NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – Sofapaka striker Umaru Kasumba now hopes he can crown his season by clinching the Kenyan Premier League golden boot after becoming only the second player to win the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) player of the month gong when he was feted on Thursday for his April performance.

The Ugandan won the award in February courtesy of his goal scoring antics for Batoto ba Mungu and he ensured he became only the second double winner in a season after Enock Agwanda when he continued with his goal scoring prowess in April.

Kasumba found the net seven times in April to help Sofapaka move to second spot in the standings and increasing his tally in the golden boot chase.

“My target this season is to score 20 goals and with two matches left, I hope I can attain that target because I want to win the golden boot,” Kasumba who has scored 17 times this season stated.

“I knew you would come back and give me another award. I’m a believer so when I told you that I’ll win it again before the season ends it was out of my faith,” Kasumba chided the award organizers as he received his silverware at the club’s training base on Friday.

Kasumba began the month with a brace in the 2-0 win over Zoo FC in Kericho before scoring the all important-last minute winner against KCB in Machakos.

He then found the back of the net in the one 1-1 draw against Kariobangi and the 1-0 win over Sony Sugar before ending the month with a brace in the 2-2 draw against Mathare United.

To earn the award, Kasumba side stepped stiff competition from Kakamega Homeboyz skipper and golden boot race leader Allan Wanga, the third best scorer Enosh Ochieng of Ulinzi Stars and AFC Leopards’ midfielder Whyvonne Isuza.

He narrowly beat Isuza to the crown managing to get 23 points against the AFC man’s 21 in the final tally conducted by the SJAK football commission with Wanga coming in third with 16 while Ochieng had 10.

After the season, Kasumba is scheduled to travel to Germany for a series of trials with several clubs and he is optimistic he will land a deal with his contract at Sofapaka coming to a close.

“I have faith that I will go there and work hard to earn a professional move abroad. But at the moment my concentration is on helping the team finish the season strongly and try to win the golden boot,” Kasumba told Capital Sport.

“I have contacts from several clubs there and it gives me so much joy that my hard work is paying off,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kasumba who arrived at Sofapaka mid through the 2017 season from SC Villa in his native Uganda says he is not dejected despite being overlooked in the Uganda Cranes squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“I have done my part and it is upon selectors to see if I’m good enough for the national team or not. But I’m a patient man and if I’m not called then it means the time is not ripe for me. Meanwhile that will not derail my ambitions to reach the top. I just need to keep doing my best and everything will come like this award,” Kasumba said.

The post Kasumba eyes golden boot after SJAK award appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – Haco Industries through their product Amara have handed the national Under-20 rugby team Chipu with a Sh2mn boost ahead of their World Junior Trophy debut in Brazil in July.

Amara will be the team’s official grooming partner for the tournament and the monetary incentive will come as a huge boost for the team which just last week launched an initiative to raise funds online and help them prepare for the championship.

“Rugby is a sport that has put Kenya on the world map and we are proud to start on this journey in the rugby space. We are proud to be part of Chipu’s journey and we feel it is our responsibility to support these champions,” Haco head of marketing Mwihaki Wachira said as she unveiled the partnership.

She added; “People always use the phrase that youth are the future but how many put down their money to support the youth? That’s why we decided to support this team.”

The Sh2mn will only cater for a small percentage of the Union’s Sh20mn budget for the team and they expect some more funds to come from government and some from sponsors.

Two weeks ago, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed visited the Union’s offices where she promised that the government would ensure all national teams are catered for, but not a penny from the government is yet to hit the Union coffers.

At that time, KRU vice chair Thomas Opiyo said they had forwarded a Sh50mn budget for the national team assignments.

Union boss Oduor Gangla however says they expect the government to come through.

“We are hopeful that the government will come in and do its part. World rugby is also supporting us for this championship and we also have other partners will come on board. We have completed all the government processes on our side and I think things are just in the final decision making processes,” Gangla said.

Meanwhile, he has disclosed that plans for the team to have a training camp in South Africa are still on, but that is subject to availability of funds.

Also, two coaches from South Africa are expected in the country to help train the team as well as the women sevens side.

“The boys have to prepare at a level higher than what we have here because they will be competing against strong countries well which are well established. We are trying to give ourselves the best chance of success and we are finalizing on details for the camp in South Africa,” said the Union boss.

The post Haco hand Chipu with Sh2mn boost for WJT appeared first on Capital Sports.

PARIS, France, May 24 – Naomi Osaka said Friday it would be “cool” to complete a Grand Slam sweep in 2019 even if her meteoric rise to fame has left her feeling as if she’s 35 rather than 21.

The world number one won her first major at the US Open last year and then backed it up with the Australian Open in January.

Now she is top seed at a major for the first time at Roland Garros and sees no reason why she cannot take Paris, Wimbledon and finish the year with a successful defence of her title in New York.

“Roland Garros, that’s what I’m dreaming about right now,” said Osaka, the top seed when the French Open starts on Sunday.

“If you’re talking about longer goals, of course I haven’t won Wimbledon yet and it would be really cool to win everything in one year.”

Germany’s Steffi Graf was the last woman to win a calendar Grand Slam in 1988.

Before her, it is a feat only achieved by Margaret Court in 1970 and Maureen Connolly in 1953.

Despite Osaka having yet to get past the third round in Paris, she insists she increasingly feels that winning Slams is part of her destiny.

“I feel really old, but actually, I’m 21. I feel like when I talk to you guys, it’s like I’m talking like I’m a 35-year-old person that’s been through a lot.

“I always had really big goals and dreams. I always thought I would be No. 1 and win a Grand Slam when I was 18. I know that sounds kind of crazy.

“When that didn’t happen, I was a little bit depressed. I was thinking, like, I’m late, like, I’m kind of late to the party.

