NAIROBI, Kenya, September 11 – New Gor Mahia boss, Frank Nutall, begins life at the helm of K’ogalo with the sternest of tests against Tusker as AFC Leopards launch their unlikely quest of overhauling the 14-point gap with leaders as Kenyan Premier League (KPL) resumes this weekend.

Champions Gor will be involved in the tie of the round on Sunday when Nutall marks his debut with a baptism of fire against closest rivals Tusker at Kasarani.

Their arch enemies Leopards hope to have cut the yawning gap by three when they take on Western Stima at Moi Stadium in Kisumu which welcomes the top flight for the first time in eight years a day before.

On the other end of the spectrum, relegation threatened KCB and City Stars face acid tests against Ulinzi and title chasing Sofapaka as the battle to escape the trapdoor intensifies.

Deep end debut for Nuttall

New Gor head coach Nuttall faces an uphill test on his KPL debut when he locks horns with the Brewers in what is their final game in hand against their closest challengers to the crown.

The Dutchman, who tasted his first defeat last weekend after a 3-0 thrashing at Tanzania titans Simba SC in a friendly, will be out to prove himself as he begins his three months probation.

The outcome of the game has a major impact on both sides given only two points separate them but a win for K’Ogalo will buy breathing space at the top with the Brewers having played a match more.

“I’m really excited and can’t wait for my first league match. I know it is going to be a difficult because Tusker also wants the title.

“The friendly was an eye opener, it enabled me analyze the squad and know what to work on,” Nuttall told the official Gor website.
The Brewers on the other hand enter the crunch with their heads high having eliminated the champions in the KPL Top 8 this season and holding them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Nuttall will also be looking to give Gor their first win against Tusker since 2012 after his predecessor Bobby Williamson departed without registering a win against Francis Kimanzi’s side.

Leopards out to craw the gap

Leopards, who were held to a goalless draw by Stima in the first leg, have been lifted by the return of defender Abdalah Juma, midfielders Humphrey Mieno and Ezekiel Seda from injuries.

Team doctor Patrick Ngusale announced stopper Anthony Kimani has also recovered after undergoing a knee operation early January and will begin training in two weeks time.

“Situma had a slight knock over the weekend but we have treated him and is ready for selection as for Mieno he had Malaria and he finished his medication yesterday but it will depend on whether he gains fitness.

“Seda is 95 percent fit after undergoing a shoulder surgery three months ago, he has been training in the last one month and it will be upon the coach to determine if he is fit. Kimani is recovering well from a knee surgery and in the next two weeks he will begin training,” the doctor declared.

Heading into the clash, coach Pieter de Jongh will leave nothing to chance saying his charges have adapted to his 1-3-4-3 system on the back of successive KPL draws.

“I’m happy we are playing good football considering we are the only team who play1-3-4-3 formation in the league. I’m impressed with the boys’ performance of late.

“We have worked on our ball work and we expect a tough and physic encounter because there is no small team in football, the other day Manchester United were beaten by a second division team MK Dons,” the Dutchman stated.

With only eight matches to go, Harambee Stars winger Noah Wafula, believes a win over Stima will keep their slim hopes of wresting the title from their arch rivals alive.

“We are not under pressure. The team is compact and we are going to work hard to make sure we don’t lose the remaining matches. Stima are physical but we are also strong and we are ready for them.

“I still believe I can be the top scorer. I have scored three while the top scorer has nine, so six goals for a striker is not much,” Wafula declared.

The winger singled out Chemelil Sugar and Bandari as teams that will give them hard time in their remaining games that also includes Sony, KCB, Nakuru All Stars, Thika United and Sofapaka.

Other fixtures will see relegation threatened sides take centre stage with KCB inviting Ulinzi in Friday’s double header at Nairobi’s Nyayo National stadium before City Stars take on Sofapaka at the same venue.

NEW YORK, September 11-World marathon record holder, Wilson Kipsang, will make his New York debut as the banner act of the stacked men’s field for the November 2 showdown organisers confirmed Thursday.

The Kenyan charge will also be felt forcefully in the women’s competition with two-time World Champion, Edna Kiplagat and the recently returned former London winner, Mary Keitany, squaring off once again across the five boroughs of the Big Apple city.

Kipsang will line up against three former champions: previously announced course record-holder Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya (2011, 2013), Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia (2010) and local star Meb Keflezighi (2009) also named earlier for the IAAF Gold Label race that is the finale of the 2013-14 World Marathon Majors competition.

Kiplagat, a winner in New York in 2010, will be up against three other former champions: titleholder Priscah Jeptoo (2013), Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia (2011) and Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia (2005, 2006) as well as last year’s runner-up Bizunesh Deba and African record-holder Keitany.

Kipsang, 32, of Kenya, arguably the world’s best marathon runner, rewrote history when he set the current marathon world record of 2:03:23 to win the 2013 Berlin Marathon. The Olympic bronze medallist has run faster than 2:05 five times, the most in history.

He won his second London Marathon title in 2014 in a course record of 2:04:29 after narrowly missing the record at the 2012 event by four seconds with his time of 2:04:44. He is also a two-time winner at the Frankfurt Marathon.

“I’m ‘getting my New York on!’” said Kipsang, who will make his first return to the city since winning the 2013 NYC Half.

“My preparations for the New York City Marathon have begun, and every day before training I know that without self-discipline, success is impossible.”

In addition to Kipsang and past New York City Marathon champions Mutai and Gebremariam, the men’s international field, representing 17 countries, will feature world and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda, London Marathon runner-up Stanley Biwott and former 10km world record-holder Micah Kogo among others.

Others in the women’s field include world silver medallist Valeria Straneo of Italy, 2012 European 10,000m champion Ana Dulce Felix of Portugal and 2013 European indoor 3000m champion Sara Moreira, also of Portugal.

“This year’s international field of past New York City Marathon champions, record-setters, and global championship medallists echoes the aspirational spirit of the TCS New York City Marathon,” said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners.

