympic women’s 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce almost suffered a setback, a savage dip just seeing her edge Nigerian Blessing Okagbare by a hundredth of a second with victory in a season’s best of 10.92sec.

Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, 20, underlined her early-season form in winning the women’s 800m in 1:57.26.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 7- Hard work and smart driving made all the difference for Baldev Singh Chager and nagivator Ravi Soni resulting as they stormed to their maiden KCB Safari Rally on Sunday in Kajiado to become the 61st winner of the legendary event.

Chager who switched to the more reliable Mitsubishi Evolution 10 early this year, managed to win the coveted title with a massive 10.06 minute margin over veteran and former champion Azar Anwar.

The win saw him beat the seasoned Anwar to second place while Quentin Mitchell sealed the podium dash.
Chager led the event from the second day to the very last stage becoming the first Sikh driver to achieve the feat in 37 years since the legendary Joginder Singh Bachu last won it with David Doig.

Joginder has won the Safari three times with his brother Jaswant Singh in 1965 and 1974 and 1976 with David Doig.
Chager’s calm and assured march to last service at AIC Olekajuado Girls School along the Namanga Highway belied the excitement that was bubbling underneath and it exploded in a solid stream of joy when he drove into his designated service area.

He won the season opening rally in Kajiado last January, and following his biggest career win, Chager has served notice to defending Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) titleholder, Carl Tundo making him believe that there will be no realistic chance of winning back the title.

A Safari win counts as 160 points on the board, double the tally of 80 awarded in the other rounds of the KNRC since the pristine event is part of the Africa Rally Championships roster with a push to re-instate it to the World Rally Championship calender after it was stripped off in 2003 adding to its majesty.

Chager needs to finish third in the next three events in Mombasa, KIsumu and the prestigious Guru Nanak Rally which is associated with Sikhism to round off the domestic crown for the first time since he won it in 2008 when he was a devout disciple of the Subaru make.

“Championship hopes are definitely over,” said Tundo who retired in the long 84 kilometer stage running from Il-Biseel all the way to Parane as he watched his heir apparent sweep to the top honours on the sidelines.
Chager had his campaign effectively sewn up when 1994 Safari Rally winner, Ian Duncan, he of the ‘Flying Sausage’ fame retired on Saturday with turbo problems and Tundo following with engine failure on the final day.

“The Safari is always magical to win. We have tried to win it for many years, we’ve been leading a couple of times but we’ve always ended up having problems. This year we were leading from the second stage all the way to the end. I’m happy that everything was on my side.” The ecstatic freshly coined King of the Safari enthused.

His sentimental win applied the icing on the event that was three days of high octane action. For the second time in his domestic rallying career, Onka Rai saw the world upside down after rolling while it was second time unlucky for Richard Onyoni, who returned to the sport after a four year sabattical, after his car burst into flames although he and his pace notes reader escaped unscathed.

Mitchell savoured a second podium on the Safari in as many years.

“This is a real testimony to our team for keeping us going on one of the toughest safaris in history! I really want to thank my navigator Robin Dimbleby, Geoff Jones, Colin Schreiber, family, and the entire QMR Team,” said the rising young driver.

Provisional Final:

1. Baldev Chager 2:51.03
2. Azar Anwar 3:01.09
3. Quentin Mitchell 3:20.36
4. Frank Tundo 3:06.08
5. Manvir S. Baryan 3:10.56
6. Rajbir Rai 3:13.35
7. Essa M. 3:19.45
8. Jasmeet Chana 3:24.43
9. Tejvir Rai 3:29.06
10. Don Smith 3:30.10
11. Jaswinder Chana 3:37.41
12. Anwar Pandya 3:37.57
13. Steve Gacheru 3:40.11
14. Nzioka Waita 3:40.50
15. Hardeep Rehsi 3:43.35
16. Jas Mangat 3.58.33

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 8- Harambee Stars came from the brink of an embarrasing defeat to hold tiny Lesotho 2-2 in their opening tie of their maiden COSAFA Castle Cup in Kitwe, Zambia on Monday evening.

The result brought into sharp focus the wisdom or lack thereof of their decision to arrive to Zambia on match day having jetted into the country only hours to kick-off.

Finding themselves 2-0 dowb after 52 minutes, Adel Amrouche’s side fought back in the last seven minutes to level the tie with goals from Gor Mahia star, Paul Kiongera who headed in his teammates’ David Owino cross on 82 minutes.

