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 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

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