Elite field (with PBs)

MEN
Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2:03:23
Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 2:04:15 / 2:03:02
Gebre Gebremariam (ETH) 2:04:53
Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:04:55
Peter Cheruiyot Kirui (KEN) 2:06:31
Michael Kipyego (KEN) 2:06:48
Micah Kogo (KEN) 2:06:56
Stephen Kiprotich (UGA) 2:07:20
Abderrahime Bouramdane (MAR) 2:07:33
Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 2:08:14
Luspaho April (RSA) 2:08:32
Urige Buta (NOR) 2:09:27
Masato Imai (JPN) 2:09:30
Alistair Cragg (IRL) 2:23:05

WOMEN
Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:18:37
Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:19:50
Buzunesh Deba (ETH) 2:19:59
Priscah Jeptoo (KEN) 2:20:14
Jelena Prokopcuka (LAT) 2:22:56
Firehiwot Dado (ETH) 2:23:15
Valeria Straneo (ITA) 2:23:44
Ana Dulce Félix (POR) 2:25:40
Rkia El Moukim (MAR) debut
Sara Moreira (POR) debut

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12- President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged the Government will make every effort to bring the Safari Rally back into the World Rally Championship circuit.

The President said the Government will support motorsports to bring the rally back to the status it enjoyed during its glory days that ended in 2003 when it was expunged from the WRC calendar.

“We want to get this rally back to what it used to be and as Government we want it to get back on the World Rally Championship circuit,” the President said.

He was speaking today at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre where he flagged off the 62nd KCB Safari Rally On Friday morning.

President Kenyatta said the Safari Rally was a major highlight in the Kenyan calendar and no effort will be spared to get motorsports back to what it used to be.

The President flagged off the first three cars led by defending champion, Baldev Chager before they headed to Migaa in Kiambu County for the first Spectator Stage.

He also called on fans to enjoy the sport but to ensure that they take necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

“I urge spectators to be supportive but please don’t get overexcited to avoid accidents,” he said.

The President called on parents to ensure that they take necessary precautions for the safety of children along the rally routes.

The Safari Rally is Kenya’s longest running sporting event and used to be part of WRC for a long time.

Founding President Jomo Kenyatta made history in 1968 when he flagged off the Safari Rally making it the first event in the international motorsport calendar to be flagged away by a Head of State.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who spoke at the event, also called on spectators to enjoy the sport but to avoid endangering themselves.

Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku represented Sport Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12-The Kenya Lionesses bowed out of the Main Cup quarter finals at the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series qualifiers after suffering heavy losses in their opening two pool fixtures in Hong Kong on Friday morning.

The Lionesses fell to a 0-31 defeat at the hands of Japan, before succumbing to a 0-45 rout to Fiji in their second fixture before falling 5-19 to Argentina to complete their pool assignments winless.

The semi finalists of the tournament will earn a berth in the 2014-15 World series.

Collated Day One Results

Fiji 52-7 Argentina
Japan 31-0 Kenya
France 19-21 South Africa
China 44-0 Mexico
Brazil 38-7 Portugal
Netherlands 12-10 Hong Kong
Fiji 45-0 Kenya
Japan 35-0 Argentina
France 66-0 Mexico
China 31-7 South Africa
Brazil 22-0 Hong Kong
Netherlands 14-0 Portugal
Fiji 33-7 Japan
Argentina 19-5 Kenya
France 26-7 China
South Africa 36-0 Mexico
Brazil 0-7 Netherlands
Portugal 26-19 Hong Kong

PRETORIA, September 12- Celebrity athlete Oscar Pistorius was found guilty on Friday of culpable homicide in shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a conviction that could result in a lengthy jail term.

A day after acquitting Pistorius of a more serious charge of murder, South African Judge Thokozile Masipa said that Pistorius had acted “negligently” when firing four hollow point rounds into a locked toilet door in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013.

On the charge of murder, Masipa said: “the accused is found not guilty and is discharged, instead he is found guilty of culpable homicide.”

“A reasonable person,” Masipa continued, “would have foreseen that possibility that whoever was behind the door might be killed by the shots and would have taken steps to avoid the consequences and the accused in this matter failed to take those consequences.”

The “Blade Runner” stared straight ahead as the conviction was read, showing little emotion.

From the gallery there was a sound of sniffles and shallow breaths of 29-year-old Steenkamp’s friends crying, including Desi Myers whose lip trembled in anguish.

Steenkamp’s father Barry ran his hand over his head while her mother June pursed her lips and shook her head.

The judge is expected to sentence Pistorius a few weeks from now and with no mandatory sentence for culpable homicide, Masipa will have a great deal of discretion over the punishment.

- Shock and relief –

Legal experts had earlier voiced surprise that Pistorius was found not guilty of murder, and predicted the case would likely not rest with the verdict.

Wits University criminal law professor James Grant said the state could appeal if they believe there has been an legal error.

“Everyone is a little surprised,” said lawyer Audrey Berndt, zeroing in Masipa’s finding that Pistorius could not have known that firing four hollow point bullets through the bathroom door would have killed someone.

“She should have explained her reasoning a little more” said Berndt.

Masipa — whose career has taken her from a childhood in a poor Johannesburg township to the country’s high court — had described Pistorius as a “very poor witness” who was “evasive” when questioned.

Masipa said Pistorius was guilty of negligently handling a gun in restaurant, but acquitted him on two other firearm charges.

Pistorius was found guilty of asking to see a gun in Tasha’s restaurant and while handling it under the table the firearm went off.

“He may not have intentionally pulled the trigger… that does not absolve him of the crime of negligently handling a firearm,” said Masipa.

Pistorius, who had remained emotionless the whole morning, started clenching his jaw during the ruling.

Masipa had however cleared Pistorius on charges of illegally possessing ammunition, which the sprinter said belonged to his father.

She also said there was not enough evidence to suggest he was guilty of another count of shooting a gun through a car sunroof.

The trial, which has gripped South Africans and much of the world for half a year, has cast a harsh spotlight on the fallen hero’s private life.

Full of high drama, the trial has fed intense media interest worldwide, with live broadcasts veering into the realm of TV reality.

During proceedings Pistorius has broken down, weeping and at times vomiting as he heard how his law graduate and model girlfriend’s head “exploded” like a watermelon under the impact of his hollow-point bullets.

LONDON, September 12- Lionel Messi’s hometown of Rosario, Argentina, has banned people from naming their children “Messi.”

As per Mundo Deportivo, local officials have passed a law barring residents from using the surname of the world’s best footballer as the first name of their newborn sons and daughters.

A family who did just that for a newborn son prompted the law.

According to the SI article, Rosario residents are still permitted to name their children Maradona.

Ronaldo is presumably still available, too.

Meanwhile, Messi is a little upset by the criticism he received after the World Cup, but has no plans to distance himself from the Albiceleste according to Julio Ricardo Grondona — president of Argentine league club Arsenal.

