NAIROBI, Kenya, August 31- Harambee Stars head coach, Adel Amrouche, has vigorously denied allegations he is hawking the country’s local based players to overseas clubs for profit.

Speaking at a media briefing, the visibly annoyed Belgian tactician said he was using his expansive international coaching links to link Kenyan players to foreign clubs to improve their careers just as he did in his four-year tenure in Burundi.

“I don’t talk about transfers. I put them in direct contact with clubs, I don’t take consultancy with players and I help my players to grow. I’m angry when reports asked whether Adel is an agent or coach. People called me from Europe.”

The Belgian national was instrumental in facilitating the move that is yet to materialise for local league leaders, Gor Mahia forward Raphael Mungai Kiongera to German club Borussia Monchengladbach.

“I work here for Kenya. If the national team is good, it’s good for everybody. If we go to Africa Nations Cup, Kenya goes to African Cup. Sometimes we have these problems and when a player comes and ask me whether he should play for a team, I tell them no, I come from far and I cannot be involved in (local) tribes,” he said.

Recently, Amrouche linked domestic top flight titleholders Tusker FC defender, David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng with a switch to Saudi Arabia professional league outfit Al Taawoun where he has already made an appearance according to reports.

Kiongera and Ochieng were named in his provisional squad to face Namibia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier scheduled for Sept. 8 although the latter is still listed as a Tusker player in the squad sheet signed by the coach.

“Don’t bring me problems with people. I have only my team and I saw ‘Cheche’ leave since I cannot support them living this (poor) life and when he comes, ask him. I’m happy when they come back, they can buy houses for their families.”

“God gave me this chance to help and I put 23 players out in Burundi and when I do it for one player here, some journalists ask me whether I got something. For this, I’m angry since I’m here for good intention and I love this country and with time, you know why,” he added.

Amrouche expressed he was saddened by reports that some former players were living in abject poverty and part of his duties was to engage his contacts to better the lives of those who can make it in clubs overseas.

“I don’t want to see Kiongera or Cheche selling things in the market in future. I’m proud of what I did in Burundi and if this will make me be called an agent, then call me that. I will not be here forever and when I go, I want to leave a structure here where Kenyan players can move to develop their careers,” the Belgian said.

Amrouche noted that the country’s low FIFA ranking was not a cause of concern but shifting more players abroad would help the nation improve.

“When (Victor) Wanyama plays for Southampton in England, it makes interest in Kenyan players’abroad increase. We need more than this since we do not have enough money to put all programmes and structures we need to improve,” he stressed.

Wanyama, who moved from Scottish champions Celtic FC to English Premiership side Southampton for a record 12 million pounds last month, is expected to captain Stars against Namibia if he honours his call-up.

KISUMU, Kenya, September 1- Carl “Flash” Tundo navigated by Tim Jessop in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9 fought gallantry to win the KCB Mobi Bank Kisumu Rally in Chemase region on Saturday.

The Equator Motor Club tour was rendered a two-horse race pitting defending champion Tundo and Ian Duncan after series leader Baldev Chager suffered a puncture 5km into the opening CS1 Chepsweta stage.

But Duncan had contend with fourth following an excruciating flat that saw him lose grip on the lakeside showdown which he won last year.

Homeboy Jaspreet Singh Chatthe stunned all when he secured a maiden podium finish; incidentally on his first outing in the Mitsubishi EVOX car after re-uniting with Gugu Panesar.

A top-three finish for the duo was indeed a welcome relief for home fans given that the pair rolled their EVO9 machine during last month’s Safari Rally.

“Im now coming to grips with the new car though I didn’t start well in the initial sections but as the rally wore on, I got better and better,” Chatthe.

Omar Mayanja from Uganda won the 2WD Class in 13th overall but Toyota Vitz driver Sammy Nyorri in 20th scored a maximum 80 Formula Two championship points with his new lady navigator Qui Mungai.

There were only two 2WD finishers in Kisumu. Khan brothers Aslam and Arshad won the Classic Car Cup in 12th overall place after their category adversary Hardev Singh Sira of Great Britain retired in CS1 with clutch problems.

KNRC Debutant Ronak Shah and his Nairobi partner Riyaz Ismail won the S Class in 14th overall place. Jassi Chatthe emerged the KNRC Division Two winner while Division 3 honors went to Jasmeet Chana in 7th place.

Aslam Khan who is the reigning Classic Car Cup Champion said he is planning to rest his Porsche 911 and strip it well in time for the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic.

Aslam said he is planning to use a different car during the penultimate Guru Nanak Rally which will take place on the first week of October.

FINAL RESULTS –KCB KISUMU RALLY

1.Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 1:40.01
2. Jaspreet Chatthe/Gurdeep Panesar (Mitsubishi EVO X) 1:42.35
3. Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (Mitsubishi EVOX) 1:44.06
4. Ian Duncan/Amaar Slatch (Mitsubishi EVO9) 1:45.55
5. Azar Anwar/Julius Ngigi (Mitsubishi EVO 8) 1:46.40
6. Izhar Mirza/Kavir Dave (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 1:47.30
7. Jasmeet Chana/Rohit Budhia (Mitsubishi EVO9) 1:49.08
8. Hardeep Rehsi/Jaspal Matharu (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 1:49.12
9. Farhaaz Khan/Taussef Khan (Subaru Impreza) 1:53.32
10. Raaji Bharij/Geoff Mayes (Mitsubishi EVO 9) 1:53.38
11. Rajbir Rai/Supee Soin (EVOX) 1:59.39
12. Aslam Khan/ Shakeel Khan (Porsche 911) 2:05.46
13. Omar Mayanja/James Mwangi -UG (Toyota Allex) 2:06.01
14. Ronak Shah/Riyaz Ismail (Toyota Celica) 2:06.20
15. Jaswinder Chana/Ravi Chana (Toyota Celica GT4) 2:10.14
16. Mahesh Halai/Ketan Halai (Subaru Impreza16) 2:10.25
17. Davinder Saimbi/Gurdeep Mehangra (Subaru Impreza N16) 2:23.20
18. Stephen Mwangi/Steven Nyorri (Subaru Impreza N10) 2:25.29
19.Phillis Wambui/Linet Ayuko 2:27.53
20. Sammy Nyorri/Kui Mungai (Toyota Vitz) 2:29.39

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 2- It was one of those matches where you knew football would not make the headlines and so it proved after the crunch Kenyan Premier League (KPL) tie between leaders Gor Mahia and Sony Sugar, dubbed ‘Gor B’ ended in abandonment on Sunday.

Had the heated situation descended into full scale fighting, then the country would now be mourning another stadium disaster since the venue of the derby as well as the security personnel deployed had no chance to cope with the sheer numbers of the Green Army who filled every available space.

The ageing Awendo Green Stadium bore the brunt of the pandemonium in a match where tensions simmered from as early as an hour to kick-off before a controversial K’Ogalo 85th minute equaliser to make matters 2-2 finally ignited the touch paper as chaos reigned unabated.

Its start was delayed by almost ten minutes as officials declined to get proceedings underway until Gor fans who had perched themselves at the groaning roof of the main stand stood down in an ominous beginning that invited the melodrama that lasted for over two hours.

