CARDIFF, August 13- Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged new team-mates Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez and homecoming hero Gareth Bale as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 2-0 in Cardiff on Tuesday to win the UEFA Super Cup.

World Cup stars Kroos and Rodriguez were making their Madrid debuts, while Bale was returning to his hometown, but it was Ronaldo, characteristically, who hogged the spotlight with a brace in the Welsh capital.

The Portugal captain claimed a 30th-minute opener from Bale’s cross and then slammed home a second goal shortly after half-time to earn the European champions what could be the first of six trophies this season.

While 80-million-euro ($108 million) new recruit Rodriguez had a modest debut, Madrid’s new-look attack — which cost roughly 310 million euros to assemble — showed ominous flashes of quality.

Victory gave Madrid only their second Super Cup, after a maiden triumph in 2002, and enabled Carlo Ancelotti’s side to avenge a costly 2-1 loss at the hands of Europa League winners Sevilla in La Liga last season.

While Ancelotti named both Kroos and Rodriguez in his starting XI, Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno was omitted from his side’s match-day squad amid reports he is on the verge of joining Liverpool.

With Kroos sitting in front of the back four and Rodriguez to his left in a 4-3-3 shape, Madrid quickly assumed control of the game at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Bale and then Ronaldo, with a free-kick, saw efforts deflected narrowly off-target, before Bale’s outside-of-the-foot volley from a Rodriguez left-wing cross was blocked by a defender.

- Madrid forwards click -

A misplaced pass by Daniel Carvajal gave Sevilla winger Vitolo a chance to shoot at goal, obliging Iker Casillas to save at his near post, but Madrid were soon back on the front foot.

After Federico Fazio headed a deflected cross from Fabio Coentrao off his own line and Sevilla goalkeeper Beto blocked sharply from Ronaldo, Madrid’s lavishly assembled forward line clicked into gear for what their fans hope will be the first goal of many.

When a Sevilla attack broke down, Ronaldo flashed a pass inside to Rodriguez, who immediately sprayed the ball wide to Bale on the left flank.

The Cardiff-born Welshman took a touch before sending a fine, searching cross towards the back post, where Ronaldo powered in to volley home.

Moments later, a shanked clearance from Rodriguez meant that Casillas had to save from Daniel Carrico, but Madrid were good value for their half-time lead.

Ronaldo doubled his side’s lead, and his personal tally, four minutes into the second period, gathering a pass from Karim Benzema and walloping a left-foot shot past international colleague Beto.

Beto prevented Madrid from extending their lead by clawing away a shot from Benzema and then brilliantly blocking a crisp strike by Colombia star Rodriguez, who made way for Isco with 18 minutes to play.

Beto also produced a late flying save to thwart Bale, who was unable to crown his return to Cardiff with a goal, but who has now won three titles in his first 12 months at Madrid.

MANCHESTER, August 13- Louis van Gaal’s first match at Old Trafford as Manchester United manager ended in victory after Marouane Fellaini’s injury-time goal sealed a 2-1 friendly win over Spanish side Valencia on Tuesday.

The Dutch boss, who took over after leading the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup last month, was left with plenty to ponder ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Swansea.

Wayne Rooney, captain for the night, missed a penalty but Darren Fletcher drove in United’s opener shortly after the interval only for Rodrigo to equalise in the 71st minute before Fellaini scored his first goal in United colours.

Van Gaal, given the task of returning United to winning ways after David Moyes, Alex Ferguson’s chosen successor was sacked towards the end of a season where the club finished seventh in the Premier League, received a huge cheer as he emerged from the tunnel to supervise the warm-up.

He also endeared himself to the United fans by greeting lots of them at the front of the South Stand as he made his way to the dug-out after half-time.

With Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia, Nani, Anderson and Wilfried Zaha, as well as the injured Michael Carrick, among those watching from the stands, van Gaal selected a makeshift side.

Defender Tyler Blackett, who has featured regularly throughout pre-season, started as one of three centre-backs, with Ashley Young and Reece James playing as wing-backs.

Although under less pressure, the defence retained the ball far better than in their recent 3-1 friendly win over Liverpool.

Ander Herrera, making his first home appearance since joining from Athletic Bilbao, impressed with his willingness to dictate play sitting in front of the back four.

- Valencia’s sharp start -

But van Gaal will want to see much more from his new team when the competitive action starts on Saturday.

Nuno Santo’s Valencia do not begin their La Liga campaign until they face Sevilla on August 23 but they started with the greater impetus, midfielder Sofiane Feghouli driving over from distance in the early stages.

The visitors looked sharp on the break and after Herrera was robbed by Feghouli, Rodrigo’s clever pass put the midfielder through only for Feghouli to shoot straight at David de Gea.

United had the chance to move in front when a great ball from Herrera picked out Young and the wing-back’s first time cross looked set to be headed in by Rooney only for the forward to go down dramatically under Antonio Barragan’s challenge.

The England striker struck the spot-kick against the post but United took the lead three minutes into the second half.

Young’s corner was flicked on by Mata and Fletcher’s deflected effort from the edge of the area beat goalkeeper Diego Alves.

Valencia almost drew level when Rodrigo found space behind the United defence but defender Phil Jones pulled off an impressive sliding challenge to divert the ball.

But with just under 20 minutes remaining, the visitors did manage an equaliser when Tom Cleverley, one of several United substitutes on just after the hour mark, failed to deal with a whipped Pablo Piatti free-kick that Rodrigo turned in at the far post.

Valencia should have had a second goal when Piatti turned the ball past the near post after getting on the end of Rodrigo’s cross.

United substitute Adnan Januzaj opened up the Valencia defence with a sliding pass only for Rooney to lift his shot over from 20 yards.

Fellaini is reportedly facing an uncertain future at United, a year after he joined from Everton, but he controlled a long ball forward from Blackett before rolling his shot into an empty net.

LONDON, August 13- Chelsea’s new striker Diego Costa took just 57 seconds to score his first goal at Stamford Bridge as the Spaniard’s double secured a 2-0 friendly win over Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho spent much of last term complaining about his lack of quality attacking options and Romelu Lukaku, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba have all been sent packing to make room for Costa and returning Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

On the evidence of Costa’s maiden outing in west London, the £32 million ($53 million) Mourinho splashed out to sign the 25-year-old from Atletico Madrid should prove an astute investment.

Costa was on the scoresheet with a cool finish less than a minute into his home debut and he added a second goal in the seventh minute, while proving a constant threat to the Sociedad defence before being replaced to a standing ovation on the hour.

