Kenya beat Mozambique to rekindle 2010 Angola hopes

Harambee Stars finally clinched their first win in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign when they humbled Mozambique’s Mamba’s 2-1 in an evenly balanced match at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, in Nairobi.

The Stars scored in the 7th minute through Julius Owino’s harmless looking shot, but the Mambas equalised in the first minutes of the second half when Domingues benefited from a Stars defensive mistake. But, in the in the 72nd minute, Mariga was brought down in the box and the Parma man converted the eventual spot kick and earned his side a hard fought win.

First Half

The game started slowly, with each side trying to study the other and get a feel for the encounter. In the 7th minute, Robert Mambo passed the ball to MacDonald Mariga in the centre. The Parma midfielder turned and saw Julius Owino running on the right flank.The right-back ran towards the eighteen yard area and crossed towards Oliech, who had rushed to the goal mouth, but the ball was headed in with Kapango fumbling the loose ball, thus giving Harambee Stars their first goal of the match.

Two minutes later, Oliech missed a header from Oboya’s cross and the lethal striker was instead adjudged to have handled the ball.

Mozambique striker and skipper Tico Tico drew the first blood in the 12th minute when Domingues' pass found him with only George Owino to beat. But his fickle shot was easily picked up by Arnold Origi.

The game pace slowed and in the 15th minute, Harambee Stars strung a twenty one touch passing movement, starting in the defence and advancing forward but ending when Patrick Oboya was fouled in the eighteen yard area.

From the free-kick, Mariga found Owino who headed skyward. Two minutes later Mozambique 'keeper Kapango bungled a back pass when challenged by Oliech. Oboya collected the ball but his shot was saved by the keeper.

In the 19th minute, Kapango made a fuss when he was replaced by Marcellino. Instead of heading to the touchline, he went to the perimeter fence, seemingly inconsolable.

Mozambique then upped the pressure with Harambee Stars midfield looking out of place. Domingues' shot after 29 minutes went straight to the goalkeeper. Later, Pascal Ochieng almost messed up when challenged by Domingues and headed out as Origi was also advancing to take the ball. The corner was fruitless. Robert Mambo missed a free header from Njoroge pass in the 34 minute but headed up.

Mozambique got a free kick in the 36 minute but Montero hit the wall, before Tico Tico's shot was fired off target. The first half ended with the Harambee Stars under pressure.

Second Half

Oliech was replaced by Allan Wanga and the Angolan-based striker almost scored with the first touch, but shot skyward with only the keeper to beat from close range. Four minutes later, there was a goalmouth melee at the Stars' end when Origi mishandled a cross from the left and Domingues scored from three yards.

Two minutes later, Tico Tico collided with Origi and the striker was taken off. In the 57th minute Oboya was replaced by Victor Mugabe and the fans voiced their displeasure. Harambee Stars upped the pressure and Njoroge ran goal wards and chipped for Otieno, who headed over. In the 70th minute Mambo was picked out in the penalty area and his header went in but was disallowed for an offside.

In the 72nd minute, Mariga was brought down in the box and converted the spot kick, sending the stadium wild.

Mozambique's Eugnio was replaced in the 80th minute by Josima. With five minutes remaining, the Mambas put the Stars under pressure and almost equalised with only three minutes remaining when Josima shot at goal, but the ball went a few inches over the bar.

With two minutes remaining,U.K born Taiwo Otieno, now laying his club soccer for the Rochester Rhinos in the US League 1 came on to make his debut. In the last minute, the Mambas almost drew level but Dario’s shot was fired over the bar.

The game ended and Harambee Stars were happy to have registered a narrow win, earning Antoine Hey his first victory in a competitive match and allowing the Kenyan fans a huge sigh of relief.

Kenya: Arnold Origi, Musa Otieno, Pascal Ochieng’, George Owino, Julius Owino, John Njoroge, MacDonald Mariga, Austin Makacha, Robert Mambo, Patrick Oboya, Dennis Oliech.

Mozambique: Kapango, Simao, Paito, Pelembe Fanuel, Dario Khan, Kampira Samuel, Hagi, Momtaro, Domingues, Dario, Tico Tico.

Courtesy of James Momanyi, Goal.com

Kenya holds its breath as Stars face Mambas

By Charles Nyende

Kenya’s Harambee Stars, same as 17 years ago, are confronted by an ambitious Mambas of Mozambique in Nairobi on Saturday in a must win fixture at Moi International Sports Centre.

Needing to win to qualify for their fourth straight Africa Cup of Nations finals, Harambee Stars on July 25, 1993 faced a cocky Mozambique side.

Stars, then under Mohammed Kheri, had pulled off a stunning 1-0 win against Zaire (now DR Congo) in Kinshasa two weeks earlier to tie on points with the central Africans and practically put fate on their own hands.

While Mozambique coach Russian Victor Bondarenko vowed to do to Kenya what they did to Zaire, the home side quietly did their mathematics.

In the end Kenya handsomely won 4-1 at a Nyayo Stadium surface described as “only fit for cows to graze” by Mozambique assistant coach Antonio Caetano.

The huge margin of victory was however not enough after Zaire blanked Lesotho 7-0 to clinch the single qualifier berth on goal difference.

Fast forward to 2009. Mozambique have said their minimum objective is to qualify for the African Nations Cup and they have targeted six points from Kenya.

Respect every opponent

The team has been quietly preparing in Addis Ababa under Dutchman Mart Niioj and after a barren draw with Nigeria in Maputo three months ago where they ran the Africa powerhouses rugged, the Mambas will realistically fancy a result in Nairobi.

But they face a cornered Kenya side fighting for survival in the competition. “This is a do or die match for us. We have to win. There is no otherwise,” defender Pascal Ochieng summed up the thoughts of the Stars squad.

Coach Antoine Hey, winless with Harambee Stars in four consecutive matches, and knowing he is fighting to consolidate his job, said: “Mozambique is definitely a decent side. We are respecting every opponent, but Kenya has to win this game by all means. We are ready for it and we will win the game.”

All words, yes, but history steeps this clash in Kenya’s favour. In four encounters between the two nations, Harambee Stars have won twice, lost once with one match ending in a barren.

Origi back in Stars as Taiwo also expected home today

Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno leads his team mates during training at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, June 15th 2009. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN

By Sammy Kitula

Arnold Origi will be available for the Mozambique match after all, as Harambee Stars team manager Edward Oduor says Origi, who had left for his Norwegian club Moss FK last week, is expected back home on Tuesday.

“Origi is expected in the country tomorrow (Tuesday) and should join the rest in camp immediately,” said Oduor.

Also expected to join the Stars’ camp on Tuesday is Taiwo Atieno, the US-based British-born striker who earned another call-up to the national following Kenya’s dismal performance in Abuja.

Also making a comeback at the provisional squad are Thomas Wanyama, Hillary Echesa, Crispin Odula and Mike Baraza.

After landing from Nigeria, coach Antoine Hey had said that Taiwo was expected to breathe new life into the poorly performing striking force. It is still unclear, however, if the citizenship issues that locked the striker out of the team before the Tunisia match have been resolved.

Expressed optimism

Stars captain Musa Otieno has meanwhile expressed optimism despite the team’s sudden loss of form in the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

But the 36-year-old skipper warned his players that they need to quickly “get back on track” if they are to withstand the challenge of Nigeria, Tunisia and, increasingly, on-form Mozambique.

Stars’ imperious form in the previous round of the qualifiers has been checked in this last stage, which has seen the national side occupy the bottom of Group Two with no point.

And Otieno believes the team cannot afford another slip-up when they take on Mozambique at Kasarani on Saturday.

“We need to bounce back and recover, but we said that after the Tunisia game and we didn’t do that in Nigeria,” Otieno said. “Now there are no more chances for us; we need to make sure we start winning games and get back on a winning run.

“We’ve got a vital game coming up against Black Mambas on Saturday and I don’t think anyone will underestimate the importance of that match. Now that we have had a two-week break, we need to focus and get ourselves back on track.”

Courtesy- Nation Media Group

Dennis Oliech rejoins Qatari club Al-Arabi

The Harambee Stars hit-man has undergone a medical examination and will rejoin the national team training camp in Nairobi.

Dennis Oliech was yesterday given permission from Kenya’s training camp to fly to Qatar for a medical check and formalise his return to Al-Arabi, where he started his professional career.

The striker, who arrived with the national team from Nigeria on Monday evening, has played for Auxerre of France in the last two seasons.

The forward, who honed his talent while turning out for Kenyan club Mathare United, turned professional in 2003 when Al-Arabi came calling.

