Weekend KPL soccer preview

Kasarani’s Moi International sports centre is the setting scene of two seemingly explosive Kenya Premier League (KPL) matches that will involve the two Mathare sponsored teams against stiff opposition. Mathare Youth (MYSA) will on Saturday tackle stubborn Thika United while the senior Mathare United will be in action on Sunday at the same venue to brush shoulders with the visiting Zedekia Otieno’s Chemelil Sugar.

 

Save from defending Champions Tusker who is away in Tanzania for the regional Cecefa tournament, all the local soccer giants will be in action with seven matches on the card. In Saturday matches, limping Ulinzi Stars will welcome Western Stima at the Greensteds School. Smarting from their recent 1-0 win over Bandari, second-placed Sony Sugar with 28 points are expected to inflict further humiliation to struggling Red Berets  in Awendo, while Gor Mahia face perhaps one of their trickiest moment this season when they entertain Sher Karuturi at the Nairobi City Stadium.

 

On Sunday 11th placed Agro Chemical with 18 points have a point to prove when they welcome bottom-placed Mahakama at Muhoroni.Another relegation threatened candidate Bandari lying in 12th spot with 18 points from 15 outings will face stylish Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium while Mathare United must brace for a tough war when they tackle Chemelil Sugar at Kasarani.

    

Nevertheless, Bandari Technical Director Edward Odour has made a special appeal to Mombasa soccer fans to ignore KPL fixtures that indicate their matches are slated at Mbaraki Grounds. A bitter Odour said the team’s home ground still remains Mombasa Municipal Stadium but not Mbaraki Sports club. “We are dismayed by KPL fixtures that continue to  reflect Mbaraki Grounds as our home venue. We even agreed with the Mombasa Mayor and the Municipal stadium management that our matches will be played there.We even wrote a letter to KPL Managing Director Jack Oguda early in April informing him of our change of home-venue but no action has been taken regarding the matter. We are having problem with our fans  who after reading in the print and Electronic media, they go to Mbaraki Grounds only to find no-one.We are losing revenue and gate collection just because of a  small misunderstanding that should  not arise” observed a bitter Odour on phone from Mombasa.

    

While Mathare United are closing in capturing the KPL title that has eluded them for many years, the same cannot be described about their sister club Mathare Youth who are struggling to make an impact.  Mathare United’s impressive form was however put to a halt when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Red Berets in a KPL mid-week League match played in Nakuru on Wednesday. Coach Francis Kimanzi who doubles up as Harambee Stars coach deserves a pat on his back. He has moulded  the team to  an aggressive playing unit with purposeful touches.Apart from that, he has instilled  a sense of self-confidence and discipline in the team  which he  says is the main investment in winning outfit. Mathare United are leading the pack with 29 points from 14 matches. On Sunday Kimanzi faces one of the intriguing challenges when he leads his side against an ambitious and stubborn Chemelil Sugar at Kasarani.

   

History has shown that it is  difficult  to beat a team at home and especially a club that is  enjoying tremendous  form like Mathare United. But with football, anything is possible. The home team should be advised not to underrate  the Sugarcane merchants. Mathare United have a legion of  international players led by goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng,Edgar Ochieng, Austin Makacha, Kevin Ochieng and leading striker Francis Ouma. Other key players include Joseph Nyaga, Anthony Khadudu, Lloyd  Wahome, Anthony Kimani, Vincent Okello and Kennedy Ayong among others.

  

Sixth-placed Chemelil Sugar with 20 points will field the likes of veteran Mike Mururi, former Harambee Stars striker John Barasa, John Mwangi, U20 sensation Seiff Puzzo and goalkeeper Samuel Ochieng among others. Indeed, going by the galaxy of International players dotted in the two sides, the match has the making of a perfect showpiece and promises to produce fireworks.

   

Saturday’s clash pitting Gor Mahia against Sher Karuturi at Nairobi City Stadium is anticipated to be a mouth-watering tie. Both teams are in great form despite  Sher’s 2-0 loss to Mathare United last week a Kasarani. The Naivasha  flower men lost the match but not  after putting a strong resistance. Poor defensive lapse cost them the match but went on to receive  a round of applause after the final whistle  from the handful of  fans who graced the match. Gor lying in ninth position with 19 points cannot afford  to falter  even as the battle for supremacy intensifies. Gor have so far been very impressive at the Nairobi  City Stadium and their recent 1-0 win over Christian sponsored World Hope proves they are destined for better things.