Although Costa was the headline act, Mourinho will also have been encouraged by a solid home debut from Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas following his move from Barcelona and a composed outing from Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is tipped to push Petr Cech for his place this season.

It was a satisfying conclusion to Chelsea’s pre-season preparations and the Blues will go into their Premier League opener at Burnley next Monday as a stronger unit than the one that finished without a trophy last season.

Mourinho’s side were back at the Bridge for the first time since their final home fixture of last season against Norwich served as an emotional farewell for Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole — and much has changed in those three short months.

After finishing last season empty-handed, Mourinho, under pressure to deliver silverware, has carried out an £80 million overhaul of his squad.

Most of the focus is on Costa, who fired Atletico to a surprise Spanish title last season, and he took less than 60 seconds to make a good first impression on his new supporters.

It was a perfect demonstration of the qualities Costa will bring to Chelsea as he made a clever run off the shoulder of his marker, calmly collected a Ramires pass and slotted his clinical low shot past Enaut Zubikarai from an acute angle into the far corner.

Chelsea were tearing through the Spanish side’s defence every time they attacked and there were only seven minutes gone when Costa notched his fourth goal of the pre-season.

This time Andre Schurrle was granted time and space on the edge of the penalty area by Sociedad’s statuesque back-line and the German World Cup winner curled a shot that struck the far post before rebounding to the unmarked Costa for a simple tap-in.

After that electric start, there was a rather more sedate feel to the rest of the half as Chelsea went through the motions against obviously inferior opposition.

Fabregas, preferred to Oscar in the playmaker’s role behind lone striker Costa, caught the eye at times as he shuttled enthusiastically around midfield and dictated the tempo of Chelsea’s attacks.

Mourinho made a host of changes in a low-key second half, including giving former Atletico left-back Filipe Luis his home debut.

Costa went close to completing his hat-trick when he flashed a low effort just wide from Eden Hazard’s cross.

But Mourinho may want to wrap Costa in cotton wool before next week’s opener because his replacement Fernando Torres, continuing the theme of his miserable time at Chelsea, squandered a chance to add a third goal when he headed wastefully over.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 13- Jairus Birech and Hellen Obiri ended Kenya’s wait for gold at the 19th Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Morocco on a night the country’s runners re-established distance running supremacy following a stuttering start to the biennial competition.

Birech, who surprisingly going by this season’s form, lost the Commonwealth title to Jonathan Ndiku, reversed the roles when he led the freshly minted Club Games winner to the altar as triple world and two-time Olympics champion, won his second bronze for the Kenyan 3000m steeplechase podium sweep.

Before the dust settled, Worlds bronze medallist Hellen Obiri gave Kenya the second top medal in the women’s 1500m as she turned the tables on Commonwealth champion, Faith Chepng’etich who was forced down to fifth.

Birech took the honours in 8:34.79 with Ndiku clocking 8:37.67 for the second medal, two seconds ahead of Kemboi who saw his dreams of winning a first ever African title end for another edition.

Birech who settled for silver in Glasgow, will now turn his attention to the Diamond League where he just needs a point to lift the coveted circuit trophy.

It was revenge of some sorts for Obiri who was forced to sixth at the Club Games against the athlete was unstoppable at the day Chepng’etich as she crossed the line unchallenged in a rather pedestrian 4:09.53.

Chepg’etich a former world junior champion faded to fifth in 4:13.46 while Selah Jepleting was eighth in a race that Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum bagged silver while Moroccan Rababa Arafi gave the hosts bronze.

In the men’s 800m, inform Botswana’s Amos Nijel was in his own class after defeating Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman to add the continental crown to his Commonwealth gold.

Kenyans Ferguson Rotich and Evans Kipkorir found the going tough to finish outside the medal bracket in fourth and fifth respectively.

After proving to be too good to Olympic and World record holder David Rudisha, Nijel clocked 1:48.54 to grab the honours ahead of the World Indoor champion took silver in 1:48.74, two-hundredth of a second deciding the winner in a flying finish.

Defending champion Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi settled for bronze in 1:49.74.

In sprints, Borniface Mucheru failed to better his Porto Novo performance after bagging bronze once again in the 400m in 45.07 behind Bostwana’s Isaac Makwala who won gold in 44.23 to set a new championship record ahead of South African Wayde Van Niekerk.

Maureen Jelagat finished fifth in the corresponding women’s race while Nicholas Bett settled for the third medal over the 400m Hurdles.

Kenya finished fourth in both men and women’s 4x100m relays with the quartet of Stephen Barasa, Solomon Buoga, Tonny Chirchir and Walter Moenga clocking 40.10 as Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria ran to the podium.

Collated results

400 m men

1 Isaac MAKWALA BOT 44.23 RC

2 Wayde VAN NIEKERK RSA 45.00

3 Boniface MUCHERU KEN 45.07

4 Savior KOMBE ZAM 45.27

5 Mohamed KHWAJA LBA 45.40

800m men.

1 Nijel AMOS BOT 1:48.54

2 Mohammed AMAN ETH 1:48.74

3 Taoufik MAKHLOUFI ALG 1:49.08

4 Ferguson Rotich KEN 1:49.10

5 Evans KIPKORIR KEN 1:49.47

6 Alberto MAMBA MOZ 1:49.63

7 Antoine GAKEME BDI 1:49.74

8 Amine ELMANAOUI MAR 1:49.93

1500m women

1 Hellen Obiri OSANDO KEN 4:09.53

2 Dawit SEYAUM BIRATU ETH 4:10.92

3 Rabab ARAFI MAR 4:12.08

4 Axumawit EMBAYE ABRAHA ETH 4:13.27

5 Faith Chepnget KIPYEGON KEN 4:13.46

6 Habiba GHRIBI TUN 4:14.51

7 Baso SADO ETH 4:17.51

8 Selah JEPLETING KEN 4:19.24

9 Sanae ELOTHMANI MAR 4:21.61

10 Merhawit GHIDE ERI 4:30.03

3000m steeple chase men

1 Jairus Kipchoge BIRECH KEN 8:34.79

2 Jonathan Ndiku MUIA KEN 8:37.67

3 Ezekiel KEMBOI KEN 8:39.30

4 Chala BEYO TECHO ETH 8:40.02

5 Amor YAHIA TUN 8:44.61

6 Hamid EZZINE MAR 8:46.90

7 Tafese SOBOKA JIMMA ETH 8:50.31

8 Abrham HABTE ERI 8:50.37

9 Jaouad CHEMLAL MAR 8:52.50

10 Soufiane ELBAKKALI MAR 8:59.66

MANCHESTER, August 13- Louis van Gaal feels he will need far longer to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around despite completing the pre-season with six wins out of six.

