NAIROBI, Kenya, November 24-World 1500m champion and 2008 Beijing gold winner, Asbel Kiprop, is recuperating at home after surviving a Sunday night car crash along the Kabarnet-Eldoret road.

Kiprop who was at the wheel at the time, lost control of his vehicle at a bend before landing in a ditch after it hit a rock and after being taken to an Eldoret hospital, he was discharged after treatment for bruising.

“He is okay now and there’s nothing serious about his condition. He is resting at home and he should be fine after being discharged this morning,” his coach, David Letting, told Capital Sport from Eldoret on phone.

“He’s okay. He was treated at the hospital in Eldoret for some bruises and allowed to go home,” world marathon record holder, Wilson Kipsang, who accompanied Kiprop and his fellow passenger, James Kangogo to hospital told AFP.

“The car’s front bumper was slightly damaged,” added Kipsang.

Kiprop, 24, successfully held on to his Worlds crown in Moscow after failing to impress at last year’s Olympics due to a hamstring injury suffered on the day of their departure from London.

In 2011, he was finally presented with the Olympics gold medal he won in Beijing after the previous winner, Bahrain’s Rashid Ramzy was stripped off it for doping.

He also won all his three Diamond League races over the distance this season in Doha, Shanghai and Monaco.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 26 – With hours to the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, Harambee Stars head coach Adel Arouche, is targeting a win in their first match against the Walia Antelopes of Ethiopia.

Amrouche who will name his final squad of 20 on Wednesday, have a difficult task to select the first team since all the players are fit for the regional showpiece.

“The preparations are good and we are always positive since we are playing at home, we don’t want to put pressure on the players who are in the good mood.

“We lost two players due to injury including Paul Were who was the right player for Cecafa because he finished the Kenyan Premier League on a high, but we had to drop him and replace with Azam midfielder Humphrey Mieno who also can’t play because he said he has injury.

“But I have no problem since this tournament is for the local based who need to prove themselves,” the coach who will be guiding Stars in the competition for the first time said after conducting their training at Moi Sports Complex.

“I respect all the teams that are participating in the tournament including Somalia and we are approaching one match at a time because we need victory for our people,” he continued.

Amrouche said his main objective is to use the competition to prepare the team for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. “Kenya need this team to play in Africa Home Nations Cup and the players should prove themselves to earn a call up and join professional players ahead of the next qualifiers,” he concluded.

All teams are in the country with Zanzibar and Ethiopia arriving later Tuesday. Zanzibar faces South Sudan in the opener before Stars take on the Antelopes in Group A, at Nyayo National Stadium.

Group B will see Tanzania square it out against guest team Zambia, Burundi and Somalia as defending champions Uganda Cranes will lock horns with Rwanda, Sudan and Eritrea in Group C.

Tickets will be sold at Sh200 (USD 2.30) for terraces while VIP will retail at Sh500 (USD 5.75). The competition will run till December 12.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 28- The national football team Harambee Stars opened their GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup campaign with a draw against the Walia Antelopes of Ethiopia on Wednesday at Nyayo National stadium.

Stars who were playing without head coach Adel Amrouche, who was taken ill on the eve of the game, started the match on a high, missing their opener in the third minute when Edwin Lavatsa’s cross in the box found no one to tap in.

The boys coached by assistant James Nandwa, continued to pile pressure towards the Walia goal with Alan Wanga’s header in the 16th minute going wide, three minutes later, captain Francis Kahata’s shot went wide.

“The match was tough, I was in Uganda last year with this team where we lost the first match, today we didn’t play according to our game plan because we lost the ball possession.

“But the boys have tried and I’m sure we will pick up in our next match, about the coach, he could not be able to join us on the touchline because he fell sick yesterday, but in our next match he will be available,” the assistant coach James Nandwa said after the match.

Kahata was fouled outside the box but center referee Denis Batte from Uganda waved on.

Ethiopia could have scored with four minutes to halftime through Yousuf Yassin but keeper Duncan Ochieng denied them, forcing both teams share the spoil into the breather.

Stars came into the second half fighting for goals but South African based David Gateri shot was not strong to beat keeper Derete Alemu.

Yassin continued to terrorize Kenya’s defense forcing Kahata to handle the ball in the box, but referee waved play on, four minutes later, he was at it again through a free kick but Ochieng was quick to respond.

Nandwa brought in Golden Boot winner Jacob Keli who strengthened the striking force but it did not bear any fruits as Ethiopia Keeper was always on top.

With only two minutes to full time, Mintesnote Adane could give Ethiopia the winning goal through a powerful header which went wide, forcing the tie to end in a barren draw.

Kenya next face South Sudan who lost their opener 2-1 to Zanzibar on Saturday at Nyayo National stadium.

Zanzibar are top of Group A with three points, followed by Kenya and Ethiopia who have one point each while South Sudan are placed last with no point.

In Thursday’s fixtures, Burundi will face Somalia before Tanzania takes on guest team Zambia at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 28 – Newly appointed Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Treu, is targeting for a quarter final Main Cup slot when his charges open their second leg World Sevens Series, Dubai 7s against Portugal at 8:46am on Friday.

Treu who retained Andrew Amonde as captain, said the Dubai showdown will not be easy and for the first time, he will change the style of play and the question is will the new era get off to flying start?

His moment of truth comes Friday when he brings in his prowess to the team that has never won a Main Cup in a HSBC World Series.

“We have more experienced players the likes of captain Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Biko Adema, Patrice Agunda among others who I will be depending on as they blend with the young players.

“I called up Leonard Mugaisi because he is one of the quickest players and having named the man of the match in the last Safari 7s, we would like him to score tries like Billy Odhiambo,” the coach who guided Spring Boks to overall victory in the 2008/2009 HSBC Sevens World Series explained before the team left for the showdown.

“But I think we will not see a lot of him in the first tournament because obviously we will start with experienced players, about Humprey Mulama, he was selected because of his good defensive attribute and his tackling is very solid so it’s an opportunity for them to shine.

“We want to taste other teams and see if they can stop my playmaker Collins Injera since part of my game plan will be attacking because I want to score more tries as possible,” he stated.

Amonde said the team has been facing a challenge getting to Treu’s game plan, because everything has been turned to be new to them.

“It’s not going to be easy playing new tactics, I know it will be hard but we will be able to play to our potential and get good results to make everybody proud.

“We are well prepared to face New Zealand, they are just like any other team but it will not be easy playing against them with the new team,” the captain expressed.

Kenya who will miss the services of key players Billy Odhiambo, Sydney Ashioya, and Oscar Ouma will have to depend on Biko Adema to solidify the defense as Patrice Agunda and Felix Ayange will be the suppliers at the center to  Horace Otieno and vice captain Collins Injera who will be depended  for the tries.