He had made his international debut for the national team aged only 18 the previous year. He played in Qatar for two years before he signed a four-year contract with French Ligue 1 team Nantes in 2005. But in 2007 the club was relegated and Oliech was given to Auxerre, where he has been since.

The lethal striker made 56 appearances for Auxerre, scoring a measly five goals, but his stint at Al-Arabi was impressive, striking 12 times in 17 games.

Oliech has been a revelation for the Kenyan national team since he received his first call. He has scored 22 goals from 37 international appearances. In the World Cup 2010 campaign, the goal poacher has already converted five times.

James Momanyi, Goal.com

FKL: Food for thought

Harambee Stars are tentatively slated to play Ghana’s Black Stars in an international friendly on Tuesday 16th June 2009 in Nairobi. Both sides will use the tie as a build up ahead of their next World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers. Kenya host Mozambique while Ghana travel to Khartoum to play Sudan on the weekend of 20th June 2009.

This is indeed a welcome development for the much maligned national football team which always bears the brunt of incompetence from those selfish, greedy dinosaurs mandated with running Kenyan football.
The friendly match against Ghana is welcome, but friendly matches should not end there .The Kenyan side needs to remain competitive; I’m sure the FKL as a member of FIFA has heard of the FIFA allocated dates for international friendlies. They should be proactive enough to keep the Stars competing on these dates.
In case they are not aware, the beauty of the FIFA dates allows teams’ access to all their players, foreign based players too. I say this because this is the correct avenue to experiment on match formations. Let us never again experiment on match formations during make or break clashes. The Tunisia and Nigeria matches come to mind.
They should also ensure that all resources, playing kit included are available to the team. We have a good squad but with shoddy management, qualifying for the African Nations Cup and the World Cup will remain a dream.
The hopes of 40 million Kenyans rest on the shoulders of the Harambee Stars and their handlers. The Stars may have lost their two opening matches but with four more rounds to play and plenty of time before the next fixture, they can redeem themselves. I believe in them, they should believe in themselves too…and the FKL leadership should stop focusing on their bloated egos, stomachs and pockets and support the Stars too.
Over to you FKL! A nation waits with bated breath.

Kenya go down fighting in Nigeria

Nigeria had to overcome stiff resistance to claim a deceptive win over Kenya. The scoreline was not reflective of the Kenyan effort on the day.

Like it was in 1997 and 2003, Nigeria on Sunday at the Abuja National Stadium beat visiting Harambee Stars of Kenya 3-0 to keep the chase on Group Two leaders Tunisia.

Spain-based Ikechukwu Uche opened scoring for the home side after just two minutes. However, it was in the second half that Nigeria enjoyed much respite from a hard working Kenyan side when Inter Milan ace Obinna Nsofor netted from the penalty spot after Osaze Odemwingie Peter won a dubious penalty.

Nsofor hit a brace four minutes later when he thundered home from inside the box. Tunisia stay top of the group with six points from two matches, while Nigeria are two points behind in second place. Both teams clash in Tunis in two weeks time at the Rades Stadium in a match that could well give a good indication of the overall leadership of this group.

First Half

A packed 60,000-capacity Abuja National Stadium, awash with Nigeria's colours of green and white, welcomed a youthful starting XI without high-profile absentees from the Super Eagles recent friendlies - Joseph Yobo, Mikel John Obi and Taye Taiwo.In the heart of the attack, goal hero against Republic of Ireland, Michael Eneramo, is preferred to Joseph Akpala, who grabbed the winner against France in Saint-Etienne.

Kenya also made three changes from the team that started against Tunisia in Nairobi in March - goalkeeper Arnold Origi and midfielders Patrick Oboya and Austin Makacha.It took Nigeria only two minutes to get off to the perfect start when Ikechukwu Uche found the back of the net. The Getafe forward combined with his older brother, Kalu Uche, but it was really a poor clearance by Kenyan defender, George Owino, that allowed Ikechukwu Uche to continue with his run on goal before he coolly drove home past goalkeeper Arnold Origi.

Even after his goal, Uche remained a constant danger to Kenya, while youngster Elderson Echejile grew so much in confidence that he even joined the attack from his left fullback position. Kenya's first attempt at goal came after quarter of an hour when Dennis Oliech let fly from distance but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama saved easily.

The Harambee Stars steadily began to have a say in proceedings as they began to string passes between themselves. MacDonald Mariga tested Enyeama with a cleanly struck shot on 26 minutes, and a minute later, Oliech came even closer but his shot from the edge of 18-yard box shaved the crossbar.Disjointed play by Nigeria at this point in the encounter.

Oliech again came close in the 34th minute, when he found himself inside the box only to see his shot miss its mark. Moments later, Odemwingie would have doubled Nigeria's lead when he was set up by Ikechukwu Uche, but Origi blocked his powerful shot. The Russia-based striker wasted an even better chance three minutes later when his effort from top of the box missed target by inches. Just before the interval, Kenya's Origi spilled an Ikechukwu cross from the right but Esperance of Tunisia striker Eneramo could not take advantage of this clanger with the ball metres from the goaline.

Second Half

Nigeria make one change by the interval - Nwankwo Kanu in for an annonymous Dickson Etuhu. The Super eagles go into attack immediately after the restart.In the 54th minute, Odemwingie's effort from an acute angle on the left is scrambled awayby Origi for a corner.

But in the 62nd minute, Kenya had two chances in quick succession - Auxerre's Oliech was involved in both occasions, first he preferred to square the ball with the Nigerian defence on the back foot and seconds later, he again decided to pass the ball inside the box after he had rounded up goalkeeper Enyeama. It was a big let-off for Nigeria, who finally got the buffer goal in the 72nd minute when substitute Obinna Nsofor tucked home a penalty.

Goal-bound Osaze fell too easily in the box and Moroccan referee El Achiri Abdellah pointed to the penalty spot. Four minutes Nsofor thundered home from inside the box for Nigeria's third goal. A move started by Kanu saw Echejile thread through a cross from the left, Ikechukwu miskicked to allow Nsofor control the ball before firing home.Nsofor almost completed a hat-trick five minutes from time but his low shot missed target only just.

Nigeria - Vincent Enyeama - Yusuf Mohammed, Dele Adeleye, Sam Sodje (Onyekachi Apam 76), Elderson Echejile, Seyi Olofinjana (Capt), Kalu Uche, Dickson Etuhu (Nwankwo Kanu 45) - Ikechukwu Uche, Michael Eneramo (Obinna Nsofor 54), Osaze Odemwingie
Coach: Shuaibu Amodu

Kenya - Arnold origi - Julius Owino, George Owino, Musa Otieno (Capt), John Njoroge - Austin Makacha, MacDonald Mariga, Robert Mambo Mumba (Allan Wanga 65), Pascal Ochieng, Patrick Oboya (Victor Mugabe 74) - Dennis Oliech (Peter Opiyo 87)
Coach: Antoine Hey

Samm Audu, Goal.com

Will Stars shine over the Super Egos..Eagles?

By Robin Toskin/Standard Media Group

Harambee Stars’ rhetoric in the 2010 World Cup/Africa Nations Cup comes up for close scrutiny today when they face Super Eagles in a Group Two qualifier at Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria.

After an impressive second round performance in which they claimed passage to the final phase at the expense of Zimbabwe, Kenya believed they have a genuine chance of making it at least to the continental showpiece next year.

But after a troubled start in which they tamely lost 2-1 to Tunisia, doubts abound they would meet their minimum ambition.

Stars’ troubled campaign thus needs an urgent face-lift beginning with the trip to West Africa.

Nigeria also began on the wrong footing, by their high standards, with a goalless away in Mozambique.

And with Mozambique visiting Tunisia, it is unthinkable Nigeria will be in the mood to exchange niceties with Harambee Stars.

It is unlikely the Super Eagles would have time for such Ibo words as "En nwelem oji" (I have got kola-nuts), often said by the host while presenting the nut as a sign of goodwill to visitors.

Nigeria President

Among the Ibo, Oji (Kola-nuts), signifies clean mind and pure intention. But clearly after President Umaru Yar’Adua set up a 12-man committee to prosecute Super Eagle’s battle to South Africa, it is unthinkable their intentions would be clear and pure to favour Stars’ fortunes.

Even if kola were to be offered, it would only be one, not two as the later is reserved for titled men. Are Harambee Stars titled?

In urging Super Eagles to go on and gorge out Harambee Stars eyes for glory, a pot of Sh9.43 million has been put in their nest if they deliver three or more goals.

