NAIROBI, Kenya, September 3 – Kenya Lionesses have been drawn in tricky Pool B for the International Rugby Board Women’s 7s World Series 2014-15 qualifiers scheduled for next weekend in Hong Kong.

With only four places up for grabs, Kenya will battle it out with Fiji, Japan and Argentina in the preliminary round in a tournament that is based on three pools of four teams as the top two from each pool, along with two best third placed teams progressing to the quarter-finals.

Head coach Kevin Wambua said their aim is to take a match at a time as they seek to make history by becoming the first ever to participate in the global showpiece and join their male counterparts in the fray.

“Our approach is to deal with each game as it comes, and build from there, of course with the main aim of securing qualification to the series which next season,” said Wambua who guided the team to reclaim the Elgon Cup in July.

Other teams fighting for slots are; China, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, France, Netherlands and Portugal.

The four quarter finalists will not only progress to the semis but also qualify for the World Series to join New Zealand, Australia, Russia, England, Spain, USA and Canada while a 12th team will be invited to participate at each tournament.

Wambua who will unveil his squad on Friday at RFUEA Grounds, will open their campaign with Japan at 6:04am local time GMT +3 before taking on Fiji at 8:26am and wrap up their group stage fixtures against Argentina at 11.32am.

LONDON, September 3- England forward Danny Welbeck risked antagonising supporters of his former club Manchester United on Wednesday after admitting that he “envisaged” playing for Arsenal even before joining them.

A Manchester-born United fan, Welbeck graduated through the youth ranks at Old Trafford but was allowed to join Arsenal on Monday for a fee of around £16 million ($26.6 million, 20.2 million euros).

“It’s exciting times for me. It’s great to be a part of this club and it’s a team that I’ve always watched in the Premier League,” Welbeck told the Arsenal website.

“I’ve envisaged myself playing in this team before. For it to finally happen is very exciting.”

Figures associated with United have expressed dismay over the club’s decision to sell a young home-grown player such as Welbeck.

Former United midfielder David Beckham said that he was “sad” to see Welbeck leave, while Mike Phelan, the former assistant manager to Alex Ferguson, claimed the club’s identity had been “broken”.

But Welbeck, 23, faced increased competition for places after United signed Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco on transfer deadline day and he said that joining Arsenal was the right move for his career.

“Things move on in life and I think you’ve really got to make the right decision in the situation that you’re in at that moment in time,” he said. “I really do believe that coming to Arsenal is the right decision.

“I’ve been at United ever since I was a little boy and I had a great time there. I just think this is the next stage of my development — to come to Arsenal, to really show people what I can do as a footballer, and hopefully get to the place where I want to be.”

Welbeck was afforded rare opportunities to play at centre-forward for United, but with Olivier Giroud currently sidelined by a broken tibia, he hopes to be given a chance to prove himself as a goal-scorer at Arsenal.

“At Arsenal, we’re not short of combination football and I like to join in on that and get in behind defenders and try to get shots off at goal,” he said.

“I want to score some goals and help the team to achieve the right results.”

NAIROBI, September 3- Kenyan rugby star Humphrey Kayange will miss the opening three rounds of this season’s IRB World Sevens series after undergoing ankle surgery in South Africa.

The former Kenyan captain suffered the injury during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month against New Zealand and will not be available for selection until February next year.

His absence will be a major blow for Kenya, who are bidding to finish among the the top four nations in the new season which gets underway at Gold Coast in Australia in October.

The competition will act as an Olympic qualifier with the top four teams earning automatic qualification to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, where rugby sevens makes its debut.

Kenya finished seventh in the rankings last season under their new coach Paul Treu from South Africa and lost to Wales in the Commonwealth Games plate semi-final in Glasgow.

The team has already started training for the new season and will test several newly-capped players in this month’s national Safaricom sevens tournament in Nairobi.

LONDON, September 4-On-loan Lille striker Divock Origi says he is determined to work hard and earn a place in Liverpool’s line-up when he returns to Anfield.

The Reds signed the World Cup starlet for around £9.8 million after impressing for Belgium at the tournament, but loaned him straight back to the Ligue 1 club.

With Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini vying for the striking positions at Liverpool, Origi knows a place in the starting XI will not come easily.

“Always with big teams there is competition, but it’s also nice to have big players there so you can learn from them and grow and so you can play when the time is right,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I will go there with a lot of patience and I know I’m going to learn a lot of things with the great players that are there.”