The team started the first round at the Gold Coast 7s on a wrong footing, failing to make the Main Cup quarters and eventually losing to Fiji in the plate final.

After playing Portugal in the first match, the boys will then square it out with France at 1.16pm before rounding up their preliminary match against a resilient New Zealand at 6.16pm.

Title sponsors Kenya Airways through their Sponsorship and Promotions Manager Georgina Ndawa, challenged the former South African tactician to deliver a trophy in one of the three upcoming series.

“We are very optimistic about his performance because he is one of the best coaches in the world, the team is ready for him and the lucky thing is that he has a disciplined team that is ready to deliver.

“So he is up for the challenge, we as sponsors we have paid all our dues we are waiting for him to perform since they cant say they now have money.

“The bonus structure has not changed, its Sh63m (USD 724140.90) so if they win all of It is theirs,” the sponsorship manager told Capital sport.

Ndawa confirmed the national carrier has renewed their partnership with Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) for the next three years.

“We still support the team because of the project Rio, we have signed a contract with KRU, so far we have released Sh40m (USD459772) to pay the players for the next six months and the wrangles that were going on is because we were negotiating the additional salary of the new coach and technical bench which was extra added expenses, but that is done now they have the money,” she confirmed.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 29- Head coach Paul Treu was a relieved man after he got his Kenyan reign off to a winning start in a nervy 10-7 win over Portugal in their Dubai Sevens opener on Friday.

The former South Africa head coach almost endured a nightmare start after Aderito Esteves scored a converted try to give Portugal a 7-5 lead deep into the second half.

However, with a minute left, star winger Collins Injera’s impressive turn of foot saw him motor into the corner to settle the contest.

Kenya dominated possession at the start but failed to convert it into meaningful opportunities until Oscar Ayodi burst free after his teammates won the ball from a Portugal scrum under the post just before the hooter for half time.

“It is good to be back and we wanted to get over that one. It is always better to win ugly than not at all. It was a good start, and now hopefully we can get better throughout the day.

“We are going to set our own milestones and own targets, it is going to take a while for the guys to learn the new philosophies, but as I said it’s building momentum and hopefully now we can move forward to the Cup quarters,” Treu said after game.

His charges face the sternest test in Group A when they take on HSBC World Series champions New Zealand later Friday.
The All Blacks got their Dubai charge off to a winning start by beating France 24-5.

Treu replaced Englishman Mike Friday at the helm of the side early November after the latter resigned in June after leading Kenya to fourth at the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 29- One had the feeling that it was ordained to happen. Paul Treu will face the side he coached for eight seasons when Kenya face his home nation South Africa in the Main Cup quarters of the Emirates Dubai 7s.

Having led his new charges to finish second in Pool A behind the New Zealand on Friday, this is the fixture the man who is out on his first assignment with his new charges must have dreamt off when the draw was conducted.

To qualify to meet the team he led to the HSBC World Series title three seasons ago, Kenya fell to the might of the All Blacks in a 40-0 mauling in their final group fixture as South Africa won all their fixtures to top Pool B.

“We are trying hard. The boys are really catching up and adapting to the South African style of play of our new coach. We are relaxed because we are taking everything one step at a time,” captain Andrew Amonde said after the side qualified for the last eight.

Tomasi Cama, Sam Dickson, D J Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Sherwin Stowers and Ambrose Curtis ran in six unanswered tries as New Zealand underlined their credentials as the team to beat in their rout.

“We have come on and some of the new younger guys have pushed themselves into the top starting seven, which is great and there is a lot of competition for places in a strong squad on paper.

“A bit scratchy this morning against France but we have kicked on and it’s about building confidence, and playing as a team. 40 points on the boar against Kenya is great for us,” their coach Gordon Tietjens said.
Kenya set their qualification platform by beating Portugal 10-7 in a nervy opener with a last minute Collins Injera try settling the contest.

Injera again and Horace Otieno went over the try line for a 14-7 victory over France in the second match to secure their passage to Saturday’s Main Cup quarters.

Earlier, Treu who set his new charges a modest target as they continue finding their feet under his watch following his appointment earlier November stated his delight on his return to the circuit after his contract with South Africa ended in October.

“It is good to be back and we wanted to get over that one. It is always better to win ugly than not at all. It was a good start, and now hopefully we can get better throughout the day.

“We are going to set our own milestones and own targets, it is going to take a while for the guys to learn the new philosophies, but as I said it’s building momentum and hopefully now we can move forward to the Cup quarters,” Treu said after the Portugal game.

Elsewhere, defending Dubai 7s titleholders Samoa shockingly crashed out of the Main Cup quarters having lost to the Blitz Bokke and Argentina in Pool B.

They will now compete in the Bowl competition and face France, who lost all three of their matches on a sweltering day one at 7he Sevens arena in that competitions’ quarter finals.

New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and Wales won all three of their pool matches to progress to the Cup quarter finals and will be joined by Scotland who had an anxious wait and qualified ahead of Australia after Michael O’Connor’s side lost to Wales.

Australia will be disappointed to have not made the Cup competition, while England, Kenya and Argentina all progressed as pool runners-up.

Series leaders All Blacks won all three of their matches against France, Portugal and Kenya, scoring 112 points and conceding just five, and will face Argentina.

-Material from IRBSevens.com used to compile report

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 30 – Adel Amrouche returned to the dugout to witness his charges maintain interest in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup with a 3-1 stuffing of Southern Sudan on Saturday.

The Belgian head coach who missed the 0-0 opener against Ethiopia with illness sparking speculation about his future rung in the changes bringing in James Situma and Aboud Omar at the back with domestic league Golden Boot winner Jacob Keli and

AFC Leopards Noah Wafula who were instrumental in the victory shoring up the attack.

“I’m very happy with the team especially playing with two strikers which really worked, I respect Southern Sudan since they played very well, they have a very good striker who scored the goal but the moment he was withdrawn, I was pleased because it enabled defender (David) Owino to overlap and eventually, he gave us the winning goal.

“We are now focusing on our next match against Zanzibar, I know it will be a tough match but we will prepare for them and improve on our mistakes,” assistant coach James Nandwa said after the victory that lifted the hosts to four points, same as Ethiopia who stuffed the Islanders 3-1 in the other Saturday Group A encounter.

Zanzibar are on three and still not out of contention for the quarterfinals with Sudan propping the rear after two loses.

“The boys have done a good job bearing in mind that I was only given two weeks to prepare this team.

“We managed to hold Kenya on their turf and I promise if I get more time, I will beat them since I know how they play,” the Southern Sudan coach Balanga Bandua who was recently appointed stated.

