NAIROBI, Kenya, June 14 – Gor Mahia captain, Jerim Onyango, produced a brilliant display as the champions salvaged a point against KRA in a barren stalemate at Nairobi’s Safaricom Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Lawrence Kasadha scored a late equalizer to help Nairobi City Stars thwart Western Stima in a 1-1 stalemate at the same venue.

Wesley Kemboi gave the visitors the lead in the 21st minute before Kasadha headed home in the second minute of added time to snatch away the win from Stima.

In the highlight fixture of the televised double header, K’Ogalo extended their lead at the top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) by a point to 30, three ahead of Tusker FC despite failing to win their two consecutive matches.

Onyango, who was named the man of the match, was at his best after rising on several occasions to deny Geoffrey Kataka who was blazing and Joseph Mulume.

“I’m disappointed we did not win the game and at the end we were about to concede a goal after they got through with Onyango and I’m glad the captain did his job and saved us.

“I believed in him but it’s a game that we could have won if we had used our chances from the headers well but this was not our day of scoring,” Gor head coach, Bobby Williamson said after the match.

His opposite number, Ken Kenyatta, was disappointed for not piling further misery on the champions following their last week derby loss to arch rivals AFC Leopards.

“We tried our level best but we didn’t get the maximum points that we had hoped for since we got many chances that we did not convert but maybe next time I will try and win the game.

“Our forwards were sensational but did not score so our next game is a must win because I didn’t come in the league to enjoy but to win,” Kenyatta, a former Kenyan international keeper said.

Williamson made two changes from the squad that lost 3-1 to Leopards with Harun Shakava replacing Ugandan Israel Emuge in the defence while Kevin Ochieng stepping in for Musa Mohammed at the back.

The Taxmen on the other hand made the same number of alterations with Philemon Otieno and Joseph Mulume benching former Gor defender, Ivan Anguyo and former City Stars midfielder George Mwangi.

Both teams entered the match hoping to bounce back from loses with the newcomers having a good run in the first-half but captain Onyango rescued K’Ogalo from conceding three goals.

Harambee Stars latest call-up Kataka had a sterling performance after managing to breakthrough the visitors defence on several occasions but lady luck was not on his side.

The forward came close in the third minute from the right with a shot that forced Onyango to punch for a fruitless corner.

Gor responded in the 14th with Rama Salim and Dan Sserunkuma combining well upfront but keeper Philip Odhiambo denied the former.

Kataka was at it once again after six minutes with a long shot but could cold not trouble Onyango who calmly picked the ball.

Sserunkuma could have scored the opener in the 25th but Odhiambo tipped-off his bicycle kick.

The taxmen who are unbeaten at home, continued to pile pressure with Mulume having a chance to punish K’Ogalo after winning the ball from defenders from a set piece failed to hit the target.

Kataka could have broken the deadlock in the 28th with his shot but Shakava did well to clear the danger, but that did not stop Kenyatta charges from attacking as Liberian import Roosevelt Blatty set Mulume who beat Oluoch to unleash a cracker but Onyango once again punched the ball away.

Gor missed a rare chance in the 35th when Timonah Wanyonyi had a good run from the right, speeding past defender Edwin Misiko but his cross went begging.

Douglas Okumu, could have gifted Gor the opener with two minutes to the break after his back-pass was trapped by Sserunkuma, only for Odhiambo to deny him.

On resumption, Gor came in strong in the first 20 minutes with Salim feeding their top scorer Sserunkuma who went past Misiko but Odhiambo repelled his strike for a fruitless corner.

At the hour mark, Salim failed to slot home Wanyonyi’s cross as Kenyatta pulled out Mulume for Mwangi.

His substitution was effective as the former City Stars midfielder came close with a free header that forced Onyango to punch over the bar.

In the 73rd, Eric Ochieng hacked down Kataka inches outside the box for a Mwangi to take a superb free-kick that Onyango rescued.

The visitors had two open chances in the dying minutes through Salim and Sserunkuma but both failed to find the back of the net for the two sides to share the spoils.

The results saw KRA remain fifth on the log on 24 points.

MOGI DAS CRUZES, June 15- Belgium’s striking crisis deepened on Saturday with teenage striker Divock Origi taken to hospital in the Sao Paulo region for scans on an ankle injury just days away from their opening World Cup finals game against Algeria.

Origi, who is of Kenyan descent, had to be helped off the training pitch at Mogi das Cruzes in Sau Paulo State after suffering the injury following a challenge from midfielder Moussa Dembele.

Belgium have already seen Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke ruled out of the tournament with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

And Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who had a successful loan spell at Everton last season, only returned to training on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury in a bruising friendly with Tunisia last Saturday.

If Lille’s Origi, 19, doesn’t recover by Tuesday, then Lukaku will be their only recognised central striker available for their Group D opener against Algeria in Belo Horizonte.

There was more bad news for Belgium coach Marc Wilmots as winger Kevin de Bruyne limped off with yet another ankle problem following a challenge with Eden Hazard, although his appeared less serious.

Still the problems kept coming, though, as centre-back Thomas Vermaelen complained of a knee problem at the end of the training session.

If the worst comes to the worst, Belgium have until Monday to call up a replacement if one of their players is ruled out of the tournament through injury.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 15 – Clifford Alwanga struck a second half winner as Tusker FC successfully defended the KPL Top 8 title by silencing AFC Leopards 2-1 in a thrilling final staged at Meru’s Kinoru Stadium on Sunday.