The 19-year-old attracted interest from numerous clubs – including Tottenham – during and after the World Cup, but believes Liverpool is the right place for him.

“Of course there was a lot of interest which is normal,” Origi added.

“It was on me to stay calm and make the right decision. In the end I chose Liverpool and I have never regretted it.

“I think they welcomed me very well. This showed me a little bit about the history of the club and their philosophy so it was very interesting.

“At the end, I think it was the right choice.”

LONDON, August 4-Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski insists there were no offers for him to leave the Emirates during the transfer window.

The Germany international had been expected to depart the Gunners, but no move materialised before the transfer window slammed shut on Monday evening.

And Podolski confirmed that he did not receive any concrete offers, despite several clubs enquiring about his availability.

“A move away from Arsenal did not fall through because I had no offers to move,” he told German publication Bild.

“There have been enquiries from other countries, also from Bundesliga clubs, but I am from Cologne and it would have been tough for me to represent any other German club.”

Following a serious injury to striker Olivier Giroud, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted that Podolski would not be sold.

And the 29-year-old is happy to have the trust of the French manager after a candid conversation with Wenger.

“I had a very good conversation with the manager,” Podolski added. “He has stressed he is putting trust in me and my qualities.

“I do not have to fear anyone at Arsenal. I am just back in training for two and a half weeks.

“If I am at 100 per cent fitness I do not fear any competition for places in the first XI.”

ABUJA, September 4- Fans attending Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo on Saturday will have to undergo Ebola screening, the sports commissioner in the southeastern state of Cross River said on Thursday.

“We are aware of the deadly effect of Ebola and because of this we have mapped out strategies to ensure that all spectators who come to watch the Eagles are tested for the virus before they are allowed into the stadium,” Patrick Ugbe said.

Nigeria, the defending African champions, play Congo at the UJ Esuene Stadium in the Cross River state capital Calabar on Saturday.

The venue has a 15,000 capacity and previously hosted qualifying matches for this year’s World Cup.

Seven people have died in Nigeria from Ebola — five in the financial capital, Lagos, and two in the oil hub of Port Harcourt, which is 150 kilometres (90 miles) west of Calabar.

There have been 18 confirmed cases in the country in total.

Nearly 2,000 people have died from the haemmorhagic fever in five West African countries this year, with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia the worst affected.

The Confederation of African Football governing body has moved Nations Cup qualifying matches from those countries to neutral venues.

MADRID, September 4- Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has said he needs to be more aware of his actions on the field after being handed a four-month ban for biting an opponent for the third time.

Suarez won’t be able to play a competitive game for Barca until October 25 due to his latest indiscretion when he clashed with Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

And the former Liverpool striker said he is ready for the scrutiny that will await him on his return to action.

“I am calm because it was already hard in England and I coped with it,” the Uruguayan said in an interview on the Barcelona website.

“I am used to playing with this kind of pressure. Not so much pressure, but with a lot of eyes looking at you.

“People look at what you are doing and you have to get used to it, even more so now because I am part of the best team in the world so there will be a lot more eyes watching than before.

“Especially after what happened it will be even more so. You have to be wary, accept the responsibility and be intelligent.”

Even without their star signing of the summer transfer window, Barca have made a 100 percent start to their La Liga campaign under new boss Luis Enrique with victories over Elche and Villarreal.

However, Suarez accepted that he has not taken kindly to his new role as a cheerleader from the sidelines.

“The truth is you suffer a lot. I have been suspended for many games and now that there are still a few remaining it is very difficult.

“You feel helpless because you can’t do anything from afar, all you can do is talk to and cheer on your teammates. You have to accept that, be aware that is you role in these games and try to help my teammates.”

CHICAGO, September 4- World record-holder Kenenisa Bekele and defending champion Rita Jeptoo were among the elite runners named Thursday in the field for next month’s Chicago Marathon.

Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto, last year’s men’s winner at Chicago in a course record of 2hr 3min 45sec, opted to run in this month’s Berlin Marathon instead of defending his crown on October 12.

But the stage is set for a fast field as Ethiopia’s Bekele, the 10,000m and 5,000m world record-holder who stepped up to the marathon this year, faces a familiar foe in Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, a famed distance runner who made his move to the longer distance last year at Hamburg.

Bekele won his marathon debut last April in Paris in 2:05:04.

“After my win in Paris, I understand the marathon distance a lot better and I will bring that experience to Chicago,” Bekele said.

“I know Chicago has a very fast course and, therefore, my goal is to break the course record of 2:03:45. After that, everything is possible.”