Azam defender Joackins Atudo gave Kenya the lead in the 17th minute through a penalty after Jimmy Eresto handled in the box and referee Waziri Sheha from Zanzibar did not hesitate to point to the spot.

The hosts almost doubled the lead two minutes later but Allan Wanga who wasted Keli’s great pass by shooting straight at Juma Jinaro.

The visitors, who were participating in their second international tournament, equalised through skipper Richard Lado via a long range shot that caught keeper Duncan Ochieng flat-footed in the 26th.

Three minutes later Stars were at it again through Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Player of the Year Keli, who found the back of the net after connecting with Wafula’s cross to put them back on the lead.

The KCB marksman now on high demand thought he had notched his brace in the 31st but saw the goal ruled for offside after being put through by Wanga.

South Sudan brought in Edmond Amadeo for Wol Bor Yol as Kenya pressed on for more but the half time whistle with the hosts 2-1 up.

Clifton Miheso then saw his shot miss the target by a whisker after combining with Francis Kahata in the 57th for Kenya’s first clear opportunity of the second period.

South Sudan had a chance to level matters in the 64th but their free kick was cut off by Situma.
Atudo had a chance to score his double from the spot after the Southern Sudan Keeper fouled Keli in the box, but his penalty was easily saved by Jinaro in the 69th.

Eight minutes later, KPL champions Gor Mahia defender Owino skilfully directed a low shot into the back of the net for the third after he charged upfront as hundreds of Stars fans went into raptures.

Amrouche made three substitutions that came in the dying minutes with Edwin Lavatsa for injured Keli, David King’atua coming in for Wafula but the time did not allow them to add to the tally.

In the earlier kick-off, the Walia Antelopes beat Zanzibar 3-1 with Fasika Asfan, opening the scores in the fifth minute before Salahdin Bargecho, doubled the lead from the spot in the 37th.

Zanzibar pulled one back through captain Awadh Juma Issa, in the 68th but it was substitute Yonatan Kebede’s, 86th minute header that left the Islanders well beaten.

Stars next face Zanzibar while Ethiopia plays South Sudan on Tuesday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.

In Sunday’s fixtures, Kilimanjaro Stars of Tanzania will be up against Somalia before Burundi takes on the Chipolopolo of Zambia at Nyayo National Stadium in Group B.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 2 – Two Eritrean national team players went missing from camp ahead of their GOtv Cecafa Group C tie against defending champions Uganda Cranes on Monday at Nairobi’s City Stadium.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) technical committee chairman Elly Mukholwe, confirmed to Capital Sport the duo who are yet to be identified, disappeared on Saturday when they went to watch a match at Nyayo National Stadium.

“It’s true two Eritrean players have escaped from camp since Saturday and they have not been found yet.

“We are having a meeting with Cecafa organizers to determine which action will be taken against the team,” the FKF technical director told.

This is not the first time the players vanish when they are participating in an international tournament, last year a number of them disappeared during the last year’s edition held in Kampala, Uganda with almost the entire team going missing when Kenya last held the tournament in 2009.

Meanwhile, TP Mazembe duo Mbwana Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu are expected to join the Kilimanjaro Stars camp, to boost their striking force in the ongoing regional tournament.

According to Tanzania head coach Kim Poulsen, who has seen his side found the back of the net only twice in the competition, the team has been lacking goals due to lack of experienced forwards.

“We have been struggling with our striking force in the past two games, and that’s means it will be good for us when the forwards joins the team for the rest of the competition.

“The duo will help the team create more chances and strengthen the attacking since we have been lacking goals, the first match against Zambia it was a defender who scored, so we need strong strikers ahead of our final preliminary match against Burundi on Wednesday,” the Danish-born coach who’s charges are at the top of Group B jointly with guests Zambia with four points said after seeing off Somalia 1-0 on Sunday.

The two players, who were drafted into Poulsen’s squad before the competition kicked-off, could not join the team for the first two matches since their Congolese club, TP Mazembe was hosting CS Sfaxien from Tunisia in the CAF Confederations Cup final on Saturday.

Mazembe won the match 2-1 with Mbwana Samatta scoring one of the goals but the Tunisian side clinched their third title in a 3-2 aggregate.

NYAHURURU, Kenya, December 3- A Nyahururu court is set to rule next Monday whether an inquest into the controversial death of 2008 Olympic marathon champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru will be heard in the town or in the High Court in Nairobi.

Nakuru High Court Judge, Anyara Emukule, had last year directed without giving reasons that the inquest be conducted in Nairobi by a Chief Magistrate.

But the marathoner’s wife Triza Njeri has now moved to court to seek the reasons unto why the inquest should not be held in Nyahururu.

The Marathon legend Wanjiru’s widow expressed surprise at the commencement of an inquest into circumstances surrounding her husband’s death but said that it should be held in their home town as opposed to the capital.

Njeri said she was eager to have the matter concluded and the cause of death revealed to all Kenyans so that she and her children can finally concentrate on rebuilding their lives.

Through her family lawyer Wahome Ndegwa, Wanjiru’s wife told the court on Tuesday that scene of death was Nyahururu, all witnesses are from the locality, documents and all CCTV materials are also in the town and anyone suggesting it be held in Nairobi is out to defeat a quick disposal of the inquest by making all involved incur hefty costs.

Ndegwa added while he was aware of Justice Emukule’s order he would urge the Chief Justice, Dr. Willy Mutunga, to appoint a special magistrate to hear evidence, visit scene and also receive all the documents pertaining to the death while conducting all sittings in Nyahururu.

The lawyer further told Nyahururu Senior Principal Magistrate, Dennis Mikoyan, that the inquest should be held there since all the necessary requirements were available.

Ndegwa added that young family of the marathon icon who died in May 15, 2011 remained a precious asset in the hearts of many people who continued to mourn his death and have held annual memories attended by thousands of residents.

The widow believes her husband died from a fall as arrived at by pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa.

However, Prosecution Counsel, John Mkufu, said that he had no objection as long as the two parties agreed.

The Senior Principal Magistrate had also advised the parties that the decision relied mostly on mutual agreement.

Mikoyan however ruled that he would consult with the chief justice’s office and have the go ahead given on December 9.

Kamau’s mother Hannah Wanjiru moved to court to have an inquest done accusing the wife of killing her son.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 4 – The Group A winner of the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup will be known on Thursday, when a coin will be tossed to determine who goes on top of the Group after hosts Kenya and Ethiopia tied on both points, goal difference and head-to-head record.

“We could not be able to toss the coin yesterday (Tuesday) after the match, since Ethiopia had left Nakuru, and we didn’t want to do it behind their back,” Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye, who is yet to decide the venue told Capital Sport on Wednesday.