“The verdict is match abandoned due to insecurity. This stadium does not have floodlights and we need to protect everyone including these (pointing at bemused children alongside) future players.

“As you can see, the stadium barriers have been broken and if the remaining five minutes are played, we cannot guarantee the safety of everyone since already, fans have invaded the pitch. If for instance, Gor concede, there will be mayhem” referee boss at KPL, GMT Ottieno said after a stand-off lasting over an hour after enraged Sony players initially declined to take to the pitch for the re-start.

A handful of Gor supporters who were keenly listening to his television interview took exception to the last bit of his statement and after remonstrating with the official, they shifted their ire to the crew whom they told to edit that bit out “since it is shedding our club in bad light.”

“The way forward is the officials, including myself, will submit a report to the KPL and they will rule on the outcome that I cannot pre-empt for now,” Ottieno added.

Gor supporters who travelled from far and wide, took over the stands, as well as the creaking roof of the main stand and after the anti-climax end to the derby, the sagging facility lay in total ruin, wire-mesh perimeter barriers broken, smashed seats all around and even the national flag hoisted in front of the main stand found new owners.

Amid all the disorder, Sony, coached by former K’Ogalo coach, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno gave the league leaders a good game of football and bar the contentious goal, looked well on course to derail Gor’s title charge with a well deserved win.

Defender Andrew Waiswa planted a header past Gor captain, Jerim Onyango, for the opener in the 21st minute before winger Edwin Lavatsa netted the equaliser just shy of the hour mark with a near post header.

That invited a mini pitch invasion but the jubilant Green Army were quickly brought down to earth when Marwa Chamberi, a constant threat to K’Ogalo’s defence, got to the end of a flowing move for 2-1 three minutes later.

Stunned to near total silence, Gor fans looked on in agony as the clock ticked before centre referee, Nasoor Ndoka and his officials provided an explosive twist to the volatile affair.

Following a failed attack, Gor moved the ball to the left and substitute Patrick Oboya floated in a free-kick that was met with venom by defender David Owino, who unloaded a sweet strike that ricocheted off the cross bar and back to play.

However, Ndoka, after consulting his assistant, pointed to the centre circle much to the consternation of the Sony players, led by their captain and keeper, Fredrick Onyango, who made his feelings known to his opposite number Jerim as well as the linesman that made the call by assaulting the pair.

Following the incident and the melee at the centre of the pitch, Gor supporters uprooted part of the perimeter barrier and poured on to the field enmasse as threats, counter-threats and terse exchanges ensued without spiralling, thankfully, to full blown violence.

“It’s unfortunate that a good game of football has to end that way. We had prepared very well for the match and we managed to out-play them and we could have scored a third in the remaining five minutes.

“It’s a bad day for Kenyan football since at the end of the day, sport is meant to bring people together. Our referees are to blame for the ugly incidents that happen in our grounds, particularly away from live television cameras upcountry,” Sony boss, Otieno lamented.

He was however, quick to admonish his captain for his crude behaviour that only served to inflame the already flaming situation.

“I will talk to him since to be honest, he should realise he is the captain of his team, not the referee. I have never seen such behaviour from him and he should be the first to realise he is a leader,” the former K’Ogalo coach told.

Bobby Williamson, resplendent in a black suit and white shirt, watched passively in his technical area as the bedlam unfolded all around him before slipping away when the game was called off.

“There is immense pressure to win the title for Gor. I don’t read newspapers or watch news since my work is to galvanise my team and give the confidence they can see it through,” he said before kick-off.

It was that strain that was transmitted from the stands to the pitch as Sony went on the rampage, Arita crashing a vicious shot to the cross bar three minutes after the opener with Gor pegged back in their own half as the sugar millers swarmed them with wave and wave of attack.

Sony supporters who made the stadium, including a group of their colourful female supporters, were forced out of their allocated zone at the stadium by the Green Army that also compelled VIPs, including their chairman Ambrose Rachier and the assistant to former Prime Minister, Eliud Owalo, among others to be sat on the dirt track surrounding the pitch as they took full command of the stands.

The wisdom of hosting such a tempestuous derby on a facility that cannot hold itself together will be questioned as Gor fans used the tyranny of numbers to intimidate their hosts who to their credit, did not fold, at least not on the pitch as evident from the relief that swept through the K’Ogalo faithful when they were awarded a late equaliser.

Also, the thin police presence deployed for the game could not have contained the situation had it erupted to full scale violence in yet another recipe for disaster as planning for potentially perilous KPL matches once again comes into sharp focus.

“Everyone here can see that there is no way a stadium as poor as this can contain Gor fans and yet the club continues to be blamed for anything bad that happens in our games. At least today, we did not cause the abandonment,” Gor secretary, George Bwana, sighed.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 3- The two official fastest marathoners of all-time, Olympic bronze winner, Wilson Kipsang and world record holder, Patrick Makau are seeking to team-up and lower the 2:03:38 standard when they line up for the Berlin Marathon on September 29.

The Kenyan roadrunners will meet for the first time despite having set fast times in different Germany cities two years ago.

Makau clocked 2:03.38 to set the new world marathon record in Berlin in 2011 and three weeks later compatriot Kipsang failed to cut down the record by a time of 2:03.42 in Frankfurt.

And as the duo prepare for Berlin clash in about three weeks, Kipsang was categorical that the world record will be under spotlight again.

“I can’t say how low we intend to reduce the world record,” Kipsang said on Monday in Iten in northwest Kenya. “However, if the weather and other factors remain constant, running under the 2: 03 mark is very much possible.”

“I have no idea if it will be me or Makau, but both of us are fast runners and we are on the comeback of sorts. The pace makers also have to do their part, but even if we fail to run under the 2: 03 mark, it will not take long before somebody does that. It is becoming competitive.”

Kipsang has since asked the Berlin marathon organizers to provide him with fast pave makers and he will be carrying along one of his trusted partners to steer him through the distance.

“I have secured permission to have my training mate Edwin Kiptoo run in Berlin. He will help me a lot. He will be a pace maker and he has been permitted to run as far as possible. So we will see how the body responds and then decide if going for the record is attainable,” he added.

It was in Berlin that Makau set the current world record of 2: 03:38 in 2011, with Kipsang running his 2:03:42 in Frankfurt.

Kipsang has had the superior resume since then. He won the 2012 London Marathon in 2:04:44, becoming the second person, after Haile Gebrselassie, to run three marathons under 2:05.

At the Olympic Marathon in London, Kipsang clinched bronze medal in a race won by Uganda’s Timothy Kiprotich. After the 2012 New York City Marathon was cancelled, Kipsang won December’s Honolulu Marathon.

He returned to Manhattan in March this year to win the New York Half marathon and was then fifth in the London Marathon in 2:07:47.

“I went slowly this year. I wanted to prepare well for Berlin and the allure of a possible world record did influence that decision to run sparingly,” said Kipsang.

Makau, meanwhile, dropped out of the 2012 London Marathon and was not selected for the Kenyan Olympic team. He took first place at Frankfurt last fall in 2:06:08, but was out of the top ten in London this past April, finishing in 2:14:10.