So, when tomorrow comes it will be Harambee Stars’ big day. And so it would be for Super Eagles’.

If the Eagles would pass around kola as a sign of clean mind and pure intention it is only logical to say it will be the intention to tear apart Harambee Stars.

Their 1-1 draw away to Ireland and 1-0 victory over 1998 World champions, France, has re-energised Shuaibu Amodu’s side after taking stick for their lackluster show against Mozambique.

Super Eagles

That fringe players Michael Eneramo (Esperance, Tunisia) and Joseph Akpala (Club Brugge, Belgium) got the goals for Nigeria would send shivers down the spines of their opponents.

Not for Kenya’s Antoine Hey. Despite having been severely criticised for engaging in federation wars and failing to get his tactics right, Hey said he would make Nigeria pay for their showboating.

Hey said before the team left for Abuja: "I am not cowed by our opponents build-up results. We are focused and we know what we know our targets clearly."

He added: "These are two different teams with different desires. After losing the opening qualifier against Tunisia and given the fact that Kenya has never beaten Nigeria, these boys are baying for Super Eagles’ blood and are hungry for victory."

Behind Hey’s air of confidence, however, lies a genuine threat from a Nigeria side motivated by failure to qualify for Germany 2006.

The Super Eagles paid for complacency when Angola nicked the ticket at the last day of qualifiers, where although they beat Zimbabwe away, Oliveira Goncalves’ side beat Rwanda to top their group.

The same scenario is panning out after Tunisia beat Kenya and Nigeria could only draw away to Mozambique.

The draw invited savage criticism of coach Shuaibu. But after a morale-boosting win over France and a draw against the Republic of Ireland, it could be all systems go for the Eagles against ill-prepared Kenyans.

All the top Eagles are available except for long-term injury, striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. A win would thus help take the pressure off Shuaibu when he flies the Eagles to Tunisia on June 20.

Joseph Yobo (Everton), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth) John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe), Kalu Uche (Almeria), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City) are all available for selection.

Also in the mix are Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), Sani Kaita (Sparta Rotterdam, Holland), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan, Italy), Chibuzor Okonkwo, John Utaka (Portsmouth) and Osaze Odemwinge (Locomotiv Moscow).

But while Nigeria are bursting on the seams with quality, any Harambee Stars coach would struggle cobbling together a team capable of pulling the rug under the feet of an average side in the continent.

AJ Auxerre’s Denis Oliech and AC Parma’s MacDonald Mariga are the only genuine quality in the team.

Goalkeeper Arnold Origi has shown a lot of promise but is yet to hit top deck. A cracked kneecap against Zimbabwe on June 14 may have also slowed down the FK Moss (Norway) goalkeeper. FeverPitch, however, understands coach Hey has been in touch with FK Moss tactician, Per Morten Haugen to get first hand information about Origi’s progress.

It will be a huge gamble if coach Hey should start with the 24-year-old against Nigeria who ruled himself out of the Tunisia tie for lack of match fitness.

FK Marrienham (Finland) goalkeeper Willis Ochieng could be thrown into the fray.

Harambee Stars defending was in quandary against the Carthage Eagles and it could be too late for Hey to find genuine quality to fill the void left by Mathare United centre-back, Edgar Ochieng’.

Against Tunisia, Hey started with a five-man midfield largely composed of defenders and an attacking midfielder, Robert Mambo playing in front of the defence.

The tactic backfired as Mambo was caught in possession as Isaam Jomaa raced clear to burry the winner after Oliech had cancelled out Amman Jemal’s opener.

Hey has kept faith with Pascal Ochieng (KCB), Yanga defenders on loan to Tusker— Joseph Shikokoti and John Njoroge, Mulinge Ndeto (Ulinzi Stars), George Owino (Yanga) and veteran captain Musa Otieno (Santos, SA). Gor Mahia’s Julius Awino has rediscovered his form and is likely to play some role against Nigeria.

Oliech as always should lead the line of attack which alongside Allan Wanga with Patrick Oboya, Peter Opiyo and returning midfielder John ‘Mo’ Muiruri likely to be involved. Victor Mugabe was a thorn in the Eagles’ flesh in Harambee Stars 1-0 loss in a friendly in May 29 and showed flashes of brilliance against Tunisia. Hey’s decision to carry him along demonstrates the youngster’s talent.

Related news

Why Hey should pack the midfield against Nigeria

Goal difference could determine third spot in Kenya’s qualifying pool

Sofapaka lead the KPL at half time

Sofapka lead the KPL at the end of the first leg with 32 points from 15 outings. Tusker lie second, two points behind.

The mid-season 30-day transfer window opens when some teams will inevitably bring on new players and off load some.

At the same time focus will be on those players involved in the national team's two fixtures this month in the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup matches qualifiers and the East and Central Africa Kagame Cup Club Championship in Sudan where holders Tusker and Kenya champions Mathare United will be attending.
-Source, The Kenyan Premier League

Hey revises Nigeria points target

Coach Hey during a Stars training session. PHOTO COURTESTY OF STAFFORD ONDEGO/THE STANDARD

By Gilbert Wandera

Antoine Hey has scaled down Harambee Stars’ target to a search for a point when they visit Nigeria on June 7 for Group Two World Cup qualifier.

While telling reporters he had put behind him the long drawn saga over commitment letters he sought from players, the 38-yearold German said he is looking for four points in the month of June.

Mozambique’s Black Mambas come calling on June 20 and it appears Hey is plotting for three points off them and one from their visit to Abuja despite initially saying he could surprise the Nigerians.

"It is behind us now (commitment letters row). There is a lot of confidence in camp and everybody is looking forward to the match," added the under fire coach who also said he would drop eight local based players before departing to West Africa next week.

"If we cannot get the four points to revive our World Cup hopes then we have to settle or an Africa Cup of Nations place otherwise the focus is to play for the World Cup," said Hey adding that.

He claimed: "Star’s strength lies in being a team, which he claimed their opponents lack. The Super Eagles have some of the most talented individuals on the continent, but as a team they don’t do well. We hope to take advantage of that by emphasising on being united," he said.

Hey revealed he will drop three of the eight players next Monday and the rest hours before departure to Lagos.

"We are avoiding to drop all players at a go to mitigate against any unforeseen injuries," said Hey.

He added: "I hope that all the eight foreign based players we have called-up are fit and ready to go."

The Europe-based players are McDonald Mariga (Parma), Patrick Oboya (Siad Most), Willies Ochieng (Finland), Robert Mambo (GIF Sundsvall, Sweden) and John ‘Mo’ Muiruri (FK Moss, Norway).

Hey said he is satisfied with majority of the new players he called-up to camp for next month’s qualifier, but revealed that some of them still need time.

"We have seen that some of the players are still not ready for this level of competition and require more time but others have come up well. It has given us an opportunity to narrow the gap between those who are coming up and those who are ready," he said.

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KPL Round 14 Review

Sofapaka lead the KPL after this weekend's clashes following Tusker's defeat to Gor Mahia on Sunday. Here is the weekend's round up courtesy of the KPL

Sunday's fixtures

Gor Mahia 2 Tusker 1

Nigerian import Joseph Emeka cracked his seventh goal of the season putting Tusker on the path of what seemed like continuation of a winning streak at Kasarani.

b But that was as far as the Brewers would go on the score sheet. It was, however, not like they had not been warned that Gor Mahia have some of the most dedicated players in the league. Tusker were to fully appreciate this as Gor came storming back to win the match 2-1, crowning a frantic afternoon.

Tusker's Kenya international defender Noah Abich brought down Gor Mahia's most prolific midfielder Ibrahim Kitavi for a penalty award in the 26th minute and Elisha Ochieno put Gor level at 1-1.

Then, only shortly after he had been brought into the game Habil Otieno scored a 59th minute goal to make it 2-1 and send Gor Mahia supporters on the proverbial ecstatic cloud nine.

Otieno pounced after international Julius "Awilo" Owino flicked a superb through-ball from the right wing into his path.

Earlier, schoolboy George Odhiambo had Gor's best chance with a curling 39th-minute effort which beat Tusker goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch but rebounded off the far post to safety.

The other 17-year-old Gor schoolboy Duncan Owiti, previous three-goal scorer for his side, came close to the mark.

However, the Gor defence, usually very eager to go forward with especially Francis Akang'o, Solomon Nasio and "Awilo" Owino, might have paid the price were it not for brilliant goalkeeping of George Odhiambo who pulled off wonder saves.