“Yeah, then I kind of realise that everyone has their own path. I’m not really supposed to compare myself to anyone else and I should just keep working as hard as I can, and eventually I’ll get to where I want to be.”

Despite her off-court coyness, Osaka’s on-court confidence is growing even if it’s not particularly shared by her family.

“This year (in Melbourne) I called my mom in, like, the second round. I was, like, ‘Do you want to come to Australia because I’m going to win this tournament?’ She was, like, ‘No’,” said Osaka on Friday.

“She’s like, ‘No, I’m with your sister. No thank you’. I was, like, ‘Okay’.

“In Australia, the goal was to win. That was what I was waking up every day thinking. You know, like the walk through the tunnel, like, you see the two trophies. I would kind of tap that, the woman’s trophy side.”

Osaka arrives in Paris having not reached a final since her Australian Open triumph while her clay season has been mixed.

She made the quarter-finals in Madrid while an abdominal strain forced an early withdrawal from Stuttgart before a hand injury led to retirement in Rome last week.

“It gets better every day, so hopefully by the time that I play my match, it’s 100%.

“I practised for the past two days, so it’s going well. Yeah, I’m currently very cold because I just took an ice bath, but other than that, I feel good.”

The post Osaka sets sights on ‘cool’ Grand Slam sweep appeared first on Capital Sports.

MONACO, Monaco, May 24 – Lewis Hamilton has hailed his mourning Mercedes team and says the performances of the car itself are ‘fantastic’ ahead of qualifying on Saturday for Sunday’s 77th Monaco Grand Prix.

The defending five-time world champion and his Silver Arrows team-mate Valtteri Bottas were seven-tenths of a second clear of third-placed Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari after Thursday’s opening sessions.

“I’m surprised,” he said. “I don’t know where all the time has come from — I don’t know if Max (Verstappen) maybe didn’t get in a time or what, but the performance we have here is fantastic.

“We’re constantly improving this car and understanding it and understanding the tyre. I guess that’s why you’re seeing the performance advantage we have.”

A similar performance in Saturday’s qualifying session would give the team a near-perfect opportunity to extend their triumphant season-opening run to six one-two finishes.

On an overcast morning on the traditional rest day at the classic ‘blue riband’ event, celebrating the 90th anniversary of its inaugural run in 1929, the paddock was busy as teams prepared for possible mixed weather conditions for Saturday’s critical qualifying.

Hamilton, a formidable street track racer, is aiming for a third Monaco win to boost his lead in the drivers’ championship in which he has 112 points, seven more than team-mate Bottas on 105.

– Respect for Lauda –

In the week of Niki Lauda’s death Merecedes want to honour the memory of their late non-executive chairman with a notable win.

Hamilton, who withdrew from Wednesday’s pre-race news briefing because he felt too emotional to attend, stayed focussed on his driving after Thursday’s sessions.

His team’s chief race engineer Andrew Shovlin added a note of caution when he warned of concerns about how long it was taking for their cars to warm up their soft tyres for qualifying laps.

“Our number one concern is getting the soft tyre to work on the first lap,” he explained. “Our headline times were good, but it took us a lot of laps to get there and qualifying is so important at this track.”

He added that the team’s reserve driver Esteban Ocon was working in a simulator to assist in finding a solution.

“Monaco is unusual in that we have an extra day between the practice sessions so it gives us more time to look at data and understand the issues.”

Hamilton added that, contrary to expectations, it was not always a pleasure to speed around Monte Carlo.

“Every year, it gets faster — and it’s that much faster you notice it when you’re going past the barriers and touching them…

“But, honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s fun. It’s incredibly intense. You have to be so focused, just the smallest mistake… When you look into Tabac, for example, the speed you’re going towards that corner… and it’s just a wall in front of you. Going up the hill to Casino it’s the same thing.

“So it’s no joke and whilst it’s definitely always a great thing to drive the car, it’s just so intense…”

He warned, too, that Sunday’s race is unlikely to be great entertainment because it is so difficult to overtake.

“Unfortunately it’s not a great racing track, but it’s a great track to drive single laps on,” said Hamilton. “We’re just doing a long stint, where it’s a one-stop for everyone – most likely a train. We know already that’s going to be the case.”

The post Hamilton hails Mercedes car as ‘fantastic’ appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – Kenya National Rally Championship premier class driver Jasmeet Singh Chana ‘Iceman’ believes meticulous preparation will be key to a successful 2019 Safari Rally.

The former multiple Kenyan Two Wheel Drive Champion says he’ll kick-start preparation with a test drive in Kajiado before embarking on the final phase of preparation.

“Safari is here with us again and its definitely going to be a tough one more so if rains persist. But at the same time we have our eyes firmly set on double points and a top five overall result. To achieve this, it means driving cautiously. We will try and push where we can.”

“Our tests begin from next weekend and we intend to will run them for the next two weeks and from there we will dismantle the car again and rebuild it for Safari. After the last rally in Kajiado we had a little bit of overheating problems, so we got our Italy based engineer here, he came down and got the car remapped again. We did a small test and the car seemed to run well.”

Jasmeet has driven in the Safari since 2007 as a Formula Two entrant and believes its not all about driving fast but using your head.

“Its about driving with a plan, he quipped. We all want Safari to regain it lost World Rally Championship status. Its a very big thing for us and as competitors we are overly excited to be part of the WRC candidate event in July.”

The 4.30km Super Special Stages at Kasarani Stadium will zoom off the 67th Safari on July 5 after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) approved Supplementary Regulations and granted the Safari Rally a permit to run as a World Rally Championship (WRC) Candidate Event and the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) round.

The SSS will be the highlight of the opening day where cars will race side by side within the expansive Kasarani Stadium open grounds offering un-obstructed view of the action which starts at 10:26 am.