Jeptoo makes her return to Chicago having won the Boston Marathon in a course record 2:18:57 back in April.

Men’s stars include Bekele and Kipchoge, whose personal best is 2:04:05, plus Kenyans Sammy Kitwara (2:05:16), Bernard Koech (2:04:53) and Dickson Chumba (2:05:42).

Jeptoo’s fastest rivals include training partner Jemima Sumgong (2:20:48), fellow-Kenyan Florence Kiplagat (2:19:44) and Ethiopia’s Birhane Dibaba (2:22:30).

Bekele, 32, won Olympic 10,000m gold in 2004 at Athens and 2008 at Beijing, where he also claimed the 5,000m crown. He won four world titles in a row at 10,000m, the last in 2009, and won both the long and short races at the world cross country championships from 2002-2006.

Kipchoge, the 2003 world champion at 5,000m who took medals at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, won this year’s Rotterdam Marathon in 2:05:00.

“I am looking forward to coming to Chicago and competing with Kenenisa on the road this time,” Kipchoge said. “It has a fast course and I want to better my personal best.”

Kitwara was third last year in a personal best while Koech beat Kipchoge in last year’s San Diego Half Marathon.

Jeptoo could become only the third woman to break 2min 20sec for a third time in her career while Sumgong, who won last year at Rotterdam, stayed with Jeptoo over the first 35 kilometers last year on her way to second place.

Kiplagat, who pulled out of the 2012 Chicago marathon with an injury is aiming to lower her personal best. She won the Berlin title last year and in 2011.

“It’s no retreat and no surrender for me,” Kiplagat said. “It’s a do-or-die game and I will give all my best to succeed.”

LONDON, September 4- Manchester United’s new signing Marcos Rojo has been given the green light to play for the club after they announced on Thursday he had been granted a visa.

The 24-year-old Argentina defender joined United from Sporting Lisbon on August 20 for a reported fee of £16 million ($26.3 million, 20.2 million euros).

But his visa application was delayed while British immigration officials investigated an alleged altercation that he had with a neighbour while living in Argentina in 2010, which resulted in criminal charges.

However, United announced on their website: “The UK Border Agency has agreed to grant new Manchester United signing Marcos Rojo a visa and the defender will therefore be available for the Reds’ next game against QPR on 14 September.”

Rojo’s fellow Argentina international Angel di Maria, who has also joined United, did not experience a delay in his visa application because he already possesses an Italian passport.

Rojo qualified automatically for a work permit because he has played in more than 75 percent of Argentina’s competitive fixtures over the last two years.

Both Rojo and Di Maria played in Argentina’s 4-2 friendly win over world champions Germany in Duesseldorf on Wednesday, in which Di Maria set up three goals and scored another.

PARIS, September 4- France got the better of a new-look Spain team on Thursday, a superb strike from substitute Loic Remy in the second half giving the hosts a 1-0 friendly victory.

Remy fired emphatically into the roof of the net at the near post in the 73rd minute from a Mathieu Valbuena assist to set France on the way to a win that they will feel they deserved against the deposed world champions.

Missing several familiar faces, including the retired Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, Spain nevertheless maintained their style of old, controlling large periods of possession but without really threatening to break down the home defence.

France, meanwhile, had the best chances and should have been in front four minutes into the second half, but a clever Karim Benzema finish at the end of a flowing move was disallowed for offside, with television replays suggesting the Swiss officials got the decision wrong.

“It was an even game. They had good quicker transitions, but we had more control of the game,” insisted Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose team face Macedonia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday.

“The players need more competitive games but we will improve and in general I think we showed we are a good team.”

Home coach Didier Deschamps, in the first in a two-year run of friendly matches before they host the European Championship, will be pleased to see his side build on the feelgood factor that came with their run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.

“We were up against a good Spain team with some players no longer there but others coming in,” said Deschamps.

“There was a 20-minute spell where they deprived us of the ball, but in the second half we created chances and also scored a goal that should have been given.

“It’s good to maintain the same spirit and to mark our return to the Stade de France with a win.”

Exactly two months after their 1-0 defeat to eventual winners Germany in Rio de Janeiro, Deschamps sent out a side that showed just one change, with Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko starting at the expense of Yohan Cabaye.

In contrast, their opponents had three players – defenders Dani Carvajal and Mikel San Jose and midfielder Raul Garcia – making their international debuts and another in David de Gea winning just his second cap in goal with Iker Casillas, ominously, dropped to the bench.