Harambee Stars beat Zanzibar Heros 2-0 on Tuesday to go top of the Group alongside the Walia Antelopes who humbled Southern Sudan by the same margin to see them book a slot in the last eight.

Both teams have seven points after winning two of their preliminary matches and drawing one, with each of them having three goals and conceded only once.

The winner of Pool A, will play the second best loser while the runners up books a date with Group C leader that will either be defending champions Uganda Cranes or Sudan who have already qualified.

Meanwhile, the Burundi national football team that is in the country for the regional tournament was detained at their hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The Swallows who were preparing to leave for Nakuru to honor their Group B fixture against the Kilimanjaro Stars of Tanzania, were held for over half an hour, in what the hotel management said the organizers had not paid the dues.

“The problem was solved yesterday (Tuesday), we talked to the hotel management and told them the team is booked until tomorrow (Thursday) when the Group matches will come to an end and see which team leaves the country.

“The management thought the team was checking out and that’s why they behaved that way, we had agreed with them we will pay once the Burundi team don’t make to the quarter finals,” Football Kenya Federation vice President told Capital Sport on Wednesday.

Liverpool, England 5th November 2013 – Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said that Luis Suarez still had his best years ahead of him after his four goals inspired a 5-1 demolition of Norwich City at Anfield.

The Uruguay international needed just 35 first-half minutes to smash a spectacular hat-trick in Wednesday’s game, with his third goal marking his 50th Premier League strike.

He added his fourth goal with a stunning 74th-minute free-kick as Liverpool rampaged back to form.

“This is the happiest Luis has been at this club,” Rodgers said.

“But there is more to come from him. He is only 26 years old, but his best years are ahead of him and those best years are going to be here. Anfield is a hand-and-glove fit for him.”

Suarez took his total for the season to 13 goals and proved there is life in Liverpool’s challenge for a Champions League place without his injured strike partner Daniel Sturridge.

“Luis was sheer brilliance,” Rodgers added.

“It was a joy for me to watch that. I think for anyone to witness that, they would say it was a remarkable evening. It was not just the fact he scored four goals, but it was the manner of those goals.

“Luis has got to be up there as one of the best strikers in the world after that. The repertoire he showed here tonight (Wednesday) was incredible. Undoubtedly, he is a top, world-class player.”

Rodgers had demanded an instant response from his side after a dismal 3-1 defeat at Hull City on Sunday and his players delivered in style at Anfield.

“That was a bit of a tap on the shoulder for us at Hull,” Rodgers said. “We were only at 75 percent and you cannot afford to do that in the Premier League these days and hope to get away with it.

“But we categorically put that right against Norwich. We were up to speed and deserved everything we got. There were lots of positives for me to take away from this.”

Norwich manager Chris Hughton also hailed the striking masterclass delivered by Suarez, following a defeat that left his side in 16th place.

“He is undoubtedly a world-class player and I am sure it was a joy for Liverpool fans to watch,” he said.

“But I am disappointed by how much space and time we gave him. If you give a player of his quality the space we gave him, then that is what they can do. I think we could have done more to stop him.”

Liverpool had looked nervy in the opening exchanges, but they settled in the 15th minute when Suarez broke the deadlock in devastating fashion.

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy would have been disappointed with a goal-kick that made it only as far as Martin Skrtel.

When the centre-back headed the ball straight back towards the Kop end, Suarez allowed it to bounce twice before taking it in his stride to smash a glorious 35-yard shot over Ruddy.

Suarez’s second goal, on 29 minutes, saw him swivel just inside the six-yard box to dispatch a corner from Philippe Coutinho.

Anfield was positively buzzing just six minutes later when Suarez returned to his right foot to claim the hat-trick.

The striker made Leroy Fer look leaden-footed when he flicked the ball over him on the edge of the box and then drilled a low shot across the box and inside Ruddy’s left-hand post.

The Uruguayan added his fourth with 16 minutes to play, stepping up to curl a 25-yard free-kick right-footed over the Norwich wall and beyond Ruddy’s dive into the top-left corner.

Norwich pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when Bradley Johnson glanced a header from a deep cross beyond helpless Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Sterling had done little all evening, but he pounced for Liverpool’s fifth goal from close range in the 88th-minute, with Suarez this time the provider.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 5 – Next year’s KCB Safari Rally is set to run in September as opposed to its traditional mid-year schedule.

The world famous event will be held on the weekend of September 12-14, according to the 2014 Motorsports Calendar released on Tuesday.

Nakuru Rally, organized by Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club, will open the eight-leg Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) on the weekend of January 18-19.

The next Safari Rally will count towards the seventh and penultimate round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) series which revs off with Rallye Bandama of Cote D’Ivoire between March 1 and 2.

Other countries in which the ARC will crisscross are Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa (Sasol Rally), Rwanda (Mountain Gorilla Rally) and Madagascar Rally which folds the curtains to the eight-leg ARC series.

The driver and navigator champions for the ARC will feted in the FIA Annual Awards gala alongside the Formula 1, WRC and FIA regional rally champions.

Last year’s continental competition was won by the al-Zambian crew of Jassy Singh and Dave Sihoka.

Jassy is son of the legendary two times African champion Muna Singh while Sihoka has three ARC co-drivers titles under his belt, two of which he clinched with the former.

Among the drivers gearing up for the ARC challenge are Giancarlo Davite of Rwanda, Jas Mangat of Uganda and Essa Mohammed of Zambia.

The Kenya National Autocross Championship begins on the weekend of March 8 and 9 whilst the National Motocross series commences on January 25 and 26. Both Motocross and Autocross events will feature nine events apiece.

RVM&SC will organize the first round of the scheduled five Rally Raid events on March 15 and 16.

The CBA Africa Concours D’Elegance 2014, organized by Alfa Romeo Owners Club, will be held at Nairobi Racecourse on September 27 and 28.

On the weekend of August 30-31 Zambia will host the FIM Africa Continental Motocross Championship. This will feature riders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, hosts Zambia, South Africa, Bostwana and Namibia among other nations.

South Africa hosted the 2013 FIM Africa continental challenge at Syringe Park.

Meanwhile, preparations for the next KNRC season will be starting soon for teams.

Two Wheel Drive’s Gurmit Thethy hopes to find the much-needed reliably from his new VW Golf MK3 but admitted candidly “It’s a race against time.”

“Well, looks like 2014 is already upon us and we haven’t even worked on the car yet. It’s still standing in the same manner it came after completing the Guru Nanak Rally. I was hoping to work on the car in late December for next year’s season. So we might do the first rally in an under-prepared or not a well prepared car,” said Gurmit.

Former Division 2 Champion Onkar Rai said It is a bit early to start the season “but we will be ready for sure.”