Coach Francis Kimanzi not only won his maiden trophy with the Brewers but led his side to history books by becoming the first team to retain the trophy since its inception in 2010.

Defender Lloyd Wahome opened the scoring for the home side in the 11th minute through a powerful header before towering defender Joseph Shikokoti levelled for Leopards in the 35th as Meru hosted her first domestic football final.

The hero of the day Alwanga capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the decisive goal in with a quarter of an hour left as the Brewers held on for the honours.

Playing without their head coach Pieter De Jongh, who travelled back to Netherlands to visit his sick father, Leopards started with Eric Masika at the back for captain Martin Imbalambala while Oscar Kadenge relegated Musa Mudde to the bench.

For Tusker, Kimanzi, made a single change to the squad that beat Mathare United 3-0 with Athman Buki starting for Luke Ochieng.

Tusker could have gone ahead as early as in the third minute after in form Brian Osumba manoeuvred in the midfield to launch a counter attack, crossing the ball to Kevin Kimani who cut in but the ball was too strong for Bob Mugalia to head home.

Jacob Keli responded swiftly on the other end, making a good run from the right to unleash a shot that was repelled by skipper and keeper Samuel Odhiambo for a fruitless corner.

Leopards who were playing their first Top 8 final continued to attack with in form Charles Okwemba, making a dazzling run on the left to find winger Paul Were but defender Jockins Atudo intercepted to clear the danger in the seventh minute.

Tusker’s goal came in four minutes later when former Mathare United defender Wahome, rose highest to powerfully head in Kevin Kimani’s well curved corner to break the deadlock and send the home crowd into ectasy.

The goal knocked the sting out of the game as both teams settled to build from the back.

Mugalia squandered a chance from a close range after he failed to head Kimani’s cross and this gave Ingwe the opportunity to restore parity in the 35th through Shikokoti who capitalized on Atudo’s poor clearance to head in against his former side and make the match open.

It was however, Tusker, who had an upper hand as the last-half with keeper Wycliffe Kasaya thwarting Osumba’s header.

Leopards rested Bernard Mang’oli for Noah Wafula but Tusker forwards continued to pile pressure at the back.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 75th when Alwanga slammed home the winner from a goal mouth scuffle after Leopards defenders slipped to give his charges the first trophy of the season.

LYON, June 16- Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is out of a coma and has left the French hospital treating him since a devastating ski accident in December, his spokeswoman said Monday.

“Michael has left the CHU Grenoble (hospital) to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore,” Sabine Kehm said in a statement.

“His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months.

“For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye,” she said, without giving further details about his condition or where the seven-time world champion was sent to.

Schumacher slammed his head on a rock while skiing in the French resort of Meribel in December and was put in a medically induced coma after undergoing brain surgery at the hospital in the Alpine city of Grenoble.

His family said at the end of January that drugs used to keep the 45-year-old in his deep sleep were being reduced to bring him back to consciousness, but little had filtered out about his condition since then.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 17- Former Berlin Marathon runner-up, Joseph Riri has been arrested by police in his hometown Nyahururu on charges of fraudulently obtaining USD 11,364 (Ksh1million) under pretence he could obtain jobs for youth in the area.

Riri, the 2002 Singapore Marathon winner and 2:06:49 personal best runner from the 2004 Berlin race, 40, was apprehended at his home early Monday after evading several police dragnets.

According to the police, the athlete received the money from unsuspecting residents after pretending he was a nominated member of the Nyandarua County Assembly and that he was in a position to assist youths get jobs.

Nyandarua Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), Benjamin Onsongo, said the arrest follows numerous complaints from members of the public after they were conned money.

He added initial investigations established that the marathoner, who hails from Ngobit area and resides at Nyahururu’s Core Site Estate, was culpable.

Onsongo told that he was demanding for up to USD568 (Ksh50,000) from each victim.

“He has been going round Nyandarua and other parts of Laikipia pretending that he was a nominate member of the assembly representing the youths and was out to secure them jobs. He would ask for a fee to process the job transactions,” the OCPD explained.

Onsongo said that the police received a public outcry and that was when they launched investigations.

“The claims have been coming to us in the recent past and when we got the number that people used to send money to that is when we tracked it. We found him relaxing at his home in Nyahururu’s Core Site estate,” the police boss explained.

Riri also won the Otsu and Stockholm marathons in his heydays between 2000 to 2005.

BELO HORIZONTE, June 17- Dark horses Belgium staged a late fightback to beat Algeria 2-1 and deny the Africans a first World Cup win in 32 years on Tuesday.

Second-half goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens secured an opening Group H victory for the Red Devils after Algeria had taken a 25th-minute lead via a Sofiane Feghouli penalty after he had been hauled down by Jan Vertonghen.

But Fellaini, who endured a miserable, goalless season with Manchester United, levelled with a powerful header in the 70th minute.

Ten minutes later, Mertens buried the second goal to give Belgium a winning start in a Group H which also includes Russia and South Korea.

Algeria stunned the fancied Belgians after Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen wrestled livewire Valencia striker Sofiane Feghouli to the ground.