As the captain of the team that won three consecutive major tournaments, including the last two European Championships, watched from the bench, the visitors did their best to subdue a crowd that was close to capacity.

- Costa struggles -

There were spells in which Spain were mesmerising in possession, with Sergio Busquets, the only Barcelona player in their line-up, and Cesc Fabregas featuring prominently, but Diego Costa made little impression up front, just as he had failed to make an impact at the World Cup.

Instead, France had the better chances, Benzema and Paul Pogba both stinging the palms of De Gea in the early stages before the Real Madrid striker rifled a shot towards goal in the 39th minute that the ‘keeper was once again equal to.

At the other end, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had one moment of panic when a Fabregas attempt from 30 yards took a wicked deflection and looped on to the roof of the net.

Spain lacked thrust and incisiveness, and France showed how it should be done with a lightning-quick move down the right wing in the 49th minute that ended with a cross to the near post being back-heeled into the net by Benzema, only for the offside flag to curtail the celebrations.

The always-lively Valbuena fired narrowly wide but it was he who set up the goal for Remy, cutting the ball back from near the byline on the left for the new Chelsea striker to convert his fifth international goal.

Substitute David Silva almost equalised with seven minutes left but that would have been harsh on a France defence marshalled by the supremely athletic but youthful duo of Raphael Varane and Mamadou Sakho.

NEW YORK, September 5- Roger Federer saved two match points to defeat Gael Monfils 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 and reach his ninth US Open semi-final Thursday, keeping alive his dream of a sixth title.

The 33-year-old Swiss second seed, bidding to become the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title in more than 40 years, was staring down the barrel of a demoralising exit when French 20th seed Monfils had two match points in the 10th game of the fourth set.

But once they were saved, the lifeblood was suddenly sucked out of the flamboyant but unpredictable 28-year-old Frenchman whose notoriously fickle stamina failed him in a one-sided fifth set.

The victory was Federer’s 26th in 27 night-time matches in New York and put him just one win away from a career 600 victories on hard courts, a landmark he can reach if he defeats Marin Cilic to make the final.

Croatian 14th seed Cilic toppled sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) earlier Thursday to reach his first US Open semi-final.

Federer’s win was his ninth from two sets to love down and first at a major since he had to engineer a similar Houdini act against another Frenchman, Julien Benneteau, at Wimbledon in 2012 on his way to his 17th and most recent major title.

“Gael played great tennis but even when I was two sets down I knew the finish line was still far away for him,” said Federer after the three-hour 20-minute duel put him in his first semi-final since 2011.

“I knew I could play better tennis but on match point I wasn’t feeling so great anymore.

“I just thought this could be the last point, don’t give it away on an easy shot, make him work for it.”

- Lost composure -

As Monfils opened-up a two-set lead, Federer was in danger of falling to pieces with two uncharacteristic losses of his famed composure when he berated umpire Carlos Ramos and smashed his racquet on the net.

But eventually it was Monfils, playing in his first US Open quarter-final since 2010, who suffered the most serious power loss with his failure to convert his two match points in the 10th game of the fourth set leading to a brief final set which saw Federer sweep to victory.

Monfils shrugged off his two missed match points.

“I think he hit two big serves, a good forehand volley and then a good forehand down the line. I did my best, so it was okay,” he said.

Cilic, who missed last year’s US Open as he sat out a doping ban, pounded 19 aces past Berdych, recovering an early break in the third to force the tiebreaker.

“It was very tricky with the conditions,” Cilic said.

“Very gusty — for both of us. “We are big guys, it’s not easy to deal with the wind and the ball moving in the air. I felt that I was using the wind a bit better today.”

Cilic has matched his best Grand Slam performance — a semi-final run at Australia in 2010.

“I had tough times the last couple of years and I’m really happy that things are working out with my team,” he said.

Berdych, a semi-finalist in 2012, said he served “horribly” nor could he make many inroads on Cilic’s.

“Today was definitely not the day I wanted to have,” Berdych said.

LONDON, September 4- England manager Roy Hodgson lost his temper and swore during a briefing with journalists after being questioned about his side’s lacklustre friendly victory over Norway.

A penalty by new captain Wayne Rooney gave England a 1-0 win at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, but it was one of only two shots on target that Hodgson’s side registered over the course of the game.

A record low crowd for the new Wembley of 40,181 saw England toil in their first game since their group-stage exit at the World Cup, and Hodgson snapped when he was asked to explain his side’s shortcomings.