Grondona said Messi will dole out his friendly participation for Argentina “in doses” at Barcelona’s request, but has promised to be available for key matches, especially the Copa America in Chile in 2015.

“It’s true that Leo is a bit hurt by the criticism and the things that were said,” Grondona told Radio Guemes. “That’s why one of the requests we have made is that he return in honour of my father.”

Julio Grondona, a FIFA vice president and an Argentine football federation executive for 35 years, died this past July at age 82.

Messi, 27, was the Golden Ball winner at the World Cup this past summer, where Argentina lost to Germany, 1-0, in the final.

The Albiceleste gained a modicum of revenge for July’s World Cup final defeat to Germany with an Angel Di Maria-inspired 4-2 friendly win in Dusseldorf last week, but national captain Messi was missing having pulled out of the squad as a precaution with a minor adductor muscle problem.

“It is a just a matter of time before he returns,” Grondona said. “Leo has to rest for future matches.”

Argentina has two more friendlies slated for 2014, the first on Oct. 11 vs. Brazil in Beijing and the second three days later in Hong Kong.

-Bleacher Report/ESPN FC

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12- Jairus Kipchoge Birech is expected to star in the men’s 3000m steeplechase race at the IAAF Continental Cup in Marrakesh, Morocco, with good reason after a commanding 2014, put him head and shoulders above the competition.

The self-coached athlete has been simmering under the surface, narrowly missing the London Olympics in 2012 and the Moscow World Championships last year following successive fourth finishes at the killer Kenyan Trials.

However, the moment for the 21-year-old arrived this season where he raced to the African and Diamond League titles besides taking unexpected silver at the Commonwealth Games in a blitz that chalked eight victories in 11 starts over the water and barriers race associated with his country of birth.

The fourth born in a family of seven reduced his challengers, including three-time world and two-time Olympics champion, Ezekiel Kemboi, to emerge as the undisputed king of the steeple and victory in Morocco in Africa’s colours will be a fitting end to the season.

Unlike those before him from a country that has churned the finest exponents of the steeple; he is not willing to go down in history as a one season wonder as he eyes glory at next year’s World Championships in Beijing and the 2016 Olympics in Rio-de-Janeiro.

“This year has been good for me since I did good build-up starting with cross country and the hamstring injury that affected me last year is gone,” he explained the surge that has electrified the steeple circuit this season.

“I believe I can run the World Record and bring it back home. I’m targeting the World Championships next year (2015) and to maintain my shape for the 2016 Olympics,” he underlined with the 7:53.63 record ran by Qatari Said Saeed Shaheen (formerly Stephen Cherono) in 2003 firmly in his sights.

“I have been praying to go to the World Cup since last year. For me, winning the Diamond Trophy and the World Cup would be a dream come true in a blessed year for me,” the 21 year-old told of his dream to compete at the gathering of continents in Morocco.

A distant cousin to the late Bahraini steeplechaser, Abel Yagout Jawher (formerly Abel Cheruiyot/died 2006) and 2007 Osaka Worlds men 800m champion, Alfred Kirwa Yego, the inspiration for Birech to be involved in athletics was internal.

In June of 2010 he turned up for the Trials of the World Junior Championships but a fifth finish (8:50.0) put paid to his hopes of making the Kenyan squad for the Moncton, Canada global showpiece.

“I went back to train hoping for better luck next time but at least I tried,” the son of peasant farmers who helped his parents graze their cattle and cultivate crops to sustain him and his elder siblings said.

Fortune favoured the aspiring steeplechaser in May 2011 when he was selected to compete for his nation at the 10th Africa Junior Championships in Gaborone, Botswana where he won silver behind compatriot Gilbert Kirui in 8:28.08.

Birech then placed sixth (8:30.16) at the ensuing National Championships to rule out inclusion in the Daegu Worlds Kenyan squad but his sojourn in the DL continued in Stockholm (8:19.41) before rounding off the season with a fourth finish at the All African Games (8:21.30) in Maputo.

He was selected for the quadrennial Pan African Games on the back of his finish at the Nationals where the top three went to South Korea for the Worlds and the next three to the AAG.

“I was not expecting to go abroad so soon and I was very happy with the experience especially being in the Kenya team,” he declared.

He had a busy 2012 at the DL, IAAF Permit European circuit meetings and domestically where he just missed out on making the London Olympics team by finishing fourth (8:14.05) at the June Trials.

Although he had another packed 2013, Birech’s season was brought to an abrupt end in early September before he could contest his second DL final in Brussels after suffering a hamstring injury that saw him sever his links with Rosassociati and join Global Sports management ran by another Italian Athletes’ Representative, Gianni Demadonna.

For the second year running, finishing just outside the podium (8:16.3) at the National Championships in July cost him the chance to compete for his country at the Moscow Worlds.

This year, he started his DL campaign in Doha where he ran his lifetime best over 3000m of 7:41.83 before returning to his favoured steeple in Shanghai (May/sixth), Eugene (June/seventh), Oslo (June/fourth), London (July/third), Zurich (second) where he ran his season’s best of 8:08.72 in August and Berlin (third/September) to round his season.

Birech exploded in 2014, with the only ‘blot’ in his copy book being forced to accept silver (8:12.68) at the quadrennial Commonwealth Games in August by former World Junior titleholder, Jonathan Muia Ndiku before he turned tables on his conqueror inside a fortnight to bag the African crown (8:34.79) in Marrakech, Morocco and make the continent’ s team for the World Cup in the same Morrocan resort city.

Having opened his DL charge with a fourth finish in Doha (May) nothing prepared the competition for what followed next as back-to-back victories in Rome (June), Oslo (June), Lausanne (July), Monaco (July) and Birmingham (August) confirmed him as the winner of the Diamond Race with the Brussels final to spare, reducing his task there to just showing up to pick the 40,000 U.S. dollars jackpot and gleaming Diamond Trophy.

His last show before the final in Birmingham brought drama as Birech, though tired started to soak in the victory, pumping his arm for the crowd as he rounded the final turn. But he started his run-up to the final barrier too late, stumbled and had to stop completely and brace himself on the barrier.

With no momentum, Birech put one arm on the barrier and went over sideways, one leg and then the other. Birech had such a large lead that he still won comfortably, but it was certainly a strange sight to see someone go over a barrier with his chest facing the crowd.