The WRC Safari Rally Project CEO Phineas Kimathi said the other highlight is the ceremonial start outside the President Entrance of the main stadium pavilion, a shift from the traditional Kenyatta International Convention Centre in central Nairobi because of changes of rules pertaining to managerial and technical.

Rally fans in central Kenya will have a rare opportunity to watch the cars pass through sleepy villages as the drivers will use Thika Road past Exit 14 into Kenyatta Road on their way to the pristine Gatamaiyo Forest gate via Munduru and Kiganjo.

The post Iceman to start early Safari Rally preparations appeared first on Capital Sports.

MADRID, Spain, May 24 – Real Madrid have reacted angrily to Mauricio Pochettino suggesting they turned down a request from Tottenham to stay at their training ground next week ahead of the Champions League final against Liverpool.

Spurs will train at Valdebebas on Thursday and Friday before the game on Saturday and Pochettino, in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, said the club had asked Madrid if they could also sleep on the site.

In a light-hearted part of the interview, Pochettino was asked if Tottenham’s players would also stay at Valdedebas. Pochettino replied: “No we will stay in an hotel near there. We have asked eh? We have asked but Florentino (Perez) didn’t want to allow us.”

A laughing Pochettino then added: “He would say, ‘the day you coach Madrid is when you can sleep there’. This is the subliminal message no?”

Real Madrid released a statement on Friday, insisting they had received no such request from Tottenham.

The statement read: “Real Madrid is surprised by the suggestions made by Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino about a supposed request made to our club asking that his team could stay at the Ciudad de Real Madrid before the final of the Champions League.

“Real Madrid wants to make it clear it is completely false that this request occurred. Our club has always shown its absolute availability to meet all the requests made by UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

“All requests submitted to Real Madrid have referred only and exclusively to the use of the training pitches of the Ciudad de Real Madrid and its changing rooms. And all of them have been granted by our club.”

The statement added: “Real Madrid also wants to emphasise the accommodation of the Champions League finalists are assigned by UEFA depending on organisation and security. And that at no time has our club been asked to accommodate them in the facilities of the Ciudad de Real Madrid.”

Pochettino was heavily linked with the vacant position of Real Madrid coach last season when Julen Lopetegui and then Santiago Solari were sacked.

Asked about taking charge of Madrid in the future, Pochettino said: “I have no other goals than to coach Tottenham, I don’t allow myself to think about the long-term.”

Liverpool will also use Real Madrid’s training ground on the morning of the final, which will be played at Atletico Madrid’s stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano.

The post Real reject Pochettino’s claim Spurs asked to sleep at club’s training ground appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – On November 15, 2015, Dennis Ombachi took one of the most historic runs in his rugby career; from close to 70m away, he put on the afterburners, shoved away two markers with his powerful right hand before stepping inside and out to head under the posts to dot down the historic try that sent Kenya to their first ever Olympics.

That try saw Kenya beat Zimbabwe 21-17 at the Bernard Stadium in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa and book a historic slot at the Rio Olympics in 2016, the first time Rugby Sevens was coming back to the Olympic Games in many decades.

Ombachi, nicknamed The Ghost Worker would ordinarily become a legend in his own right and a massive hero celebrated back home and most likely, his life taking a shift for the better. It was never actually to be.

Not only did he ground the try that took Kenya to Rio, but he did it with the final play and with so much courage from distance that would have otherwise not been possible for a player not afraid to take risks.

Close to four years on, the Nondescript man has taken yet another risk, speaking up on the harsh treatment Kenya Sevens players have gone through in the name of donning the red, Green and Black of the national team jersey and doing the flag proud.

In a series of tweets on Friday evening, Ombachi laid bare the struggle he and his team-mates have been forced to go through as they drip blood and sweat in national colors.

“At no point have I said that I was ashamed to represent my country, playing for Kenya has been my highest honor. I am ashamed at how me and my fellow players have been treated over the years and have still managed to perform while saying nothing,” Ombachi stated as he exposed what the players have been going through.

whatever kenya sevens is going through is a product of no integrity or morals, its sad when players have to coach the coach employed and paid to coach them.

— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019

From being neglected due to injury and the players being forced to accept pay cuts, Ombachi expressed his disgust at the treatment meted on the players and his outcry was supported by team-mate Willy Ambaka.

The two are some of the Kenya 7s senior players who refused to sign new contracts that included performance caps and drastically reduced salaries, a situation that has put Shujaa into a relegation dog fight this season.

The world suffers a lot not because of the violence of bad people, but because of silence of good people. I stand with my brother @ombachi13. It’s sad what players go through year in year out. All we asked for is respect and good working conditions.

— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019

“I will be back soon broke as I left having represented Kenya for over 10 years in the world stage, it’s now sinking in how unappreciated we are back home, and no I never wasted my earnings, it’s just enough to survive,” Ombachi who is currently in Russia said.

wait, also tribalism is the main reason we don’t have the best s&c coach in kenya, to hell with that container on gong road with their silly PR stunts, they will come for me, I am waiting.

bye now for real

— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019

That’s the main reason I turned down @OfficialKRU call up to go help my country qualify for the World Cup,

And instead went to russia 🇷🇺 coz I know I am appreciated there.

we all know how that campaign went#integrity https://t.co/RhZwQSceH5

— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019

I had a nasty injury late 2017 playing for @OfficialKRU in Dubai and a few months later my salary was more than halved and I was taken from tier 1 to tier 2.

The mental torture and trauma I went through was too much at some point 😔

I BROKE MY LEG.

— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019

“I have said what I should have said years ago, I hope others will not go through what we went through and this is all I have to say”

— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019

He was supported by Ambaka who noted; “I mean it’s sad traveling and living in all the 5-star hotels and coming back home to a locked house because you haven’t paid rent, I mean how do you expect results with this kind of environment?”