“The bottom line is this: before the World Cup we’re getting 75,000, 80,000 people to see us play Peru, who, with respect, were nowhere near as difficult an opponent as we have played tonight (Wednesday),” he said.

“And now we’ve got 40,000 to see us play against a much more difficult opponent. I can’t put that right because I can’t turn the clock back.

“But what I can do is analyse what I have seen today and judge that through my eyes and not judge it because someone is going to tell me, ‘Well, you only had two shots at goal.’

“Because that, for me, is absolute f**k**g bollocks. I’m sorry.”

The game against Norway was England’s first since the international retirements of veteran midfielders Steven Gerrard — Rooney’s predecessor as captain — and Frank Lampard, and Hodgson was also missing several players through injury.

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling impressed, notably winning the penalty that gave England victory, but Hodgson warned against saddling England’s next generation of players with unhelpful expectations.

“Some of these players are top, top players in the making, but they are players in the making,” said the 67-year-old.

“You can’t play five games for England and be a regular in the Liverpool football team for six or seven months and be David Beckham.

“You can’t come in like Phil Jones after all the injuries and at the moment nail down a place in the centre of Manchester United’s defence and become John Terry.

“You can’t be Jack Wilshere, who has lost all that football through injury, and suddenly get in there and be Bryan Robson. Let’s be fair about these things. That’s all I’m asking.

“But also, allow me to be excited by what they can do and allow me also, when they play well, to stand in front of an assembled press conference and say ‘I think they did well’, even though there might be some cynicism out there.”

England begin their qualifying campaign for the 2016 European Championship on Monday when they tackle main Group E rivals Switzerland in Basel.

BARI, September 5- Two goals in the first 10 minutes were enough to see Italy to a 2-0 friendly victory over World Cup semi-finalists the Netherlands and launch their new era under coach Antonio Conte in style.

Playing Conte’s trademark 3-5-2 formation, the Italians came out on the front foot and were ahead after just three minutes when new Borussia Dortmund signing Ciro Immobile found the net after a long pass from Leonardo Bonucci.

Captain Daniele De Rossi doubled their advantage in the 10th minute after newcomer Simone Zaza was fouled in the area by Bruno Martins Indi, who received his marching orders.

De Rossi made no mistake from the spot.

“It’s always good to begin with a win,” said Conte.

“In six training sessions the boys have understood the style of play and executed it..a manager can have a thousand ideas but it’s the players who can make or break the fortunes of a coach.”

His Dutch counterpart, Guus Hiddink, who has replaced Manchester United’s new boss Louis van Gaal, reflected: “After 10 minutes the match was over.

“After the sending off the aim was not to let in any more goals, but we lost to a very good side.

“We won’t panic, we have to remain concentrated, there are negatives from this match, but also positives.”

Zaza should have marked his debut with a goal 10 minutes later when he was allowed to go through alone on goal after a high-speed counter-attack led by Immobile, but made a mess of his final touch.

Against a surprisingly tame 10-man Dutch side, the two new front men combined well and the mercurial Mario Balotelli will have his work cut out to convince Conte to change the winning line-up.

Italy open their Euro 2016 campaign with a relatively easy trip to Oslo to take on Norway.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 5 – Gor Mahia captain Jerim Onyango says the arrival of Frank Nuttall with only nine Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches to go, will not affect their consistency in the title run-in.

The Harambee Stars custodian is confident his charges will have no difficulties in adapting to the new coach’s methods because he will be guided by assistants John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla and Frank Ouna who have had a long spells.

“As a player you should be ready to work with any coach and as a team we are ready to work with him and provide the support that he needs because our aim is to retain the league having missed other trophies this season.

“The changes in the technical bench will not affect our performance because we have the assistant coaches who will help him gel with the team and I don’t think he will bring in changes immediately since there is no time for that,” Onyango told Capital Sport.

The skipper added, “Three months is a short time so it’s upon us (players) to work hard and win matches so that our new coach can get a contract next year.”

Onyango welcomed the move of former Stars and AFC Leopards shot-stopper Mathews Ottamax’s appointment as goalkeeper trainer, saying he will bring in a lot of experience.

On his part, Ottamax who also serve the same capacity at Stars said it was a dream come true joining K’Ogalo’s technical bench.

“It’s challenging handling Stars and Gor but I’m up to the task because I have done this job before while at Nairobi City Stars. Gor has good keepers and landing this opportunity fulfilled my dream because I was longing to work with them.

“There is no much work to do because someone like Jerim, he has the experience having been in the national team, I just need to encourage and build the confidence in them considering I played in the same position so I know where it pinches most,” Ottamax underscored.