Tusker were riding on the back of five consecutive Kenyan Premier League wins and started well and with Jerry Santos crossing to Emeka for the first threat at Gor. Emeka looked certain to score only for Odhiambo to somehow palm his low shot over the bar.

Gor Mahia responded by almost taking the lead themselves in the 12th minute, Kitawi flicking the ball on to Owiti, who lashed a right-foot shot into the side-netting.

Tusker created the first chance of the second half when substitute, Simon Mburu's neat pass sent Nathan Mutenza scampering into the box but Akang'o got back well to make a superb saving challenge.

The Brewers almost made Gor pay on the hour when Jaffery Oyando thundered a 25metre-shot that nearly got the best of Odhiambo, only for Owino to clear off the line.

It might have got even better for Gor in the dying minutes with the impressive Odhiambo unleashing a powerful right-foot drive which flashed just wide of Oluoch's right-hand post.

"It's good that we have recovered from last week's 1-0 loss to Agro Chemicals. Bit by bit, we are getting there (at the top). I thank all our fans who have always been behind us in our 13 matches, no matter the outcome," said Gor Mahia coach Gideon Ochieng'.

The breathtaking pace of the match naturally generated some heat and in the end rreferee Amos Wanjala from Kitale required tight police escort after the match to avoid jostling from the Tusker camp.

The entire Tusker technical bench and the playing unit besieged Wanjala accusing him of ending the match prematurely without additional extra time.

Coach James Nandwa said he did not "mind losing fairly but the manner the referee ended the match was quite disturbing.

"First, he has denied us what appeared as a clean goal and again he did not add extra time considering the many stoppages. We are disappointed with the match officiating. That is not the spirit of fair play," a bitter Nandwa said.

Tusker cried for appeals in the 90th minute when twice the ball was cleared off the goal-line during a goal-mouth melee.

The scramble ended with Gor custodian Odhiambo receiving medical attention for almost five minutes, an issue that Tusker picked as their excuse for allegations that the whistler failed to add injury time.

Thika Utd 1 Western Stima 1

Jacob Mugoya again sparkled for Western Stima scoring for the fifth time this season as his team led Thika United 1-0 at Thika Municipal Stadium.

Just after four minutes Mugoya got at the end of a good attack by Stima attack pivot Mark Sirengo and beat Thika Kenya goalkeeper David Okello.

Thika United, sorely missing suspended Crispin Olando, Dennis Odhiambo and Kepha Aswani, wasted a lot of chances.

They had to wait until the 44th minute for an equaliser through Abdallah Abdallah's long drive.

Saturday's fixtures

Sofapaka 2 Agro Chemicals 1

Evans Wandera, a new Harambee Stars' squad member first scored in the 47th minute and hot-shot Patrick Kagogo bagged his fourth goal of the season making it 2-0 before Sofapaka ran out 2-1 winners over a hard-fighting Agro Chemicals.

Sofapaka coach Robert Mambo sought to improve his side's attack, which uncharacteristically struggled in the first half, by bringing in three replacements at the start of the second.

One of the incomers, Kenya midfielder Abdulrazak "Abdi Simba" Alwy, crossed the ball to another substitute, Anthony Kimani, whose header hit the post and Wandera was there to head in the rebound.

The colourful Kagogo then took a 55th minute free-kick from wide on the left which tricked Agro Chemicals goalie Kevin Otieno and went right in.

Agro Chemicals refused to lie down and die and continued to make a contest of it. Ken Obiero gave them a life line when he slotted home a penalty after Hashim Mukhwana brought down Nicholas Ochieng' in the box in the 63rd minute.

New Harambee Stars call-up Wilson Oburu in Sofapaka's goal then had a string of excellent saves which kept off Agro's bid for a share of the points.

Agro were very incisive in the last 10 minutes and had chances to level in the 78th, 80th and 86th minutes when Husein Puzzo, Peter Okore and Humphrey Alemba, respectively, shot narrowly wide.

On 29 points at the end of the day, Sofapaka moved from second to the top of the table, two points clear of Tusker.

Mathare United 2 KCB 0

Defending champions Mathare United returned to winning ways after a worryingly long time and the manner was telling.

Their emphatic 2-0 triumph was over a very capable KCB and it signalled what could be a serious recovery by Mathare United.

Discarded Harambee Stars right flank attacker Kevin Ochieng' got on the score sheet for the first time in a long while. It was a 31st minute superb screamer from 25 yards which mesmerised KCB custodian Dan Oluoch.

In the 36th minute Crispin Odour made it 2-0 with a good volley off a Paul Abembo pass.

A thrilling sea-saw affair ensued as KCB sought to make a return to an honourable contest and a lot of splendid play -- dummy, run, pass, shot -- was in display.

The Bankers rolled their sleeves in the second half and Asman Ngaywa, Humphrey Mieno, Kevin Kimani and Geoffrey Maina worked themselves to the ground looking for goals. Jacob Keli and Joseph Waweru joined the fray also as substitutes.

But who did they need to cow down but would not? The Mathare United rearguard which this time gave no inch. Edgar "Fighter" Ochieng', Lloyd Wahome, Anthony Kimani, Andrew "Apache Indian" Oyombe and Kenya goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng' were on a mood familiar during their ride to the championship last season.

Mathare United had just a few days ago appointed new leadership in the club, chairman Bob Munro announcing the David Waithaka as the new Chief Executive Officer to command a new senior management team. Was the team's positive performance a response to the new initiative?

In a month's time, the Kenya champions will join Tusker to contest the Cecafa (Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations) Club Championship which over the weekend was switched to the Sudanese towns of Khartoum and Port Sudan.

Tusker are the defending champions of the regional club event and at their current form in the KPL seem to have peaked at the right time before going to Sudan next month.

Mathare United, from their performance over KCB could also just have turned a new and interesting chapter before the Cecafa event.

Bandari 1 Ulinzi Stars 1

Lawrence Owino had given Ulinzi the lead in the 21st minute

Escaping with a draw was perhaps better then what struggling Bandari may have feared. Under Harambee Stars' midfielder Abdallah Ali Breik as player/coach, the Coast team was attempting to stem a streak of losses which led to the dismissal last week of the coaching team of Douglas Mutua, George "Fundi" Onyango, Wycliffe Anyangu and Mohamed "Tostao" Nazir.

Chemelil Sugar 2 AFC Leopards 1

After defeating Nairobi City Stars 1-0 last weekend in Nairobi, Chemelil enjoyed good morale at home to kill any hopes of improving AFC Leopards taking anything away from Chemelil.

And veteran Kenya striker John Barasa, 32, just will not blow away from the lime light. His 10th minute opener continued to place him among the leading scorers in the league. His fourth on the sheet came via a heavy boot past Leopards' new Harambee Stars call-up Teddy Okumba.

Wycliffe Odhiambo extended Chemelil's lead with a curving shot from the right wing in the 41st minute.

Nigerian import Ekwe Umekwe pulled back one for Leopards in the 44th minute.

Sher Karuturi 1 Nairobi City Stars 0

Another veteran former international, Jacob Omondi, scored the winning goal in the 56th minute after he was set up by Peter Juma.

It was enough for Sher Karuturi to characteristically grind out a win at Sher ground, Naivasha. Karuturi's mean defence then warded off all the attacking raids by the more vibrant City Stars's forwards including speed star Jimmy Bagaye of Uganda.

Amon Githaiga was sent off for his second bookable offence in the closing stages and Sher finished off with 10 men. However, City Stars could not take advantage.

Sony Sugar 1 Red Berets 0

Sony Sugar bounced back to winning ways when they edged Red Berets 1-0 at Awendo, the goal coming from Dennis Onkangi, his fifth of the season.

It was perhaps the fastest of the season -- a 59th second penalty!

Source- © Kenyan Premier League

Stars lose build up match

COURTESY OF CHARLIE NYENDE/NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kenya’s Harambee Stars were embarrassed 2-0 by mid-table Kenyan Premier League side KCB in a practice match at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Centre, on Wednesday.

Former Kenya international Asman Ngaiywa got the opener for the bankers in the seventh minute, stealing between Pascal Ochieng and Mulinge Munandi in the Stars central defence to beat David Okello.

Joseph Waweru wrapped things up for the 11th placed team in the KPL, racing clear in a decisive counter attack move to loop the ball over the advancing Okello.

Coach Antoine Hey, who observed the practice match from the terraces, ducked from waiting journalists for a post match interview leaving his assistant Twahir Muhiddin to offer explanations.