The women’s field in Berlin will also include Irina Mikitenko, who set the German national record of 2:19:19 in Berlin in 2008, American Olympian Desiree Davila and Kenya’s Florence Kiplagat, who won Berlin in 2009 in 2:19:44 and became a world champion in cross country in 2009 and in the half-marathon in 2010.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 4- Revered Nigerian literal icon, Chinua Achebe, would have no trouble finding his inspiration to pen his blockbuster novel Things Fall Apart the set book staple for many schools across Africa, if he paid a visit to the nerve centre of Athletics Kenya (AK), Riadha House, located at Nairobi’s Aerodrome Road, today.

In what echoes of his legendary portrayal of a once vibrant African society in the fictional village of Umuofia that went bust due to effects of colonialism through the eyes of wrestling champion and leader, Okwonkwo, Operations at AK are grinding to a complete halt following the protracted feuding among its leadership pitting long-serving chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat (shall we say Okwonkwo) and fellow elected officials pushing for his downfall.

Staff at one of the richest sports governing body in the country, among them the new CEO, Isaac Mwangi as well as the Marketing and Communications Manager, Simon Wekesa, are not sure where their August payment will come from since the three signatories to the federation coffers are pulling in different directions.

Small logistics like printing of papers at the federations’ Riadha House headquarters cannot be provided with athletes who are seeking clearance to compete abroad likely to be affected in due course if the impasse is not resolved soon.

Besides Kiplagat, first vice-president, David Okeyo, who is in charge of competitions and administration as well as the Treasurer, David Miano, are the signatories to the federation accounts with the latter two in a camp opposed to the president’s administration.

Matters reached a head on Wednesday when a Council meeting convened by Kiplagat that was supposed to bring together all National Executive Committee (NEC) and other officials from the affiliates to address the stand-off that has been simmering for three weeks was boycotted by the group against the President who convened a parallel gathering in Nakuru.

The besieged Kiplagat and his supporters addressed the press in the afternoon where the meeting changed cognisance into a ‘consultative meeting.’

“Let me make it very clear, we are not objecting to any Special General Meeting (SGM). We want to follow the process. If anybody wants the SGM, if they follow what the constitution says, we shall convene it tomorrow.

“We are giving them seven days for them to give us what they want. If we set a precedent and allow the law of the jungle to take place, the following day, another group will say we want to remove those who will be there, so it will be a chain reaction.

“We do not want to bring this institution to ridicule. We have built it from zero and personally, I can pride myself that during my time, we have done what we have done. Those who are making noise out there let them come and say what they have done and I will tell them what I have done,” the tough-talking AK boss said, betraying little of the strain the sustained siege on his 21 year tenure has had on him.

In a statement signed by 21 NEC and branch officials who convened in Nakuru, his detractors called Kiplagat’s bluff stressing they were within their rights to press ahead with their quest to amend the new AK constitution they say arrogates sweeping powers to the chair at the expense of fellow elected members.

“The AK affiliates will go ahead and hold a SGM with our without the AK national office convening it. The regional/institutional chairmen will not be attending the so called consultative meeting called by the AK president as they still demand for a SGM.

“The AK affiliates will meet at the expiry of the demand notice on September 13 (next Friday) to fix the date for the SGM, if the AK president refuses to heed the demands of the affiliates who elected him to office.

“The agenda of the SGM remains the same as given in the demand notice which was issued on August 23, to discuss the AK constitution. The affiliates will inform the government of the ongoing in the AK leadership,” the brief that was signed by among others, Okeyo and Miano, two of the signatories of the federation monies read.

“We don’t fight, we are asking them to come and reason together. We do not want to retaliate or take any disciplinary action on anyone. People call us the richest; people call us vibrant because we have taken care of our resources.

“My concern is, if we scare the sponsors and they all go because there is fighting in the federation, they will stay away. We have been so smooth, we have done the best we could and we shall continue doing that,” Kiplagat added while dismissing the fall-out as an all out battle for supremacy.

“Everybody is resisting chance. Resistance to change is what is the problem and if you resist change, you can bring the institution down,” the boss stated as the source of the latest bickering after he went ahead to hire technocrats to conduct duties that were a reserve of elected officials in the past.

“Why is he resisting the SGM if he is claiming to uphold the constitution? It’s because he knows that something he has done is not right and this is what we want to address,” the Nyanza South AK chairman and former AK relations officer, Peter Angwenyi, a signatory of the Nakuru declaration said.

In echoing his remarks, Eastern Branch boss, Joseph Kinyua, the immediate former national Treasurer whose ouster is cited by Kiplagat as one of the catalysts for the rebellion added the federation will crumble if the ongoing impasse is not resolved.

“I’m not interested in any role at the federation but it is clear it is split. The chairman should take responsibility and listen to those who are raising issues otherwise, all what we have worked for in the past two decades will fall,” he added.

Kiplagat went to great lengths to show the media offices reserved for elected officials in an attempt to prove that they had not been asked to vacate their offices as claimed while also presenting a raft of documents including minutes to tendering and constitutional committees where some of his opponents sat to show they were all in agreement on the proposed amendments of the governing structure.

The appointments of Mwangi and Wekesa as well as the proposed hiring of a finance officer are among the contentious issues elected officials who ran their functions are against saying the manner they were carried out did not follow an all inclusive process in light of their huge pay perks said to be in the region of Sh250,000 per month and thereabouts.

However, the breakdown of the printer at his secretary’s office with no money to buy the required toner to operate it was a poignant pointer of how far the decline at one of the shining examples of local sports management has sunk in recent times.

With ghosts of changing the existing order echoing the ill-effects of colonialism in Umuofia, things are surely falling apart.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 6- Following the triumphs of world champion Eunice Sum and silver medallist Conseslus Kipruto in Zurich last week, top Kenyan runners are ready to bag more Diamond League trophies in Brussels on Friday.

Sum once again stunned Russian Olympic champion Mariya Saminova to bag the women’s 800m Diamond crown before compatriot Kipruto added the men’s 3,000m steeple title.

In Brussels, Kenya will focus on the women’s 3,000m steeple where the top two medallists from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Milcah Chemos and Lydia Chepkurui, will go ahead.

Both have 12 points at the top of the grid and a win for either will secure them the Diamond Trophy.

While Chepkurui has not competed since winning silver at her first Worlds in Moscow where she clocked a career best 9:12.55, Chemos fell to surprise defeat in Zagreb (Sep. 3) at the hands of Ethiopia’s Hiwot Ayalew (9:28.72 against 9:29.16) as the first-time world titleholder stuttered to a first loss in seven outings over the distance and the only second reverse this season.

Lurking in the shadows of the Kenyan favourites is another Ethiopian, Sofia Assefa, the bronze winner from Moscow who stands to steal the Diamond Trophy if she wins and Chemos or Chepkurui finish outside the top-two.

Assefa is still smarting from a fall in the last lap of the Worlds medal race that gave the Kenyans a clear run for the first two podium positions.

After falling to Britain’s double world champion, Mo Farah, in Moscow men 5000m bronze medallist, Isaiah Kiplangat was understandably upset when Kenyan team tactics that would have ended with his possible assault for gold crumbled.

In Zurich and unshackled from team requirements, Kiplangat, can go flat out for victory that depending on how Ethiopia’s frontrunners at the event, Hagos Gebrhiwet and Yenew Alamirew fare, could retain the Diamond Trophy he won last season.