With only two points separating leaders K’Ogalo and Sofapaka, Onyango believes winning their friendly against Tanzania titans Simba SC on Saturday in Dar es Salaam will motivate the players to hold off domestic challengers and retain their crown.

“It’s a big game because it will expose players considering the two clubs are the biggest in the region so we are prepared and positive results will boost our morale when we return to face tusker in our next match.

“But it’s a challenge because we have just received the new coach who will be looking on how we play before making decisions,” the skipper said.
Despite dropping two points in their game at hand against KCB, Onyango maintained they are on the right track to winning their 14th KPL title.

“So far so good considering we performed poorly in Cecafa and getting four points out of six, that’s a plus to us. We are looking forward for our last match at hand against Tusker that I’m sure we are going to win.”
K’Ogalo will depart for Tanzania on Friday for the build-up match that will be played at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

MADRID, September 5- Spanish giants Real Madrid’s have announced a record 603.9 million-euro income ($790 milllion £480.8 million) for the 2013-14 season. thanks in large part to winning the Champions League for a 10th time in May.

Madrid’s total revenue was up 10.9 percent on last season, with the net profit slightly up from 36.9 million euros last year to 38.5 million euros.

Real also slashed their net debt by 21 percent to 71.5 million euros.

However, despite strengthening their position as the richest club in world football, Real’s board has come under fire for allowing key midfielders Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso to leave in the final week of the transfer window last month for a combined 85 million euros.

Those departures came after the club made a combined 100 million euro splurge on World Cup stars James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas.

Madrid president Florentino Perez, though, defended his decision to allow Di Maria to leave, claiming the Argentine wanted a wage rise that would have seen him become the second highest-paid player at the club behind World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

“He had economic demands that we could not satisfy. We made our best offer at the highest level we could and he did not accept it,” he said.

“With the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo, who we all know is the best player in the world, no other player has that level of income.

“If we had accepted Di Maria’s economic demands there would have been unequal treatment and it could put the economic stability of the club at risk.

“When faced with his rejection of our offer we began to think about other players and brought in Rodriguez.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 5 – National Women 7s head coach Kevin Wambua has handed Sheila Kavugwe her international debut as the Lioness squad for the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series qualifiers set for September 12 and 13 in Hong Kong was announced on Friday.

Kenya will battle it out with 11 other nations for the four slots available that will see the winners join New Zealand, Australia, Russia, England, Spain, USA and Canada for the 2014-15 season.

Wambua who retained most of his charges that won the Elgon Cup in July is targeting to top Pool B that features Fiji, Japan and Argentina.

“The team is comprised of players who have been together over the past few years but its unfortunate we were unable to select one of our best Stacey Awuor who is injured but this opens up room for Sheila which I believe will be a good experience for her.

“We have done our homework on Fiji and Japan because they are the strongest teams in our pool. We expect a tough challenge from Fiji given their previous experience in the series but we go to Hong Kong taking a game at a time with sights of reaching the Cup quarters that will leave us with just one step to secure the slot,” said Wambua.

The team that will be captained by Doreen Remour had a good build up towards the qualifiers after participating at the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens in March and competing at the Confederation of African Rugby Sevens Championships in Machakos where they lost in the finals to South Africa.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee urged the ladies to believe in themselves and maintain the good form of the team that was introduced a decade ago.

“You have conquered the biggest opponents already and now the sky is the limit, please carry on bravely honouring those who have stood with you with any sort of support.

“We would like this team to enjoy close to similar facilities the men’s team does from sponsorship but like the men’s team did, we have to achieve a certain level of success before sponsors can join. Meanwhile, let us continue with the unique fighting spirit that never wavers in this team,” the KRU boss declared.

The team that has been training for four months will depart on Monday evening.

Kenya squad to Hong Kong

Doreen Remour (Captain), Camilyne Awuor, Catherine Abilla, Celestine Masinde, Mary Ochieng, Irene Otieno, Janet Owino, Janet Okelo, Mary Ingabo, Philadelphia Olando, Rachel Mbogo, Sheila Kavugwe.
Management: Kevin Wambua (Head Coach), Mike Shamiah (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Ben Mahinda (Physio), Angela Olum (Team Manager), Paula Lanco (Director, Women’s Rugby).

NEW YORK, September 7- Kei Nishikori nearly missed the US Open after struggling to recover from surgery to remove a cyst from a toe, the history-making finalist revealed on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Japanese became the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final with a stunning 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 semi-final victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.