When you’ve had a taste of excellence you cannot go back to mediocrity. Kenya is a gold mine for talent but it’s sad how we nature it.

— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019

How can someone’s take home salary be 280 dollars a month?? Yet you are expected to perform at your level best🤦🏿‍♂️

— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019

Playing for Kenya is all that young rugby players want to do and it’s an honour to do so, but we deserve more and the future players deserve more. #bless

— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019

Kenyans on the interwebs joined in the conversation, voicing their support for the players and asking the Union to do better in managing the national teams.

I love that you are speaking up for many of us @ombachi13. But what I love more is that you are in a better space, mentally and physically. NOTHING, NO ONE is worth your life and general well-being. I wish I has 0.5% of the courage you have to speak up! Viva brother!!

— Miss Ora (@Sinaida_Aura) May 24, 2019

It’s hard being a #Kenya7s player as Ombachi and co are saying.. You have to suspend careers outside the game and base yourself in Nairobi with all the capital city’s living expenses.

— Eric Njiru (@Erik_Njiru) May 24, 2019

Surely we can’t be paying a player on national duty 28k p.m. The sad state of Kenyan rugby. #Kenya7s https://t.co/9JhqGj89mV

— Stephen Musyoka (@smusyoka) May 24, 2019

Those rants are the reason last year we tried #BoycottKRU…. But watu wakajiona patriots sana…. Fans have a voice to send a message to the Union too… The mess there is horrible….

— aleckie ronald (@SirAlexas) May 24, 2019

But @KenyaSevens are rich boys of Rugby, you haven’t met gallant sons of @KenyaSimbas and daughters of @kenyalioness and accompanying cover up and intimidation. #LetPeopleTalk

— Tungsten™ (@kollonabiswa) May 24, 2019

The post Ombachi, Ambaka open up on Kenya 7s tribulations appeared first on Capital Sports.

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 24 – Arsenal and Chelsea have returned over half of their combined allocation of 12,000 tickets for next week’s Europa League final due to the difficulty and great expense for fans travelling to Azerbaijan.

A lack of direct flights between London and Baku means supporters face costs of over £1,000 ($1,300) just to make the 5,000-mile round trip before tickets and accommodation are taken into account.

Arsenal had initially complained over their small allocation, but confirmed to AFP that they have returned 2,200 tickets for the Gunners’ first European final in 13 years.

AFP understands that Chelsea have sold just 2,000 of their 6,000 allocation.

UEFA denied reports that sponsors had also returned tickets and said they were confident that local fans will snap up the spare tickets to ensure there is a capacity crowd at the 68,000 Olympic Stadium.

“The majority of these tickets have already been sold to local fans in Azerbaijan and we are confident that the remaining ones will also be sold as demand is very high,” UEFA said in a statement to AFP.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) joined other supporters’ groups in criticising UEFA for the location of the final, but also turned on their own club’s handling of the affair.

“Baku is a totally unsuitable location for a major European final. The combination of cost, complexity in regard to travel arrangements and time off work has massively reduced the travelling support, including those who loyally and ordinarily go to all home, away and European matches,” said the CST in a statement.

The CST also complained about the cost of charter flights put on by Chelsea and that the club has not extended the time for season ticket renewals in order to help fans’ cash flow.

Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also not travel to the final due to safety fears.

Mkhitaryan’s native Armenia and Azerbaijan have feuded over Nagorny Karabakh since Armenian separatists seized the territory in a war that claimed about 30,000 lives in the early 1990s.

The post Arsenal, Chelsea return unsold Europa League final tickets appeared first on Capital Sports.

PARIS, France, May 24 – Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya will run in the 2,000 metres in a meeting held in the Paris suburbs on June 11, the organisers said on Friday.

The race in Montreuil, just east of the French capital, will be the South African’s first since she lost an appeal against International Association of Athletics Federations rules governing testosterone levels in women athletes, which came into effect on May 8.

Semenya has also entered the 3,000m at the Prefontaine Classic, which this year is being held in Stanford, California, on June 30.

At longer distances Semenya, who won her Olympic golds at 800m, can compete without reducing her testosterone levels.

The new rules require women with higher than normal male hormone levels — so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes — to artificially lower the amount of testosterone in their bodies if they are to compete in races over distances of 400m to the mile.

Semenya won the 800m at the Doha Diamond League meeting this month in her first race since losing her appeal of the controversial IAAF ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Semanya has said she will not take medication but has also said she hopes to defend her 800m at the world championships in Doha, which start on September 27.

“Hell no. No way,” she said. “I don’t know what will happen next. But no one should tell me what to do, if people want to stop me from doing something that’s their problem, not mine.”

She said she was fighting a bigger battle beyond the track.

“This is more than a game, more than sports,” she said. “This is about human dignity, human pride.”

The South African government has said it will appeal CAS’s decision in the Swiss courts.

The World Medical Association has urged doctors not to enforce the rules, warning that attempts to do so would breach ethics codes.

The post Semenya to return to track in 2,000 metres race in France appeared first on Capital Sports.

BERLIN, Germany, May 24 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has defended the decision to host the Europa League final in Baku in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel set to be published on Saturday.

Chelsea and Arsenal are set to play in Baku on May 29, and UEFA has faced heavy criticism, both for the distance of the venue from London and over Azerbaijan’s record on human rights.

Ceferin, 51, told Der Spiegel that the final would be played in Baku because “there are people who live there who love football”.

“The human rights situation is a problem, but it is also a problem in other European states. Does that mean the fans in Baku do not deserve live football?”

The controversy over Baku increased this week, when Arsenal’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan decided not travel to the final amid concerns for his safety.

The UEFA president said that the decision was Mkhitaryan’s to make, and said that Azerbaijan had given guarantees about the player’s safety.