Vertonghen was yellow-carded while Feghouli held his nerve to tuck a confident penalty beyond Thibaut Courtois in the Belgium goal.

It was Algeria’s first World Cup goal since 1986 and conjured up memories of their famous 1982 win over West Germany.

Belgium were poor in the first half and had to wait until the end of the first half for their first serious attempt on goal when Nacer Chadli was put clean through by Eden Hazard.

But Chadli’s effort was well-saved by Rais M’bolhi.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, who has never lost a competitive fixture as national team coach, took off the sluggish Romelu Lukaku.

On came Divock Origi and then Fellaini and the more muscular approach paid off.

Fellaini headed in a pinpoint cross from Kevin De Bruyne’s and 10 minutes later it was 2-1 as Mertens was left in too much space by the tiring Algerians and the Napoli man drove the ball home.

Another Fellaini header was tipped over by M’bolhi as Belgium finished the strongest before a quick breakaway involving Origi and Eden Hazard released Mertens to fire in the winner with ten minutes to go.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 19- Defending champions Spain slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Chile and crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday after their second defeat in five days.

Chile’s victory — through goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Arranguiz — made the South Americans and the Netherlands the first teams to go through to the second round.

After a golden era that saw them win the European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010, Spain have suffered a dramatic fall from grace.

They equalled Italy’s unwanted record in 1950 of being booted out of the World Cup after just two games.

It was Chile’s first win over the Spanish in 11 meetings.

Spain’s confidence seemed to have evaporated after their 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in their first Group B game on Friday.

Coach Vicente del Bosque dropped established stars Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez but it had no impact in the charged atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.

Chile pressed forward from the start. Vargas’ shot in the second minute was narrowly deflected wide of the goal by a defender.

Spain also pushed up, but errors soon proved costly.

Xabi Alonso gave the ball away in the 20th minute and the ball reached Arranguiz in the penalty area who slipped it inside to Vargas who smashed the ball past Spain’s captain Iker Casillas, making a Spanish record 17th appearance in a World Cup finals match.

The game carried on at a furious pace as the defending champions sought a way back into the game.

But in the 43rd minute, Casillas clumsily punched away a free kick by Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez. The ball went straight to Arranguiz who struck it into the net.

Casilllas seemed shell-shocked as he walked off at half-time. Defender Sergio Ramos and other Spanish players also shook their heads in disbelief.

Spain’s pitiful state seemed to be epitomized by misses in the second half. Diego Costa had a shot deflected wide and in the 53rd minute Sergio Busquets’s was clear in front of goal but a seemingly simple tap in went wide.

Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulled off a brilliant reflex save to stop an Andres Iniesta shot in the 84th minute.

The historic Maracana stadium erupted into a riot of red and blue as Chilean supporters started noisy celebrations. Thousands crossed the Andes in special convoys to watch Chile’s games.

Chile play Netherlands to decide top place in Group B on June 23. Spain play their final game against Australia on the same day.

BRASÍLIA, June 19- Another superb performance by playmaker James Rodriguez who scored one goal and created the other inspired Colombia to a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in their World Cup Group C match and to the brink of the last 16 on Thursday.

Rodriguez, scoring his second of the tournament, and substitute Juan Fernando Quintero, with his first international goal, struck in the second-half while Gervinho replied with a superb individual goal, his second of the finals, for the African side.

Colombia, making their first appearance at the finals since 1998, will qualify for the second round if the match later on Thursday between Japan and Greece ends in a draw or if the Greeks beat the Blue Samurai.

Ivory Coast are still firmly in the hunt for a place in the last 16 for the first time in three appearances as they opened with a 2-1 win over Japan.

The national anthems saw Ivorian midfielder Die Serey in floods of tears — it was reported later that his father had died hours before the match.

The first-half was largely bereft of any excitement, although the Colombians should have gone in one goal to the good but for a dreadful miskick by Teofilo Gutierez after being beautifully teed up by Rodriguez.

The Ivory Coast, who had once again opted to leave veteran Didier Drogba on the bench, offered little in attack with their one incident of note a crude piece of play acting by Serge Aurier when having got free of his opponent he then collapsed theatrically to the ground clutching his face.

Colombia, though, had done an effective job on taking Ivory Coast’s main creative force Yaya Toure out of the game as Carlos Sanchez followed him everywhere.

Toure, though, started to free himself of the shackles in the second-half as first he curled a freekick wide of the post and then produced a delightfully deft chip into the penalty area finding Wilfried Bony.

However, the Swansea marksman had mistimed his run and instead of being able to head the ball he was forced to try and do a bicycle kick which flew wide.

Colombia swept up the other end of the pitch with Rodriguez finding wing wizard Juan Cuadrado and he worked his magic on the weary Arthur Boka turning him inside and out and his cross shot beat the keeper only to cannon to safety off the crossbar.

Ivory Coast coach Jose Pekerman had seen enough and sent on 36-year-old Drogba for Bony hoping he could work his magic with both his previous World Cup goals coming against South American opposition.

However, his team-mates were looking at him in askance after the smaller Rodriguez managed to beat him and another defender to Cuadrado’s corner and head home sparking another terrific Motown style Colombian goal celebration.

There was another excuse for more of that in the 70th minute as Rodriguez dispossessed Aurier inside his own half and fed Juan Fernando Quintero who ran into the penalty area and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry.