But having been forced to skip the crucial warm-up Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati, the Japanese star said he wasn’t sure if he would be able to play at Flushing Meadows.

“I just started playing points a few days ago before the tournament. I didn’t even know if I should come to New York, so I wasn’t expecting anything actually,” said the 10th seeded Nishikori after recording his second career win over seven-time major winner and reigning Wimbledon champion Djokovic.

“But after playing the first and second match here I got more confidence in my foot and there was no pain.

“I was sliding a little more. But my tennis was there already. I tried to play one match at a time and now I’m here. Maybe I should rest three weeks before a Grand Slam.”

Nishikori has endured a gruelling route to his first major final, playing two five-set matches and spending eight and a half hours on court in beating Milos Raonic and Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round and quarter-finals respectively.

He admitted that in the past he may have struggled to get through such examinations, and his stamina and fitness were often questioned after he fell victim to elbow, back and groin injuries at various stages of his career.

“A few years ago it would have been tough. But having the last two days off has helped as it wasn’t easy playing two five sets and four-hour matches,” said Nishikori, who, like Djokovic, struggled in on-court temperatures which were closing in on 40 degrees.

“It was even tough for me to play today, especially the third and fourth sets I couldn’t really put effort for every game.

“In the last game, I tried to get more energy and tried to concentrate again. I have been doing that well compared to a couple of years ago. I hope I recover and be ready for Monday and the final.”

- ‘Anything can happen’ -

Nishikori also praised the impact of coach Michael Chang, the 1989 French Open champion, who has been working in tandem with long-term handler Dante Bottini.

“It’s been really helpful. He’s helped me a lot from the end of last year. I feel my tennis is more aggressive and I am playing with more confidence. He’s tough but I sometimes need that, I need people who can push me.”

Chang said he counseled Nishikori “get through the first two matches — then anything can happen.”

He told reporters: “I gave him examples of situations before that I’ve known, for myself and for Pete Sampras, where they weren’t quite sure they were going to play and then ended up doing great.

“I actually ended up getting to finals of the French in ’95 after coming very, very close to pulling out before the tournament.”

Chang added that Nishikori sitting out Toronto and Cincinnati was probably a blessing.

“The good thing is that he’s had so much time off. He’s fresh, he’s hungry, he’s eager,” said Chang.

MONZA, September 7- Britain’s 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton showed little emotion when on Saturday he finally ended championship leader and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg’s supremacy in qualifying by taking pole position for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

It was the 29-year-old’s first pole in eight races dating back to the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10 and one that enhanced his hopes of trimming the German’s 29-points lead in the title race, with seven races remaining.

But, two weekends on from their collision on the second lap of the Belgian Grand Prix, neither Hamilton nor Rosberg was prepared to give vent to his feelings in the wake of a tense contest of outright pace at one of the sport’s ancient temples of speed.

“I’m very proud of my guys on my side of the garage,” said Hamilton. “They have been through the difficult times with me. They’ve done a remarkable job bouncing back, so we’ve done this as a team and it’s great to have another 1-2 for the team.”

Two days on from Rosberg’s public apology and 24 hours after the team’s final warning that more misbehaviour might cost them their jobs, it was time for the team ethic and corporate considerations even if the duo were battling for advantage in a bitterly-contested title race that has simmered and exploded this year.

“In the race anything can happen and we need to work towards the race and get a good strategy and have a good race,” said a clearly crestfallen Rosberg.

“For the team again, even at a track like Monza, even coming here and being so dominant…. There’s still the race tomorrow, but it’s still really awesome for the team.”

Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 24.109 seconds to take pole by more than two-tenths of a second ahead of the German, a gulf that endorsed the theory that it is the Briton who has the greater capacity for natural speed.

The battling duo, once allegedly good friends, but hardly good team-mates, barely acknowledged one another as they climbed from their cars. There was no handshake and no genuine eye contact.

It was Hamilton’s first pole in four months, his fifth this season and the 36th pole of his career – a signal that their rivalry motivated him to produce his best.

Asked about any team instructions for the 53-laps race, Hamilton said: “Free to race, that’s the decision so it continues as usual. I hope tomorrow will be good. It would be really good to get another 1-2 for the team.

“I hope we have some competition with these guys (Williams), too. I think that would be great for the fans. I feel excited for tomorrow.”

Finn Valtteri Bottas was third fastest ahead of his Williams team-mate Brazilian Felipe Massa, the British team leapfrogging ahead of the rest with a much improved performance that revived their vintage days.