    

With Harambee Stars  custodian Jacktone Odhiambo in his usual form, Alfred Chege, Charles Odipo, Habil Otieno and Francis  Akango manning the defence, it will take everything for ‘Sher” to stop their opponents. Other dependables on the Gor side are dimunitive Francis  Akango, Elisha Ochieno, Zablon ‘Pro” Otieno, Steve Biko ,David Ojwang and Bramwel Karamoja respectively.

    

Sher lying in seventh spot with 20 points might field the same side that took Mathare United headon last weekend. Coach James Nandwa has an array of stars to pick from. Skillful Ken Wangwe, Geoffrey Shitilu, Andrew Mbwabi and Hannan Ibrahim are players Gor should be wary of. The Flowermen are equally good in every department and with the return of striker Jacob Omondi from Oman, Benlee Juma, Tom Onyango, David Seda, William Mafavi and Harambee Stars Goalkeeper Noah Ayuku, Gor must not expect a bed of roses.

     

 

Date set for Nyamweya/Hatimy KFF election petition case

Kenya Times, Friday, July 25, 2008

By John Osoro

 


The high court yesterday set on motion the hearing of leadership dispute pitting two rival groups of Kenya Football Federation (KFF). Justice Roselyn Wendo ordered the hearing of the application filed by Mohamed Hatimy which is challenging the election of KFF registered officials led by Sam Nyamweya be heard on October 6. However, Nyamweya’s counsel urged the court that at the hearing of the application he will raise the issue of locus standi of the applicants (Hatimy) to bring judicial proceeding against the legally recognized officials of the federation. Shimosi Shitambasi told the court that the applicants said the election culminating to the registration of Nyamweya led group has never been challenged in court either through judicial review or civil litigation.

 

He said due to interference by the applicants’ the federation’s bank have been frozen because of the dispute brought individuals are strangers to the administration of Football in the country. The lawyer said if the issue of locus standi is determined, the two application pending before the court will as well end because they appear to raise similar matters of law. Hatimy and group were registered as officials of the federation as Chairman, senior chairman and secretary general of KFF on or before April 4 and August 2 .2007 when the current officials were registered. The applicants were not the ones who were removed from office, saying they have no mandate to bring the proceedings to challenge the registration of the officials.

 

The groups allied to Hatimy have never been registered as chairman, senior vice chairman and secretary general and they cannot therefore be reinstated to a position they never held with the federation. The lawyer content in affidavit sworn by KFF secretary general Omondi L. Aduda, that the group that was previously registered and who should have raised the complaint about the registration of current office bearer is group led by Alfred Sambu and Dan Omino. The Sambu group were the people who were in office when the election was conducted and the subsequent registration on August 20.2007. ”This group that lodged complains against the Hatimy and his comp lice over their interference with the affairs of the federation, saying the election of the current officials of the federation was clearly sanctioned by the delegates drawn from all branches,” Aduda states. The delegates invoked article 20(2) of the KFF constitution and proceeded to hold the Annual General Meering (AGM) at Moi Sports Complex, Kasarani on April 5. 2007.

 

 

Tusker face Young Africans as Simba are knocked out by Ugandans

www.kpl.co.ke, Friday, July 25, 2008

 

Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker have a daunting semi-final of the CECAFA Kagame Cup Club Championship on Friday against passionately supported local team Young Africans at the new 60,000 seat National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. On Thursday, the other Dar giant, Simba, were heartbreakingly knocked out of the tournament by Uganda Revenue Authority in the first semi-final. Local residents were feverishly looking forward to a possible all-Tanzania final on Sunday. But they were left bracing for a disastrous scenario when Simba were eliminated. They cannot contemplate Yanga losing to Tusker leaving not local team in the final.