“If football allows itself to be stopped by such tensions, then we will not be able to organise anything in future,” said Ceferin.

“We managed to organise a safe European Championships in France when the country was a target of terrorist attacks.”

Ceferin also said that he was in no rush to reform the UEFA Champions League.

“If you ask me, there is no need to change anything,” he said.

The 51-year-old said that UEFA were in a “consultation phase” over reforms proposed earlier this year by the European Club Association.

The proposals envisaged a restructuring of all European club competitions into a three-tiered system with internal relegation and promotion from 2024.

Ceferin said that UEFA had already vetoed a suggestion to hold Champions League games at the weekend, saying that “this will not happen”.

– ‘The Chinese are nice people’ –

Yet he also called for a more measured approach to the reform proposals, and argued that UEFA had to respond to its global market.

“Football is the only European product which is the best in the world in its field by some distance.”

“The Champions League is a global product, it is getting bigger in China and the USA. Why should Chinese fans not be treated well? They are nice people.

“Everything is dramatised. The usual suspects start shouting about the death of football and demand more solidarity.

“I think that the five big leagues should give money to the federations in smaller countries when they sell TV rights there. Because if you show the top leagues on TV, you weaken the football in the smaller markets.”

Ceferin said he was not afraid that the top clubs would attempt to break away from UEFA to form a separate European super league.

“That will never happen. The clubs know that it would be a pretty boring competition.”

“The national leagues are also important for the clubs to keep the link to their fans.”

The post ‘Do fans in Baku not deserve it?’ – UEFA chief Ceferin defends Europa final appeared first on Capital Sports.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, May 25 – The table-topping Canterbury Crusaders put a torrid week behind them to hold off the Auckland Blues on Saturday while the red-hot Jaguares shored up their Super Rugby finals hopes with a gritty win over the NSW Waratahs.

On a triple header day, the Melbourne Rebels pulverised Japan’s Sunwolves 52-7 to stay one point behind the ACT Brumbies in the Australian pool, although the runaway win came at a price with star scrum-half Will Genia knocked out.

Argentina’s Jaguares moved four points clear of the Bulls in the South African conference by beating the Waratahs 23-15, dealing a big hit to the Sydney-based team’s hopes of making the playoffs.

With two matches remaining, the Crusaders’ 19-11 victory opened up a 13-point lead at the top of the New Zealand table from the Wellington Hurricanes, who have three games left.

The Crusaders, who have been under the microscope following allegations of offensive behaviour on their recent South African tour, looked comfortable at 16-6 before a late Rieko Ioane try gave the visitors the chance of an upset.

However, a Richie Mo’unga penalty with four minutes remaining sealed the outcome for the defending champions in a match played with a heavy dew which restricted try-scoring opportunities.

“It wasn’t pretty at times,” Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said.

“We had a few challenges coming home from South Africa, a short turnaround, a few of the boys had a lack of sleep this week.”

But two All Blacks identified in the off-field accusations levelled at the Crusaders, Mo’unga and George Bridge, appeared unaffected by the attention and played starring roles.

After David Havili waltzed through an ineffectual Blues defence to have the Crusaders on attack from the kick-off, the visitors held off repeated raids and it was left to Mo’unga to get the Crusaders on the board with two penalties.

The fly-half also featured in the only try of the first half with a well-weighted chip which Ryan Crotty gathered to send Bryn Hall away.

The Blues, who prop up the New Zealand conference, responded with a penalty to Harry Plummer for the Crusaders to make the turn with a 13-3 lead.

Plummer and Mo’unga then exchanged penalties before Ioane’s try and Mo’unga’s fourth penalty.

– Physical game –

In Sydney, the well-drilled Jaguares, packed with Test players, came into the game on a run of five wins from six and were simply too good for Michael Hooper’s Waratahs.

“It was a physical game. We managed to defend and keep possession and that was where we won the game,” said the Jaguares’ Pablo Matera.

“It’s been a great few weeks. We have the Reds to go (on their overseas tour). It’s a really important game.”

An intense period of pressure paid off for them in the 25th minute with winger Ramiro Moyano collecting a Jeronimo de la Fuente grubber kick to dot down for a converted try.

Bernard Foley pulled three points back but Domingo Miotti cancelled it out with a Jaguares penalty as the visitors took a 10-3 half-time lead.

Moyano bagged his second by finishing a counter-attack to put them 17-3 ahead before the Tahs were awarded a penalty try and roared back when Curtis Rona crossed in the corner.

But Foley missed the conversion and two late penalties from Joaquin Diaz Bonilla sealed the win.

Earlier, Marika Koroibete and Jack Maddocks grabbed two tries apiece in Tokyo for the Rebels, who recorded their highest score in Super Rugby.

The bonus-point victory — their seventh of the season — saw them improve to 33 points, one behind the Brumbies, with three regular-season fixtures left.

However, after a promising start to the season, they face a difficult run-in, including games against the Crusaders and Chiefs.

The Rebels, who dominated the lineout and scrum, went into the break leading 19-0 before running riot in the second half.

The post Crusaders hold on against Blues, Jaguares edge Waratahs appeared first on Capital Sports.

PARIS, France, May 25 – Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has extended his deal with the French Ligue 1 champions through to June 2021, the club announced on Saturday.

The 45-year-old German took over in June 2018 and despite winning Ligue 1 has come under scrutiny after the Parisian club’s defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League last 16.

The news cuts short speculation that PSG’s Qatari owners would fire Tuchel and hire outgoing Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

“I’m delighted to extend my contract and commitment to Paris Saint-Germain,” Tuchel said.

“I’d like to thank the chairman and the whole club for their trust in me and my staff. This only reinforces my ambition to bring this team to the very top through hard work,” he told the club website

“I’m also very touched by the backing of our supporters, and I’m sure that the best is yet to come for our club.”