The Ivorians, though, were far from down and out as the match really came to life and Gervinho gave the African side real hope when he scored a superb individual goal.

The former Arsenal man picked the ball up on the left flank and then with a swish of his hips beat one man to cut inside and then beat another challenge before tucking the ball past David Ospina.

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 20 – Champions Gor Mahia have refuted reports published by a local daily claiming the club would withdraw their players from the planned Harambee Stars trip to Brazil to watch the Nigeria/Argentina clash next week.

According to an article in a leading daily on Wednesday, Gor Mahia CEO Lordvick Aduda was quoted saying the trip sponsored by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenya Breweries Limited would interfere with their plans for their remaining Kenyan Premier League (KPL) second leg fixtures.

Aduda went ahead to claim the Head of State should have consulted clubs before making the announcement.

However in a rejoinder, Gor and KPL chairman, Ambrose Rachier said in a statement they have no objections to releasing their players who include captain and keeper Jerim Onyango and defender Musa Mohammed for the trip.

The statement curiously sent through Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president, Sam Nyamweya, added K’Ogalo had written to the said daily to demand a correction.

“The article complained of is indeed unfortunate and was published without our authority as a club, although the article in question is not authorized by Gor Mahia FC, I take this opportunity to refute both it’s contents and innuendos,” the statement signed by Rachier read in part.

“For the avoidance doubt, we have no objection to the release of our players to visit Brazil for the World Cup trip who are indeed grateful to the President for extending them this morale-boosting sponsorship.”

And in another twist according to the statement, Rachier disowned Aduda as the club’s chief executive saying he “has no authority to speak on behalf on the club.”

“When I contacted him with regard to the article, he denied having issued the statement complained of or having spoken to the press over the matter of release of players.

“We have noted Aduda’s suspension from all football activities and will be guided accordingly,” Rachier declared.

President Kenyatta, spouse Margaret and the brewers sponsored a squad of 18 local based players who are set to depart Saturday for the last Group F clash in Porto Allegre next Wednesday.

RECIFE, June 20- Bryan Ruiz’s goal in the first-half sealed England’s elimination from the World Cup and saw Costa Rica progress to the last 16 with a fine 1-0 win over Italy in Recife on Friday.

Ruiz struck right at the end of the opening period after the Costa Ricans had a valid appeal for a penalty waved away by the referee.

Costa Rica’s victory saw them move onto six points in Group D and means that pointless England’s slim hopes of getting second spot were extinguished as Uruguay and Italy, both on three points, play each other in their final game.

It will be the second time Costa Rica have reached the last 16, the previous occasion being in the 1990 finals.

Italy’s poor performance was encapsulated by the fact they had not gone goalless in a World Cup finals match since the 1998 edition in France.

Italy showed little sign of urgency throughout with misplaced passes and lackadaisical defending.

However, their midfield wizard Andrea Pirlo produced one sublime pass chipped over the top of the Costa Rican defence in the 31st minute which found Mario Balotelli.

The AC Milan striker, though, lofted the ball over the Costa Rican ‘keeper but the ball went wide of the far post.

It was Costa Rica who broke the deadlock with an excellent goal.

Gianluigi Buffon failed to come for a Junior Diaz cross to the far post and Ruiz produced a superb header which beat the 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper and bounced over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.

FORTALEZA, June 21- Miroslav Klose equalled Brazilian legend Ronaldo’s record of 15 World Cup goals with the equaliser for Germany in their 2-2 Group G draw with Ghana in Fortaleza on Saturday.

Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead before goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan turned the game on its head and threatened to cause a major upset for the Black Stars.

But Klose had the last laugh with a poacher’s goal a yard out 19 minutes from time.

Having at times bossed the first half, and only been denied by two fantastic Manuel Neuer saves from Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu, Ghana switched off at the start of the second.

Thomas Mueller picked out Goetze running into the box and the Bayern Munich midfielder stopped unconvincingly to head goalwards with the ball going straight down onto his knee before rebounding past Ghana goalkeeper Abdul-Fatawu Dauda, who like his two centre-backs had been ball-watching.

The lead lasted only three minutes before Harrison Afful crossed into the box and Ayew, on his 50th appearance for the Black Stars, climbed above Shkodran Mustafi and the static Per Mertesacker, playing his 100th game for Germany, to flick a header beyond Neuer.

Nine minutes later things got even better for Ghana as Muntari dispossessed Germany captain Philipp Lahm in midfield and slid the ball through to Black Stars captain Gyan to smash the ball past Neuer.

Ghana were running riot and Germany hanging on by their fingernails but an inspired substitution by coach Joachim Loew brought Klose into the fray to stab home from a yard out after Benedikt Hoewedes flicked on Toni Kroos’s corner.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 22- Teenaged substitute Divock Origi scored a last gasp goal that gave Belgium a 1-0 victory over Russia on Sunday and secured them a place in the World Cup last 16.

The 19-year-old broke the deadlock with an 88th minute shot set up by Eden Hazard after a frustrating game in the heat of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.

Belgium now have six points from two games and are well placed to take top spot in Group H. The size of the qualification mountain facing Fabio Capello’s Russia now depends on the result of the South Korea-Algeria match later Sunday.

The two sides set off at a furious pace that could not be maintained in the Maracana stadium.

Viktor Faizulin shot from the edge of the penalty area forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal.