United rounded off their schedule of pre-season fixtures with a 2-1 win over Valencia on Tuesday, giving the Dutchman, who took over after leading the Netherlands to third place at the World Cup last month, victory in his first match as Red Devils boss at Old Trafford.

They now face Swansea in their Premier League opener at home on Saturday but van Gaal is unsure whether Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia, who sat out Tuesday’s match through injury, will be available.

With those three sidelined, Van Gaal had Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Tyler Blackett at centre-back, with Ashley Young and Reece James playing as wing-backs and Michael Keane the only defender on the bench against Spanish side Valencia.

Left-back Shaw and midfielder Ander Herrera have been the only new signings so far this pre-season, although United are widely reported to have made a £16 million offer for Sporting Lisbon’s 24-year-old Argentina centre-back Marcos Rojo.

Including a goalless draw against Inter Milan, which they went on to win on penalties, United have record victories over LA Galaxy, Roma, Real Madrid and bitter rivals Liverpool during their pre-season campaign.

However, van Gaal believes the win over Valencia, secured with an injury-time goal from substitute Marouane Fellaini, was the worst performance yet as United get to grips with his ideas.

And he warned fans not to expect too much early in his United reign, with the club looking to bounce back after finishing, by their standards, a lowly seventh in the Premier League last term, with David Moyes sacked as manager before seeing out his first season in charge despite being retired boss Alex Ferguson’s chosen successor.

- ‘Big pressure’ -

“It was fantastic,” said van Gaal of the way he was greeted by United’s fans.

“Coming on the pitch and they are shouting and screaming your name, but there’s also big pressure because they expect a lot and you can’t change everything in three or four weeks and the players can’t change either.

“We have to wait and see and develop and we need time, but we have won every game to now and that’s fantastic when you see our opponents.

“We have great confidence to play against Swansea.

He added: “I think we have a lot of injuries now and we can’t forget that.

“Jonny Evans was injured, Shaw was injured and Valencia was injured and they are three defenders.

“We have to wait and see if they can play on Saturday but the main thing is that we have won in spite of playing our worst game.”

Wayne Rooney missed a penalty against Valencia in the first half before Darren Fletcher’s deflected effort put the hosts ahead just after the break.

Rodrigo Moreno pulled one back when Tom Cleverley failed to clear Pablo Piatti’s free-kick.

But in added time at the end, Fellaini, whose every touch had been ironically cheered by home fans, controlled a long ball and rolled into the net for his first United goal since joining from Everton a year ago.

Van Gaal wants to see more from his team in the weeks ahead,” saying: “The boys want to show our capacity what we have shown in the United States too much and that is also not good.

“We made a lot of wrong choices, wrong passes and we didn’t press too much but in spite of that I think Valencia is a very good team, very comfortable on the ball so it is not easy to press.

“But in spite of that we have dominated the game, only in 15 minutes in the second half we are not dominating, I think, and at the end we are the winner because we are fighting until the last minute and that is also a good signal, I believe.”

CARDIFF, August 13 – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side were on the verge of a new cycle of success after they beat Sevilla 2-0 to win the UEFA Super Cup.

The European champions began Tuesday’s game in Cardiff with new signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos in the starting XI, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who proved the match-winner with a well-taken double.

Along with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, Madrid now boast an attack that cost around 310 million euros ($414 million) to assemble, and Ancelotti has set them a target of winning all six of the trophies on offer this season.

“I think we might be starting a very important cycle, because we have a squad of extraordinary quality,” he said.

“I’m fortunate to coach some outstanding players. We need to work very hard and make the necessary sacrifices. We can reach the highest heights and compete in all the competitions.”

He added: “It’s hard to improve this team. We have an outstanding set of players and what’s important is to use the squad to its full capacity.

“I can’t think that with this squad I can have a permanent starting XI because they’re all outstanding players and to be competitive in all competitions, we need to rotate our players and use the whole squad.”

Madrid employed a rapid, counter-attacking style last season, which ended with successes in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Kroos and Rodriguez are both more considered players than the jet-heeled Ronaldo and Bale, but Ancelotti does not believe that Madrid will have to change their tactical approach in order to accommodate them.

“I don’t think the style will change from last year,” he said.

“We can still use counter-attacks and fast breaks. Kroos played in the same position as Xabi Alonso and with the same purpose, to circulate the ball and whenever possible, to use the speed of our forwards.”

- Ronaldo ‘a bit nervous’ -

Ronaldo, who has now scored 18 goals against Sevilla in his career, praised Madrid’s two new recruits.

“Kroos and James are integrating very well and I wish them all the best in their adaptation,” he said. “They did well. They’re fantastic players.”

Colombian World Cup star Rodriguez, an 80-million-euro acquisition from Monaco, told reporters: “I’m very happy. I hope it’s the first of many titles.”

Ronaldo struggled with a knee problem during the World Cup and having played only once in pre-season prior to Tuesday’s game, he admitted that he had been apprehensive about his return to competitive action.

“It was my first official match this season and I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I felt good,” he said, after receiving the man-of-the-match award from his former Manchester United mentor Alex Ferguson.

“It’s the trophy I wanted because I hadn’t won it yet. I was a bit nervous to see how I’d feel on the pitch. I think I managed to work well with the team and I’m happy with both goals.”

Ancelotti described Ronaldo as “the best player on the pitch”.

“He scored two fantastic goals and played really well all game,” the Italian added.

Sevilla have accepted a bid from Liverpool for left-back Alberto Moreno, who was omitted from their match-day squad by coach Unai Emery.

The 22-year-old Spain international is poised to follow Barcelona new recruit Ivan Rakitic out of the club, but Emery said that Sevilla could still prosper without them.

“Sevilla has had outstanding players who have left and Sevilla have continued to be successful,” he said.

“We could talk about Alberto Moreno, Rakitic, Jesus Navas, Frederic Kanoute, Adriano, Seydou Keita. And Sevilla have always returned and come back as a strong squad.

“We know how to rebuild our team and continue to be successful. Change doesn’t scare me.”

LONDON, August 13 – Wayne Rooney became the first captain of Manchester United under new manager Louis van Gaal, it was announced Tuesday.

The 28-year-old England striker succeeds Nemanja Vidic after the Serbia defender left the club at the end of last season to join Inter Milan.

“For me it’s always very important the choice of captain,” said van Gaal in a club statement issued after United’s 2-1 friendly win against Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

“Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does. I have been very impressed by his professionalism and his attitude to training and to my philosophy.