Having recharged his batteries, Birech turned up at the Brussels final and added another act to his repertoire-speed as he achieved his first sub 8:00 performance to be crowned the Diamond Race winner in the most emphatic of fashions.

Determined to become the 11th member of the sub-eight-minute club, Birech pushed the pace in the closing kilometre, opening up a gap on the hard chasing Olympics bronze winner, Mekhissi-Benabbad before the final lap.

He from his French rival and stopped the clock at 7:58.41, taking him to 10th on the world all-time list.

“The steeplechase is a race one can dominate for over 10 years if you maintain discipline and my prayer is to maintain the same form I have this season take over from our veterans like (Ezekiel) Kemboi, Brimin (Kiruto), (Paul) Kipsiele and (Richard) Mateelong who have been good champions for Kenya,” Birech, who aspires to be a businessman and maybe later return to advance his education besides being a force in the steeple underlined.

LONDON, England, September 12-Diego Costa and Garry Monk have won the Premier League Player and Manager of the Month awards respectively for August.

Costa, 25, has scored four goals in his first three games for Chelsea since a summer switch from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of 32 million pounds.

“I’m very happy to win this award,” Costa told Chelsea’s official website. “It is important to begin well at a new club and I’m pleased with both my start to the season and also the team’s, which is the most important thing.

“I hope to continue scoring goals to help out the team and keep making our fantastic supporters happy. I thank my teammates as they have helped me win this award.”

Swans boss Monk — who was named the club’s permanent manager this summer following a spell as interim player-manager last season — has led his side to three wins from their first three league games this term, including a opening-day 2-1 win at Manchester United.

“It’s an honour and privilege, but it’s very much a collective — it’s not about individuals,” Monk told the Swans’ official website. “For me, it’s about the players, myself, the staff around me day-to-day and the staff in the office working hard.

“We have made a great start, but that’s all it is — a start. There will be ups and downs but we will make sure that we maintain our standards and that should see us achieve a good season.”

Swansea travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday with both sides looking to maintain their 100 percent starts to the Premier League campaign.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12- Making history has become a hallmark of Kenyan men Javelin star, Julius Yego, and this year is not different as he bids to pursue another first at the IAAF Continental Cup in Marrakesh, Morocco, the same city he held on to his continental crown last month.

Yego and history have become synonymous since he won his country a maiden men’s Javelin gold medal at the All Africa Games in Maputo in 2011 to become the only acclaimed Kenyan star in athletics outside the distance running world beaters the nation is more famed for.

His progression from a downcast teenage field athlete, who shed tears when Athletics Kenya declined to enter him for the 2008 World Junior Championships despite his 72.41m throw qualifying him for the competition, to a global star has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Known widely as the ‘YouTube Man’, Yego circumvented the lack of proper coaches in his chosen sport by spending hours at cyber cafes in Nairobi and Eldoret to improve his technique by watching his idols, led by World record holder, Jan Zelezny, on the video sharing website, forcing the same authorities who crushed his World Junior dream to parade him as a success in the country’s efforts to expand its medal catchment in the sport.

“In the press conference after winning gold in Mozambique, journalists asked me who was my coach and I told them it was YouTube for it was there that I learnt how to throw.”

His success in Maputo caught the eye of the IAAF who gave him a two week training course in Finland. It was here that he met Petteri Piironen who would play a big role in his development. Based in Western Finland, he helped Yego immensely working on his technical side and physique.

Starting in Maputo, Yego has gone ahead to break the national record no less than six times, his latest best mark, 85.40m, at the Moscow World Championships, where he finished just outside the medals and his exceptional list of firsts expanded in 2014 to include the Commonwealth Games title as well as a place at the Continental Cup.

In 2012, he made history as the first African Javelin thrower to qualify for the Olympics final in London.

In Moscow, Yego’s expanding list of landmarks continued as he became the first ever field captain of the Kenyan squad, besides being the pioneering exponent of his event to represent his nation at the biennial global showpiece.

Inspired by the legendary record holder, Zelezny, Yego knew from the start that he was destined to excel in Javelin. “It is my talent and I had interest in Javelin since I was in Standard Six (sixth year of primary school),” he asserted.

Having won successive domestic titles in 2009 and 2010, Yego won his first medal for his nation at the Nairobi 2010 Africa Athletics Championships with a best effort of 74.51m that fuelled his desire to achieve more.

This led him to turn to YouTube to study the techniques of Zelezny and his other favourite throwers, double Olympic champion (2004 and 2008), Andreas Thorkildsen and Osaka Worlds gold medallist, Tero Pitkämäki.

“I realised that the coaching here would never improve me and that is why I turned to YouTube to watch champion Javelin throwers such as record holder Zelezny, Thorkildsen and Pitkämäki.”

His efforts paid off when he won the top medal at the Maputo All Africa Games in 2011 in his first of six national records, 78.34m, becoming an instant sensation when his YouTube story went viral home and abroad.

With his billing as a prospect for the London Olympics assured in addition to the buzz his triumph created, AK, facilitated Yego to travel to Finland in late 2011 and early 2012 to improve on his technique.

In 2012, he adjusted the NR thrice with 79.95m (April), 81.12m (July) and 81.81m (August) with the latter coming at the heats at London Olympics where a ninth finish saw him become the first African to contest the final at the event. Also in July before he travelled to London, Yego’s 76.68m best effort was enough to make him the first Kenyan to strike African Championships gold in Javelin at the competition held in Porto Novo, Benin.

“Being an African champion is a great honour. When I was in the stadium everyone was looking at me and exclaiming, ‘Oh! Look! A Kenyan is winning the Javelin’. Looking at South African and Egyptian athletes who have better facilities, winning filled me with so much pride,” he told of his continental glory.

At the London Olympics final, he could only finish 12th after injuring his knee during warm-up but nonetheless returned home a hero from his ground breaking achievement at an event Kenya had previously failed to ignite.

“It was fantastic; I was just feeling proud to have made the finals. It was my dream to be at the finals since the start of this year and it really worked as I had planned and I’m happy about my performance.

“I remember before I did my last throw (in qualification), the head coach of Finland called me and told me, ‘Just remember what we said before you went to the stadium, just make 80m and that will be enough for you to make the final’,” Yego summed his London experience.

After the Olympics, Yego made his Diamond League (DL) debut in the tail end of the season at the Zürich final (78.74m/fifth)

Last year, Yego increased his international experience, first with a three-meet tour in far-East Asia which included his second DL outing in Shanghai (78.23m) in May, then recorded two marks over 80m in Europe in June (80.43m in Prague and 81.79 in Turku).