Belgium’s Napoli striker Dries Martens shot narrowly wide after beating two players. Moments later he broke free again but pushed the ball across the face of the Russian goal.

The game did not improve in the second half although the tension did mount as striker Romelu Lukaku directed some angry words at Belgian coach Marc Wilmots when he was replaced by Origi. Lukaku was substituted for the second straight game after a another disappointing performance.

But Origi, who plays for Lille in France, proved his worth with the goal as Belgium piled on the pressure in the late stages, with fellow substitute Kevin Mirallas hitting the post with a free kick seconds earlier.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 23- Belgian supersub Divock Origi is not sure whether he will get another game at the World Cup, but he is happy to put himself at the mercy of coach Marc Wilmots.

The 19-year-old is one of a team of scorers-in-waiting who have taken the European side through to the World Cup last 16.

Origi, who could have played for Kenya, came on as a substitute for a second game in a row against Russia on Sunday to slam in a precious 88th minute winning goal for the European side.

On Tuesday it was Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens who were brought on to get winning goals after Belgium had fallen behind to Algeria. Thanks to their efforts, the Red Devils are likely to top Group H.

Origi is raw talent. Fellaini is an established English Premier League star, now with Manchester United. Mertens plays with Napoli in Italy.

Wilmots said after the win that every player has to be ready to wait for a chance to get on the pitch and vaunted the depth of his squad’s strength.

“What is important is that Belgium can count on totally devoted players — I nunderstand that people are not happy to be substitutes,” he added.

Origi, who only recently broke into the first team at Lille in France, is happy to follow Wilmots’ tough rules.

“I hope I have paid back some of the confidence the coach has shown he has in me,” he said after scoring the goal in his fourth appearance. “I’m very happy for the team and for Belgium.”

“It was very special to score here at the Maracana in the World Cup – and my family in the tribune too,” said Ostend-born Origi, whose father played for Kenya, who tried to tempt the teenager as well.

After his success before 72,000 people in the Maracana stadium, Origi said he was keeping his fingers crossed about getting a place in the team for the final group match against South Korea on Thursday.

“I just try to keep calm and to enjoy my game and what I’m doing.

“I believe in my quality and I gave my all. I try to give the maximum and I believe I have the talent to do well,” said the youngster, confidently swapping between English and French.

The teenager is just one of a squad packed with world-class talent even though Belgium has only 11 million people.

The country’s best showing at the World Cup so far was reaching the semi-finals in 1986, when they lost to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.

They last reached the tournament in 2002, but were so good in qualifying this time that many people consider them dark horse contenders to get to the final.

The team suffered a blow when striker Christian Benteke suffered an achilles tendon injury ahead of the finals. That let in the teenager.

“If Benteke had been fit Divock wouldn’t be here,” said Wilmots. “But I like to launch youngsters and he’s quick and disciplined.”

Origi linked up with another established star, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, who burst down the left wing to the touch line to set up the goal.

The teenager heaped praise on Hazard’s contribution.

“It’s magnificent to have a player like that. I admire him – he’s a great player,” said Origi.

NATAL, June 24- Luis Suarez was at the centre of another biting storm as Uruguay sensationally dumped ten-man Italy out of the World Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory on Tuesday.

Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in the tense match in which the Europeans ended with 10-men and left the World Cup at the group phase for the second time in succession.

But amid the celebrations, immediate attention fell on a clash between Suarez and Italian defender Ciorgio Chiellini who showed teeth marks in his shoulder after.

Television replays showed Suarez — who has twice been sanctioned for biting players — appearing to attempt to sink his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder in an off-the-ball incident.

Chiellini was in no doubt Suarez — who was seen sitting on the ground feeling his teeth after the incident — had bitten him.

“He bit me it’s clear I still have the mark,” said an aggrieved Chiellini.

Italy won the 2006 World Cup, then failed to reach the last 16 in South Africa four years ago. They required only a draw against Uruguay at Estadio das Dunas in Natal to go through this time.

However the Azzurri suffered a critical blow early in the second half when Claudio Marchisio was sent off for a studs-up challenge.

Shortly after the Suarez-Chiellini incident, Godin rose in a crowded box and the ball rebounded off his shoulder to beat Buffon in the 81st minute.

Uruguay’s win means they leapfrog Italy to join Costa Rica in the last 16 of the tournament.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli deployed a 3-5-2 designed to tighten the Azzurri defence and give them attacking options on the wings with Matteo Darmian and Mattia De Sciglio.

But despite a solid display in a scoreless first-half, the Azzurri’s hunt for goals — led by Ciro Immobile and Mario Balotelli — reaped no reward.

Uruguay, starting with the same 4-4-2 line-up that defeated England 2-1, came closest early on when a free kick whipped in deep by Luiz Suarez forced Buffon into a desperate punch-out.

Celeste strikers Suarez and Edinson Cavani were described by Prandelli as one of the most potent strike duo’s at the World Cup, but they were mostly kept on a tight rein during a nervous first half.

Italy suffered a blow when Balotelli was cautioned for a needless high tackle on Inter’s Alvaro Pereira, who felt the AC Milan striker’s boot come over the back of his head.

Balotelli’s yellow card means he will miss Italy’s next match, although that will now be after the World Cup.

Paris Saint Germain midfielder Marco Verratti was Italy’s star performer thus far.