“He is a great inspiration to the younger members of the team and I believe he will put his heart and soul into his captaincy role.”

BUENOS AIRES, August 12- Gerardo Martino was named coach of Argentina on Tuesday replacing Alejandro Sabella who stood down after they lost 1-0 to Germany in July’s World Cup final.

Martino, 51, gets the job despite a trophyless season with Spanish giants Barcelona which resulted in him being sacked.

“The coach Gerardo Daniel Martino will on Thursday take up his functions as technical director of the national side,” read a statement on the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) website.

“He replaces Alejandro Sabella whose contract with the AFA ended after the World Cup in Brazil.”

Martino’s first target will be next year’s Copa America in Chile.

Sabella, who took over after Argentina failed to win the Copa America on home soil in 2011, guided the Argentinians to their first World Cup final since 1990.

However, despite losing narrowly to the Germans – a Mario Goetze goal in extra-time proving the difference, the highly-praised Sabella refused the AFA’s offer to sign a new contract taking him up to 2018.

Martino for his part earned respect for his handling of the Paraguay national side whom he guided to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.

The 31-year-old Briton pulled clear of Ali Kaya, the naturalised Turkish runner formerly known as Stanley Kiprotich Mukche of Kenya in the final 100m to win the fourth European track title/XINHUA

ZURICH, Aug 14 – Normal service was resumed by Mo Farah as the World and Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion emerged from months of illness and disappointing form to win the 10,000m title at the European Athletics Championships on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Briton pulled clear of Ali Kaya, the naturalised Turkish runner formerly known as Stanley Kiprotich Mukche of Kenya in the final 100m to win the fourth European track title of his career in 28 mins 08.11sec.

“I really wanted to run the Commonwealth Games but couldn’t, so this means a lot to me,” said Farah, who was congratulated on his lap of honour by his good friend, Olympic 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt.

Farah’s Great Britain team-mate Andy Vernon snatched the silver medal from Kaya, clocking 28:08.66.

Farah was one of three British winners, making four golds in two days following Jo Pavey’s victory in the women’s 10,000m on Tuesday.

The withdrawal of French sprinter Jimmy Vicaut with a hamstring injury left the door open for James Dasaolu in the men’s 100m and the 26-year-old Londoner – who lost the European indoor 60m title to Vicaut by the thickness of his vest last year – seized his opportunity.

He prevailed in 10.06sec, finishing 0.07sec clear of two-time winner Christophe Lemaitre of France.

The battle for bronze was even closer, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey edging out veteran British team-mate Dwain Chambers by 0.02sec with a time of 10.22sec.

“It’s a great feeling to be the European champion,” said Dasaolu.

“I’m still trying to take it all in.”

The other British triumph came in the 100m hurdles, the US-born Tiffany Porter edging out Cindy Billaud of France by 0.03sec with a winning time of 12.76sec.

There was joy for France in the women’s long jump, however.

World indoor champion Eloyse Leseur retained the continental title she won in Helsinki two years ago, courtesy of a fourth round leap of 6.85m.

There was a historic moment in the women’s 100m final, the heptathlete turned sprinter Dafne Schippers becoming the first Dutch winner since the great Fanny Blankers-Koen in 1950.

Schippers started the clear favourite but had to dig deep to resist the challenge of Myriam Soumaire, beating the Frenchwoman by 0.04sec in 11.12sec, with Britain’s Ashleigh Nelson taking bronze in 11.22sec.

“It is a great honour,” Schippers said.

“I hope that my fans and my country are as happy as I am.”

Robert Harting was so happy to retain his discus title he removed his German vest and kissed the badge, resisting the temptation to rip it in two – a trademark celebration that has drawn the threat of a lawsuit from one disgruntled fellow countryman on the grounds of “insulting the state and its symbols.”

Harting’s third round throw of 66.07m earned him victory ahead of Estonia’s Gerd Kanter (64.75m) and Pole Robert Urbanek (63.81).

Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus emerged from the ten events of the decathlon with a winning tally of 8,616 points.

The first medals on day two were claimed in the morning in the men’s 20km walk, just two seconds separating the first four athletes at the finish.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Lopez won by a solitary second in 1hr 19min 44sec, edging out Aleksandr Ivanov of Russia. Ivanov’s team mate Denis Strelkov was just a second further back, snatching the bronze medal by an even tighter margin, clocking the same time as Ukraine’s Rusian Dmytrenko.

The two clubs confirmed the deal on Wednesday night after Atsu passed a medical/XINHUA

LONDON, August 14 – Everton have signed Ghana winger Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea, the Merseyside club announced.

The two clubs confirmed the deal on Wednesday night after Atsu passed a medical.

He could make his Everton debut in their Premier League opener at Leicester City on Saturday.

“I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here,” Atsu told evertontv.

“Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream.

“This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”

Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto last year and spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, with whom the London club have a strategic partnership.

He started all three of Ghana’s matches at the World Cup in Brazil.

“He’s a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

“He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.”

Atsu is Everton’s fourth close-season signing, following Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic and record signing Romelu Lukaku who also arrived from Chelsea.

Federation has given Adel Amrouche until Friday to show why his contract as Harambee Stars head coach should not be terminated/XINHUA

At the same, the federation has given Adel Amrouche until Friday to show why his contract as Harambee Stars head coach should not be terminated; accusing the Belgian of disgracing the nation after CAF slapped him with a one year ban for allegedly spitting on a match official against Comoros in May.

Amrouche was sacked with the entire technical bench but it turns out his five-year contract which commenced in February 2013 has yet to be terminated.

In a statement released by FKF, a seven member committee chaired by Professor Moni Wekesa has been appointed to investigate the cause of defeat that saw Kenya eliminated in the continental show piece, among them possible match fixing, the conduct of the coach and that of the technical director.

“The outcome of the Lesotho fixture in both legs was not ordinary and the scheming around the two matches left a lot to be desired. The general conduct of head coach Amrouche who was serving a CAF suspension left his official assistants divided and undermined by the singular action of designating an individual unknown to the federation to be the acting head coach for the match,” part of the statement sent on Thursday read.

It continued to say “The fielding and tactical approach to the match did not show the right intentions and was clear the technical bench either underestimated the opponent without due understanding of the gravity of the match or deliberately undermined the expectation s of the Kenyans.”