Jockins Atudo levelled from the spot after Ralekoti Mokhahlane handled in the box with a minute to the final whistle to save Stars from what would have been construed as a stunning defeat of the favourites in a group that has Swaziland and Botswana.

Featuring a side full of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) aces, most of them who were involved in intense domestic matches on Sunday, Kenya found themselves trailing in a match they started without holding even a single training session.

In a bizzare twist of fate, Atudo was deemed to have fouled Litsepe Marabe inside the box and Mokhahlane dispatched the ball past skipper Duncan Ochieng in the Stars goal.

Soon after the restart, Thapelo Tale punished suicidal defending by David Ochieng when he planted the ball past his namesake in goal to establish a 2-0 advantage.

To their credit, Stars went on the offensive to save their skins with the introductions of Kiongera and AFC Leopards winger, Paul Were providing the impetus and it is the former who played a crucial role in Gor’s gritty 1-0 win at
Bandari on Sunday who brought his team back to the contest eight minutes from time.

The comeback was completed when Atudo and Mokhahlane swapped roles to give Amrouche’s side who play Swaziland on Tuesday a life-line.

Should they top the group, Stars who are one of the invited teams to the 2013 COSAFA tourney will face Angola in the quarter-finals.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 9- Gor Mahia forward, Edwin Lavatsa, was the toast of Kenya when his brace inspired Harambee Stars to record a 2-0 win over Swaziland in the ongoing COSAFA Castle Cup in Kitwe, Zambia on Tuesday.

It took five minutes for the lanky striker to find the net after he converted Aboud Omar’s cross to give Adel Amrouche’s side that had to recover from 2-0 down in their first match against Lesotho to draw 2-2 in their opener 24 hours earlier the perfect start.

It took Lavatsa nine minutes of the second half to double his and Kenya’s tally when he volleyed home after the Swazi defence half-cleared another Ouma delivery.

It was Belgium coach Amrouche’s first victory of his Stars tenure and a win against Botswana who faced Lesotho in a later match will guarantee first place in Group B and a quarterfinal date with Angola.

The coach elevated Gor Mahia trio, keeper Jerim Onyango, Rama Salim and Paul Kiongera in addition to Omar to the starting line-up and his decision paid off when his team clicked from the off.

Onyango saved a Swazi effort and Stars poured forward, Omar finding Lavatsa for the opener with the Gor connection almost gifting Stars a second after the hour mark but Kiongera failed to find Salim in acres of space.

After Lavatsa extended the advantage, Kiongera fired straight at the keeper instead of making it 3-0 with substitute striker, Andrew Murunga spurning other scoring opportunities.

He was withdrawn after only quarter of an hour for AFC Leopards’ Paul Were.

GLASGOW, Scotland, July 10- Reports in Scotland on Wednesday indicate Harambee Stars captain and Celtic FC midfielder, Victor Wanyama is on the verge of complete a record-breaking deal to English Premiership side, Southampton worth £12.5m (Sh1.161b).

The Scotsman, The Scottish Daily Record and England’s Express broke the news in what would make Wanyama the most expensive Kenyan footballer in history and first to feature in the popular EPL.

“The influential Kenyan international did not play in his side’s 6 – 2 friendly loss to Greuther Furth and instead remained at the club’s German training base to hammer out personal terms with the Premiership side.

“Reports this morning suggest that the move could be completed today which, if completed, will be the largest transfer fee ever paid in Scottish football,” The Scotsman stated.

“Victor Wanyama is set to join Southampton over the next 48 hours in a £12.5million deal that smashes the Scottish transfer record.

“Record Sport can reveal negotiations between Celtic and Saints have accelerated and the SPL champions have accepted the jaw-dropping bid,” The Record added.

“Saints’ decision to offer him improved personal terms should see the Kenyan fly to England rather than head to Berlin with the Hoops,” The Express wrote about the same story.

Reports suggest money raised from the sale of Wanyama would be used to offer contracts to current squad members at Celtic with the possibility of a big name arrivals also not ruled out.

The Parkhead side had accepted a previous offer from the St Mary’s side however Wanyama’s wages and agent fee proved to be a stumbling block.

Wanyama, who joined Celtic from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot for less than £1m two years ago, has one year left on his contract.

The 22 year-old has attracted interest from other clubs south of the border with Cardiff submitting a £10m offer.

The Premiership side are reported to have offered personal terms to the Kenyan international which are in line with his expectations however their bid was rejected was Celtic.

Neil Lennon’s side face Cliftonville next week in a Champions League qualifier with the Parkhead manager expressing concern last night at his mounting injury list.