On the half hour he dispossessed Cavani to launch Balotelli but the striker failed to release as Immobile ran through into an offside position.

Minutes later Andrea Pirlo’s smart short pass found De Sciglio on the left but the wingback’s pinpoint delivery to unmarked Immobile was volleyed off target.

Italy were composed, but minutes before half-time Buffon had to make two critical saves to keep the scoresheet clean, first stopping Suarez’s snap-shot down low with his left arm and then denying Nicolas Lodeiro from the follow-up.

Prandelli replaced Balotelli with midfielder Parolo at half-time, a tactical switch that suggested the Azzurri would happily hold on for the scoreless draw.

On 58 minutes Cristian Rodriguez sent a great chance wide of the target after a smart one-two with Suarez on the left flank.

Moments later, Marchisio was given his marching orders for his challenge on Egidio Arevalo.

The decision had the expected impact, and after Suarez burst through confidently on 65 minutes Buffon had to get down low to block with his arm.

Italy were still finding space, though, and a Pirlo through ball found Immobile only for the striker to be charged down as he was about to pull the trigger.

Prandelli replaced Immobile with Cassano, but despite Italy again finding opportunities on the counter Uruguay’s insistence deep in Italian territory finally paid off.

The hosts gave away a corner, which Godin met with conviction to leave Buffon with no chance.

Italy rallied in desperation in the dying minutes, when Buffon ran up the field to leave his net empty, but to no avail.

SAO PAULO, June 25- Georgios Samaras’s dramatic injury-time penalty took Greece into the World Cup last 16 for the first time Tuesday as they grabbed a 2-1 win which sent Ivory Coast crashing out.

Samaras, brought down by Giovanni Sio in the 91st minute, bravely stepped up to convert past a flailing Boubacar Barry before being mobbed by his team-mates.

It proved the last act of a thrilling Group C finale which Greece had led following Andreas Samaris’s strike near half-time, before Wilfried Bony equalised.

The Swansea City striker’s goal looked enough to take Ivory Coast through but Samaras’s penalty lifted Greece from bottom place to second, thanks also to Colombia’s 4-1 win over Japan.

Samaras’s goal brought a cruel end to the tournament for Ivory Coast’s Yaya and Kolo Toure, who were playing despite the death of their brother from cancer last week.

Veteran striker Didier Drogba took over captaincy duties from Yaya Toure as he made his first start of the World Cup.

And they combined for the Ivory Coast’s first dangerous moment but the Manchester City man’s pass into the box was too heavy for the 36-year-old Galatasary striker’s ageing legs to run on to.

Greece were forced into early changes when goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis came off with a back problem and midfielder Samaris replaced Panagiotis Kone, who went down holding his hamstring.

Ivory Coast were having trouble breaking down the compact Greeks and the Euro 2004 champions fired a warning when they quickly broke forward and Jose Holebas rattled the crossbar.

Georgios Karagounis, making his 139th apperance for the Greeks, then profited from indifferent defending when he blasted a low free-kick past the Ivory Coast wall but straight at Copa.

Greece’s opener, three minutes before half-time, stemmed from a mix-up when Samaras pounced on a loose pass by Cheick Tiote and fed Samaris who steadied himself and finished coolly.

Samaris was then on hand at the other end to deny Yaya Toure after he evaded two challenges and galloped into the Greek box, only to see his shot blocked by the midfielder.

Lazaros Christodoulopoulos had a shot deflected off-target early in the second half and Tiote then thumped one at replacement Greek goalkeeper Panagiotis Glyko.

A retreating Ivorian defence invited Christodoulopoulos to shoot once again but his shot from the edge of the area missed to the left.

The Greek defending was far more adroit and Konstantinos Manoloas slid in sharply to deny Salomon Kalou as he prepared to shoot.

Barry had to get everything behind a fierce drive from Dimitrios Salpingidis as Greece continued to threaten.

And another Greek break had the Ivorians in trouble, forcing Kalou into a last-ditch foul on Vasileios Torosidis at the expense of a yellow card.

Karagounis was inches from one of the goals of the tournament when his sensational long-range shot smashed off the crossbar, leaving the Fulham midfielder shaking his head.

With 16 minutes left, a Greek victory looked a formality but Bony, who came on for Tiote just after the hour-mark, had other ideas.

The Swansea City striker received a cute sideways pass in the box from Gervinho and he made no mistake with his first-time finish past Glyko.

The Greeks were going out and with time running short, Vasileios Torosidis tried his luck with a speculative shot from a tight angle which slammed off the near post.

Salpingidis’s cross ran across the face of goal as Greece pressed. And they finally got their reward when Sio, brought on just minutes earlier for Gervinho, upended Samaras.

PORTO ALEGRE, June 25 – A double from Lionel Messi a day after his 27th birthday inspired Argentina to a 3-2 win over African champions Nigeria and assured them of finishing top of Group F at the World Cup finals on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s defeat — their fourth in four meetings at the finals against Argentina — came with the considerable consolation that they still progressed to the second round as Iran lost 3-1 to Bosnia-Hercegovina in the other group game.

Argentina, who are set to face either Switzerland or Ecuador in the second round, began to turn on the style after low key wins over Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran.

Nigeria, who will be appearing in the second round for the first time since 1998, are likely to face France next Monday.