“Arising from the observation above, we have set up an inquiry on the match with specific terms to probe possible match fixing or sabotage. In doing this, the seven member team will investigate the conduct of the technical bench, communication trends involving members of the team meeting or interactions with individuals within and out of the Kenyan football circles,” the statement signed by FKF chief executive Michael Esakwa declared.

Other members appointed in the committee are former Gor Mahia coach James Siang’a, Bob Oyugi, John Ngururi, former international Dr JJ Masiga, FIFA referees instructor Gladys Waweru and Fred Ashimosi who have three weeks to submit the report.

The resolutions were released after a National Executive Meeting held in Nairobi on Thursday, a day that saw Harambee Stars drop nine places in the FIFA rankings (from 95 to 104) with Lesotho rising 26 places up to sit just a place below Stars.

FKF boss Sam Nyamweya had on August 3 fired the entire technical bench and disbanded the national team immediately they were bundled out of the continental showpiece pre-qualifiers.

He went ahead to appoint Bobby Williamson as Harambee Stars coach.

Sum crosses the finish line during the women’s 800m final at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games/XINHUA-File

However, there was disappointments in the men’s 1,500m where two-time world winner Asbel Kiprop was beaten to silver in 3:42.58 by Djibouti’s Souleimaan Hassa as Ronald Kipkemboi settled for bronze in a race that saw Club Games champion James Magut fade to fifth.

The women’s 3000m steeple chase was even worse after failing to reciprocate the Glasgow performance where they clinched a podium sweep, when Commonwealth winner Purity Kirui finished sixth ahead of compatriot Joan Chepkirui in a race that Worlds Milcah Chemos withdrew for Ethiopian Hiwot Ayalew to enjoy the victory in a new record of 9:29.54.

The highlight of the night was in the women’s 800m where unstoppable Sum picked her third major title since Moscow Worlds after outsprinting Jepkosgei (1:59.74) in 1:59.45 before Agatha completed the rout in 1:59.84.

Yego who improved his Glasgow throw by more than a metre, retained his continental crown after setting a distance of 84.72m ahead of Egypt’s Abdelrahman Elsayed who won silver while South African Oosthuizen Robert bagged bronze.

Ndiku dominated in the middle distance once again beating Worlds bronze medallist Isaiah Kiplagat to take the honour in 13:34.27 ahead of Kiplagat’s 13:35.73 with Eritrean Abrar Osman spoiling the party to settle for bronze as Joseph Kitur came in fourth.
In sprints, USA based Calvin Nkanata gave Kenya her first medal in the 200m after scooping bronze in 20.53 behind Ivorian Wilfred Koffi (20.25) and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala (20.51).

Francisca Koki set a Kenyan record of 55.32 in the women’s hurdles in a race that was won by South African Wenda Theron in 55.32 with Amaka Ogoegbunam giving Nigeria silver in 55.46.

The quartet of Jacinta Shikanda, Koki, Jepkosgei and Maureen Jelagat bagged silver in the women’s 4x100m relays (3:32.26) while their male counterparts of Mark Mutai, Solomon Buoga, Nicholas Bett and Boniface Mucheru managed a bronze in 3:07.35.

Collated results.
Men 200m
1. Wilfred KOFFI CIV 20.25 RN
2. Isaac MAKWALA BOT 20.51
3. Carvin NKANATA KEN 20.53
4. Ncinciihli TITI RSA 20.63
5. Jammeh ADAMA GAM 20.80
Women 400m Hurdles
1. THERON NEL Wenda RSA 55.32 2
2. OGOEGBUNAM Amaka NGR 55.46
3. KOKI Francisca KEN 55.84 RN
4. LAMBARKI Hayat MAR 55.93
5. EBERSOHN Anneri RSA 56.71
Women 800m
1. Eunice SUM KEN 1:59.45
2. Janeth JEPKOSGEI KEN 1:59.74
3. Agatha JERUTO KEN 1:59.84
4. Tigst ASSEFA ETH 2:00.43
5. Noelie YARIGO BEN 2:01.64
Men 1,500m
1. Souleimaan Hassa AYANLEH DJI 3:42.49
2. Asbel KIPROP KEN 3:42.58
3. Ronald KIPKEMBOI KEN 3:42.59
4. M GEBREMEDHIN WOLDEGIORG ETH 3:42.65
5. James MAGUT KEN 3:43.82
Men 5,000
1. Caleb MWANGANGI KEN 13:34.27
2. Kiplangat Isaiah KOECH KEN 13:35.73
3. Abrar OSMAN ERI 13:36.42
4. Joseph KITUR KEN 13:39.12
5. Yenew ALAMIREW ETH 13:45.86
Women 20km Walk
1. Grace WANJIRU KEN 1:37:04
2. Emily NGII KEN 1:38:12
3. Askale TIKSA ETH 1:40:05 RN
4. Chahinez NASRI TUN 1:42:55
5. Yehualye BELETE ETH 1:47:33
Men 20km Walk
1. Lebogang SHANGE RSA 1:26:58
2. Samuel GATHIMBA KEN 1:27:11
3. Mohamed AMEUR ALG 1:27:48
4. Hassanine SBAI TUN 1:28:28
5. David KIMUTAI KEN 1:29:16

BARCELONA, Aug 15 – Luis Suarez began training with his new Barcelona team-mates on Friday after getting the green light from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Spanish giants confirmed.

A statement released by the Catalan club read: “Following the announcement of the verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the appeal against the sanction imposed on Luis Suarez by FIFA, FC Barcelona hereby announces that the player will join the first team’s training session scheduled for Friday.”

“Likewise, the public presentation of Suarez as a new FC Barcelona player will be held on Monday at the Camp Nou, on occasion of the Joan Gamper Trophy match.”

The CAS upheld Suarez’s four-month ban from playing in competitive games as well as his nine-match international suspension, but it did allow him to train and play in unofficial matches.

And that means he could make his debut against Mexican club Leon in the Gamper Trophy, the traditional curtain-raiser to the season at the Camp Nou.

There will be a temptation to give the 27-year-old a run-out against Leon as it will be Barcelona’s final friendly before their first league game of the new season against Elche next weekend.

Suarez has reportedly been training on his own in an unknown location in Catalonia since completing his 95 million euros (£75 million, $127 million) move to the Camp Nou from Liverpool last month.

He will be available to play in competitive matches from Saturday, October 25, meaning his official debut could come in the first Clasico of the campaign against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, which has been scheduled for that weekend.

Suarez was banned for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup but despite the player being allowed to resume training, Uruguayan football officials are still “frustrated” by handling of the controversy.