 

Eric Obua scored for URA with two minutes left in the second half of extra-time as the match headed for a dramatic finish. Simba had the chance to level and force the tie into a penalty shoot-out but they blew their last-gasp opportunity. The URA keeper Abey Ohaira was adjudged to have fouled Simba striker Emeh Izechukwu in a frantic effort to clear the ball in a goalmouth sccrumble. The Nigerian rose to take the penalty but Ohaira dived to the right to block it. It was like the start of great mourning for half of Tanzania when the referee Thomas Onyango blew for the end after the very next kick. The other half of the country will therefore be waiting with bated breath to see if Yanga can live up to their favourites’ tag to go past Tusker on Friday and give the locals a representation in Sunday’s final.

 

On Wednesday Tusker and Rayon battled to a 0-0 score at the end of 90 minutes the Kenyans took victory in the sudden-death series of the penalty shoot out. After both sides scored in the first six penalties, Tusker’s Oscar Kadenge appeared to have condemned his fellow Kenyans when he hit Tusker’s seventh shot high over the bar. But a celebrating Rayon shockingly saw the following shot that would have been the winner — by Kasse Kalisa’s — veer out past the left post. Hassan Aden took advantage of the reprieve to score Tusker’s eighth shot. Then the Tusker goalie Boniface Otieno became the hero when he pushed outside the right post Olivier Uwingibire’s kick.

 

The earlier successful scorers were: Tusker – Ibrahim Shikanda, Osborne Monday, Edward Kauka, Humphrey Okoti, Joseph Shikokoti and John Njoroge; Rayon – Jean Lomamu, Jimmy Gatete, Abdul Uwimana, Roger Tuyisenge, Bonaventure Hategekimana and James Kidega.

 

It was a supremely difficult game for Tusker because they lacked a good striker throughout. Coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee admitted he had a serious problem in the attack. “Lack of a striker really killed us. We have fantastic supply from the flanks and the midfield led by Osborne Monday is superb. One wonders what this team would be capable of if it had a striker like Dennis Oliech; we would score five goals every match. But that is not the case and we are struggling.” He said he shuddered at Tusker’s prospects when faced with harder teams in the semis and hopefully in the final. “As I said earlier my goal was to reach the last four. Though my players are good, they are yet to get the command of tournament football. Out there are clubs with vastly experienced player.”

 

Mulee was speaking after the end of their match which kicked at 1.45pm and by the time of his Press Conference, Tusker’s would-be semi-final opponents Yanga were already up 2-0 against Vital ‘O of Burundi in the second quarter final of the day. The Dar club went on to win the match with goals from Ally Shamte in the 14th minute and Kenyan striker Boniface Ambani in the 20th. Tusker had a better first half than Rayon but the problem up front was exposed when Dan Matengo flopped once again. The striker failed to convert superb crosses in the 13th and 26th minutes. Mulee pulled him out in the 37th bringing in Justus Anene. Then Anene and rushing midfielders failed to tap in a great cross from the right by Kauka.

 

The second half belonged largely to Rayon and it was time for great defensive work by Japhery Oyando at midfield and the back four of Shikokoti, Shikanda, Njoroge and very courageous Okoti. Finally Tusker were through but it was obvious that they will have to devise a way of attacking in numbers because a sole striker is glaringly absent. Skipper Kauka and John Kio, operating on the flanks must be more adventurous and ride into the box together with midfielders Simon Mburu, Kadenge and Aden. And perhaps Anene has the credentials for a pick as the striker, well ahead of Matengo.

 

Tusker (Kenya) – 1. Boniface Otieno, 5. Ibrahim Shikanda, 9. John Njoroge, 2. Joseph Shikokoti, 15. Humphrey Okoti, 12. Japhery Oyando, 6. John Kio (26. Oscar Kadenge, 62′) 3. Osborne Monday, 13. Edward Kauka, 10. Simon Mburu (7. Hassan Aden), 11. Daniel Matengo (14. Justus Anene, 37′) Reserves – 20. Joseph Ruto, 24. Maurice Odipo, 8. Kelvin Omondi Coach - Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee (Kenya) Rayon (Rwanda) - 71. Vladimir Niyonkuru (1. Lawrence Webo, 90′) 4. Olivier Uwingabire, 22. Hussein Meka, 2. Aimable Rukogoza, 18. Bonaventure Hategekimana, 6. James Kidega, 11. Abdul Uwimana, 8. Kasse Kalisa, 17. Jean Lomami 19. Roger Kakoko (10. Jimmy Gatete, 50′) 7. Aphrodis Hategekimana (9. Roger Tuyisenge, 55′) Reserves 71. Vladmir Niyonkuru, 16. Mike Yossam, 13. Juma Masud, 12. Albert Nyombayire, 9. Roger Tuyisenge, 18. Yves Twaja Mahoro. Coach - Raoul Shungu (Congo Kinshasa) Referee Charles Mmbaga (Tanzania) Assistant referees – Ali Kombo (Zanzibar), Samwel Mpenzu (Tanzania), Waziri Sheha (Zanzibar) Commissar Gesnab Gebremariam (Eritrea)