“We told the players to enjoy the game but some of them were just walking on the pitch. I hope the have learnt that if a local league side can give them a run for their money then they have a lot of work to do. Nothing is easy,” the disappointed Muhiddin said.

Stars were using the practice match as part of their preparations for the World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria on June 6. An international friendly match against Malawi scheduled for May 27 has been cancelled. “Malawi called us to say they could not get flights to Nairobi for the tie but I think it is just an excuse,” Football Kenya Limited vice chairman Erustus Okul said.

Instil discipline

His senior vice-chairman Titus Kasuve meanwhile hinted that the seven expelled players from the Harambee Stars could be reinstated. “There situation is not cast in stone but we must instil discipline in everybody. We hope to resolve the issue amicably,” Kasuve said.

KPL was due to meet Hey on Wednesday evening to discuss Harambee Stars preparations. Hey banished Edgar Ochieng of Tusker, Joseph Shokokoti, John Njoroge and Fred Ajwang from Tusker and Sofapaka’s Wilson Oburu, Evans Wandera and James Situma from the team camp at Kasarani on Monday for their failure to sign a controversial commitment letter that has sown discord between the Harambee Stars technical bench and KPL.

The absence of the experienced players showed as KCB repeatedly carved open a decidedly vulnerable looking Harambee Stars backline that started with Ibrahim Shikanda, Mulinge Munandi, Pascal Ochieng and Julius Owino.

Failed to finish

After several close calls, the bankers inevitably opened accounts when Ngaiywa, a handful for Stars, timed his run well to send the ball home with a sliding effort. Stars began to gradually exert themselves despite several players featuring in unfamiliar positions – George Owino in a holding midfield role, Osborn Monday in an attacking midfield role for example.

The prominent Victor Mugabe saw his shot from a neat turn just wide on the 17th minute. Two minutes later Mugabe put Tanzania league top score Boniface Ambani through but the lanky striker kneed his effort straight at the KCB keeper Daniel Onyango.

Ambani again failed to finish off from a flowing move that passed through George Owino in midfield to the overlapping Julius Owino on the left flank. Hillary Echesa’s drive from close range was pushed back into play by Onyango as Stars finished the first half strongly but for a goal. Both teams made several changes in the second half but the pattern remained the same.

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Bandari sack Coach Mutua

Bandari FC’s technical bench of (from left) coach Douglas Mutua, Wycliffe Anyangu (assistant coach), Mohammed “Tostao” Nazzir (team manager) and George “Fundi” Onyango (assistant coach) during their 5-0 thrashing by Tusker FC in Nairobi last weekend. The entire bench has been sacked by the club’s parent company, Kenya Ports Authority. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN/NATION MEDIA GROUP

BY PHILIP ONYANGO/NATION MEDIA GROUP
Following a string of poor results, the management of Bandari FC has finally cracked the whip by sacking its entire technical bench.

Team captain Ali Briek takes over as player-cum-interim coach after club chairman Jane Kamau on Tuesday gave the marching orders to head coach Douglas Mutua and his assistants, Wycliffe Anyangu and George “Fundi” Onyango.

Mohammed “Tostao” Nazzir will, however, stay on as team manager for the remaining two matches.

When reached by the Daily Nation on Tuesday, the affected officials declined to comment on the issue, with Mutua only confirming that they were back at work at the club’s parent company, Kenya Ports Authority, where company policy does not allow them to make statements to the Press.

Bandari, who only last weekend were handed a 5-0 demolition by Tusker, will host Ulinzi on May 23rd.

Kamau did not mince her words while making the sackings public on Tuesday: “Enough is enough. We could not just sit back as the team continued to lose matches, reflecting very negatively on the image of the corporation.”

She added that drastic changes would be made in the company’s sports department.

Discipline is paramount in any sport, she noted while wondering how players were expected to be disciplined when the officials were not.

Bandari players had demanded the immediate removal of the bench and the sports office during a two-hour closed-door meeting with senior KPA managers Salim Chingabwe and Jane Kamau at the firm’s Mbaraki Sports Club last Wednesday, alleging the bench was not up to the task and held it responsible for the poor results.

Brothels

Mutua, Anyangu, Onyango and Nazzir were all locked out of the meeting, as was the recently appointed KPA welfare and sports officials whom the players now want removed.

“We have been taking the blame whenever we lose matches but people just do not know what we go through as players, especially when playing away from home,” a senior player, who declined to be named, said.

“Some of us are Muslims, and being accommodated in lodgings which can be equated to brothels is an abuse to our fundamental rights.”

“These official get as much as Sh25,000 for a weekend league match while we, who do the actual playing, get as little as Sh3,000,” another player said. The players called for harmonisation of allowances, claiming theirs have been cut by half.

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We bicker as they prepare

While letters of the commitment kind have caused all sorts of furore at the Harambee Stars training camp, Tunisia, Mozambique and Nigeria are all calm,shaping up well for the next round of World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations 2010 qualifiers in early June.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have lined up an international friendly against their Sudanese counterparts, the Desert Hawks on Wednesday, May 27 in Tunis.

Reports from Lagos had indicated Nigeria's intention to play Argentina in an international friendly in Abuja ahead of the Kenya clash.Whether or not the match materializes, it indicates the level of seriousness Kenya's opponents are putting into the qualifiers.

Not much news is out on the Black Mambas of Mozambique, and like the saying goes, no news is good news and it would be safe to assume that they are quietly, peacefully getting ready for the next round of matches.

Kenya? The big news at the Stars camp is the ongoing commitment letter saga pitting the FKL, Hey the Coach and the KPL clubs. Result, players have been pulled out of the squad which is now depleted. Friendly matches for Kenya are against a team in mid table oblivion and another rooted at the base of the KPL.

The day football authorities in Kenya master the art of management will be a great day for Kenyan soccer. Until that day, let us sit and enjoy another episode of the latest soap opera called "We bicker as they prepare" from that great Kenyan production house, The Kenya Football Authorities Inc.

Stay tuned

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Hey! Time's up

Hey guys! Sign the damn commitment letters ! PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATION MEDIA GROUP

By James Waindi

Two weeks before Harambee Stars face Nigeria in a 2010 World Cup/Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja, national head coach Antoine Hey has sealed the fate of seven key players.

Kenya, who lost the opening final round qualifier to Tunisia at home in March, face the dreaded Super Eagles of Nigeria on June 7 in a crucial qualifier that would turn around their campaign.

Hey, who had issued all local-based players with a notice to bring along commitment letters from their clubs before the team began residential training a fortnight ago, cracked the whip on the players whose clubs failed to adhere to his conditions, which have been described as draconian by Kenyan Premier League clubs.

The coach axed nine players after last Thursday’s training, but said he was flexible until Monday morning and only two players from Thika United, David Okello and Chrispin Olando, met the requirements.

Goalkeeper trainer Abdulrazak Siwa had to stand between the posts during yesterday’s training in the absence of Wilson Oburu, whose club Sofapaka have refused to sign the commitment letter.

Other players affected are Mathare United’s Edgar Ochieng’, Tusker’s Joseph Shikokoti, John Njoroge, Fred Ojwang and Sofapaka’s James Situma and Evans Wandera.

But Hey called AFC Leopard’s custodian Teddy Okumba later in the day to fill in Oburu’s gap.

Protecting the team

Speaking on behalf of the coach, Football Kenya Limited Senior Vice-chairman, Titus Kasuve, said dropping the seven was unfortunate but noted that it was geared towards protecting the national team in future.

"We gave the technical committee a free hand in running the team and they have decided to work without the seven players who could not meet the team’s requirements.

Discipline is vital thing in football and it cannot be taken for granted. We have no problems with the players. I pity them because their clubs are unfair to them," said Kasuve.

The letter says the players be in camp from Monday to Thursday afternoon, respect all the rules set while on national duty and not make public statements or interviews while in the national team.

"This is not a contract and I would not like some individuals to mislead Kenyans. A contract can only be done between a player and his club, but we needed commitments letters here," said Kasuve.

"Players can’t be exposed without playing for the national team. The clubs are blocking their chances of advancing," said Kasuve.

Kasuve said no more players would be called to the current 17, adding they expect seven foreign-based players to boost the squad.

Meanwhile FKL second vice-chairman Erastus Okul has blamed East Africa Breweries for purporting to support the national team through cash pledges and yet they denied their players a chance to play for the team.

"How can you pledge money to the team for the remaining five matches and pretend to be in the front line of supporting the national team and your club cannot release their players to play for the same team. We really feel cheated by EABL," said Okul.