The match got off to a stunning start as Messi fired home his third goal of the finals after two-and-a-half-minutes — the fastest goal of his career — to finally crack a Nigerian defence that had not conceded a goal in their previous two matches.

A telling pass by Fernando Gago found Angel di Maria only for the Real Madrid man’s shot to ricochet off the near post. As the loose ball bounced Messi magically appeared to slam into the roof of Vincent Enyeama’s net.

Argentina’s lead lasted all of 80 seconds when CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa curled the ball artfully past Sergio Romero into the far post.

Enyeama then did well to keep the scores level when keeping out di Maria’s thunderous low drive from 30m out.

On 38 minutes Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was forced into an unscripted change of personnel when Sergio Aguero limped off to be replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

As the interval approached Messi struck a peach of a free kick from outside the box, only denied by another fine save from Enyeama.

But the Lille stopper couldn’t perform the same heroics when from a near identical position shortly after another Messi free kick thudded into the near corner for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Musa levelled only two minutes into the second half when, getting the better of Argentine defenders Federico Fernandez and Marcos Rojo, he clipped the ball past Romero.

In an at times breathtaking encounter Rojo bagged his first international goal three minutes later, knocking the ball home with his knee off a corner after Nigeria failed to clear Ezequiel Garay’s header.

With his work done Sabella rested Messi on the hour, Ricardo Alvarez coming on in his place.

Musa had ‘hat-trick’ flashing in front of his eyes in the final quarter of an hour when he cut inside Pablo Zabaleta only for the Manchester City defender to produce a superb tackel to deny him the scoring opportunity.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 26- FIFA on Thursday banned Uruguay striker Luis Suarez for nine international matches and barred him from all football activities for four months for biting an Italian opponent.

The heaviest punishment ever inflicted on a player at a World Cup finals effectively booted Suarez out of the tournament in shame following his clash with Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday.

It is the third time that the 27-year-old Liverpool forward, one of the most brilliant footballers in the world, but also one of the most temperamental, has been banned for biting an opponent.

“Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field,” said FIFA Disciplinary Committee chairman Claudio Sulser in a statement.

“The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suarez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the (FIFA disciplinary) code,” he added.

The nine match ban would be effective immediately, ruling him out of Uruguay’s World Cup second round match on Saturday against Colombia, FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said.

As part of the ban on football activities, Suarez will not be allowed into a stadium for four months. He was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs (82,000 euros, $112,000).

FIFA said that Suarez was told of the ban on Thursday. Uruguayan officials had previously insisted there was not enough evidence to take action against him.

Suarez bit Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy in World Cup Group D on Tuesday.

The referee did not immediately see the incident but FIFA ordered an inquiry straight after the match following protests by Chiellini, who claimed he was bitten and who showed off teeth marks on his shoulder. Images of the bite spread on the internet.

Suarez had initially shrugged off the incident. “These are just things that happen out on the pitch. It was just the two of us inside the area and he bumped into me with his shoulder,” Suarez told Uruguayan television.

Suarez was dubbed ‘the cannibal of Ajax’ after he bit PSV Einhoven’s Otman Bakkal shoulder in a Dutch league game in November 2010. Suarez was later handed a seven game ban.

In April 2013, he bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic’s on the arm in a Premier League match. He was given a 10 game suspension for that offence.

The Uruguayan has also been in trouble over on the field comments. He hurled racial abuse at Manchester United’s Patrice Evra during a Premier League game in October 2011.

The English FA banned him for eight matches and fined him 40,000 pounds. He refused to shake hands with Evra when the two teams met later that season.

His ban will run until the end of October, meaning he would miss around two months of the 2014/15 Premier League season.

FULL FIFA TEXT

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision in the case related to Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that:

“· The player Luis Suárez is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 lit. d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) (assault), and art. 57 of the FDC (an act of unsporting behaviour towards another player).

“· The player Luis Suárez is to be suspended for nine (9) official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay on 28 June 2014. The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay’s next FIFA World Cup match(es), as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2a) of the FDC.

“· The player Luis Suárez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four (4) months in accordance with art. 22 of the FDC.

“· A stadium ban is pronounced against the player Luis Suárez in accordance with art. 21 of the FDC as follows: the player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban (point 3). The player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium in which the representative team of Uruguay is playing while he has to serve the nine-match suspension (point 2).

“· The player Luis Suárez is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 Swiss francs.

“The decision was notified to the player and the Uruguayan FA today.

“‘Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field. The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated,’ said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 27 – Head Coach Jerome Paarwater has handed Martin Owila his full international debut as the Kenya squad to face Namibia in the Confederation of Africa Rugby Cup opener on Saturday was released.

The Nakuru RFC man starts at number eight in a backrow that comprises Brian Nyikuli and Mike Okombe at openside and blindside flank.

Oliver Mang’eni and captain Wilson K’Opondo are at second row with the Kang’ethe twins James and Joseph starting at loosehead and tighthead with hooker Sammy Warui completing the front row.

Lavin Asego starts at fly half, partnering with scrum half Edwin Achayo while Patrice Agunda and Humphrey Kayange feature in midfield.

Wings Dennis Muhanji, Collins Injera and fullback Tony Onyango complete the back three.