Nasser al-Khelaifi, Paris Saint-Germain chairman and CEO, praised Tuchel’s energy and modus operandi.

“For a year now, Thomas has been bringing fantastic energy to the daily life of the club, not only for the players, but for the whole of Paris Saint-Germain,” the Qatari said.

“We are delighted to be able to rely on his qualities on a long-term basis.”

Tuchel was appointed last year on a two-year deal to succeed Unai Emery. He had been widely praised for his work at the Parc des Princes, but another elimination from the Champions League in the first knockout round had raised questions.

PSG had been desperate to make progress in Europe after being knocked out of the Champions League last 16 in back-to-back seasons under Emery.

They looked on course to reach the quarter-finals after a 2-0 win away to United in the first leg, but a 3-1 home loss at the Parc des Princes knocked them out on away goals.

The nature of their defeat, especially coming two years after their capitulation against Barcelona at the same stage, has seen PSG widely labelled as bottlers, incapable of dealing with the tension on the big stage.

The post PSG coach Tuchel extends deal to 2021 appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Ugandan deadly fullback Philip Wokorach stars as Kabras lift Enterprise Cupproduced a man of the match performance to aid Kabras Sugar Rugby Club pick their first silverware this season after mauling Impala Saracens 39-7 to lift the 2019 Enterprise Cup.

-Developing Story- 

The post Wokorach stars as Kabras lift Enterprise Cup appeared first on Capital Sports.

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 25 – The Cricket World Cup has produced many thrilling contests in its 44-year history.

AFP Sports recalls five of the most memorable moments:

1975: Gilmour’s great day

Tournament hosts England were well aware of the threat posed by fearsome fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson ahead of a World Cup semi-final against old rivals Australia.

But instead they were undone by a sensational burst of left-arm swing bowling from Gary Gilmour as the 23-year-old took six for 14, with England all out for just 93.

Gilmour’s work was far from finished, however. Australia collapsed in turn and were 39 for six, after Chris Old had taken three wickets on his Headingley home ground, when Gilmour came into bat.

But his 28 not out and an unbroken stand with Doug Walters saw Australia into the final.

1983: Kapil’s ‘unseen’ hundred

Zimbabwe, who had already beaten Australia on the back of a fine all-round performance by future England coach Duncan Fletcher, were on the verge of another shock win when they reduced India to 17 for five.

But India captain Kapil Dev responded with a stunning knock of 175 off 138 balls — an innings only seen by spectators at the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells as a strike by BBC technicians meant the match was not broadcast on television.

An eventual total of 266 proved too much for Zimbabwe, with Kapil’s century an example of the inspirational leadership that would see India crowned champions a week later.

1999: Australia ‘win’ in a tie

Perhaps the most thrilling World Cup game of them all, this Edgbaston semi-final saw Australia make 213, with South Africa paceman Shaun Pollock taking five for 36.

Jonty Rhodes and Jacques Kallis took the Proteas most of the way towards chasing down a target, with their side needing nine off the last over and then one run with one wicket left.

But when Lance Klusener hit the ball to mid-off and set off for a single, non-striker Allan Donald did not hear the call then dropped his bat. Mark Waugh fielded the ball, threw it to bowler Damien Fleming, who in turn rolled it down the pitch where wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist completed a run-out.

Although the match was tied, Australia advanced into the final thanks to a superior net run-rate.

2011: O’Brien overwhelms England

England seemed to have done enough with the bat against Ireland, then a non-Test nation, when they made 327 for eight — a total no side had ever previously chased down in a World Cup match.

But on a never-to-be-forgotten night in Bangalore, up stepped Kevin O’Brien to hit the quickest century in World Cup history, off just 50 balls, including 13 fours and six sixes.

Ireland, who had been 111 for five, went on to complete a stunning three-wicket win.

2015: ‘Old boy’ breaks South Africa’s hearts

Fifties from Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers took South Africa to 281 for five in an Auckland semi-final innings reduced by rain to 43 overs per side.

The Black Caps then saw all-rounder Grant Elliott, born in Johannesburg but who had left for New Zealand in 2001, play the innings of his life.

New Zealand still needed five to win with two balls left when Elliott settled the issue with a remarkable six over mid-on off fast bowler Dale Steyn.

It was the final shot in a match-winning innings of 84 not out that saw New Zealand’s men into their first World Cup final after six previous semi-final defeats as South Africa suffered yet more knockout anguish.

The post Cricket World Cup: five memorable moments appeared first on Capital Sports.

MONACO, Monaco, May 25 – Lewis Hamilton snatched a dramatic pole position for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix with an all-time circuit record lap in the final seconds to outpace Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas by 0.086 seconds.

The defending five-time champion and series leader clocked an unprecedented lap in 1min 10.166sec to end Bottas’ run of three successive poles as Mercedes, mourning the death this week of non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, produced a record-equalling 62nd front row lockout.

It was an emotional Hamilton’s second pole in Monaco and the 84th of his career as he dug deep in the final seconds to find the speed required to grab the prime grid position from his team-mate.

“Whoooah!” shouted Hamilton on team radio. “That’s what I am talking about….”

Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, Pierre Gasly in the second Red Bull and Kevin Magnussen for Haas.

Last year’s race winner Daniel Ricciardo was seventh for Renault ahead of Daniel Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Carlos Sainz of McLaren and Alex Albon in the second Toro Rosso.

“This is the race that every driver dreams of, even as a kid,” said Hamilton.

“We’ve arrived with a great car, a great battle with Valtteri and I think the desire and the will to get this pole. I’ve had to dig deeper than ever before.

“We all take our cars, fast or slow, to the limit and here, at the limit, it’s like wrestling a bull. I had an oversteer moment in the Rascasse and I just held on.”