Compatriot and world leader Edwin Soi, Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Galen Rupp (USA) and 2007 World champion Bernard Lagat (USA) are other top ten finishers from Moscow raring to give it a go.

In the women 1500m, Worlds bronze winner, Helen Obiri, is targeting to upset the cart and hand Sweden’s Ethiopian Moscow winner, Abeba Aregawi and America’s Jenny Simpson, the two women who led her to the podium, what would be a shocking victory.

Aregawi has already wrapped up the Diamond race but the quality in the field guarantees a thrilling prospect to mirror the final in Russia.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 6- Kenya, which has already been out of the FIFA World Cup qualifying knock-out stage, will take on Group F rival Namibia, which is out either, seriously at home on Sunday.

Led by their captain, Victor Wanyama, the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League (EPL) and record goal scorer, Dennis Oliech, who plays in France with AJ Ajaccio, all but one of the eight foreign based players are available to face Namibia.

It was expected that Belgian head coach, Adel Amrouche, would use the dead rubber to put out a team that would feature in December’s regional CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup where owing to its timing, most foreign based players are excused from selection but to the surprise of all, he opted to summon all available fire power.

“I decided to call the professional players since my aim is the next Africa Cup and World Cup as coach of Kenya. Cecafa is important but it is not crucial for me. My work is to get the team playing at the top competitions but 80 percent of the Cecafa squad is in this team.

“It was important I get all my best players available so that I can give my team maximum time to be together. There are not many competitions happening between now and the next qualifiers,” Amrouche stated earlier in the week underlining his mission to win the match, “For the 40 million Kenyans.”

With the country’s Football Kenya Federation (FKF) cash-strapped and barely managing to get by, the wisdom of spending a small fortune to pay for air tickets for foreign based stars with a regional tournament to prepare was baffling.

“Due to financial problems, we never get to play in many international games so we must take what we can get until such a time when companies and other donors will realise only proper investment will drive the team forward,” the Belgian national explained.

Trailing Nigeria (9), Malawi (6) and Namibia (4) in Group F, Kenya are yet to win a match in their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and the home fixture against the Brave Warriors has been penned as the perfect opportunity to end the doomed quest on a high.

“Kenya is out of the competition but we should not give up especially with the match against Namibia, we should use this match to improve ourselves ahead of Cecafa,” FKF President, Sam Nyamweya, who is fighting corruption claims brought forth by his former National Executive Committee members said of the fixture.

Oliech, who was sensationally dropped in Kenya’ s last outing away to Blantyre where they drew 2-2 in July by Amrouche after violating camp rules, is relishing his return to the fold as he joined his team mates in underlining their aim to be victorious.

“It’s all about patriotism and such things happen in football. Its giving your best for your nation, that is the pride of every player and I will play my part on Sunday,” the French Ligue 1 striker who leads his nations’ scoring charts told.

The Brave Warriors who arrived in a delegation of 28 members are however, not in Nairobi for a pleasure trip, also seeking to end their botched World Cup qualification run by completing the double over the team they beat 1-0 in Windhoek on Jun. 9, 2012, in the return fixture.

“Even though we beat Kenya in the last fixture that will have no bearing on the Sunday game. Harambee Stars have a decent squad with quality players and that is what we will consider when playing them on Sunday,” their head coach, Ricardo Mannetti said.

Mannetti will be missing the services of his regular captain Da Costa Angula when they take on Kenya on Sunday in Nairobi with the defender picking an abdominal muscle strain in training.

It will be the fourth time Kenya will clash with Namibia with the visitors leading with two victories to one.

But as the two nations battle in Nairobi, all attention in Group F will be focused on the Nigerian port city of Calabar where Africa champions, the Super Eagles will seal qualification to the knock-out phase with a draw with Kenya vs Namibia providing a footnote.

Following are the squads:

Kenya (all local based unless indicated)

Goalkeepers: Duncan Ochieng (Sofakapa), Wilson Obungu (Bandari(, Fredrick Jerim Onyango (Gor Mahia)

Defenders: David Owino (Gor Mahia), David Ochieng (Tusker), Brian Mandela (Santos/South Africa), Jockins Atudo (Azam FC/Tanzania), Abdallah Juma (AFC Leopards), Aboud Omar (AFC Leopards), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Mohammed Hassan (Ulinzi Stars).

Midfielders: Anthony Akumu (Gor Mahia), Peter Opiyo (AFC Leopards), Victor Wanyama (Southampton/England), Francis Kahata (Thika United), Peter Opiyo (Tusker FC), Patrick Osiako (Simurq/Azerbijan), David Kingatua (Thika United), Paul Were (AFC Leopards), Edwin Lavatsa (Gor Mahia).

Forwards: Allan Wanga (AFC Leopards), Dennis Oliech (AJ Ajaccio/France), Jesee Were (Tusker FC), Raphael Kiongera (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Wendo (Mathare United), Rodgers Omondi (Talanta FC)

Namibia

Goalkeepers: Efraim Tjihonge (Black Africa), Virgil Vries (Maritzburg United, SA) and Maximillian Mbaeva (African Stars).

Defenders: Larry Horaeb (AmaZulu, SA), Chris Katjiukua (African Stars), Willem Mwedihanga (AmaZulu) Da Costa Angula (Black Africa), Tuhafeni Pekka Hamukwaya (Tigers), Denis Tjetjinda (African Stars) and Freedom Puriza (African Stars).

Midfielders: Denzil Haoseb (Black Africa), Annanias Gebhardt (Tigers), Neville Tjiueza (Tura Magic), Emilio Martin, Petrus Shitembi (University of Pretoria, SA), Willy Stephanus (Black Africa), Riaan Cloete (African Stars), Deon Hotto (African Stars) and Heinrich Isaacks (Maritzburg United, SA).

Strikers: Marko van Wyk (Black Africa), Jerome Louis (Black Africa), Pinehas Jacob, Sadney Urikhob (both AmaZulu, SA) and Roger Katjiteo (Black Africa).

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 7 – Minnows Ethiopia eliminated South Africa from the World Cup Africa zone qualifying competition Saturday by fighting back to defeat Central African Republic 2-1 in Congo.

The ‘Walias Antelopes’ topped Group A with 13 points, two more than 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, whose 4-1 home win over Botswana in Durban proved futile.

Ethiopia, the bottom seeds in a mini-league expected to be dominated by South Africa, join Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Ivory Coast in the two-leg play-offs.

Another four group winners will emerge later Saturday with Congo Brazzaville needing an away win and Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia home draws to ensure progression.

Cameroon host Libya Sunday and a win for either country would take them through to the final round with the draw scheduled for September 16 in Cairo.

Minyahel Teshome was an ironic match-winner for Ethiopia just past the hour mark in a match switched from Bangui to Brazzaville because of post-C.A.R. coup security concerns.

Teshome played in an away win over Botswana when suspended, resulting in Ethiopia being docked three points and having their qualification put on hold.

Central African Republic, out of the reckoning after four losses in a row, took the lead midway through the opening half in the Congolese capital when Salif Keita scored.