Back on home soil for the National Championships on 21 June, his effect on his compatriots keen to follow in his footsteps was felt when three other athletes joined him in posting efforts that sailed above 70 metres.

This was the first time this had ever happened in the country’s history as 18-year old Alex Kiprotich (72.73 metres) and Fred Kogo (71.40 metres) recorded career bests while 2008 Africa bronze winner, Sammy Keskeny (70.25m) the second mark of his career.

A few weeks later at the Trials for the Moscow Worlds, Yego once again smashed his national record and adjusted it to 82.09m at the high elevation of Nairobi.

His success story saw him become a favourite interview subject, with US cable news giant, CNN, among those who sent crews to Kenya to interview the YouTube Man.

In Moscow, another NR was not enough to propel him to the podium after losing bronze to home star Dmitry Tarabin on the very last throw but yet again, he returned home a celebrated star of the team that wrought five gold medals before sewing up the season with a fifth finish (82.46m) at the Brussels Diamond League final in September, the last of his three outings after the Worlds.

After his Moscow heartbreak, Yego gathered himself to spear his way to more acclaim in 2014 at the quadrennial Club Games in Scotland where he competed not as a rank outsider but a favourite to underline his stature.

His build-up to Glasgow saw among others, polished performances in the Diamond League in Shanghai (fourth/83.00m) in May and the Bislett Games in Oslo where he just missed out on victory when his 84.17m best throw lost out to his idol, Pitkamaki by only a metre in June as Yego wrapped another national crown (80.02m) a week before his heroics in Norway, the spiritual home of the Javelin.

Lining up for the Commonwealth final in August, Yego suffered a scare during warm up but he held it together,

“It was especially hard as I got injured in the warm up but I kept going,” he said.

The conditions were far from perfect with heavy downpour but Yego kept his focus. “There was a lot of rain but no wind which helped. It’s tricky when you throw in the rain and the body gets cold bit we had a good competition and three throwers threw over 80 metres which is quite a feat.”

It was his 83.87 top effort that completed a stunning and comprehensive victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympics champion, Keshorn Walcott (82.67m) and Hamish Peacock of Australia (81.75m), with Yego’s performance earning praise from none other than Kenya’s Head of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“News of your achievement has come as a great delight to all of us here. All your hard work, commitment and practice have paid off,” Kenyatta said in hailing the Javelin star.

“It’s a dream come true. At last, I have gotten what I wanted which was to be a champion of a big event. I had won the All African Games but this was the big one.

“You know as a man you have to fight and I have fought long and hard for this and this is the moment I was fighting for and I have gold,” he said of his Glasgow triumph.

And he was not done yet. Yego prevailed over another stern challenge from Egypt’s sensation Ihab Abdelrahman (83.59) barely a fortnight later to retain his African title with a 84.72m SB to earn inclusion in Africa’s team for the World Cup.

A fourth finish (84.71) at the Zurich Diamond League final towards the end of the month meant he would have to wait to win a Diamond Trophy but it placed him in good stead for more history in Marrakech.

NAIROBI, September 12- Kenya’s Commonwealth and African silver medallist, Isaiah Kiplangat Koech, is raring to catch the bouquet and close his season with IAAF Continental Championships honours in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Koech, who’s famously known as ‘President’ due to the closeness of his name to Athletics Kenya boss, Isaiah Kiplagat, reigned over 5,000m in Kenya in the previous three seasons before compatriot Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku stole the thunder this year.

The power-pack athlete played the bridesmaid to his compatriot at the National Championships in June before being led to the altar at both the Glasgow Club Games and continental showdown in Morocco by the same opponent inside a week in August but ahead of the gathering of continents, Kiplangat is hoping lightening will not strike for the fourth time.

A personal best in 8km race (22:09) in New Orleans in March before a seasonal 10K best the following month in 28:07 at the same US city opened his season with much promise.

Koech was slowly moving into form clocking a seasonal best (13:07.55) in Oregon on May 31.

A week later he lined up for at the National Championships cum Commonwealth games trials in Nairobi trials seeking ticket to Glasgow 2014.

But as is typical of Kenyan trials, Koech could only manage fourth place at gruesome championships in 13:30.81. AK however came to his rescue by handing him a wild card for both events.

In the 5,000m final at Hampden Park, Koech did most of the work pushing the pace for almost the entire race but he was edged out in a sprint finish by compatriot Mwangangi having to settle for silver in 13:14.06.

“The race was fine and I am happy about the medal. It was a good race although it was raining and we got one and two for Kenya. The pace was so slow so I decided to push it a bit because I wanted to go slightly faster.”

A few days later, the order was repeated at the African Athletics Championships in Marrakesh with Koech again following Mwangangi across the line in 13:35.73 to make the African team for the Intercontinental Cup also set for the Moroccan City.

Koech and Mwangangi are the only athletes from Africa to feature at the same event from the same nation and another 1-2 cannot be ruled out although this time, the former is hoping to reverse the finishing order in a season where the 12 and a half-lap race has evolved to be an internal competition.

PRETORIA, September 12- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Friday it was disappointed that it was not successful in securing a conviction on the original charge of premeditated murder against Paralympian Oscar Pistorius.

This came after the North Gauteng High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa concluded handing down her judgement in the trial of Pistorius, finding him guilty of culpable homicide but not guilty of premeditatedly murdering his girlfriend on Valentine’s night last year.

“We respect the court decision to convict the accused on culpable homicide, which is in fact a serious crime,” the NPA said in a statement.

The NPA “respects the findings of the court today. However it is important to mention that from the very beginning the prosecutors held the view that there was sufficient evidence to secure a successful prosecution on the charges that were preferred against the accused”, the statement said.

In her ruling, Masipa said, “The unanimous decision of this court is the following: on count one of murder, the accused is found not guilty, instead, he is found guilty of capable homicide.”

Masipa said the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty of premeditated murder. This was despite the judge’s earlier admission that Pistorius was a poor witness who contradicted himself.

Pistorius was also found guilty for recklessly handling a firearm in a public place but dismissed two other gun related charges.

The NPA said it will wait until the matter is concluded and will then comment on any further legal steps that might be envisaged.

“Further, NPA is satisfied with the manner in which the prosecution team prosecuted the case. They displayed the highest degree of professionalism and their ethical conduct could not be faulted throughout the trial. They have served as good ambassadors for the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa and the fight for justice,” the statement said.