Bottas said: “I’m disappointed. I felt after the first lap there were plenty of places to improve, but I had traffic and couldn’t get the tyres up to temperature.”

Luckless local hero Charles Leclerc qualified 16th after a strategic muddle by Ferrari in the opening part of qualifying.

After Vettel’s crash in the morning’s final free practice session, Q1 began cautiously in the warmest conditions of the weekend, the track registering 44 degrees Celsius under a hazy sun.

Mercedes, as they feared, found the conditions testing and required longer to bring their tyres alive, but were soon first and third with Bottas and Hamilton sandwiching Verstappen.

Vettel then bounced his left rear wheel off the barriers in the swimming pool complex, requiring a rapid pit-stop.

He emerged with seconds remaining on shiny new ‘softs’ as Hamilton topped Bottas, but faced a desperate rush to re-climb from 17th – and exceeded expectations by going fastest in a frantic finale.

Leclerc was left standing in the Ferrari garage as he tumbled down the timesheets to finish 16th, the team not keeping him out after he missed a signal to the weighbridge.

He was pushed back to the scales, to avoid any penalty, but it was another example of Ferrari’s operational and decision-making failings.

“I need explanations,” said Leclerc. “The problem was not the weighbridge and I have had no real answers. It is very difficult to take as we had plenty of time and enough fuel… Now, I must take risks in the race.”

Out with an upset Leclerc, who was fastest in the morning, went Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, George Russell and Robert Kubica.

Q2 then began with a blistering record lap from Bottas in 1:10.701. Hamilton was one-tenth down for second with Verstappen third ahead of Kvyat.

With four minutes remaining, all 15 returned for a final flurry in which Verstappen topped Bottas in 1:10.618 – a record that suggested he might repeat Red Bull’s success, with Ricciardo, last year.

Out went Nico Hulkenberg, Lando Norris, Romain Grosjean, Kimi Raikkonen and his Alfa team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi, all bickering about the traffic and blocking before the top ten shootout.

On his first run, Bottas laid down a marker in a record 1:10.252 to lead the way ahead of Verstappen as Hamilton struggled for a clean lap, but all that changed on his final run

The post Hamilton snatches dramatic Monaco GP pole with record lap appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – The Kenya 7s team fell short of their target of reaching a first Cup Quarter-final this season after going down 31-17 in their final Pool B match against France at the penultimate round of the 2018/19 HSBC Sevens World Series in London.

-More to follow-

The post Mwale brace not enough to send Kenya in London 7s Quarters appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Karen Country Golf Club’s Anthony Murage was elected the new chairman of Kenya Golf Union for the year 2019/2020.

He was voted in during the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Annual General Meeting held Friday at Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi to take over from Lucas Marang’a who will continue sitting in the KGU board as the immediate Past Chairman.

The new KGU Chairman joined the Kenya Golf Union in the year 2013 as an Executive and later served as Hon Treasurer in 2016 and 2017 before becoming the Vice Chairman in 2018.

In his maiden Speech the new KGU Chairman thanked all the golfers for exuding confidence in him and promised to dedicate his services to the Union at his best. He promised to put more synergy on Golf development as well as searching and developing golfing talents across the country.

During the same meeting Ben Omuodo (Royal Nairobi Golf Club) was elected as the Vice Chairman while Limuru’s Vincent Wang’ombe and Sigona’s Peter Kiguru were elected as the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer respectively.

Other Executives that were elected includes; Ndiga Kithae (Thika Sports Club), Karugu Macharia (Windsor Golf Hotel and country club), George Gathu (Kenya Air Force), Njani Ndiritu ( Vetlab Sports Club), Philip Ochola (Muthiaga Golf Club), Fr.Peter Kimani ( Ruiru Sports Club).

The Regional Representatives will be co-opted after the 1st KGU Board Meeting which will be held in June. The regions are – Mt. Kenya, Central Rift, North Rift, Western  and Coast Region.

The post Karen’s Murage elected new KGU chairman appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Joy, dance, chanting is what was witnessed at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos when 18-time record Kenyan Premier League champions mighty Gor Mahia was officially presented the 2018/19 trophy. Here is how it went down behind the lenses.

K’Ogalo was handed their third successive trophy after they played to a 1-1 draw against Posta Rangers in the penultimate round of the league.

Gor were crowned the champions on Wednesday this week with two matches to spare despite being held to a 1-1 draw by relegation fighting Nzoia Sugar.

The win meant that Gor clinched a hat-trick of KPL titles to stretch their dominance in Kenyan football.

To be crowned the KPL champions, Gor with one match to go,  won 21 matches, drew 8 and lost 4 in the 33 matches they have played so far.

Rwandese Jaques Tuyisenge and Nicholas Kipkirui have been the attacking lethal for Gor this season with the later shining in the ‘Mashemeji’ derby where he netted a brace as K’Ogalo whipped rivals AFC Leopards 3-1.

Its also the first time ever in his (Kipkirui) football career that he has been crowned a KPL champion after joining Gor this season from Zoo FC.

Cypriot tactician Hassan Oktay guided Gor to the title, and on top of it being the first coach to take the club to the historic CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals.

Gor Mahia will wind up their season with a home game against Mathare United on Wednesday.

The post Joy of lifting KPL title: Gor coronation in pics appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26 – The national rugby sevens team will face off with bottom placed Japan in the 13^th place semi-final at the London leg of the World Sevens series after losing out 29-21 to Scotland in the Challenge Trophy quarter final on Sunday afternoon.

Shujaa will need to beat Japan by all costs to ensure they remain safe from the relegation zone as they stand the danger of dropping a place down with fellow relegation fighters Wales having progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Trophy.

With Shujaa dropping to 13^th place, it means the most they can pick up from London is three points, and that is if they go on all the way to the final and win. If they lose the semi to Japan, they will only pick a point and if they go to the final and lose, they will get a point.