Uruguayan Football Federation lawyer Daniel Cravo told Sky Sports News: “We are really frustrated – we understand that the behaviour of Luis Suarez in that match deserved to be punished but we don’t think that it was the worst behaviour of a player in a World Cup.”

“There have been worse situations and the players were not sanctioned at this level but of course we respect CAS’ decision. We have to wait for the reasons and we are sorry for not having achieved what our client wanted from us. I don’t want to criticise the decision because I don’t know the grounds, that’s something we are interested in checking.”

Suarez has never explained his propensity to bite opponents.

He earned a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in 2013, after being sidelined for seven matches with Dutch club Ajax in 2010 for the same offence against PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal.

On Wednesday, English Premier League boss Richard Scudamore said that while Suarez was a great footballer, he was also “an accident waiting to happen.”

IAAF has cleared Kenya and the US to proceed with the bidding process after accepting their applications in March and will now have until September 25 to submit the bidding document/FILE

Speaking on Friday when unveiling the team at Riadha House, AK boss Isaiah Kiplagat said Kenya had high chances of winning the bid after Argentina withdrew, leaving only America in the race.

“We are looking forward to winning this bid because as we speak Argentina has withdrawn leaving only USA as our only competitor. We are going to Monaco with a strong document that will be successive for us to be granted the hosting rights for the event in 2017,” Kiplagat declared.

He assured that both national and Nairobi County Governments are in support of the bid since there is a lot to work including purchasing of youth equipment to convince IAAF to award them the rights.

“The committee will start working immediately to ensure the document is ready once the Ministry of Sports signs the event agreement document to show their financial guarantee and assurance that the event will be funded by both governments,” the AK chief assured.

He added, “There will be a lot of requirements to prove we can host the event and with that, we will have to purchase Youth equipment and refurbish Nyayo National Stadium that we have proposed as the hosting venue as well as constructing a warm up track.”

The committee that involves all stakeholders will start bid documentation that has to be handed to the IAAF Council with the final decision taking place in November during the World Athletics Gala in Monaco.

This will be the third time AK will be looking to host a major championship after successfully staging the 2007 IAAF World Cross Championships in Mombasa and 2010 CAA Africa Senior Championships in Athletics in Nairobi.

The biennial global showpiece is open to athletes aged 17 or younger and has produced athletes who end up becoming stars such as double Olympics and Worlds sprint champion, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, 2011 double World champion, Vivian Cheruiyot and recently graduated 1,500 champion, Faith Chepng’etich among others.

The event first ran in 1999 in Bydgoszcz, Poland while the 2015 event will be staged in Cali, Colombia with Donetsk, Ukraine hosting the latest running last year.

Committee members appointed:
Chairman: Retired Lt. Gen Jack Tuwei (AK vice president)
Members: David Okeyo (AK vice president), Isaac Mwangi (AK CEO), Fatma Awale (AK vice president), Wilberforce Chebet (Sports Stadia Management Board) Faizal Lasker (KICC/Ministry of Tourism), Kihara Ndung’u (Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government), Evans Kinyanjui (Department of Immigration), Christopher Khaemba (Nairobi County Government), Gordon Oluoch (Commissioner for Sports), Patrick Omutie (Sports PS) and the newly appointed AK marketing consultants.

Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal leaves the field after his side’s English Premier League defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford in Manchester/AFP

Van Gaal was taking charge of his first competitive game as United manager, but his new side exhibited many of the same failings from last season – when they finished seventh – as they slumped to a surprise defeat.

South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-yueng exploited inattentive marking to give Swansea a 28th-minute lead with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

United’s new captain Wayne Rooney equalised early in the second period, but Gylfi Sigurdsson condemned the hosts to a first opening-day home defeat since 1972 with a close-range finish in the 72nd minute.

It gave Swansea back-to-back wins at Old Trafford, following their shock FA Cup success in January, and was a reversal of United’s 4-1 win at the Liberty Stadium on the first day of last season.

“It is very disappointing that we have lost our first home match,” said Van Gaal, who took over at United after leading his native Holland to the World Cup semi-finals.

“We were very nervous in the first half, made the wrong choices, and that is a pity. In the second half, we never played as a team. Therefore, I’m responsible.”

Injuries obliged Van Gaal to give competitive debuts to Tyler Blackett, 20, and 21-year-old Jesse Lingard, who took their places in the 3-4-1-2 formation that had served United well in their unbeaten pre-season campaign.

Lingard’s day was to last only 24 minutes, however, as he was forced off after appearing to jar his knee in a challenge with visiting captain Ashley Williams.

United bossed possession in the first half, but Swansea struck from their first sight of goal, with Ki stroking home a lay-off from Sigurdsson.

- Sigurdsson crowns return -

Swansea’s fans burst into a chorus of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning!’ aimed at Van Gaal, who sat impassively in his seat in the dug-out.

The Dutchman introduced Nani in place of striker Javier Hernandez at half-time, with the hosts switching to a 4-2-3-1 system, and United responded immediately.

Juan Mata’s right-wing corner was flicked on by Phil Jones and Rooney hooked home a spectacular close-range volley at the back post.

Rooney came close to putting United ahead with a free-kick that hit the outside of the post in the 66th minute.

But it was Swansea who claimed the winning goal when Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson — back at the club after two years at Tottenham Hotspur — slammed home from Wayne Routledge’s mishit volley.

Later on Saturday, last season’s FA Cup winners Arsenal will begin their campaign at home to Crystal Palace.

With manager Tony Pulis having left Palace on Friday after a reported disagreement with co-chairman Steve Parish, assistant coach Keith Millen will be in temporary charge for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Elsewhere, Championship winners Leicester City will play their first top-flight game since 2004 when they host Everton, while fellow promoted side Queens Park Rangers welcome Hull City to Loftus Road.

In the day’s other games, Alan Irvine begins his career as West Bromwich Albion manager at home to Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur visit London rivals West Ham United, and Stoke City host Aston Villa.

Champions City travel to Newcastle United on Sunday, with Liverpool, the side they pipped to last season’s title, hosting Southampton. Chelsea, third last season, visit promoted Burnley on Monday.

LONDON, Aug 16 – Aaron Ramsey spared Arsenal’s blushes as the Wales midfielder’s stoppage-time strike finally saw off 10-man Crystal Palace in a dramatic 2-1 victory on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side believe they are capable of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 after ending a nine-year trophy drought with their FA Cup triumph last season.

But the Gunners were in danger of making a slow start to their title challenge after falling behind to Brede Hangeland’s first-half opener at the Emirates Stadium.