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KPL Round 13 Round Up

Sunday's matches

Goals from Nathan Mutenza, Joseph Emeka, Noah Abich, Fred Ojwang and Augustine Etemesi steered Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker to a resounding 5-0 win over Bandari.
The win ensured the brewers, who last won the local league in 2007, returned to the top of the KPL table after Sofapaka had briefly dislodged them on Saturday.
Tusker, resting most of their key players ahead of their tough fixture against Gor Mahia next weekend, dominated the one-sided match yesterday, but Bandari had some flashes of brilliance and could have scored two or three goals.
Tusker’s Mutenza opened the scoring in the fourth minute, tapping in the ball from close range after a goalmouth melee in the match played at Kasarani.
Nigerian striker Joseph Emeka added the second for Tusker 20 minutes later, when he converted Jerry Santos’ cross to give the victors a 2-0 lead at half time.
After the break, Bandari twice went close through Said Amir who failed to beat Tusker’s custodian Boniface Oluoch in a one-on-one situation and Ali Abondo’s powerful shot went inches wide.
Tusker replied through Abich in the 48th minute when Bandari’s goalkeeper Swaleh Abdulrahman embarrassingly deflected an intended long cross into his own net.
At 3-0 up, Tusker passed the ball around and tried different formations as if in a training session. Tusker’s Oluoch thwarted Ali Breik and Zuberi Kombo’s efforts with brilliant saves, before substitute Ojwang notched the fourth goal in the 76th minute. Etemesi sealed the victory with a looped goal that beat an advancing Swaleh in the 87th minute.

Early Kick Off
In an early match, KCB came from behind to force a 1-1 tie against Sher Karuturi in a mouth-watering encounter at the same venue.
KCB custodian Dan Oluoch spilled Ibrahim Hassan’s shot and former international Nicholas Muyoti was quick to pounce and give the visitors a 1-0 lead after 29 minutes.
The bankers piled pressure, but the brilliance of international goalkeeper Noah Ayuko frustrated KCB until substitute Geoffrey Maina found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, scoring with his knee.
Ayuko had earlier seemed to return Jacob Keli’s shot into play but the ball looked to have crossed the goal line.
In Thika, AFC Leopards held the hosts to a barren draw in a match that saw both teams create minimal chances.
The result means that Leopards are still stuck at the bottom of the table after 13 matches.
In Naivasha, Red Berets held league champions Mathare United to a 1-1 draw in an evenly contested tie match at the Oserian Stadium.
The slum boys led by a solitary goal at half time after Chrispin Oduor scored in the 30th minute.

COURTESY OF THE STANDARD

Saturday's action
Sofapaka kept their discipline and ran out telling 1-0 victors over Sony Sugar at Awendo on Saturday.

Bob Mugalia scored in the 85th minute to send Sofapaka to the top of the Kenyan Premier League table -- at least for 24 hours -- and also signal that there are no doubts that the rookie Premiership team are serious title contenders.

Mugalia in previous action for Sofapaka/COURTESY OF THE NATION

The red hot Bob Mugalia carried on his goal scoring form from last week.

But Mugalia was only crowning the work of one of the most potent attacks in the league. His striking partner and leading goal getter for the side, Patrick Kagogo, provided the assist converted in the 76th minute.

Sony fought like wounded lions and Justin Monda, Moses Arita, Sylvester Wanyama and Dennis Onkangi were relentless but Sofapaka were able to breathe a sigh of relief and stage a celebration after scaling quite a mountain.

Said Sofapaka coach Robert Matano: "I pay tribute to the men. Great game and I am happy we bagged the three points which is always difficult away from home and in particular here at Awendo.

"We want to set the pace and possibly open a gap that will give us breathing space. The pressure is still on and I hope the men will maintain this form."

Agro Chemicals 1 Gor Mahia 0

Hussein Puzzo, the 19-year-old striker who is growing in stature at Agro Chemicals scored a useful goal from a Humphrey Alemba assist in the 79th minute for victory which was never expected to come easy.

Unfortunately for Gor Mahia, who had hoped to continue their recent sparkle, Agro Chemicals were also hitting a good patch in the past few weeks and the contest on Saturday at Furaha Academy, Muhoroni became gloriously competitive.

Agro, fielding a largely changed line-up from that which struggled at the start of the season, started off forcefully and dominated Gor Mahia for larger chunks of the game.

The resourceful Alemba initiated the winning run from the left flank then passed to Puzzo to score with a low hard shot that beat the diving Gor 'keeper George Odhiambo.

A delighted Agro coach Henry Omino said: "This competition is still wide open. Any team has a chance for the title and we are one of those you should not rule out just because we have been hovering near the basement of the table.

"We have a whole second leg coming from next month and we shall pull it if off; it will be a total change."

Ulinzi Stars 2 Western Stima 2

Western Stima blew a handsome 2-0 lead at Oserian ground in Naivasha, allowing a great comeback by Ulinzi Stars to snatch a draw.

The Ulinzi soldiers fought their way out the trenches with Vincent Onyango (51st minute) and veteran Harambee Stars defender Hussein Mohammed (85th) creating the escape route.

The evergreen Harambee Stars striker Mark Sirengo (seventh minute) and George Wesa (27th) seemed to have put Western Stima back to the path of winning ways which had raised eyebrows for much of the first quarter of the season when the Kakamega team even headed the table.

But Ulinzi, who are playing comfortably at mid-table had other ideas and pounced.

Nairobi City Stars 0 Chemelil Sugar 1

John Barasa rose to head in John Mwangi's cross to snatch an unexpected victory for Chemelil at Hope Centre against home team Nairobi City Stars.

The third minute ambush charged City Stars who relentlessly tried to reverse the situation but Chemelil were to hold on till the end.

Apart from in the 26th minute when the City Stars escaped by the assistance of the cross bar to keep off Wycliffe Omondi's hot shot, the home team were totally in charge but numerous chances just did not fall in place.

City Stars had the ball past the goal posts and Vincent Okoth seemed to have got the equaliser in the 72nd minute but was ruled marginally offside by referee Richard Obare.

Earlier in the 65th minute ,an Arthur Museve header from Thomas Wanyama's cross went just inches wide while skipper Dennis "Wise" Okoth could not believe his eyes when his goal-bound shot was cleared off the line.

Defensive midfielder Joshua Westerman also saw his dipping header just short and industrious David King'atua's audacious drive from wide was brilliantly kept out by the diving John Wahu in the Chemelil goal

COURTESY OF THE KENYA PREMIER LEAGUE

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KPL Round 13 Review

16 May
Agrochemicals v Gor Mahia
Home side Agrochemicals currently lie second from bottom on the KPL log and will be hard pressed to contain a resurgent Gor side whose three wins on the trot have pushed them up to eighth on the KPL log. Gor can be unpredictable and any result is expected from this game.


Sony Sugar v Sofapaka
The 2006 champions host one of the KPL's new boys. Sony have failed to reproduce the form that saw them dominate the 2006 KPL and give Tusker and Mathare a run for their money in the subsequent championships.
Their once impregnable Fortress Awendo has been breached this year and second placed Sofapaka, a team with title ambitions will be out to claim the three points that could be of significance at the end of round 13.Sofapaka have not been good travellers and could their away form haunt them again?

Nairobi City Stars v Chemelil Sugar
After a slow start, the team from "Lavington East" have worked their way into fourth on the KPL charts. They play twelfth placed Chemelil at the Hope Center in a match that they should win. Chemelil are no pushovers and are very capable of pulling off a draw or a surprise win.

Ulinzi Stars v Western Stima
Sixth placed Ulinzi face fifth placed Western Stima who are having a great season, winning key matches away and making use of their Bukhungu home ground advantage.The two solid sides face off in what should be a great tie.Any result is expected.


KCB v Sher Karuturi
Eleventh placed KCB host seventh placed Sher in what should be a drab match. Drab! Because these two sides just knock the ball around for ninety minutes and seem content with whatever result they get, as long as they avoid relegation.Not a sight for the eyes but it has to be played.

17 May

Red Berets v Mathare United
Red Berets are sitting close to the relegation,lying thirteenth after twelve matches. They face a Mathare United side who hardly seem like the reigning KPL champions.Lying tenth, Mathare are wounded and would relish any opportunity to assert themselves as defending league champs. The Red Berets are equally fighting for premiership survival. These ingredients make for an interesting clash.


Tusker v Bandari
2007 champions and current league leaders Tusker FC have quietly worked their way to the top of the league, winning crucial games home and away. They will seek to extend their rich vein of form and subsequently their league leadership by beating the visitors from Mombasa who are currently fourteenth in the league, sitting one place above the relegation slots. Bandari players have been told to shape up or ship out by their coach , former Tusker and Kenya midfield great,Douglas Mutua. Let us see how this goes.