Onkar will be navigated by Des Page Morris who is a former navigator to Glen Edmunds and Alastair Cavenagh.

Onkar finished fifth overall during the recently ended Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally.

2014 MOTOSPORT CALENDER AS AT 13.11.2013

KNRC
Jan 18-19::KNRC 1 Nakuru Rally (RVM&C)
Feb 15-16::KNRC. 2 KMSC Rally (KMSC)
March 29-30 KNRC 3 RSC Rally (RSC)
April 26-27::KNRC 4 Mombasa Rally (MMC)
June 28-29::KNRC 5 (NRG*/WMSC*)
September 12-14::ARC 7 KCB Safari Rally (KMSF)
October 18-19::KNRC. 7 Kisumu Rally
November 22-23::KNRC. 8 Guru Nanak Rally (SUC)

FIA AFRICAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP March 1-2::ARC 1-Rallye Bandama Cote D’Ivoire
April 12-13::ARC 2-Sasol Rally South Africa
May 10-11::ARC 3-Zambia International Rally
June 14-15::ARC 4- Rally of Tanzania
July 19-20::ARC 5-Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
August 16-17::ARC 6- Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally
September 12-14::ARC 7-KCB Safari Rally
Nov 8-9::ARC 8-Total Rally International Madagascar

AUTOCROSS
February 1-2::AUTOX 1 (RSC)
March 8-9::AUTOX 2 (KMSC)
April 19-20::AUTOX 3 (RVM&SC/EAMSC)
May 24-25::AUTOX 4 (KMSC)
July 19-20::AUTOX 5 (KMSC)
August 9-10::AUTOX 6 (KMSC)
September 20-21::AUTOX 7 (EMC)
November 1-2::AUTOX 8 (KMSC)
November 29-30::AUTOX 9 (KMSC)

MOTOCROSS
January 25-26::MOTOX 1 (EAMSC)
February 22–23::MOTOX 2 (EAMSC)
April 19-20::MOTOX 3 (EAMSC)
May 10-11::MOTOX 4 (EAMSC)
June 21-22::MOTOX 5 (EAMSC)
August 2-3::MOTOX 6 (EAMSC)
October 4-5::MOTOX 7 (EAMSC)
November 8-9::MOTOX 8 (EAMSC)
December 7-8::MOTOX 9 (EAMSC)

RALLY RAID 2014 CALENDER AS AT 13.11.2013
March 15-16::RALLY RAID 1 (RVM&SC)
April 5–6::RALLY RAID 2 (RSC)
July 12-13::RALLY RAID 3 (RVM&SC)
October 11-12::RALLY RAID 4 (NRG)
November 15-16::RALLY RAID 5 (RSC)

ENDURO
February 8-9::ENDURO 1 (EAMSC)
April 12–13::ENDURO 2 (EAMSC)
June 14-15::ENDURO 3 (EAMSC)
August 23-24:ENDURO 4 (RVM&SC)
October 25-26::ENDURO 5 (EAMSC)

OTHERS
September 27-28::CBA Africa Concours D’Elegance (Nairobi Racecourse)
July 21-22::Economy Run (AROC)
August 30-31::FIM Africa Motox Championship (Zambia).

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil 6th December – Thirty-two teams will learn their World Cup fate when the draw for Brazil’s problem-plagued 2014 showpiece takes place Friday as governing body FIFA plays down concerns over stadium delays.

Friday’s draw will follow a ceremony starting at 1 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) and will involve some complex juggling to separate as far as possible teams from the same continent.

But some of the eight groups will have to contain two European sides, with the Old Continent having 13 of the 32 qualifiers.

The presence of all eight former champions — only surprise package Bosnia will be making their debut — could produce some ultra-tough groups.

Brazil could theoretically face two European former champions in the shape of, for example, France and Italy.

England coach Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, indicated where a team plays could be more important than whom they face as the team drawn second in Brazil’s group faces a marathon travel schedule and having to play in sweltering heat in the north.

Those considerations mean European teams are likely to struggle while a South American side is likely to triumph, England legend Geoff Hurst predicted.

“There has to be some realism for the European team,” said Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final win over Germany and will assist in Friday’s draw.

“Brazil must be looked upon as favourites. Anyone wanting to win will have to beat Brazil to do it.”

Despite fears over stadium delays, a host of stars insist Brazil will rise to the challenge.

“Everyone wants to come to the World Cup, where they will see the passion of Brazilians for football,” said Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil’s 2002 final win over Germany.

“A month’s delay won’t jeopardise things. There is no chance an arena won’t be ready — all will be ready for the World Cup.”

Last week’s fatal accident at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, in which two workers died, forced organisers to put back the stadium’s completion date.

But FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted he was confident the venue would still be able to host the opening match on June 12.

That would mean the stadium will have to undergo testing less than two months before the kick-off of the game which will feature the hosts and five-times world champions.

“We have received information it should be ready in mid-April,” Blatter told reporters at the draw venue in Costa do Sauipe, north-eastern Brazil, in a final briefing before the eight groups are drawn.

“For the time being there is no Plan B,” Blatter added, though secretary general Jerome Valcke later urged caution ahead of April’s tests.

Aside from Sao Paulo, Curitiba is also running behind schedule and set for February completion while Cuiaba is on course for a late January finish, forcing FIFA to drop an initial firm December deadline for the completion of all 12 venues.

“All FIFA can do now is ask God, Allah, whoever, that no more accidents shall arise in connection with the World Cup. That is all we can do and we hope the reconstruction can start as soon as possible,” said Blatter.

The Arena Corinthians stadium’s fatal accident was the third to occur at World Cup venues in Brazil.

Valcke told AFP that FIFA had resolved to look at the overall glass as half full over venue delays, particularly in the context of Sao Paulo.

“The fact (a stadium) is not ready on December 31 but on January 15 is not fundamentally a problem,” said Valcke.

“But if it’s not January but March 15 it’s more of a problem. That gives you less time to be sure things are working.”

Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950 but in those days there were only 13 teams and none of the mass media coverage which accompanies the modern game.

The stadium delays and a price tag of an estimated $11bn have fomented public unrest and pressure groups have called for public protest of the kind which accompanied last June’s Confederations Cup rehearsal.

Luis Fernandes, Brazil’s deputy minister of sport, told AFP that “given the delay we shall have to accelerate preparations. It is too early to say how this will affect (Sao Paulo).

“Before the accident it was 97 percent complete. According to the information we have there was no significant damage to the structure.”

Fernandes added that relations with FIFA had improved since Valcke caused a storm by suggesting on an early visit that Brazil needed a “kick up the backside”.

He explained Brazil did not wish to be “ordered about — but at the same time recognises society’s interest in celebrating the World Cup.