Like Mercedes’ factory outfit, on row one, and McLaren who filled row three, Williams are a team powered by Mercedes, the German company thus supplying the engines that took the top six grid positions.

Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen was fifth and Briton Jenson Button sixth for McLaren ahead of the leading Ferrari driven by two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso. His team-mate Finn Kimi Raikkonen failed to make the top ten shootout after qualifying 12th.

Defending four time world champion German Sebastian Vettel was eighth for Red Bull ahead of his team-mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who on Sunday will bid for a third consecutive victory. Mexican Sergio Perez was 10th for Force India.

JOHANNESBURG, September 7- Defending champions Nigeria suffered a stunning 3-2 home loss to Congo Brazzaville Saturday on matchday 1 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition.

It was the first defeat in 47 home matches for the Super Eagles since qualifying started 48 years ago and the first time they conceded three goals at home in an eliminator.

The Congolese Red Devils were not even supposed to be in south-eastern city Calabar having lost a preliminary tie against Rwanda.

But the Rwandans were kicked out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player and Congo got a second chance.

Celtic defender Efe Ambrose nodded Nigeria into an early lead at UJ Esuene Stadium only for Prince Oniangue to level within three minutes.

Goals either side of half-time from Thievy Bifouma — the second from a powerfully struck penalty — gave Congo a two-goal lead before Gbolahan Salami snatched a late consolation.

Defeat added to the problems haunting Nigerian football.

FIFA will ban the country if controversially-elected national football federation head Chris Giwa does not step down by early Monday.

A suspension would prevent Nigeria playing South Africa in Cape Town next Wednesday and lead to disqualification from the Cup of Nations.

Coach Stephen Keshi did not have his contract renewed after a last-16 exit from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and guided the Eagles against Congo as a caretaker.

Ghana were another World Cup team who failed to take advantage of playing at home as Uganda forced a 1-1 draw at Baba Yaro Stadium in Kumasi.

Tony Mawejje put the Ugandan Cranes ahead on the stroke of half-time in Group E and Andre Ayew levelled from a 50th-minute spot-kick.

- Life without Eto’o -

Cameroon began life without Samuel Eto’o with a comfortable 2-0 Group D victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clinton N’Jie scored in first-half stoppage time and another France-based player, Vincent Aboubakar, added the second nine minutes from time.

The Indomitable Lions always looked likely winners against the surprisingly poor Congolese Lions at a subdued Stade Mazembe in southern mining city Lubumbashi.

Long-time Cameroon captain, striker and talisman Eto’o, 33, retired from international football last month after bagging 56 goals in an 18-year international career.

Midfielder Alex Song was also absent as he is serving a three-match ban for a red card during a disastrous Cameroon World Cup campaign in Brazil.

They lost all three group games and an incident in which Benoit Assou-Ekotto headbutted team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo during the 4-0 defeat to Croatia shamed African football.

Ivory Coast, whose participation had been in doubt as the government initially refused to allow the team from Ebola-hit Sierra Leone to play in Abidjan, won 2-1 after trailing at half-time.

Captain Kei Kamara put the visitors ahead in the other Group D match only for mid-second-half goals from Seydou Doumbia and Gervinho to swing the game in favour of the hosts.

Algeria fielded eight of the team beaten after extra time by eventual champions Germany in the second round of the World Cup when winning 2-1 in Ethiopia.

El Arabi Soudani scored on 35 minutes with a deflected shot and Yacine Brahimi doubled the lead six minutes from time at the national stadium in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia, who spent three weeks in Brazil preparing for the Group B clash, got a stoppage-time consolation goal through a Said Saladin penalty.

Shock 2012 African champions Zambia started disappointingly in Group F as they were held 0-0 by Mozambique at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

BUENOS AIRES, September 7 – Argentine police have arrested three men and a woman over the kidnapping in July of the father of star footballer Carlos Tevez, judicial sources said on Saturday.

Segundo Tevez, the adoptive father of the Juventus striker, was detained for eight hours by the kidnappers, who attacked him while he was in his vehicle on July 29 near Buenos Aires.

According to press reports, the family paid 600,000 pesos ($71,000) for his release.

The four people arrested are aged 22 to 27. Two of them are Paraguayan and are brother and sister, a source was quoted as saying by the Telam news agency.

The group had allegedly planned only to rob the senior Tevez but demanded a ransom for his release after discovering he was the father of Argentina international footballer Carlos.