Thika United v AFC Leopards
Thika United's season is going great,sitting in third place and with one of the meanest defences in the KPL. They play host to the league's bottom side AFC Leopards. This should be an entertaining match as both sides play great soccer, particularly in midfield. However, as AFC Leopards have learnt, beautiful soccer doesn't always win you matches.

Enjoy the KPL this weekend!

Tussle not good for Stars preparations

Storm in a team cup? Stars coach Antoine Hey at Kasarani. Photo courtesy of The Standard

By Mike Kwambo
The ongoing tussle between Harambee Stars Head Coach Antoine Hey and several KPL clubs over the remittance of "commitment letters" is not good for the team's preparations ahead of the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Abuja.

Herr Hey may have good intentions but the clubs have every right to hold on to their players until the FIFA stipulated release date approaches and it would be in order for the good man to acknowledge the clubs good faith in releasing them three weeks ahead of this date.

The players are employees of their various clubs and it is sad that they are at the center of an unnecessary storm. .The national team does not pay their rent.Playing for the national team is not necessarily a right, it is a privilege and for Herr Hey's information, privileges can be turned down.

Threatening to drop the players only puts the team under undue pressure ,more so after that heartbreaking home loss to Tunisia. There is a need for consistency and continuity in the team and it will not be achieved by the constant bickering shuffling of players overs matters as mundane as commitment letters. There needs to be a harmonious relationship between the clubs and the national side, consensus is the way to go.

Hey should focus on the task at hand, a good result over Nigeria and in subsequent matches. Commitment letters never won any matches.

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A million bob each for 2010 World Cup status
Mathare feeling the heat
Nairobi Football Academy land Italy invite
Tusker lead as Sofapaka stay close

Munro resigns as KPL chairman
Wanga set to move to Armenia

Ambani keen to prove point

Ambani in action for Yanga

Courtesy of The Standard
Stars striker Boniface Ambani wants to prove a point with the national team when they face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a crucial Group Two qualifier on June 7.

The lanky goal poacher, who finished the Tanzanian league as the top scorer with 24 goals in his first season with league champions Yanga, said he wanted to prove that notching the goals for the Tanzanian giants was no fluke.

"People have always had a notion that the standards of the Tanzanian league is low compared to others and may want to question my golden boot award, but I would like to tell any critics to prepare for my goals.

The Tanzanian league is competitive and I personally feel it is well way ahead of the Kenyan League because I have played in both," said Ambani .

The camp was full house with the arrival of the three Yanga players, Ambani, Boniface Mwalala and Mike Baraza who missed last week’s training because they had not been released by their club.

Meanwhile, Ambani has said he does not want to return to his Tanzanian club next season but instead wants join China’s Super League side Green Town Zhejang FC.

He said the Chinese club had showed a lot of interest in him after he had successful trials in February, but Yanga refused to release him with the Africa Champions League in focus, where they eventually crashed to champions Al Ahly of Egypt.

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KFF and FKL differ over brewers deal with Stars
Hey: Return letters or lose place in team
Hey: Sign up or be dropped
AC Milan chasing Mariga's signature

A million bob each for 2010 World Cup status
Mathare feeling the heat
Nairobi Football Academy land Italy invite
Tusker lead as Sofapaka stay close

Munro resigns as KPL chairman
Wanga set to move to Armenia

Report: Milan Prepare Summer Swoop For Parma's McDonald Mariga

The Rossoneri are still monitoring the powerful Kenyan midfielder, but face competition from Valencia...

Serie B, Empoli-Parma: Mariga - Parma (Foto Grazia Neri)

Milan have been associated with Parma midfield man McDonald Mariga in recent months, and ilcalciomercato.it today reports that the Lombardy powerhouse are ready to table a sizeable bid to lure him to San Siro this summer.

Parma have allegedly slapped an €8 million price tag on the 22-year-old, who has been capped 25 times by his country, but a host of other European sides are also on his trail, with Spanish outfit Valencia the most interested party.

Mariga first joined Parma on loan from Swedish club Helsingborg in 2007, but the Ducali made the move permanent last summer and the midfielder put pen to paper on a four-year contract to stay at the Stadio Tardini until 2012.

Mariga has quickly established himself as a first team regular in the Emilia Romagna-based outfit and has netted three goals so far this term.

Parma look set for a swift return to the top flight as they are second in Serie B, with just five games left until the end of the season.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com

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A million bob each for 2010 World Cup status
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Wanga set to move to Armenia

A million each for 2010 world cup status

Courtesy of Sammy Kitula/Nation Media Group

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) holds a dummy cheque of Kshs 13 million as East Africa Breweries Limited Group Managing Director Gerrard Mahinda signs it. Harambee Stars players stand in the background to witness the deal signed at Moi Sports Center Kasarani. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO/NATION MEDIA GROUP

Each of the 18 Harambee Stars players will receive Sh1 million should the national team qualify for next year’s World Cup, courtesy of East African Breweries.

EABL group managing director Gerald Mahinda also promised each player Sh100,000 as a bonus for every victory in the team’s five remaining qualifying matches.

“For EABL and Tusker, this initiative is very much in line with our policy to support sports, something we have consistently done for many decades,” Mahinda said.

Unveiling the reward scheme on Monday at Kasarani, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it would go a long way in ensuring the Stars make it to South Africa.

“This is great motivation for the players and I believe it is a highway to the World Cup,” Raila observed.

The Premier urged the team to put behind them their 2-1 loss to Tunisia and focus on the remaining matches, saying the group is still wide open.

“Those saying we are out of the World Cup contention are grossly mistaken; we can still make it there. All we need to do is win all of our remaining matches,” he said.

Discipline paramount

Raila added that even Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

The PM was categorical that clubs should have respect for the national team, asking them to be releasing called-up players on time.

“Discipline is paramount, and clubs must ensure that they offer support to the national team at all times. These squabbles must end for our football to go forward,” he said.

Harambee Stars play Nigeria in Abuja on June 7th before hosting Mozambique on June 20th.

“We are ready for the challenge and we have the ability just like any other team,” said Stars stand-in captain Boniface Ambani.

Click on the links below for more news;

Mathare feeling the heat
Nairobi Football Academy land Italy invite
Tusker lead as Sofapaka stay close

Munro resigns as KPL chairman
Wanga set to move to Armenia

Tusker remain atop as Sofapaka stay close in KPL

Tusker continued to lead the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) after the twelfth round of matches this past weekend courtesy of a 1-0 away win over Western Stima at Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday. Jerry Santos 66th minute strike was enough to give the 2007 KPL winners three points as they lead the league on 24 points.

Saturday’s other fixtures saw bottom side AFC Leopards rally from a goal down at half time to holding visiting Ulinzi Stars 1-1 at the Coca Cola National Stadium. Evans Amuoka put the soldiers ahead on 21 minutes before Collins Kisuya salvaged a point for “Ingwe” on 52 minutes, scoring his free kick from a tight angle.Mulinge “Munandi” Ndeto of Ulinzi was sent off on 89 minutes for elbowing an AFC Leopards player.

Jimmy Bagaye’s brace helped Nairobi City Stars overcome KCB 2-1 at the Hope Center in Lavington East (Kawangware). Daniel Waweru scored the banker’s lone goal.

KCB's Asman Ngaywa (R) takes on Nairobi City Stars midfielder Joshua Westmann during league match at Hope Centre. Photo /DENNIS OKEYO /NATION MEDIA GROUP

Red Berets and Sher Karuturi played to a 1-1 draw at the Oserian Stadium in Naivasha. Edwin Otieno’s blockbuster put the policemen ahead on 41 minutes but Joe Asuza’s own goal on 72 minutes earned Sher a point.

Bandari and AgroChemicals drew 2-2 at the City of Mombasa Stadium . Former Sony striker Victor Ali put the ports men ahead on 38 minutes while Alemba Humphrey leveled for Agro on 65 minutes. Dida Ochieng restored Bandari’s lead on 70 minutes but Hussein Puzzo scored on 85 minutes to ensure the match ended in a draw.

Chemelil and Thika United played to a 0-0 draw in Chemelil.

In Sunday’s early kick off, newcomers Sofapaka kept up with leaders Tusker when they beat reigning champions Mathare United 1-0 at the Coca Cola National Stadium. Congolese teenage Patrick “Petit” Kagogo scored the match winner on 41 minutes when he chested down Evans Wandera’s cross before firing past Martin Musalia in the United goal from the edge of the penalty area. Sofapaka played the match with ten men after Mike Kamadi was sent off on 32 minutes when he hacked down United’s Onami John.