“Once FIFA recognised the importance of the Brazilian government for the event’s success relations vastly improved.”

cw/dj

WELLINGTON, December 8 – For South Africans, winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup final marked the emergence of the “Rainbow Nation” — for New Zealanders, it was the day Nelson Mandela single-handedly outpsyched the mighty All Blacks.

The Jonah Lomu-inspired New Zealanders were red-hot favourites going into the decider, breezing through the group stages and humiliating England in the semi-finals.

In contrast, the Springboks scraped through on the back of an unconvincing 19-15 semi-final win over France, raising fears they would be blown away in the final at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.

Then Mandela, in one of the most audacious political gambles of his career, appeared before the mostly white crowd of 62,000 wearing a Springbok jersey to shake the players’ hands before kick-off.

The-then All Blacks coach Laurie Mains said the entire stadium was electrified at the sight of South Africa’s first black president sporting a garment that was indelibly associated with the apartheid regime.

“We had no idea it was going to happen,” Mains told AFP, just months before Mandela died aged 95 after a long illness.

“When Nelson Mandela appeared from under the grandstand with a Springbok jersey on, the crowd literally erupted.

“It was the most awesome experience I’ve had at a rugby stadium. Clearly it was a huge boost, not just to the crowd but to the Springbok team.”

Lomu, who was named player of the tournament, said it was intimidating to meet Mandela decked out in his opponents’ colours.

“It felt like the pressure was all on us because they had Nelson Mandela on their side,” he recalled ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

“They had all their country finally united after years of fighting … that one day they all came together.”

At the time, Mandela had been president for barely a year and many whites still regarded him as a terrorist over his support for armed struggle against apartheid.

He also risked alienating black supporters, for whom rugby union, and the Springbok jersey in particular, had long been a hated symbol of white supremacy.

But on June 24, 1995, the gamble paid off and the chant of “Nelson, Nelson” reverberated around the stands while millions more watched television screens transfixed.

It was around that moment — immortalised in the 2009 movie “Invictus”, starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela — that Mains began to believe his team was not taking part in just a simple rugby game.

“It was very much more than that,” he said.

“It was incredibly intense. The All Blacks may well have felt like they were taking on the whole world.

“The atmosphere in that ground could not possibly be repeated, ever, because you’d never again get such a great moment in history and such a great man creating that moment.”

To their credit, the All Blacks maintained their composure to keep the scores level after 80 minutes but succumbed to a Joel Stransky drop-goal deep into extra-time.

Mandela then took to the field again, this time to present the William Webb Ellis trophy to Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar.

The defeat spelled the end of Mains’ international coaching career, but he says he still feels proud to have been on the sidelines as history was being made.

“Put the rugby aside, put the result aside for the moment — I feel deeply honoured and humbled that I was part of such a great occasion in world sport,” he said.

Nor does he bear any ill will to Mandela, the Springboks’ secret weapon on the day, whom he subsequently met when he returned to Johannesburg to coach Super rugby in 2000-2001.

“The balance and compassion that that man showed after what he had been through is an example for all leaders in the world,” he said.

“My everlasting impression of Nelson Mandela is that if we could have a few more of him, then the world would be a much better place to live in.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 7 – Azam FC defender Jockins Atudo’s second half goal sent Harambee Stars to the semifinals of the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup as champions Uganda crashed to the Kilimanjaro Stars of Tanzania as last-eight action kicked off on Saturday in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Kenya silenced the Amavubi Stars of Rwanda 1-0 in the evening game to join 10-man Tanzania who stunned the titleholders 3-2 on spot-kicks after their pulsating opener ended 2-2 in regulation time in an encounter Gor Mahia pair, keeper Ivo Mapunda and striker Dan Sserunkuma played decisive roles in the outcome.

After Sserunkuma gave the Cranes the lead in the 16th minute of the first half, his Kenyan Premier League champions team-mate, Mapunda had the last say when he saved his last spot-kick to send them crashing out of the competition.

At a packed Aga Khan Stadium in Mombasa that hosted both games, the hosts kicked-off the match on a high, with captain Allan Wanga connecting well with a Peter Opiyo cross in the first minute but his diving header went off target.

AFC Leopards winger Noah Wafula could have given Stars the opener, but he failed to utilize Aboud Omar’s cross.

Rwanda went closest in the 20th with a free kick by Emery Bayisenge that called keeper Duncan Ochieng into action before defender Anthony Akumu mopped up off the goal line.

A minute later KCB forward Jacob Keli, turned to find space in the Rwandan area but his well taken shot went straight to the Amavumbi custodian Jean Ndayishimiye.

Keli had another chance to score his second for the tournament but he failed to connect decisively with Wanga’s cross in the  28th.

Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche’s frustration with the attacking compelled him to make an early substitution, pulling out Wafula and bringing in Thika United midfielder Cliffton Miheso as the teams went to the break goalless.

Ten minutes after the breather, the hosts took the lead through Atudo who netted his third goal of the tournament from the spot after Michel Rusheshangoga handled in the box after Miheso and Wanga raided the Amavubi box with intent.

Amrouche brought in Gor duo of Edwin Lavatsa and Paul Kiongera as his charges were denied by Ndayashimiye in the dying minutes but the Atudo penalty was enough to set up a clash with Tanzania at the final whistle.

Kilimanjaro Stars converted their spot kicks through skipper Kelvin Yondani, Ramadhan Kiemba and substitute Idd Athumani as TP Mazembe striker Mbwana Samatta and Erasto Nyoni failed to find the back of the net.

Uganda on their side scored through Hamis Kiiza and captain Emmanuel Okwi, with Tusker FC midfielder Khalid Aucho, Godfrey Walusimbi and tellingly Sserunkuma wasting their shootouts.

The leading Gor marksman powered Cranes ahead in the 16th when he lashed on to a cross from the right to beat Mapunda at his near post with a deft finish.

Yanga star winger Mrisho Ngasa the took over, equalising a minute later after connecting with a Pius Michael pass before he notched his brace with a well struck free-kick to beat Cranes keeper Benjamin Ochan to send his side 2-1 ahead in the break.

In the 53rd Tanzania were reduced to ten men after Azam’s Salum Abubakar was booked for the second yellow card by referee Wiish Yabarow, from Somalia.

Uganda equalized in the 72nd through Martin Mpuga who connected home after Mapunda failed to hold Brian Majwega’s corner to force the match end to a 2-2 draw and head to penalties which Tanzania won 3-2.

The regional showpiece continues on Sunday with former African Champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambia taking on the Swallows of Burundi , before the Walia Antelopes clash with Sudan at Aga Khan Stadium in Mombasa County.