Laurent Koscielny equalised before the break, but the Managerless visitors, who saw boss Tony Pulis leave on the eve of the season due to a row over transfer policy, were able to keep Arsenal at bay for long periods.

The turning point came when Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon was dismissed for two yellow cards near the end and Ramsey, who scored 18 goals last season including a winner in the FA Cup final, was in the right place at the right time to force home another vital goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

Having seen his side rout Premier League champions Manchester City 3-0 to lift the Community Shield last week, Wenger had decided to name an unchanged line-up.

That meant Yaya Sanogo starting up front instead of Olivier Giroud, who had scored at Wembley, plus league debuts for Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy.

The Sanogo call was an interesting one considering he contributed no goals to the Arsenal cause last season, while Giroud weighed in with 22.

Palace had bigger concerns after Pulis’s shock decision to walk out following a dispute with the board over signings.

The former Stoke manager had been frustrated to have been handed just Hangeland, Fraizer Campbell and Martin Kelly. All three were given debuts by caretaker manager Keith Millen and the Palace new-boys were instrumental in their team’s stubborn display.

Sanchez made an instant impact on the right and his skills helped Jack Wilshere find Ramsey in the penalty area.

The Wales midfielder went down under Scott Dann’s challenge but play continued.

Sanogo was making little headway but Sanchez was full of confidence and the Chile winger tried his luck from distance with a chip that drifted just wide.

Palace was content to defend in numbers and Campbell cut an isolated figure up front.

Sanogo poked a shot poorly wide before Wilshere tested Julian Speroni in the Palace goal for the first time with a low drive diverted round a post for a corner.

Palace’s response was to take a 35th-minute lead through former Fulham centre-back Hangeland, who came charging through to head home Puncheon’s corner.

Arsenal’s marking had been poor but they were level just before the break when French defender Koscielny escaped Hangeland and stayed on-side by a fraction to head in Sanchez’s free-kick.

Arsenal made two changes early in the second half, with Nacho Monreal replacing Kieran Gibbs at left-back and Giroud coming on for Sanogo, to the home fans’ approval.

A third switch soon followed when Wilshere, hurt by Marouane Chamakh, was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Kelly was booked for a foul on Sanchez as Palace defended by any means possible, with Puncheon picking up a second yellow in the final minute.

The 10 men were seconds away from escaping with a point, but they were undone when Giroud won a header at the back post and Debuchy swivelled to fire in a shot that Speroni could only parry to Ramsey, who gratefully fired home the rebound from almost on the line. LONDON, Aug 16 – Aaron Ramsey spared Arsenal’s blushes as the Wales midfielder’s stoppage-time strike finally saw off 10-man Crystal Palace in a dramatic 2-1 victory on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side believe they are capable of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 after ending a nine-year trophy drought with their FA Cup triumph last season.

But the Gunners were in danger of making a slow start to their title challenge after falling behind to Brede Hangeland’s first-half opener at the Emirates Stadium.

Laurent Koscielny equalised before the break, but the Managerless visitors, who saw boss Tony Pulis leave on the eve of the season due to a row over transfer policy, were able to keep Arsenal at bay for long periods.

The turning point came when Palace midfielder Jason Puncheon was dismissed for two yellow cards near the end and Ramsey, who scored 18 goals last season including a winner in the FA Cup final, was in the right place at the right time to force home another vital goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

Having seen his side rout Premier League champions Manchester City 3-0 to lift the Community Shield last week, Wenger had decided to name an unchanged line-up.

That meant Yaya Sanogo starting up front instead of Olivier Giroud, who had scored at Wembley, plus league debuts for Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy.

The Sanogo call was an interesting one considering he contributed no goals to the Arsenal cause last season, while Giroud weighed in with 22.

Palace had bigger concerns after Pulis’s shock decision to walk out following a dispute with the board over signings.

The former Stoke manager had been frustrated to have been handed just Hangeland, Fraizer Campbell and Martin Kelly. All three were given debuts by caretaker manager Keith Millen and the Palace new-boys were instrumental in their team’s stubborn display.

Sanchez made an instant impact on the right and his skills helped Jack Wilshere find Ramsey in the penalty area.

The Wales midfielder went down under Scott Dann’s challenge but play continued.

Sanogo was making little headway but Sanchez was full of confidence and the Chile winger tried his luck from distance with a chip that drifted just wide.

Palace was content to defend in numbers and Campbell cut an isolated figure up front.

Sanogo poked a shot poorly wide before Wilshere tested Julian Speroni in the Palace goal for the first time with a low drive diverted round a post for a corner.

Palace’s response was to take a 35th-minute lead through former Fulham centre-back Hangeland, who came charging through to head home Puncheon’s corner.

Arsenal’s marking had been poor but they were level just before the break when French defender Koscielny escaped Hangeland and stayed on-side by a fraction to head in Sanchez’s free-kick.

Arsenal made two changes early in the second half, with Nacho Monreal replacing Kieran Gibbs at left-back and Giroud coming on for Sanogo, to the home fans’ approval.

A third switch soon followed when Wilshere, hurt by Marouane Chamakh, was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Kelly was booked for a foul on Sanchez as Palace defended by any means possible, with Puncheon picking up a second yellow in the final minute.

The 10 men were seconds away from escaping with a point, but they were undone when Giroud won a header at the back post and Debuchy swivelled to fire in a shot that Speroni could only parry to Ramsey, who gratefully fired home the rebound from almost on the line.

LONDON, Aug16- A fan was arrested after invading the Upton Park pitch to take a free-kick during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win at West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The supporter made his unwanted contribution to the London derby on the opening day of the Premier League season when he sprinted from the stands onto the pitch as Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen was preparing to take a second half set-piece on the edge of the West Ham penalty area.

His shot was saved by West Ham’s Spanish goalkeeper Adrian and the pitch invader was chased by a steward amid amused cheers from the crowd before he was finally apprehended.

Scotland Yard later said a 22-year-old man from Kent had been arrested for suspected pitch invasion.

He is currently in custody at an east London police station, a spokesman added.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – After showing exemplary performance at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and African Senior Athletics Championships, Javelin star Julius Yego is now targeting gold at IAAF Continental Cup that runs September 13 and 14 in Marrakech, Morocco to complete a hat-trick of titles.

Yego, who became the first Kenyan to win gold in field events at the Club Games, was speaking on Saturday when the team arrived back in the county to a warm reception that brought the busy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a standstill.

As the norm, Athletics Kenya (AK) officials led by president Isaiah Kiplagat joined relatives and friends who chanted praise songs while feeding the athletes with mursik (a traditional drink for Kalenjins made of fermented milk).