The court also extended the bail of Pistorius until sentencing.

Court was adjourned to October 13 for sentencing procedures.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12 – An own goal by sassy newscaster Anita Nderu cost a spirited Capital FM the title in the SuperSport Media Day football final after they fell 1-0 to the host team in a gripping final.

Anita, who was in goal, turned the ball into her own net on the dying embers of the match for the decisive goal in a keenly competed final.

To the surprise of many, Capital edged out Standard Media in the semi-final after topping a Group B that had KBC, Radio Africa and NTV with 10 points.

Other stars of the Capital team were sports reporter, Alex Isaboke, Break Fast presenter Maqbul Mohammed and Martin Kariuki, the creative guru and Emcee.

Capital began on a high note after beating Media Select 1-0, then went on to humble Nation by the same score line with Isaboke scoring the all important goal.

The third match saw Capital register the highest score of the tournament after edging out group favourites Radio Africa 3-1 to book a semi-final slot with a game to spare.

The last preliminary game against KBC, Capital came a goal down to pick a point and storm the last four where they went on to eliminate Standard 2-1 on spot-kicks with keeper Anthony Kago saving the last kick.

In the mouth watering final, Capital put a spirited fight against a star studded side, SuperSport that included former long serving Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno, former player Simeone Mulama, Salim Ali, Reggae DJ and Swahili show Mchaka Mchaka reporter Chris Darlin to hold them to a barren first half.

Both sides opted to sit back in the last period and with the decider destined to penalties but disaster struck to the Best Mix of Music team when Anita was put under pressure by the much taller Otieno to put through her keeper three minutes to the final whistle.

Capital were awarded runners trophy and medals, their first ever.

MURANG’A, Kenya, September 13 – Only a week after he won the Jaramogi Oginga 15km road race in Bondo in his comeback from a two-year doping ban, Mathew Kisorio has hit the headlines again, this time winning the 11th Ndakaini Half Marathon on Saturday.

The 25-year-old who became Kenya’s highest profile athlete to admit taking banned substances after testing positive for using anabolic steroid at the Kenyan national championships in June 2012, clocked 1:4.50 to win the race while former 3000m Youth Olympics champion Gladys Chesir won the corresponding women race in 1:4.50.

Kisorio a former African junior 5,000m and 10,000m champion showed intent he was out to repair his tainted image managing to conquer the course considered as one of the toughest in the world after leading from start to finish, opening the gap at 10km to the tape to finish first ahead of Hosea Macharinyang’ who stopped the clock at 1:5:51, 14 seconds ahead of Emmanuel Bor who was third.

Immediately after the race Kisorio who said it was difficult staying in the cold for two years, declared he is using the races as part of preparation for his target of breaking the men’s World Half Marathon held by Eritrean Zersenay Tadese who set it in 2010 in Lisbon in 58:23.

“It was not easy staying out of competition for two years, I was found myself in a tough situation but I thank God I managed to maintain my shape. I accepted the situation and I thank my family for standing with me in the trying times.

“Winning Ndakaini is a milestone to me and it has proved that I’m back especially after running in front the entire race something that I was comfortable of. I want to do my level best working together with my pace makers to see that I break the World Half Marathon record,” the Kenya Police athlete announced after the win.

However, Kisorio who will be competing at the Masai Mara Marathon and Nairobi International Marathon before the year ends, urged Kenyan athletes to stay clean and avoid anti doping.

“Let us maintain discipline and avoid using banned substances because I don’t want any athlete to undergo what I went through. We are a country of winners so if we train hard we will win easy as always.”

Chesir on the other hand stamped her authority in marathon after winning in her debut with well clear of runners-up Beatrice Mutai (1:16.11) as Jackline Chepng’eno arrived third 18 seconds later.

“This is my first time running in a marathon and coming in Ndakaini , the place is good because it’s just a high attitude like Iten but the course was tough since it was hilly and sloppy,” Chesir who trains in Iten stated.

Running in sweltering heat, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees, Kisorio and Chesir weathered the hilly Ndakaini terrain around the 21Km course which sits at a high altitude of 2040 meters above sea level.

Both winners in the half marathon event pocketed Sh200, 000 (USD2, 259.9) each.

In the 10Km races, Amos Kaptich improved on his last year’s third position to emerge first by posting 29.24 followed by Frankline Ng’elel with 29.42 and John Lagat completing the podium in 29.45.

Miriam Muthoni dominated the women’s event after stopping the clock at 31.43.00 ahead of Josephine Musau (31:43.01) while Monicah Wanjuhi settled third in 35:12.

The annual event was also used for commemorating the late Olympics winner Samuel Wanjiru who competed in the inaugural edition.

The race was graced by former world beaters led by two time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba, Beijing 800m Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei, Paralympian Henry Wanyoike and current marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang.

Funds raised from the marathon will be channelled for conserving the Ndakaini Dam, a water reservoir that benefits more than 4 million people majority of who live in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

LONDON, September 13-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists there are no issues with Loic Remy’s fitness, despite Liverpool having seemingly pulled out of a deal for the Frenchman due to a reported failed medical.

The forward looked destined to leave QPR during the recently concluded transfer period, and was even believed to have met with the Reds, only to have the Anfield club eventually turn their back on any offer.

The Blues then stepped in and wrapped up a deal for the 27-year-old France international, and Mourinho insists he is in the dark over why Liverpool failed to see their proposed deal through.

“We don’t have Liverpool’s report,” Mourinho said of Remy, who could make his debut in Saturday’s top of the table clash against Swansea City.

“The final conclusion (of Chelsea’s medical) was the same conclusion that the France federation medical department had before the World Cup, which was that the player has no problems and can play football.

“If a player fails a medical it should be something very, very intimate, very personal between the player and the club.

“But the way almost every club does it, it looks like the medical is not any more a private situation.”

LONDON, September 13- Phil Jones has joined Manchester United’s growing injury list after being ruled out of action for up to a month with a torn hamstring.

The 22-year-old defender sustained the injury while on international duty earlier this week, having been forced off during the second half of England’s 2-0 win over Switzerland on Monday.

Jones had played every minute of United’s three matches in the Premier League this season as part of a new-look three-man backline implemented by manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman is already light in defence, with Chris Smalling, Rafael (both groin) and Luke Shaw (hamstring) currently sidelined, although the latter two could make their returns this weekend against QPR.