After both goalkeepers made outstanding late first-half saves, Salahdin Ahmed levelled three minutes into the second half and Teshome struck on 61 minutes.

South Africa outplayed Botswana for long periods and deserved to lead by more than 2-0 at half-time with Botswana goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe making several excellent saves.

Kermit Erasmus put Bafana Bafana (The Boys) in front on 28 minutes with a far-post header and Dean Furman added a second with a close-range shot in stoppage time.

A powerful Jerome Ramatlhakwane header 18 minutes from time offered Botswana hope only for Bernard Parker to bag a late brace, with one goal coming off a penalty.

SUMMARY

Group A

At Durban

South Africa 4 Erasmus 28, Furman 45+2, Parker 84, 90-pen) Botswana 1 (Ramatlhakwane 72)

At Brazzaville, Congo

Central African Republic 1 (Keita 23) Ethiopia 2 (Ahmed 48, Teshome 61)

Match moved from Bangui for security reasons

Note: Ethiopia win group and qualify for third round play-offs

Nairobi, Kenya, September 8- Kenya’s Harambee Stars ended its 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note after a 1-0 victory over Namibia in Nairobi on Sunday.

Defender David Owino scored the winner to give Kenya its first win of the qualifiers. The result also saw Kenya finish the campaign in third place in the group with six points, two ahead of bottom placed Namibia.

Stars made the perfect start with the Gor Mahia defender volleying home the opener off a Francis Kahata corner.

Namibia though settled down quickly and Stephanus Wily was only denied by the crossbar on 14 minutes.

Handed a starting berth down the left, Aboud Omar was having a baptism of fire as the visitors targeted his flank.
Coach Adel Amrouche decided to change things around on 36 minutes withdrawing Edwin Lavatsa for Allan Wanga.

Back in the side after missing the last two matches, Dennis Oliech went close on the stroke of halftime but Namibian keeper Effram clawed out his powerful header.

The Warriors dominated proceedings for most of the second half but were unable to find a final pass to match their approach play. Jakob Pineas wasted a glorious chance on the hour mark blazing over from 12 yards and a minute later, saw his shot deflected out for a corner.

With Brain Mandela struggling with injury, Peter Opiyo was thrown into the fray on 65, with David Ocheing who had started infront of the back four, dropping in to partner Joackins Atudo in defence.

Playing on the counter, Stars had chances to finish off the content with substitute Wanga hitting the crossbar with a fierce shot 13 minutes from time. Oliech also wasted a glorious chance on 85 minutes when he was out through but he dithered and the chance was lost.

-By SuperSport.com

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 9 – Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has told Cameroon team-mates he is quitting the national team ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Eto’o, record four-time winner of the African Footballer of the Year award, broke the news after a 1-0 win over Libya at the weekend.

A Cameroon football official told AFP in Yaounde that Eto’o, 32, announced his retirement to team-mates in the dressing-room after the match.

“He did not give reasons why he is retiring from the national team,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Samuel thanked his team-mates for all the efforts they have made to allow him to become a better player. They prayed together and he left.”

An Eto’o corner led to Aurelien Chedjou heading the winner and enabling Cameroon to top Group I after struggling for much of the campaign.

The recent Chelsea recruit from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala limped off injured on the hour mark.

A draw in Cairo on September 16 will reveal who six-time World Cup qualifiers Cameroon face over two legs for a place at the 2014 finals in Brazil.

Possible opponents include top-five ranked countries Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria and African champions Nigeria.

Eto’o has regularly disagreed with Cameroon coaches and his retirement may be linked to the selections of incumbent Volker Finke.

The German reportedly ignored calls from Eto’o to start with goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and striker Achille Webo against the Libyans.

Eto’o was banned from the ‘Indomitable Lions’ last year after inciting a bonus-related boycott of a friendly in Algeria.

Recalled for a Cup of Nations qualifier against Cape Verde, he could not prevent Cameroon missing the 2013 finals in South Africa.

Born in Atlantic city Douala, the 1.80-metre star played for Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan before joining big-spending Anzhi.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 9- Manchester United striking legend, Dwight Yorke arrives in the country tomorrow for a three day visit courtesy of the Airtel Rising Stars program.

Dick Omondi, Airtel Brand and Corporate Communications Director, disclosed that while in the country, the Trinidad and Tobago national will conduct a coaching clinic for the two schools, Upper Hill and Olympic High School teams, which will represent Kenya at the Airtel Rising Stars Africa championship slated for Nigeria next week. He will also visit Mukuru Kwa Njenga Primary school.

Yorke, 43, had a successful stint at United from 1998 to 2002. During the four seasons, ‘The Smiling Assassin’ formed a deadly strike partnership with Andy Cole leading United to an unprecedented Treble in 1999 after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League that season.

Yorke’s colourful career at United , after arriving from Aston Villa, saw him score 66 goals in 152 appearances.

Towards the end of his career, he also played for Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland.

He launched his career in football management when he served as the assistant manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Yorke is currently an assistant coach for the Red Devils’ reserves.

Yorke’s arrival is a follow up to last month’s visit by officials from the English Premier League champions.

Led by Head of Marketing Jonathan Rigby, the officials attended the national finals in Embu last month to assess the progress made in youth football since the launch of Airtel Rising Stars competition two years ago.

Upper Hill and Olympic will be up against opponents from 14 African nations. The Africa championship will attract teams from some of Africa powerhouses in the under 17 age group such as Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, DRC pitted against upcoming nations such as Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Burkina Faso amongst others.

The tournament will comprise of a preliminary qualifying round, a knockout round and a final.

The Airtel Rising Stars is an Africa-wide program that provides a platform for upcoming soccer talent under the age of seventeen to showcase their skills to leading scouts, coaches and have an opportunity to further their football skills.

In Kenya, the initiative targets boys and girls in secondary schools across the country in partnership with the Kenya secondary Schools Sports Association.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, September 10- Former world marathon record holder and twice Olympics silver medallist, Paul Tergat, has been elected as an International Olympics Committee (IOC) member on Tuesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tergat is among the new IOC members elected at the Olympics governing body’s congress that is going on in Argentina although he did not vote in the elections of the new president later Tuesday.

Russian Olympic Committee president and politician Alexander Zhukov and U.S. Olympic Committee head Larry Probst, are among others voted to the committee.

Tergat was proposed to replace Dr. Kipchoge Keino at the IOC following last year’s London Olympics by the National Olympics Committee- Kenya (NOCK) that the legendary double Olympics champion heads.

Kipchoge who is over the IOC membership threshold age of 71, is now a honorary life member of the Olympics body having been granted that honour with among others, former president Juan Antonio Samatranch.

“The advantage we have (Kenya) is that now we have a member and honorary member of the IOC. We congratulate Tergat for being elected as an IOC membership. There are a lot of things we did on the background, including the introduction to the council by Kipchoge in Laussane,” Nock Executive Officer, Stephen Soi, told Capital Sport.

“There were other countries eying the same seat and its great that our efforts have borne fruit in the end and we can look forward to Africa being represented well, besides Kenya at the IOC,” he added.

Tergat, 44, made his name as the ‘Gentleman of Athletics’ in his outstanding distance running career that also marked his status as the first man to win five World Cross Country senior titles in a row between 1995 and 1999.