 

 

FIFA orders clubs to release players for games

Daily Nation, Friday, July 25, 2008

 

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that clubs must release their eligible Under-23 players for the Olympic soccer tournament despite the claims of Europe’s leading clubs that they were under no obligation to do so. FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, and the European Club Association (ECA), the successor to the G14 which represents Europe’s leading clubs, issued contradictory statements on Wednesday with FIFA reaffirming it was mandatory for clubs to release their players.

 

Blatter, in a letter to all FIFA members said: “The release of players below the age of 23 has always been mandatory for all clubs. The same principle applies for Beijing 2008.” He added that the fact that the Beijing Olympics were not included in the coordinated international match calendar did not mean there was no release obligation for the relevant clubs.”

 

However, ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement that there “was no legal obligation” on clubs to release their players for next month’s Olympic tournament. Rummenigge said: “As the Olympics are not included in the harmonised International Match Calendar, the obligation to release players for national team matches according to the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players does not apply. “We, therefore, support all clubs that currently face losing important players.”

 

Earlier this week, Brazil defender Rafinha absented himself without leave from training with Schalke 04 in Germany after they repeatedly refused to release him for the Games. On Tuesday, Werder Bremen playmaker Diego defied orders from his club and left Germany to join the Brazil squad, while the Brazilian FA (CBF) criticised Real Madrid’s decision to pull Robinho out of the squad on Wednesday saying the timing of the Spanish club’s decision had disrupted their preparations. Schalke 04 said on Wednesday they would take their dispute with Rafinha to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, following Werder Bremen’s decision to do the same on Tuesday. Schalke said they were taking the step after they received no response by noon on Tuesday to letters of protest to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Brazil federation (CBF) sent a day earlier.

 

 

 

Manchester United boss praises South Africa

BBC, July 24, 2008

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes South Africa has “a lot to offer” and will be equipped to host the World Cup in two years’ time. A number of concerns have been expressed about the nation’s ability to complete building work and stage the tournament. The main focus appears to centre on whether new stadia will be finished in time and whether there will be adequate transport links.

 

But the Manchester United manager is confident the authorities will rise to the challenge and put on a show for the global football community. Ferguson said: “South Africa has a lot to offer. Yes they have a job to do in terms of infrastructure. But they can manage that because they have major areas to host games in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Johannesburg, which is the biggest platform for the World Cup, is a massive city and area. From a professional point of the view, the stadiums at the moment are great. They deserve a chance.”

 

Ferguson has seen a massive change in the South African sporting landscape in the past few years as the country continues to bounce back from years of apartheid and subsequent isolation from the outside world. “The country is growing – it is a developing country,” said the United boss. “It is also a sporting country. The changes have been phenomenal since Nelson Mandela (who was released from prison in 1990) came back. South Africa has got a great future and deserves a chance.”

 

Ferguson believes club football in South Africa is also beginning to develop. United have had two tough, physical games in the last week against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the Vodacom Challenge. The fact that former Dutch star Rudi Krol is now in charge of the Pirates is an indication that coaching standards are also being raised. United chalked up a 1-0 victory against Krol’s side on Tuesday but not without a fight, and Ferguson has nothing but admiration for the man who was in the opposition dug-out. He said: “He was one of the most fantastic players I ever saw. To me there was Cruyff, who was world class, and then Krol. He was a magnificent player.”

 

Ferguson expects another hard work-out for his side on Saturday, whether it is against the Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs, who play for the chance to face United tonight. He said: “What you have to realise is that the black South Africans are athletic, tough and quick.” United then move on to Nigeria and a friendly against Portsmouth on Sunday before flying home.

 www.kpl.co.ke, July 25, 2008

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