Meanwhile, Marcos Rojo is also available to make his Red Devils debut on Sunday after finally being granted a visa following his off-season switch from Sporting CP.

But Van Gaal will have to do without Jones for the next three weeks at least after confirming the latest blow to his defensive options.

He said: “Phil has a torn hamstring. He is maybe out for three weeks or a month.”

LONDON, September 13- Martin Demichelis’ late header saved Manchester City from a second successive defeat as the Premier League champions rescued a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.

City, who had lost at home to Stoke immediately before the international break, appeared set to leave the Emirates Stadium empty-handed when Arsenal staged a second half comeback with two excellent goals from Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez overturning Sergio Aguero’s first half opener.

But Argentine defender Demichelis was allowed a free header from an 84th minute corner to ensure both teams go into their opening Champions League group games next week having avoided defeat.

City finished the stronger with Samir Nasri seeing a late effort ruled out for offside, but both managers could make a case that their side was hard done by.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will feel his side have made progress after suffering a succession of painful defeats against their top four rivals last season, but the Gunners have won only one of their first four league matches.

Wenger handed a debut to Danny Welbeck whose £16 million ($26 million) transfer from Manchester United had lifted the mood among Arsenal supporters critical of Wenger’s failure to bring in a striker during the transfer window.

Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, handed a first Manchester City start to Frank Lampard who joined the club on loan after leaving Chelsea as a free agent, with the former England midfielder replacing Yaya Toure who was rested following international duty with the Ivory Coast.

Of the two new faces, it was Welbeck who made the bigger impression early on with the forward clearly brimming with confidence following his two-goal display for England in Switzerland in midweek.

- Arsenal swagger -

With Arsenal starting the game on the front foot, it looked as though Welbeck would make the perfect start when he latched onto a loose ball from City’s David Silva only for his chipped finish to rebound away off the inside of the post with Joe Hart beaten.

The effort summed up Arsenal’s swagger during the opening 25 minutes with Sanchez, Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey combining well behind Welbeck.

By contrast, City were getting overrun in midfield and Lampard was largely anonymous before receiving the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Ramsey.

Jesus Navas’s pace down the right hand flank was the visitors’ most productive outlet and the winger almost drew an own-goal from Per Mertesacker when the Arsenal defender spooned a low cross over his own cross bar.

That should have been a warning for Arsenal but it went unheeded with left-back Nacho Monreal again exposed to Navas’s pace in the build-up to the 28th minute opening goal.

Navas again broke on the right from halfway before sending a low cross towards Aguero and, having taken advantage of Mathieu Flamini’s lapse in concentration, the Argentina striker pulled into space before finishing from close range.

It was a familiar story for Arsenal who had enjoyed the majority of possession only to be exposed by the opposition’s more clinical finishing.

The momentum had shifted City’s way with Arsenal once again looking incapable of matching their main rivals.

Wenger, though, insists his side are more resilient this season and the way they responded after the break supported the manager’s view.

Wilshere sparked his side into life, winning the ball in midfield before exchanging passes with Ramsey, moving past Gael Clichy and clipping a right foot finish over Joe Hart for the 63rd minute leveller.

City’s response was muted and Arsenal forced themselves ahead 11 minutes later when Sanchez latched onto Wilshere’s looping header to direct a brilliant volley past Hart.

City appeared to be heading for a second successive defeat, but Arsenal showed they have not shed the tendency to self-destruct when they left Demichelis unmarked at an Aleksandar Kolarov corner, allowing the centre-back to head the leveller six minutes from time.

LONDON, September 13- Danny Welbeck made his Arsenal debut against Manchester City after scoring both goals in England’s 2-0 win over Switzerland earlier in the week and he very nearly kept the goal train rolling early on at the Emirates. Except he didn’t.

Arsenal came out looking like the stronger side and Welbeck had the chance to make it a dream start in the 12th minute when he chipped Joe Hart only for the ball to bounce off the far post and find its way into the arms of the relieved keeper.

Welbeck, who wasn’t up to the standard required at Manchester United according to Louis van Gaal, instinctively reacted to his miss by putting his hands to his head as many of his new club’s supporters did the same behind him.

Man City went on to get on the board first with a perfectly executed goal from Sergio Aguero on the counter attack in the 28th minute to cement a very Arsenal first half.

Jack Wilshere then equalized for the home side in the 63rd minute by putting the ball over Hart and finding the top of the net from close range.

-Yahoo!Sport

And Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal the lead with his third goal in his last three matches before Martin Demichelis became an unlikely savior for City by heading in an equalizer of his own in the 83rd minute to salvage a highly entertaining 2-2 draw.

LONDON, September 13- Liverpool crashed to a surprise 1-0 loss at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, after Chelsea beat Swansea City 4-2 to move clear at the Premier League summit.

Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the only goal at Anfield in the ninth minute, hooking home from close range after Philippe Senderos’s header was blocked by Javier Manquillo.

After debutant Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli shot wide, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers sent Raheem Sterling on, but the closest the hosts came to equalising was a shot from Philippe Coutinho that hit the post.

While Villa — who have not lost at Anfield since December 2010 — remain unbeaten this season, Liverpool have now lost twice, following last month’s 3-1 loss at Manchester City, and trail Chelsea by six points.

Villa climbed to second, two points behind Chelsea, who came from behind to beat Swansea at Stamford Bridge thanks to a hat-trick by Diego Costa.

John Terry’s own goal from Neil Taylor’s left-wing cross gave previously unbeaten Swansea an 11th-minute lead, but Costa equalised on the stroke of half-time with a header from a right-wing corner.

He struck twice in 11 minutes to put Chelsea in control, polishing off a Cesc Fabregas cut-back and a mishit Ramires shot, and Loic Remy made it 4-1 with a debut goal before Jonjo Shelvey replied for Swansea.

Brazil-born Spain international Costa now has seven goals to his name and is the first player to score in his first four Premier League games since Coventry City’s Micky Quinn in 1992.

“Diego Costa is one of the best strikers we have at this moment in football,” said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

“The team is an attacking team that creates a lot and creates spaces for a striker. It could have been five or six.”

- Leicester claim first win -

Elsewhere, Everton claimed their first win of the season with a 2-0 success at West Bromwich Albion.

Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the second minute against his former club, pouncing on a loose clearance from Jonas Olsson and curling home, with Kevin Mirallas sealing victory in the 67th minute.