Nairobi, Kenya, December 8 – Police are investigating the death of a young man who repotedly committed suicide on Saturday after English Premier League champions Manchester United went down at home to Newcastle.

The United fan met his death in Nairobi’s Pipeline Estate and according to County Police boss Benson Kibui, the young man identified as John Macharia, jumped from seventh floor of the building where he was living and died instantly.

“I confirm that we received the news of a young man who could not stand to see his Manchester United team lose, and instead decided he can die for the sake of a team that is miles far away in Europe.

“We are treating this matter as a case and since this is not the first time we have received such cases, I wish to advice football fans in our country to rather support Harambee Stars than those teams in England who does not recognize them,” the Police boss told Capital Sport.

The defending champions who have gone three matches without winning under the new manager David Moyes, have experienced a poor start of the season to see them placed ninth with 22 points, 13 behind leaders Arsenal.

In May 2009, a Kenyan Arsenal fan committed suicide following his team’s 4-1 aggregate drubbing by arch-rivals United in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Suleiman Alphonso Omondi, 29, living in Nairobi’s Embakasi neighbourhood that is next to Pipeline Estate in Nairobi’s east hung himself in his Arsenal shirt after the match.

His friends told Capital News at the time that he had been watching the match at a pub, about 100m from his house.

“We were watching the match together, and when Arsenal was defeated, he protested and walked out crying as Man-U fans castigated the losers,” Omondi Oloo, one of his friends said.

Another friend, Calvin Otieno, who confessed to be an Arsenal fan added the deceased was a die-hard fan who would suspend any business at whatever time to watch a Gunners’ game.

MANCHESTER, December 10 – Manchester United manager David Moyes admitted it is “tough” at Old Trafford as he endures a difficult start to life with the club.

The Premier League champions sit ninth in the table after 15 games and a massive 13 points off leaders Arsenal after back-to-back defeats at home to Everton and Newcastle in the space of four days.

United face Shakhtar Donetsk in their final Champions League group game on Tuesday, the competition where Moyes has enjoyed some success with their progression to the last-16 already ensured.

But he revealed he is taking full responsibility for their poor start in the Premier League in their first season since Alex Ferguson retired.

“We’ve been inconsistent at times but played well in some of the Champions League, not so well in the Premier League,” he said.

“We’ve maybe lacked a bit of fortune in some of the games.

“It’s tough because the expectancy is to win all the games.

“I think there’s a bit of everything we can improve – generally play better, pass better, defend better.

“It is not any one thing. It is all round we have to improve. It was only recent when we had beaten Arsenal here and then Leverkusen (that) we were speaking very well about the team.

“I take complete responsibility for the results. Fortunately they’ve been good in the Champions League but not in the Premier League. Hopefully they will get better.”

Moyes revealed the shock defeat by Newcastle on Saturday – the Magpies’ first league win at Old Trafford since 1972 – has only given the United manager more drive to turn their season around.

“No I did not need to lift my spirits after Newcastle – that raised my spirits,” he said. “It just made me more determined to make sure we improve and get better.

“I agree in recent games we have not finished games in the way we would have liked to. I’ve tried to make changes but it hasn’t quite happened.”

The United boss revealed the players are hurting but still has full belief that they will turn their season around and that he has a squad big enough for the challenge.

“Yes the players are hurting because they are used to winning and when they don’t that hurts,” he said. “They care very much about their team and their club. They will respond, there is no doubt about that.

“The question I got asked was if the squad big enough and I said, ‘yes the squad was big enough’. I believe the squad is big enough.”

Moyes revealed he may make more changes for their final Champions League group game on Tuesday with qualification already sorted and a Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday to come, but he still has one eye on topping the group in a bid to avoid some of the bigger sides.

“It is important to give yourselves the best possible chance in the next round but the big job was to make sure we qualified,” he said. “That part is done. Hopefully we can finish off the group unbeaten and that will see us through.

“There is a little bit of that (resting players) in our thinking but also there are one or two injuries which we will have to take into consideration.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 10 – An early first half goal by Thika United midfielder, Clifton Miheso, was all Harambee Stars needed to sail through to the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup finals after edging out Kilimanjaro Stars 1-0 in a floodlit match played at a slippery Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts, who have the opportunity to reclaim the title that they last won over a decade ago, will meet Sudan who eased past former African champions Zambia 2-1 in extra-time in an entreating match played at Aga Khan Stadium in Mombasa.

Stars coach Adel Amrouche, dedicated the victory to Machakos County Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, who ferried the fans to Nyayo Stadium after organisers ruled out Kenyatta Stadium, the initial venue for the match due to heavy downpour.

“We are in progression with the team since we are only one match away to the title, so we will prepare adequately for Sudan who we meet in the finals.

“I have hopes with the boys because they are young, I believe they will be up to the task to face the strong Sudanese side,” the Harambee stars coach who is building on the young team for international matches, stated after the match.

Amrouche started with Miheso and Edwin Lavatsa instead of AFC Leopards forward Noah Wafula and KCB’s Jacob Keli, which paid minutes after kick-off, as the two combined well with Francis Kahata and captain Allan Wanga.

Gor Mahia midfielder Teddy Akumu tested keeper Ivo Mapunda with a long range cracker, that forced the custodian to spill the ball, and Miheso followed it for a rebound to open the scores in the fifth minute.

Miheso could have notched a brace after he connected lavatsa’s cross from the right wing, but his shot went wide.

Tanzanians threatened to level through Yanga attacking midfielder, Mrisho Ngasa, with his well taken free kick that forced keeper Duncan Ochieng to punch the ball back into the box with Sofapaka defender James Situma saving his brushes with a quick clearance.

Akumu who was voted the man of the match, could have scored his first goal in the tournament with his shot from six yards, but his strike went direct to the arms of his club mate Mapunda.

With minutes to halftime, Ramadhan Kiemba had a chance to level the scores, after utilizing Erasto Nyoni’s cross that found Ochieng on the right position to handle the ball easily.

TP Mazembe forward Thomas Ulimwengu thought he had scored with his powerful strike, only to be dined by a cross bar as the match entered to the breather with Kenya leading 1-0.

Kilimanjaro Stars resumed to the last half with their heads high, managing to break through the Kenyan defense that saw Ngasa and Mbwana Samata firing shots that Ochieng saved.

Wanga failed to find the back of the net from a Kahata cross, leading Amrouche to substitute him with Wafula who needed more time to combine with Peter Opiyo and Akumu.

In the dying minutes, Samata could have forced extra time, after he picked the ball on the left flank with only Ochieng to beat, but his strike was wide and referee Thiery Nkurunziza from Burundi shortly blew for full time and Kenya sealed their place for their second successive final.