He set the world record of 2:05:55 at the 2003 Berlin Marathon besides winning the 2006 New York race having participated in the men 10,000m finals hailed as the best ever at the Olympics in the 1996 and 2000 games in Atlanta and Sydney where he lost the gold to Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrsellasie by the thickness of a vest on both occasions.

His great rival in competition and personal friend off it followed his footsteps to the ultimate distance where he set two world records with 2:04:24 and 2:03:59 before Patrick Makau brought it back to Kenya with his 2:03:38 winning effort at the 2011 edition of the same Berlin race.

During the Nock elections in May, Tergat retained his seat as the athletes representative for men, beating swimmer and Commonwealth champion, Jason Dunford, by 20 votes by nine.

He is the founder of the Paul Tergat Foundation that among others, organises the annual Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards that decorate outstanding Kenyan sports persons.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 11 – World Football governing body Fifa has slapped a Sh465,000 fine on Kenya for the improper conduct of fans during the 2014 World Cup Group F qualifier return leg match against Nigeria in Nairobi on June 5.

In a letter to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Fifa stated that the federation was liable for the improper conduct of its supporters which is a violation of Article 67 part 1 and 3 of the Disciplinary Code.

The committee was composed of Chairman Claudio Susler of Switzerland members- Mike Edwards (USA), Hamid Haddadi (Algeria) and Syed Haider (Pakistan).

Fans threw plastic water bottles and other objects into the pitch during the match at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani which the Super eagles won 1-0.

The decision taken by the Disciplinary Committee saw the world football governors order Kenya to pay the costs and expenses of the proceedings amounting of receipt of notification Sh 930,000.

“Football Kenya Federation is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of CHF 5000 (Sh 465,000) in accordance with Articled 67 part 1 and Article 15 of the FDC.

“The fine shall be paid within 30days of the notification of this decision,’’ FIFA said in a letter signed by the Deputy Secretary to the Disciplinary Committee, Octavian Bivolaru.

Fifa also warned Kenya on it’s future conduct according to Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. “Any further infringement of Article of the FIFA Disciplinary Code will lead to more severe sanctions to be determined by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”

Following the decision, FKF and NEC member Technical and Training Committee chairman Elly Mukolwe, said the federation would not have suffered such a stiff punishment had Harambee Stars supporters behaved appropriately.

“This is why we are always appealing to football fans at all levels to always adhere strictly to Fifa rules. The throwing of objects in the pitch during a football match is strictly forbidden’’, he said.

Mukolwe, also the FKF International Match Organizing Committee chairman, recalled that Fifa slapped a Sh1.2 million fine on Kenya early last year during the World Cup qualifier preliminary round match between Kenya and Seychelles in Nairobi.

“We were punished because fans at the Nyayo National Stadium crossed from the terraces to main stand when it started drizzling, the movement was also a breach of FIFA rules,’’ added Mukolwe.

Kenya’s harambee Stars finished third in their Group F 2014 World Cup qualifiers with 6 points as African Champions Nigeria finished first in this pool with 12 points to book a slot for the two legged play offs set to be played in October and November.

-SuperSport.com

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 12- The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) will mark another milestone this weekend with leaders Gor Mahia facing defending champions Tusker in a top of the bill tie that broadcast live on High Definition (HD).

This will mark the first ever time a football match in East Africa will be aired in the cutting edge technology that brings crystal clear images, crisp audio and surround sound capabilities to viewers tuning in to watch the game on SuperSport.

In a statement released by the pay-television service providers on Thursday, SuperSport parent firm, MultiChoice regional director for East Africa, Stephen Isaboke, said the airing of the match on HD was in line with their mission to provide the best for fans of local football.

“This reinforces the promise of giving the best in sporting experience to the fans. HD is brighter, clearer and comes close to the real thing. Having our own league in HD illustrates our intent of always keeping up with the dynamic world of technology,” Isaboke noted.

K’Ogalo welcome Tusker at City Stadium with the game allowed to be played at Gor’s citadel following concerns the venue was inadequate to guarantee security owing to the large number of fans expected to cheer on the league leaders.

It comes after a joint KPL and Football Kenya Federation ruled on Thursday to award Gor three points following their abandoned game in Awendo against Sony Sugar that sees them open a 12 point gap over the defending champion ahead of the match in a further boost to their titlechase.

The same body gave Sony Sugar 72 hours to appeal the ruling following a meeting to unlock the impasse between the two management bodies.

SuperSport general manager for East Africa, Auka Gacheo, is relishing the prospect of a first KPL match in full HD.

“It’s exciting times indeed for Kenyan sport: the KPL live in superb HD. Coming shortly after the launch of our new studio facilities, which has enabled Simba Super Soccer to now be live, shows our commitment to Kenya and the entire East Africa region.

“It’s also a clear indication of the strides Kenyan league football has taken and the great property they’ve created,” he added.

KPL CEO, Jack Oguda, also welcomed the fresh milestone for a league that has been on an upward trajectory since 2006 when the league management firm was inaugurated.

“As KPL we are most delighted that our efforts of administrating a league worthy to be mentioned with the best there is are being recognised.

“Through SuperSport’s drive and commitment to be at the cutting edge of technology, football fans at home and across the continent will now enjoy our beautiful game in the most modern way just like they do the Uefa Champions League, Barclays Premier League and the Spanish La Liga,” he noted on the match that will be broadcast on SuperSport 2 HD for those with decoders compatible with the service and SuperSport 9 East for other viewers.

Elsewhere in the KPL, the match between Bandari and Ulinzi Stars scheduled for Saturday has been pushed to Sunday at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.

Action starts on Friday with a televised double header pitting 2008 champions Mathare United and the 2006 titleholders Sony Sugar with both former giants aiming to unshackle themselves from threat of relegation.

Nairobi City Stars and KCB will then take the stage at Nyayo National Stadium with AFC Leopards clashing against Chemelil in another live game from the Mumias Complex in the highlight Saturday fixture.

Thika United welcome Sofapaka also on Saturday before Karuturi Sports host Kakamega Homeboyz to wrap the Sunday programme.

Fixtures

Friday

Mathare United vs Sony Sugar (Nyayo)
City Stars vs KCB (Nyayo)

Saturday

AFC Leopards vs Chemelil Sugar (Mumias)
Western Stima vs Muhoroni Youth (Bukhungu)
Thika United vs Sofapaka (Thika)

Sunday

Bandari vs Ulinzi Stars (Mbaraki)
Karuturi Sports vs Homeboyz (Karuturi)
Gor Mahia vs Tusker (City)

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 13- Only 48 hours after Athletics Kenya boss, Isaiah Kiplagat, stated all is well at the federation, 15 affiliates have ruled on Friday to convene the contentious Special General Meeting (SGM) on September 26 that could lead to the ouster of the long-serving boss from office.

“Following the expiry of the 21-day notice we gave our president to call for the SGM, 15 affiliates met today (Friday) and agreed to call the meeting for Thursday, September 26 at a venue to be communicated later.

“The agenda of the SGM will be to discuss the contentious issues in the new AK constitution and other administrative issues affecting the running of the federation,” AK vice-president, Paul Mutwii, who is the spokesman of the group pushing for the meeting stated.