An own goal by Harry Kane saw Tottenham Hotspur held to a 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

After Nacer Chadli and Adam Johnson had exchanged quick-fire goals, Chadli teed up Christian Eriksen to restore Spurs’ lead, only for Vlad Chiriches’s clearance to hit Kane and bounce in for an own goal in the 82nd minute.

Graziano Pelle scored twice as Southampton sent Newcastle United to the foot of the table with a 4-0 win at St Mary’s. Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin were also on target.

Leicester City secured their first victory since gaining promotion, winning 1-0 at Stoke thanks to a second-half effort from new signing Leonardo Ulloa.

But fellow promoted side Burnley failed to follow suit, with Scott Arfield seeing a late penalty saved by Julian Speroni in a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

Manchester United host Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, when Radamel Falcao, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind are all in line to make their first appearances for Louis van Gaal’s side.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 13 – AFC Leopards’ stated mission of a late charge for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title all but dissipated Saturday after being switched off 2-1 by Western Stima at Moi Stadium in Kisumu that hosted a top flight match for the first time in eight years.

Fredrick Shimoyo struck first for Stima from the spot in the sixth minute after midfielder Musa Mudde handled Wesley Kemboi’s cross in the box before Bernard Mang’oli levelled in the 70th also from 12 yards.

The hero of the day was Francis Ocholla who scored the winner five minutes later to send Stima into the top eight on points as Leopard’s stated claim pre-match they would seek to claw back the 14-point gap with leaders and archrivals Gor Mahia fell short at the first test.

Elsewhere, Nakuru All Stars chances of surviving in the league hang by a thread after going down 1-0 to visiting Chemelil Sugar with Daniel Murage netting the winner in the 14th.

Muhoroni Youth silenced Thika United by the same margin after former Kakamega Homeboyz midfielder Mike Khaduli converted from the spot in the 32nd following a Glay Dirkir hand ball in the box to separate the side.

The highlight of the day was in Kisumu where Leopards head coach Pieter De Jongh drafted youngster Duncan Otieno in the starting line-up to replace Humphrey Mieno in midfield as well as Eric Masika at centre half while benching full backs James Situma and Abdallah Juma.

The opener gave Stima confidence to hold on the lead to the breather despite Leopards pilling pressure through Jacob Keli and Noah Wafula who failed to hit the target from open chances.

Keli should have equalised in the 10th when Mudde found him only for him to feebly head the ball directly to the grateful arms of keeper Gabriel Andika who would have done nothing to prevent a goal had the Harambee Stars forward put it either side of the custodian.

Five minutes later, Ingwe raided Stima’s defence after breaking through a counter attack with Mudde, keen to atone for his penalty give-away, again fed Keli who cut inside the box to pass it on to Wafula but the decisive touch eluded the winger.

The second half turned physical leading centre referee Davis Omweno to hand Leopards Timonah Wanyonyi and Stima captain Hudson Muhako yellow cards after being involved in a scuffle.

Ocholla could have doubled the lead from a well executed set piece in the 53rd but Wycliffe Kasaya stood tall in the Ingwe to deny the former Gor midfielder after punching over the bar for a fruitless corner.

On the other end Andika stopped Mang’oli’s free kick but could not rescue the midfielder’s penalty moments later after George Wesa was cited for a high boot on Wanyonyi in the box.

It took only five minutes for Ocholla to restore the designated host’s advantage when he punished Leopards for slack defending to head past Kasaya for the result as Stima’s hopes of holding on for a top 8 finish stayed alive at the expense of Leopard’s aspirations of mounting what would have been a miraculous charge for the KPL crown.

MADRID, Spain, September 13 – Barcelona made it three wins from three under new boss Luis Enrique as Neymar came off the bench to score twice in a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

The Brazilian had been left out of the starting line-up after his exertions in captaining his country for the first time in wins over Colombia and Ecuador in the past week, but made the difference in a tight contest when he slotted home from Lionel Messi’s pass 11 minutes from time.

And the two combined once more five minutes later as this time Messi breezed past three Athletic defenders before cutting the ball back for Neymar to side-foot home.

Barca remain at the top of the table, five points clear of La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and six ahead of Real Madrid with both sides from the capital to face off at the Santiago Bernabeu later on Saturday.

“Messi is the best in the world. He is a star and I am improving with him,” Neymar told Canal Plus.

“I am very happy with the game today. It went perfectly with the two goals.

“We knew we would suffer a little bit, but we managed to remain tight at the back and then went onto win the game.”

Enrique was also quick to laud the impact made by Messi in creating both goals, as he also did for Sandro’s winner at Villarreal two weeks ago.

“It is evident that he is best in the world in any attacking aspect,” he said.

“This version of Messi helps us a lot because he is a game changer. He does things in training that you can’t imagine, things I haven’t even seen on the Playstation.”

Fresh from making his debut with Spain in a 5-1 thrashing of Macedonia on Monday, 19-year-old Munir El Haddadi once again started ahead of Neymar and was a constant threat despite not having his best day in front of goal.

Munir’s first opening of the day came 20 minutes in when he collected Messi’s pass and turned Oscar de Marcos with ease, but then fired wastefully over with just Gorka Iraizoz to beat.

Athletic were coping comfortably with Barca in the final third, though, and threatened themselves when the excellent Ander Iturraspe broke into the box but his shot lacked the power to trouble Claudio Bravo.

Barca upped the pressure on the Athletic goal just before half-time as Iraizoz did well to parry Ivan Rakitic’s fierce low drive before spreading himself to block from Munir at point-blank range as the youngster latched onto another Messi assist.

Munir thought he had broken the deadlock at the start of the second period as he swept home from close range, but was this time denied by the offside flag as he failed to time his run.

Iraizoz was on top form once more to turn Jordi Alba’s low drive behind and hold a powerful header from Munir, but Neymar’s entrance just after the hour mark gave Barca the extra touch of class they needed to punish the Basques.

Aymeric Laporte’s wayward pass was picked off by Sergio Busquets and he fed Messi before the Argentine freed Neymar in behind the Athletic defence to roll home his first goal of the season.

Messi played the role of provider once more six minutes from the end as he floated down the right wing and pulled the ball back for the unmarked Neymar to slot home.

Both sides’ attentions will now turn to Champions League action on Wednesday as Barca host Cypriots APOEL Nicosia and Athletic welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the new San Mames in their first group stage game in the Champions League for 16 years.