In the early kick-off, Sudan came from a goal down to trump 2012 African champions Chipolopolo of Zambia 2-1 in extra time book their place for first time since 2007.

After a barren first half, Sudan could have opened the scores in the 53rd had Arnier Kamal found the target.

Three minutes later, the Nile Crocodiles easily penetrated the Zambian defense but lacked the final touch to surge ahead as Faris Abdalla fluffed his lines to allow keeper Nsabata Toaster punch out for a fruitless corner.

Ronald Kampamba opened the scoring for the guest team in the 113th minute of extra time before Sudan equalised four minutes later through Miaaz Abdelraham.

Dangerman and leading tournament scorer, Salah Ibrahim, sealed victory for his side in the final minute of the added period with a last gasp strike that took his personal tally to five for the tournament.

The competition takes a break Wednesday with third place play-off  between Tanzania and Zambia set for Thursday at Nyayo before the final kicks-off at the same venue.

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 12 – Harambee Stars rounded off Kenya’s 50th birthday in fine style by breaking a decade old duck and ensuring the GOtv Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup remains here with captain Allan Wanga rising to the occasion with a brace for a 2-0 final win over Sudan defying torrential rainfall that fell over the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.

Having come close last year in Kampala, Uganda when they fell to the hosts at the final hurdle, Wanga ensured the fans who braved the elements went home to complete the country’s Jubilee celebrations by ensuring Kenya laid her hands on the regional trophy for the first time since 2002.

It did not matter that the decider, thanks to the ineptitude of the organisers, saw its kick-off delayed after Sudan were held at their hotel as they prepared to leave for the showpiece over unpaid bills but the Local Organising Committee settled the matter to enable the match start At 6.30pm.

Stars Belgian head coach, Adel Amrouche who bagged his maiden major trophy with the side following his appointment in February, immediately declared he would retain the winning squad for upcoming assignments after seeing the side go through all games unbeaten and without conceding for the entire tournament despite lacking the flair.

“I told my players to give their best since this is the right way we could have rewarded the Kenyan people who are marking their 50th anniversary as a nation.

“Everything worked according to our plan and I’m so happy with the boys, we are now focused to preparing this team for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers,” Amrouche added.

Amrouche, retaining the same side that sealed a slot in the final, saw his boys start on fire, laying siege on the Sudanese half as deposed skipper Francis Kahata sent in a cross in the second minute, but Gor Mahia striker Edwin Lavatsa fired wide.

In the 12th, Teddy Akumu, could have opened the scores but his header off a Kahata corner missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

Kenya continued to take advantage of the porous Sudan defense, with Abuod Omar bringing in a cross that found Wanga who sent it goal-wards but keeper Abdelrahman Ali cleared the ball with his left foot.

Kahata had a chance to record his first goal in the tournament after breaking through the Sudan defense, but his strike did not bother Abdelrahman.

Home keeper Duncan Ochieng who had an anonymous outing thus far was forced to earn his corn when he repelled Nadir Eltayed’s long range shot to deny Sudan an opener in the 28th.

Abdelrahman was then forced to save Wanga’s poor shot in the box before denying midfielder Clifton Miheso three minutes later with the match getting into gear.

With the crowd getting anxious, Kenya’s pressure finally paid off when Wanga, given the armband after the first match to get his confidence back, rose to head home a David Owino cross in the 35th to calm the host’s nerves and send the fans into cheer, as the net bulged for the opening goal.

Azam defender Jockins Atudo could have taken his goal tally to four with his powerful shot that forced Abdelrahman to spill the ball but he recovered quickly to deny him on the rebound and soon after, centre referee Wiish Yabarow, from Somalia whistled for half time.

After the breather Kenya who have been cautious thus far in the tournament, pressed on to increase the advantage with Peter Opiyo trying Abdelrahman with his long range shot which went wide. Two minutes later, Ismail Elsidding could have equalised, but Ochieng was at the right position to avert the danger with a composed save.

Tournament top scorer Salah Ibrahim, got a fine chance in the 60th after penetrating the Kenyan defense, but Ochieng again came to the rescue to enhance his reputation with his critics singling him out for lack of command at times in the box.

Lavatsa who was in bubbling form in the game, received a pass from Opiyo, to unleash a cracker that hit the goal post.

Wanga who was voted the man of the match, notched his brace in the 69th after connecting James Situma’s cross from the left wing to send fans into delirium as they sensed an end to all the hurt.

Amrouche, brought in all his substitutions replacing Wanga for Noah Wafula, Miheso for South Africa based David Gateri and Paul Kiongera for Kahata.

As the subs found their feet, it was Salah who threatened to halve the deficit but again, Ochieng stood tall and the game petered out as a procession as Kenya were crowned champions for the ordained result.

Kenya received Sh5.6m (USD 64,741.60) prize money while Sudan took home Sh2.5m (USD 28,902) as the Chipolopolo of Zambia who settled for bronze after beating Tanzania in the play-off pocketing Ksh600,000 (USD6932.40).

Additionally, Stars were rewarded with Sh2m (USD23,122) by Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko.

In the third place play-off, guest team Zambia beat the Kilimanjaro stars of Tanzania 6-5 on post match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The teams went into the half-time break on a barren draw, with Mbwana Samata and Ronald Kampamba impressing for Tanzania through the 45 minutes.

The second half started with each side seeking an early goal and it went the way of Chipolopolo with Ronald Kampamba finding the back of the net on the 51st minute.

TP Mazembe forward Mbwana Samata equalized 13 minutes later through a brilliant left shot to see normal time close at 1-1.

The first set of penalties ended on a 4-4 draw, with Athuman Chanogo and Justin missing for Tanzania.

This led to the sudden death spot-kicks, which saw Ngasa, captain Kelvin Yondani waste their kicks while Kondwani Mtonga missed his, only for Kabaso Chanogo to convert his penalty to grant the Chipolopolo victory.

LONDON, England, December 13 – Reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome has revealed that he has recovered from a parasitic illness that had plagued him for over four years.

The 28-year-old Briton had been suffering from bilharzia, which is usually spread by contaminated water and is most common in Africa.

Froome, who was born in Kenya, has managed to reach the summit of the sport in spite of the condition, but he says he was relieved to learn that he had finally shaken it off.

“At last I am free of the debilitating disease bilharzia,” he told Friday’s edition of British newspaper The Independent.

“I had a test when I went back to Kenya recently and it is the first time it has come back negative since the diagnosis (in 2009). That is fantastic news for me. I’m not going to have to worry about that any more. That should be it gone now.

“I have been going back every six months for the past two years and returning positive results. When I was first diagnosed they said it had been in my system for at least two years, but it could have been there even longer — five or six years possibly.”