Mutwii fell short of revealing whether a no confidence motion on Kiplagat who has been at the helm of one of the richest and successful federation in Kenya would feature at the SGM.

The AK boss has vehemently refused to call for the SGM as he pushes to institute reforms at the top level management of the federation that sees most functions carried out by elected officials being handled by hired professionals.

Already, Kiplagat has hired a CEO who took over administrative duties reserved for his first vice-president, David Okeyo, marketing and communication director who has rendered the elected Public Relations Officer, Evans Bosire redundant.

The president is in the process of enlisting the services of a Financial Manager expected to assume the role previously handled by the elected Treasurer.

“The affiliates here include members of the National Executive Committee who are with us in this process to convene a SGM so that we can address the wrongs in the new constitution,” Mutwii added.

“The people calling for the SGM are resisting change. We are not refusing to call the SGM or even removing me from office but it should be done under the provisions of our constitution,” Kiplagat said last week.

On Thursday during the launch of the Stanchart Nairobi International Marathon, the president intimated all was well at the federation he has run without brokering dissent since 2000, having served as a vice-president and secretary general previously.

“We have no problem, sometime, any marriage has issues and that does not mean we are fighting. We are still together and we will ensure this event is even bigger since the eyes of the whole world are with us,” he stressed during the launch.

By the press time, Kiplagat could not be reached for comment on the matter.

The split in the federation was hatched on August 29 in the aftermath of the Moscow Worlds when 14 affiliates converged to issue a notice to convene the SGM which the president declined.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 14 – A high scoring Saturday in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) saw AFC Leopards title winning ambitions caged by Chemelil Sugar who caned them 3-1 at their second home in Mumias as 2009 champions, Sofapaka, moved back to second by edging hosts Thika United 3-2.

At the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, Western Stima recovered from conceding after only 43 seconds to pile relegation woes on Muhoroni Youth by electrocuting them 4-2 as the usually low scoring league served a rare goal fest.

Despite packing the Mumias Sports Complex, Ingwe faithful left the stadium with tails between their legs when their bogey team Chemelil clicked to leave their slim title ambitions in tatters to extend their unbeaten sequence against Leopards to ten years.

Jonathan Mwaniki found the net with barely four minutes on the clock and after composing themselves without threatening the cane cutters, Edwin Seda, levelled matters on 21 minutes.

Luc Eymael’s Leopards were given no time to execute the Belgian’s pep talk since seconds after the restart, Victor Omondi gave Chemelil the lead before Jared Obwoge sealed the points by beating Patrick Matasi with a header 15 minutes to full time.

In Thika, Sofapaka climbed above KCB to second by coming on top of a five-goal ping pong at the Thika Municipal stadium.

Mustapha Kasolo opened the scoring for the 2009 titleholders in the second minute when he gobbled up Hillary Echesa’s through-ball before former league leaders Thika were hauled level by Wycliffe Opondo in the 21st.

Bernard Mangoli gave Sofapaka the lead shortly after half time before Anthony Kimani made it 3-1 with a low strike past Lucas Indeche in the Thika goal.

Dennis Odhiambo set up a grand stand finish when he reduced the arrears to 3-2 in the 65th minute from a Harambee Stars international, Francis Kahata, headed pass but try as they might, the equaliser failed to materialise as Thika’s descent down the table continues.

In Kakamega, Collins Neto, scored arguably the fastest goal this season when a defensive mix-up between defender and goal keeper David Juma, saw him sneak in and tuck away a 43 second opener for Muhoroni Youth to leave hosts Western Stima red-faced.

Shafik Batambuze capitalised on suicidal defending to equalise with eight minutes in and Dennis Okangi scored the first of his brace on 19 minutes to give Stima a 2-1 lead. The frenetic start to the game saw Ebrahim Ateng net from the spot for 2-2.

Okangi closed the entertaining half by sending the hosts 3-2 ahead a minute before the breather before both sides resumed play with none of the vim displayed in the opening 45.

With more than seven minutes added on after regulation time, Enock Ochieng curled the ball expertly to the net to sign off the afternoon with the best goal of the match.

Leaders Gor Mahia will have one hand on the crown if they nail champions Tusker at City Stadium on Sunday in the first gave to be televised on High Definition in East Africa as Bandari host the 2010 titleholders Ulinzi at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.

-  Material from SuperSport.com was used in this report

NEWCASTLE, England, September 15- Priscah Jeptoo caused a major surprise at the Bupa Great North Run, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, when she beat Ethiopian superstars Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba and clocked 1:05:45, the third fastest time ever time at the distance, on Sunday (15).

In cool weather conditions with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius, strong winds and some rain the 29 year-old Kenyan actually crossed the line in South Shields five seconds quicker than the official world record from Kenya’s Mary Keitany, who ran 65:50 in 2011.

However Jeptoo’s time will not make the record books since the course, with a start in Newcastle, is a point-to-point course that is just slightly too downhill for record purposes.

However, this takes nothing away from the superb performance by Jeptoo.

The women’s race started slower than expected with a 5km split of 16:22 as Dibaba and Defar, who clashed in the Half Marathon for the first time, exchanged the lead, with Jeptoo running right behind them.

The pace increased slightly over next 5km section with the 10km point reached in 32:26 but it was in the third quarter of the race that the outcome was decided.

Jeptoo moved in front of the Ethiopians for the first time at 13km, a slightly uphill section, and the London 2012 Olympic Games Marathon silver medallist, and London Marathon winner from April, started to put the pressure on.

Dibaba started losing ground immediately. Defar held on, initially looking back and trying to encourage Dibaba to move back up to her, but there was no way back to the leaders for the Olympic and World 10,000m champion.

Jeptoo kept the pace very fast and ran the third 5km section in an amazing 15:03 and, soon after the she had passed the 15km mark in 47:29, Defar started to drop back as well.

Looking back a couple of times to check on the state of her rivals, the Kenyan was able to increase her lead substantially in the next few kilometres.

With the Ethiopians beaten, the question now was if Priscah Jeptoo could break Paula Radcliffe’s course record of 1:05:40 set 10 years ago.

The wind coming from behind in the final section provided some help for Jeptoo but, in the end, the Kenyan missed the British runner’s mark by five seconds.

Defar held onto second place in 66:09 while Dibaba was third in 66:56. France’s Christelle Daunay was the first European home in fourth place with 69:49.

“It was a surprising day for me and I am amazed by the time I ran. I did not expect such a result. I think this was also a great victory for Kenya,” said Priscah Jeptoo, who will now get ready for the New York Marathon on 3 November.

The Ethiopians were not too disappointed despite the defeat.

“Tirunesh and me, we were running in the World Championships. We were a bit tired and we had not enough time to train for this, but we still clocked personal bests,” reflected Defar.

“Priscah Jeptoo is a very strong runner. She is the London Marathon champion, but Meseret and me, we ran well today. It was the last race of the season for me,” added Dibaba.

Only two women have ever run the Half Marathon faster than Jeptoo, Radcliffe and Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei, who ran 65:44 in Lisbon in 2001.

Bekele comes from behind to win

In a dramatic sprint finish in the men’s race, Kenenisa Bekele beat Mo Farah by a mere one second on the former’s Half Marathon debut.