Wales, currently placed 14^th, will definitely swap places with Kenya after this round in London as the most number of points they can pick is eight, if they win the Challenge Trophy, seven if they lose the final and five if they lose the semi.

A loss for Shujaa against Japan means they can end the London leg just a point shy of relegation if the Japanese go all the way and win the 13^th place trophy.

If Kenya moves into the 13^th place play-off final, they will meet the winner between home side England and Spain.

Shujaa came into their first match on day two needing to win to get into the semi-finals and give themselves a chance of raking in as many points as possible to boost their survival hopes.

However, they were always playing the chasing game against the Scots and an absurd decision to keep playing after the buzzer had gone at half time came to haunt them as they allowed Scotland into the lead.

Heading to half time, Shujaa were leading 14-12 after twin tries from former captain Andrew Amonde had taken them ahead. However, with the buzzer gone, Kenya decided to keep playing from deep, five metres out of their try line.

Scotland rubbed their hands and took the advantage, turning over possession with Jamie Fernadale crossing over to give Scotland and 19-14 lead at the break.

Robbie Ferguson had given the Scots the lead before Amonde dotted down and Daniel Taabu converted for a 7-5 lead. From the restart, Scotland won possession and Glenn Bryce made it count with a converted try that made it 12-7.

However, Amonde took Kenya back into the lead with Taabu converting before the suicidal decision after the buzzer saw the lead change hands.

At the start of the second half, Kenya got back into the lead when Cyprian Kuto turned over play and fed off Jeff Oluoch who stepped inside and out to take away two markers before stretching his hand across the line.

Taabu converted for a 21-19 lead.

But, the Scots raced back to take the advantage, Fernadale dotting down his second of the afternoon before Scnyle Godsmark made it 29-21 with a try off a maul o the right.

The post Shujaa to face Japan in relegation dogfight appeared first on Capital Sports.

SEVILLE, Spain, May 25 – Barcelona wanted a trophy to ease their Champions League heartache but instead fell to another shock defeat as Valencia pulled off a thrilling 2-1 victory on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey.

Chasing a record fifth consecutive triumph, Barca were undone by a relentless and gutsy Valencia side, who hung on after Lionel Messi pulled a goal back to set up a dramatic finish in Seville.

By then, Valencia were already two up, Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo scoring twice in 13 frantic first-half minutes, after the latter spurned a golden early chance that could have spared them a nerve-shredding last 17 minutes.

Messi drove the comeback effort and Goncalo Guedes twice should have wrapped it up for Valencia, missing a one-on-one and then an open goal before the final whistle sparked pandemonium.

Valencia’s coach Marcelino, who might have been sacked when his team were four points off relegation in January, raced around the pitch in a frenzy. Barcelona’s players sank to their knees.

“We always had faith,” said Marcelino. “Beating Barcelona to win the cup is very special. We deserved to win.”

Messi admitted on Friday his team had still not recovered from the “hard blow” suffered against Liverpool and certainly they seemed too easily disheartened here, finding their fight only once it was too late.

Messi also threw his support behind Barcelona’s coach Ernesto Valverde but it remains to be seen whether the backing of the board remains after two dreadful defeats have now spoiled such a brilliant La Liga success.

“I’m fine,” Valverde said. “When a coach loses you want to go again, to fight to overcome the next challenge. I know losing for this club is hard.”

“I do not think it’s the coach’s fault,” said president Josep Maria Bartomeu. “I think he has done a great job,” added Gerard Pique. “But it does not depend on us.”

They came here as favourites, but only just, their 1,457 consecutive days as Copa del Rey champions under threat, from their own sense of deflation, key players out injured and Valencia’s recent surge.

If Barca’s season all but ended three weeks ago, Valencia’s arguably found life a few days later, as they moved into the top four for the first time and then held on to qualify for the Champions League.

– ‘History made’ –

Winning their first trophy since 2008, in the club’s centenary year, completes a remarkable comeback campaign that, after 15 games, had them languishing in 15th.

“We have made history,” said captain Dani Parejo. Gameiro added: “In the difficult moments we stayed close. I don’t have the words to describe it.”

Some saw a metaphor in Barcelona’s pre-match tifo, spelling out ‘All Together’ splitting down the middle, while there were key absentees from their starting line-up too, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele all injured.

Valencia should have been ahead within five minutes, Clement Lenglet’s error sending Rodrigo clear but his finish was brilliantly scooped off the line by the recovering Gerard Pique.

Barca, with Sergio Busquets in the centre of a back three, settled but lacked zip and in the 23rd minute they were behind. Jose Gaya scuttled in behind Nelson Semedo and his pull-back wrong-footed everyone except Gameiro, who fired in.

Semedo had been beaten down the left and soon after Jordi Alba was outrun down the right, by Carlos Soler, whose cross needed only to be nodded down and in by Rodrigo for number two.

Barcelona stirred before the break. Ivan Rakitic volleyed and then headed wide, before Messi registered their first shot on target in the 43rd minute.

Malcom and Arturo Vidal came on for Semedo and Arthur during the interval, as Barca turned the screw. Messi might have turned the match but after wriggling through his sumptuous flick towards the far corner brushed the post.

Pique fired wide as Valencia dropped deeper. Finally, Messi broke through, the post this time his friend after Lenglet’s header struck the woodwork and landed kindly at his feet.

There were 17 minutes to survive and with six left, Messi headed over. The Valencia fans roared and then again when Messi was dispossessed by a sliding challenge.

Messi drove from the edge of the area but it was blocked and Guedes twice should have wrapped it up, first missing a one-on-one and then an open goal when Jasper Cillessen had gone up for a corner. He was perhaps as relieved as anyone when the whistle blew.

The post Valencia stun Barcelona to win Copa del Rey appeared first on Capital Sports.