“The team has settled in well, they are well aware of the task at hand and have prepared their ammunition for the battle on Saturday,” team manager, Wangila Simiyu, said from Antannarivo Friday.

The match kicks off at 1.00pm local time (+3GMT) with the winner of the round robin tournament that also features the hosts and Zimbabwe qualifying for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Kenya squad to face Namibia

15. Tony Onyango, 14. Collins Injera, 13. Humphrey Kayange, 12. Patrice Agunda, 11. Dennis Muhanji, 10. Lavin Asego, 9. Edwin Achayo, 8. Martin Owila, 7. Michael Okombe, 6. Brian Nyikuli, 5. Wilson K’Opondo (captain), 4. Oliver Mang’eni, 3. James Kang’ethe, 2. Samuel Warui, 1. Joseph Kang’ethe

Reserves: 16. Maxwell Adaka, 17. Curtis Lilako, 18. Moses Amusala, 19. Ronnie Mwenesi, 20.

ANTANANARIVO, June 28 – Kenya upset Namibia and Zimbabwe walloped hosts Madagascar on Saturday as the struggle to represent Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup began.

A try by Andrew Amonde midway through the second half earned Kenya a come-from-behind 29-22 victory over Namibia, who represented the continent at the past four editions of the quadrennial tournament.

Loose forward Jacques Leitao snatched four tries as Zimbabwe turned a seven-point half-time advantage into a 57-22 triumph over Madagascar before a 35,000 crowd at Stade Mahamasina.

Each country plays its three opponents once with the mini-league winners joining title-holders New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia in Pool C.

The runners-up visit Siberia for a repechage semi-final against Russia and the victors tackle Uruguay or Hong Kong for a Pool A slot beside England, Australia, Wales and Fiji.

Pre-tournament favourites Namibia started impressively with two Heinrich Smit tries inside 12 minutes and Kenya did not score until the final minute of the half when Humphrey Kayange touched down.

But further tries from Michael Okombe and Edwin Achayo lifted the Kenyan Lions into a 19-12 lead six minutes into the second half.

Theuns Kotze converted a Chrysander Botha try and kicked a penalty to give Namibia the advantage again only for Kenya to score twice within five minutes.

Lavin Asego potted a penalty and converted the Amonde try to raise hopes of a first Kenyan appearance at the World Cup.

A much heavier Zimbabwe pack helped build an early 22-point lead before Madagascar scored two tries and narrowed the deficit to 22-15 at the break.

But the second half belonged to the visitors, who crossed the try-line five times and boosted their chances of returning to the rugby union showpiece after a 24-year absence.

Namibia play Zimbabwe and Madagascar meet Kenya on Wednesday in the second series of matches.

RIO DE JANEIRO- Brazil advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday after holding their nerve to down Chile on penalties.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, saving twice in the shoot-out before Chile defender Gonzalo Jara’s final spot-kick crashed off the woodwork to hand the World Cup hosts a 3-2 win.

The shoot-out drama unfolded after a pulsating game at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao Stadium after 120 minutes of normal and extra-time ended with the South American rivals locked at 1-1.

Brazil, roared on by their partisan support, started strongly, taking the lead through a goal credited to David Luiz after 18 minutes.

Neymar swung a corner in from the left and the Paris Saint-Germain defender rose to turn the ball into the net although replays showed it was helped on by Chile defender Gonzalo Jara.

But Chile came roaring back and equalised after 32 minutes, Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez punishing slack play in the penalty area to slot past Julio Cesar.

Brazil had a goal controversially disallowed in the second half, when striker Hulk was adjudged to have used his arm to control a long ball before shooting past Claudio Bravo.

Brazil’s players protested furiously but English referee Howard Webb remained unmoved.

A thrilling finale to extra-time almost saw Chile snatch a sensational victory when striker Mauricio Pinilla saw a shot crash back off the woodwork in the dying seconds with Cesar beaten.

Later Saturday, a Uruguay team fuelled by a sense of injustice face Colombia at the Maracana Stadium in the day’s other last 16 clash.

Uruguay have adopted a siege mentality after Luis Suarez was kicked out of the World Cup on Thursday for biting, insisting the star striker is innocent.

Coach Oscar Tabarez angrily hit out at Suarez’s treatment in his eve-of-match press conference on Friday, insisting the player had been made a “scapegoat.”

And Tabarez warned the controversy had left his players determined to extend their stay at the World Cup.

“We are hurt, but with our outstanding force and more than ever tomorrow (Saturday), we will do our utmost,” Tabarez declared.

As Uruguay prepared for Saturday’s battle, further details of the disciplinary hearing which led to Suarez’s worldwide four-month ban from football emerged.

According to a copy of the FIFA disciplinary committee judgement seen by AFP, Suarez denied biting or attempting to bite Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.

He claimed he had lost his balance before the incident and stumbled into Chiellini’s shoulder.

“I lost my balance and ended up falling on my opponent (Chiellini),” Suarez said in his submission to the panel.

“At that moment, my face hit the player (Chiellini) leaving a small bruise and sharp pain in the teeth.”

“In no case what has been described as a bite or attempting to bite happened.”

FIFA disciplinary chiefs remained unimpressed, however, finding that Suarez had bitten Chiellini “deliberately, intentionally and without provocation.”

The panel also noted in its judgement Suarez had not “any repentance, remorse, or acknowledgement” of wrongdoing.