The 10,000m World record holder from Ethiopia clocked 1:00:09 after Farah had closed him down in the final 400 metres but could not pass Bekele.

Farah, bidding to become the first British man to win since 1985 had to settle for second place in 60:10 while Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie was third in 60:41.

The trio were in the lead right from the start. Gebrselassie did most of the work at front, leading the other two but, in similar fashion, to the women’s race the first half was slower than expected.

They passed the 10km point in 28:58 with Bekele running a couple of metres behind his two rivals.

It looked like the two-time 10,000m Olympic champion would not be able to keep up with the pace, but this impression was wrong.

As the Ethiopian explained later it was a tactical move to deliberately drop back: “I wanted the race to become faster and I did not see this happening while we were all together. So I dropped back, hoping that they would try to increase the pace.”

This surprising move seemed to work well. “I told Haile that the gap was not big enough,” Farah said and, sure enough, at 13km Kenenisa Bekele was back alongside them.

It was on the steep downhill section shortly before the 20km mark when Bekele suddenly sprinted away.

Gebrselassie was beaten and lost more ground in the final Mile while Farah was about 15 metres behind until the final 400 metres, when he was able to close the gap significantly.

With 100 metres to go, it looked as if Farah might be able to pass Bekele, running a step or two behind him, but the Ethiopian managed to hold on in a fascinating finish and showed that he has a bright future on roads.

“It was an amazing race for me. I was injured for a long time, more than three years, but I recovered and was able to train well,” said Bekele, who said that he will now target a Marathon debut next spring.

“Of course you are always disappointed when you loose a race, especially on home territory, but Kenenisa is a great athlete and my focus this year was on the World Championships. It was only after Moscow that I started training for the Half Marathon,” commented Farah.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 17 – Kenya maintained her sterling performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night with a straight sets win over London Olympics campaigners Algeria at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani gymnasium.

The win served as sweet revenge for the Kenyans who missed out on London after losing to the North African in the final round of qualifiers.

Speaking after the match, Coach David Lungaho said the game went according to plan.

“I expected to beat Algeria, to be honest they are not as good as they used to be and I think we have also stepped up our standards we are now playing good volleyball,” said Lungaho.

Algerian Coach Edine Saidan attributed the loss to having a young team.

“We know that this competition is very difficult especially with Kenyan team. We lost to this team last year and Algerian team has changed 18 players and we don’t have our experienced players who are used to this level of competition” uttered Saidan

Monday’s victory was the third straight win for the African Queens who are yet to drop a set having defeated Senegal and Egypt by similar scorelines (3-0) in their opening two matches.

Cameroon has been another strong team in the six nation’s tournament winning all her opening matches.

In the other results, Tunisia humbled Egypt 3-0 (25-21, 28-26, 25-18) as Senegal lost 3-0 (17-25, 15-25, 21-25).

The tourney takes a break on Tuesday and resumes on Wednesday where Algeria will take on Egypt while Tunisia will play Senegal.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 17- Harambee Stars assistant coach James Nandwa was on Tuesday confirmed as AFC Leopards interim coach with immediate effect with the club’s former playing hero Mickey Weche named his assistant after a tumultuous day at the den.

Speaking while announcing the development, club chairman Allan Kasavuli said poor performance aggravated by the 3-1 loss to Chemelil Sugar over the weekend led to the sacking of the entire technical bench led by Belgian Luc Eymael as head coach, his assistant Nicholas Muyoti and Francis Xavier, the Team Manager.

“I agreed to take over the team until the end of the season when we shall sit down and access the situation. The way the team has been conceding cheap goals is my concern and that is the first thing I shall address when I join the players.

“I’m delighted to be involved in trying to save the reputation of this big club but at the moment, I’m still very much involved with Harambee Stars and we have discussed my coming here with everyone concerned with the national team and they are okay with it,” Nandwa told Capital Sport.

The two tacticians will be unveiled on Wednesday to players during their training session while the goalkeeper trainer and Team Manager will be announced later on.

“Today we are seating here as the members of the national executive committee of AFC Leopards, we had a meeting concerning our recent poor performance of our team. We have come to a conclusion that the entire technical bench lead by Eymael be terminated,” Kasavuli stated.

Secretary General George Aladwa echoed his chairman’s sentiments saying that the club is still in contention of the league.

“We had an agreement with the coach that he must win the title but now since he has failed to do so we opted for another person, we have also fired the team’s security,” Aladwa added.

With only six matches remaining, Ingwe have failed to win four of their last matches and are placed in seventh position with 32 points nine behind league leaders Gor Mahia.

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 19 – The search for new national rugby sevens coach will take longer than expected, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee confirmed adding they were still  in the process of identifying the right tactician who is expected to run the boys in the Dubai 7s.

interim coach Felix Ochieng will take charge of the team at this weekend’s Safaricom Sevens and the opening of 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series show down, the Gold Coast 7s in Australia slotted for the weekend of October 10 to 12.

“ This game has changed tremendously, it’s not a matter of giving the coach the whistle or a few tackle bags and tell him go take charge of the team, the game has become very scientific and for Kenya to get to the next level we must do what the big boys are doing” Muthee explained.

About 15 foreign experts applied for the job that fell vacant after Mike Friday resigned in July.

The job had been widely tipped for former South African 7s head coach Paul Treu.

He was speaking when the Kenyan national squads for the Safaricom 7s, Shujaa and Moran were unveiled on Wednesday where Nakuru RFC Oscar Ouma will captain a strong main team that comprises of Andre Amonde, Lavin Asego, Sidney Ashioya, Eden Agero and Felix Ayange among others.

The Morans will see five debutants join the side that have experienced players like KCBs Fabian Olando, Davis Chenge (Western Bulls) and Mwamba RFC duo of Collins Injera and Daniel Sikuta.

Biko Adema, Horrace Otieno, Dennis Muhanji, Sammy Oliech and Joshua Chisanga are ruled out of the pristine local invitational showpiece due to injury.

Kenyan squads for Safaricom Sevens

Shujaa

1. Oscar Ouma – NAKURU RFC

2. Patrice Agunda – QUINS

3. Mike Agevi – MWAMBA

4. Philip Wamae – KCB

5. Andrew Amonde -KCB

6. Lavin Asego – MWAMBA

7. Sidney Ashioya -QUINS

8. Mike Wanjala – STRATHMORE

9. Eden Agero – QUINS

10.Billy Odhiambo – STRATHMORE

11. Oscar Ayodi – HOMEBOYZ

12. Cyprian Kuto – STRATHMORE

13. Felix Ayange – QUINS

Morans

1. Davis Chenge – WESTERN BULLS

2.Dan Sikuta – MWAMBA

3. Charles Omondi – STRATHMORE

4. Humphrey Mulama – HOMEBOYZ

5. Tony Owuor – STRATHMORE

6. Augustine Lugonzo – HOMEBOYZ

7. Fabian Olando- KCB

8. Kevin Keegan – QUINS

9. Leonard Mugaisi – HOMEBOYZ

10. Darwin Mukidza – KCB

11. Chris Asego- MWAMBA

12. Tony Onyango – STRATHMORE

13. Collins Injera – MWAMBA

COACH: Felix Ochieng