Gor Mahia won their third match on the trot; running 2-1 winners over Sony Sugar in the late kick off at the Coca Cola. Teenager Duncan “Macheda” Owiti and George Odhiambo were “K’Ogalo” scorers on the day. Moses Arita scored Sony's consolation goal.

In other news;

Munro resigns as KPL chairman

Alan Wanga set to move to Armenia

Weekend round up

Courtesy of The Daily Nation Spanking new Kenyan Premier League leaders Tusker will be looking to maintain their recent shining form when they face fourth-placed Western Stima at Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday. Third-placed Thika United eye the top spot but face a tricky outing against Chemelil Sugar in Chemelil on Saturday. Recently deposed table leaders Sofapaka confront wounded defending champions Mathare United in an attractive fixture at Coca-Cola Stadium on Sunday. And improving Gor Mahia are up to a stern test against home side Sony Sugar at the difficult Awendo venue on Sunday. But the tie of the weekend will be on-form team of the moment, Tusker, against surprise early season pace setters Western Stima. Slow starting brewers lapped up four wins in a row, a notice of intent to reclaim the title. "This is a good team and it has picked up quite well. We just want to maintain our momentum and see how the league goes," Tusker coach James Nandwa said. The brewers will be without influential midfielder Fred Ajwang, on suspension after picking three yellow cards, and Edwin Mukenya, who is down with malaria. But they welcome back international Joseph Njoroge in the forward line to join productive Nigerian striker Joseph Emeka, who has five strikes thus far, and Kenya trialist Augustine Etemesi. Western Stima, who just survived relegations last season, have gone two matches without a win but their early season form makes them dangerous. Coach Fred Serenge will draw confidence from their unbeaten home record but should be wary of Tusker, who have won away twice. Thika United are without their lead striker Stephen Waruru, who has joined the Armed Forces, but can look to Haji Mwachoki and George Maina against Chemelil Sugar. Humiliation Mathare will want to forget their 3-1 humiliation at the hands of Gor a week ago with a win against highflying newcomers Sofapaka. Mathare have struggled to find the form that made them the most feared team last season reflected in their won four, drawn three, lost four record. But even as they struggled to adapt to life without last season's top scorer Francis Ouma, the champs were dealt another blow last month when midfield mainstay Austin Makacha left for Swedish second division's IK Sirius. Sofapaka, intent on regaining their league lead, can look to the exciting Congolese teenager Patrick Kagogo for inspiration. The Standard carries these stories . Pressure is on Mathare Club versus country rows City Stars striker Odari back to face KPL in today's KPL action   Interest in Mariga from Valencia

Monday happy to return to team

Courtesy of The Standard

International midfielder, Osborne Monday, is happy to return to the national team after being left out during the Tunisia match.

Monday, who was a regular player in former coach Francis Kimanzi’s squad, earned his first call-up under tactician Antoine Hey when the German named his provisional 23-man team last week. He has vowed to fight for first team slot.

In the absence of veterans Austine Makacha, Titus Mulama and Jamal Mohammed, all of whom have been axed from the team, Monday, who was outstanding at the Ceacafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda early this year, is highly tipped to assume the midfield role alongside influential McDonald Mariga, who plies trade for Serie B giants Parma FC in Italy.

"I am happy to be given this chance and I am going to prove my worth in the team. I know the competition will be stiff but I’m ready for the challenge and I will strive to maintain my first team position.

"Nigeria’s match is very tricky and crucial for us but they are not in any way superior to us. I believe it will be an equal contest but we have to be very focused and prepared," said Monday who joined Tanzania’s league side Azam United from regional club champions Tusker FC.

Meanwhile, international players from Tanzania league champions Yanga are expected to join the rest of the squad on Sunday.

Speaking to striker Bonface Ambani on phone from Dar es Salaam, he said they had delayed to join the camp because they had to clear with their club first.

"The league has just ended and we are yet to receive our wages from the club.

"This is what is holding us here, but I believe everything will be sorted out soon and we will probably be in Nairobi by Saturday and join camp on Sunday," said Ambani.

Stars’ players support coach Hey on commitment letters

Courtesy of The Standard
Local Harambee Stars players are supporting coach Antoine Hey’s move to introduce players’ commitment letters as a mandatory requirement to be part of the squad.

Hey introduced the rule for the first time in the history of the team after four Mathare United players left camp without notice to join their club a week before Kenya opened their 2010 World Cup/ Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March.

Led by former skipper, Edgar Ochieng’, who was a victim of the club verses national team battle, the players welcomed the rule, saying it was the best approach to handle the differences emerging between the clubs and national teams about the players.

Tusker FC’s defender Joseph Shikokoti supported Ochieng’s sentiments, saying players were just victims of circumstances when football chiefs collided with club officials.

Used as pawns

"The letter will show our commitment to the national team and, while we are on national duty, we should be focused and concentrate rather than be used as pawns in wars we know nothing about.

"All we want to do is to play football. We can’t do without our clubs because that is where we earn our living. Neither can we jeopardise a chance to represent the national team," said the towering defender after yesterday’s training.

Stars broke camp yesterday afternoon for weekend’s Kenya Premier League fixtures set for different venues.

Hey has asked all players to carry commitment letters signed by their club’s chairmen when they return to camp on Sunday evening, failure of which they would be dropped from the squad.

He said he wanted to end uncertainty of players and instil discipline in the team when the camp resumes on Monday.

"We have to run the national team as one and we cannot entertain some things if we want to progress. I wouldn’t want a situation like what happened with the four Mathare United players a week before our crucial match against Tunisia.

Stars training at risk as FKL and KPL feud

Kenya's Mike Baraza (L) and team mate Makacha Austin battle with Salah Osman of Sudan during a past match. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN.   By CHARLES NYENDE/NATION MEDIA GROUP Another feud between Football Kenya Limited and Kenyan Premier League threatens to derail the now dwindling hopes of Harambee Stars making it to the World Cup in South Africa and African Cup of Nations in Angola in 2010. At the centre of the current row is a club-versus-country tussle and the perceived aloofness of the current head coach Antoine Hey towards local coaches. Hey, who was appointed in March, stirred up the current fight last week when, on announcing his provisional side, said all the players selected must sign a commitment letter. Included in the commitment was a clause for players to agree that national duties took precedence over club matters. Hey was apparently attempting to stamp his authority guided by hindsight following the walk out of four Mathare United players - on orders from their club - from his previous camp without permission. Disharmony The two Mathare United players he named for the current camp – Edgar Ochieng and Titus Mulama, delayed reporting to allow for their employer to study this commitment letter. But the disharmony between the clubs and the national team had been playing on from another letter. On April 20, KPL, who provide the bulk of national team players, wrote a letter to FKL requesting a discussion on the annual and long term training plans for Harambee Stars. In the letter KPL went ahead to propose their training plan in which they would release their players for a specified number of days for club duty. According to KPL chairman Bob Munro, no response was received from the FKL who instead made their own plans that included the team beginning residential training this week and a two-week camp in German. The German camp has since been cancelled. "Why did FKL fail to consult or propose another plan this year and instead chose to ignore the Fifa rules as well as the best and mutual interest of the national team and its own member clubs," Munro questioned FKL in a letter on Monday. But FKL secretary Sammy Obingo accused KPL of wanting to run Harambee Stars saying the federation had told the clubs that their players will be needed for extra days to prepare for the qualifiers. The result has been an uneasy situation at the camp with the innocent players caught in the middle. A Premiership club official who sits in the board said the Harambee Stars management had resorted to calling individual players directly without passing through their respective clubs. Talking tough Hey has meanwhile been talking tough saying he would axe players who did not toe his line. The two Mathare United players who delayed reporting to camp were the subject of Hey's displeasure. It is instructive that Hey in fact picked only two players from the current KPL champions for Stars upcoming fixture. This is in sharp contrast to the last group phase round of qualifiers when Stars, then under Francis Kimanzi, had seven players from Mathare in the national team. Almost the entire defense, which at one point went through 360 minutes of World Cup qualification action without conceding a single goal, was composed of Mathare players. Only reliable central defender Edgar Ochieng survived. Hey has also left out several deserving players such as Anthony Kimani, Austin Makacha and Jamal Mohammed and also failed to meet the KPL coaches formally or informally. The unwelcome product is a disruptive relationship between the national coach and KPL clubs.