The two-time African Champion said he is focused on making another history in Continental Cup rather than breaking his personal best of 85.40m he set in Moscow at the World Championships last year.

“I’m happy for the good results I have achieved this year. I was in good form in Glasgow although I had a groin injury but the best athlete won and that was me.”

“I’m not looking at the distance, my main aim is to win the Continental Cup and accomplish three titles in a row,” the 25-year-old told Capital FM Sport.

Yego confirmed he will take part in the last two Diamond Leagues set for Zurich and Brussels before heading to the Continental Cup.

“I have two Diamond Leagues to compete before focusing on the Continental Cup where I’m going for a win and win another global event as I did in Glasgow which I treasure most.”

Kiprop seeks revenge at Continental Cup.
Two-time World Champion Asbel Kiprop who was beaten by Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman to bag silver in the just concluded African Championships exuded confidence he will bounce back in Morocco.

“The race was good, I won silver and I’m really excited to win a medal and get selected to the Continental Cup in Morocco. Souleiman was good because he has been on top in the Diamond League so I was not surprised when he beat me, but I still have a point to prove at the Continental Cup whereby I now know it’s all about me and Souleiman. ”

“I really expect to perform well because winning is my priority,” the lanky Beijing Olympic Champion declared.

Kiprop did not participate in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after withdrawing during the national championships cum trials held in Nairobi June 7 to see James Magut crowned the Club Games champion.

Ndiku eyes 2016 Olympics
After upsetting double Olympic Champion and three-time Worlds winner in men’s 3000m steeple chase Ezekiel Kemboi, Jonathan Ndiku who settled for silver in Marrakech behind Jairus Birech, is now eying for next year’s Worlds and 2016 Olympics honours.

“I felt so nice beating Kemboi who has dominated the race for over a decade. I knew I could make it because I’m also a champion. We did not plan for the race. Everybody was chasing gold and I’m so happy I eventually made it. I’m looking forward for next year’s World Championship and 2016 Olympics. I want to be an Olympic Champion,” Ndiku who confirmed he will compete in Brussels Diamond League stated.

Explaining on his performance at the 19th African Championship, he said, “The weather was bad for me because I have never trained for such climate and that’s why my body did not respond well but in Glasgow I was strong enough to win the race because I had prepared for it.”

Former two-time World Junior Cross Champion Faith Chepng’etich did not hide her joy after winning her first 1,500m Club Games title as a senior when she beat Worlds bronze medallist Hellen Obiri who finished sixth.

“The championship in Glasgow was good, we tried our best to retain the title and I’m very happy that I struggled to win my first gold as a senior. The challenge was in Morocco because there was a lot of heat and Ethiopians were also there but I’m happy for those who made it to the Continental Cup,” Chepng’etich who finished fifth at African Championship underscored.

Track and field Team Manager Paul Mutwii pointed out exhaustion as the main cause why his charges did not better their 2012 performance but at the same, he was content with Glasgow’s outing.

“The going was tough in Morocco because my athletes were exhausted. We didn’t fly direct to Marrakech since we connected to Dubai and that really affected their performance. However, I’m glad we ended up with seven gold and all in all I regard the outing to be very successful,” the AK vice president explained.

“In Commonwealth, we were in a developed country compared to last edition in India where many teams did not enter so this made the competition very stiff,” Mutwii concluded.

The Continental Cup which was earlier referred as IAAF World Cup is an event that takes place after four years comprising of four teams namely; Africa, America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

The two-day competition will see each continent enter two athletes in each event, except for relays where one team will compete with a maximum of one athlete from each country per event.

No athlete shall be allowed to double in the 3000 m and 5000m.

BURNLEY, Aug 17- Jose Mourinho’s belief that Chelsea are better equipped to challenge for the Premier League title faces an immediate test when his side travel to Burnley in their season opener on Monday.

Last season Blues boss Mourinho maintained Chelsea were not ready to launch a sustained title bid and he was proved right when his players faded in the final stages and eventually finished third.

Key to Chelsea’s failure was their inability to overcome teams from the bottom half of the table, with away defeats at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace proving particularly costly.

The visit to Burnley will present a similar challenge as Sean Dyche’s fired-up side are determined to start the new campaign in a positive manner after unexpectedly securing automatic promotion from the Championship last season.

Mourinho last year accused some of his players of lacking character when confronted by the kind of test Burnley will present.

But with his squad strengthened by arrival of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and the return of Didier Drogba, the manager is confident Chelsea will prove more resilient this time around.

“My squad is very good, not perfect, but it’s very good,” Mourinho said.

“The squad has experience; it has characters and personalities with ambition. We covered many positions. I’m very happy with the squad.”

Costa will make his competitive debut at the head of Chelsea’s attack following his £32 million arrival from Atletico Madrid, while former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas back in England after a spell at Barcelona will slot into the midfield and be expected to replace the attacking threat of the now departed Frank Lampard.

Drogba is back at Stamford Bridge two years after leaving following the club’s 2012 Champions League final triumph and Mourinho expects the Ivory Coast forward to recover from an ankle problem in time to make the trip.

“I think he can play Monday, I cannot say now yes for sure, but normally I think he will,” Mourinho added.

Mourinho must decide whether to keep faith with Petr Cech, Chelsea’s goalkeeper for the last 10 years, or start with Thibaut Courtois, the Belgium international who is back at the club after spending the last three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, with Courtois favourite to get the nod.

Burnley have signed eight players during the close-season to supplement their squad, but they remain among the lowest spenders in the top-flight.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is their most expensive signing at £1.5million from Middlesbrough — a stark contrast to the huge sum spent on Costa by Chelsea.

“There will be a vast gap in resources available, that’s the reality of it,” admitted Dyche.

“But look at what you’ve got, not what you’ve haven’t. We haven’t got that, so there’s no point moaning about.

“We have to focus on what we’ve got and use it wisely.”

Burnley have managed to retain the services of forward Danny Ings, 22, whose 21 league goals last season were a key factor in their promotion.

He is set to partner Jutkiewicz in attack with Sam Vokes, who scored 20 times last season, a long-term injury absentee.

Dyche has added experience to his squad in the form of Matt Taylor from West Ham, Steven Reid from West Bromwich Albion and Stephen Ward from Wolves.

The Clarets will hope they can repeat their shock win over Manchester United in their opening home game in the Premier League in 2009-10 which was their last stay in the top division.

“Never say never and wasn’t it Cardiff who got the three points off Man City early last season? I don’t think many would have been expecting that,” added Dyche.