The Brewers will lose out on the huge financial windfall following their failure to make it to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
Tusker FC’s elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup has seen them not just miss out on an opportunity to play continental football at higher top level but also a huge financial incentive.
The Brewers were knocked out at the second preliminary round following a 2-1 loss on aggregate to Tanzanian side Singida Black Stars.
Tusker played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, having lost 1-0 in Nairobi a week earlier.
From their appearance at the preliminary round, Julien Mette’s side will pocket $100,000 (Ksh13 million), a solidarity payment issued to all clubs at this stage, to assist with travel and logistics.
However, the Kenyan side missed out on a much bigger share of the pie as qualifying for the group stages of the Confederation Cup comes with a reward of $400,000 (Ksh52 million).
Their efforts to emulate Nairobi United, who received this sum in their debut season last term, fell short and they now join Gor Mahia, who also suffered elimination at this round in the CAF Champions League.
It continues a poor record by Kenyan teams in continental competitions as apart from Nairobi United last season, it had been early elimination since Gor Mahia reached the Confederation Cup quarter-final in 2019.
Landing such huge sums would have come in handy for the Kenyan sides when it comes to recruitment, allowing them the financial freedom to attract top players who would help them compete favourably in subsequent competitions.
Manchester United’s injury crisis and defensive struggles have intensified pressure on Michael Carrick, who must find solutions and secure results amid a demanding fixture schedule without rushing injured players back.
Manchester United's 2–0 defeat to Atlético Madrid on October 13 has put additional pressure on Michael Carrick. United conceded within the opening minute through Pablo Barrios before Ademola Lookman secured Atlético's victory in the 79th minute. The position was further complicated by Leny Yoro's dismissal.
This has been the fifth match without a win for Manchester United, and there’s little time to find a solution. Several players are unavailable, and there’s an upcoming sequence of domestic and European matches that will stress the roster further.
Several positions have been jeopardized by the injuries, and Carrick isn’t really able to rotate the squad anymore, at least not to the extent that allows him to create a strategy.
Benjamin Šeško was listed as unavailable with a shin injury before the Atlético game, and the team has lost another center forward. The attacking approach the team has tried without him has failed to produce goals. This is noticeable in how the gambling industry has approached the Man United games. For instance, according to the crypto casinos in Pakistan, the odds of scoring in the first half have constantly decreased. Casinos such as these provide players with the best way to wager safely and without providing personal data.
Patrick Dorgu, sidelined with a thigh injury, also reduced the manager's options in the wide areas. Manuel Ugarte was another confirmed absentee, with a knee injury limiting United's midfield depth. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo were listed as questionable before the European fixture, alongside Noussair Mazraou. He’s been struggling with a back injury for a while.
The absences are especially difficult since they affect several different parts of the team. Missing midfielders make it harder on the defense, which is also missing a couple of players, and the problems pile up.
United’s problems aren’t about injuries alone, even though they’ve made it more difficult. There were defensive vulnerabilities that were especially noticeable in Madrid, and Yoro’s red card left the team without a solution to many of Atlético Madrid’s tactics.
United wasn’t able to turn promising attacking moments into results. Jan Oblak managed to deny opportunities that could change the game, and Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar. At the same time, Atlético managed to capitalize on every major United defensive mistake.
The Guardian's pre-match analysis highlighted United's inability to convert possession into consistent results, and it was spot on in its assessment.
There are now two tasks for Carrick: managing the team while it’s depleted and improving performance. Even when the injured players return, the team will need much more discipline in the defense.
The schedule facing United leaves little room for the players to recover. The demanding upcoming games require both squad depth and the ability to manage fatigue.
The first challenge is an away match against Leeds United on October 18. It’s a rivalry fixture that always brings intensity, and United needs to deal with the uncertainty in the defense as soon as possible. With limited recovery time after the Atlético match, Carrick may have to balance continuity against the need to rest tired players.
Three days later, United travel to face Como in the Champions League. The rotation will be especially important after such a short rest period. If several players remain unavailable, the manager will have to create unfamiliar combinations, and it can show on the field.
Bournemouth visit Old Trafford on October 25. It’s a chance for United to regain momentum. However, the final league fixture is an away trip to Chelsea on October 31, and it will be a very demanding match.
The sequence of matches is very demanding, and Man United doesn’t have the time to be in a slump due to bad results.
Carrick shouldn’t treat every returning player as a solution to the team’s problems. The worst thing that could happen is for a player to be rushed to return before their injuries are fully healed. It could end up making the injury worse.
Instead, it’s best to use rotation strategically, at least in the defense, but the return of players such as Amad Diallo and the increased availability of other attacking options could help Carrick reshape his forward line.
Manchester United's crisis has made a bad season even worse, but the latest defeat against Atlético has proven that the team needs to do something urgently. The upcoming matches against Leeds, Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea will test Carrick's ability to manage fatigue and work with a smaller squad.
Injuries can explain some of the team’s problems, but they can hardly account for all of them, and changes need to be made.
Kenya's Junior Starlets made history with a commanding victory over Samoa, securing a landmark place in the U-17 Women’s World Cup Round of 16 against the odds.
Kenya's Junior Starlets etched their name into the history books on Sunday night, securing a coveted spot in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco with a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa.
Needing an emphatic scoreline and favourable results elsewhere to keep their tournament hopes alive, head coach Mildred Cheche’s side delivered a clinical performance at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé to advance as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
The East Africans took control from the opening whistle. Striker Mwanakombo Bakari opened the scoring in just the fourth minute with a sharp finish, setting a dominant tone for the must-win contest.
Kenya maintained relentless pressure throughout the opening half, constantly breaching the Samoan backline. Brenda Awuor doubled Kenya’s advantage just before the interval, finding the net in the 44th minute to give her side a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
The Junior Starlets showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, hunting for goals to boost their crucial net goal difference.
Gaudancia Maloba made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute with an emphatic strike, before Bakari struck again two minutes later to bag her brace and put the result beyond doubt.
Her stellar performance earned her the official Player of the Match honours. While Lindey Weey was unable to convert a late spot-kick that would have added a fifth, the four-goal margin proved more than enough to achieve their objective.
The triumph lifted Kenya to three points in Group E with an improved goal difference. Group winners China edged the United States in the pool's other fixture to take top spot, leaving Kenya in third place.
Under the tournament's expanded 2026 format, where the top two from six groups and the four strongest third-placed sides progress, Kenya squeezed through alongside Poland (Group B), tournament hosts Morocco (Group A), and Venezuela (Group D).
The breakthrough caps a remarkable turnaround for the Starlets, who had endured a bruising start to their campaign following a 3-0 defeat to China and a 6-1 reverse against the Americans.
This landmark achievement marks the first time a Kenyan football team has progressed beyond the group stage of any FIFA tournament.
In their previous World Cup appearance at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic, Kenya exited early despite a 2-1 win over Mexico.
A formidable challenge awaits Cheche’s squad in the last 16, where they will square off against 2014 champions Japan. The Asian powerhouse cruised through Group D with a flawless record, taking maximum points without conceding a single goal.
The knockout clash is scheduled for Thursday evening, October 29, at 9:00 PM EAT at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.
AFC Leopards were held to a 0-0 draw by Shabana FC in the FKF Premier League after goalkeeper Pavel Ndzila saved a crucial penalty at Nyayo Stadium.
AFC Leopards missed a golden opportunity to climb up the FKF Premier League standings after being held to a 0-0 draw by Shabana FC in a high-octane encounter at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, 25 October.
A dramatic second-half penalty save proved decisive, leaving Ingwe frustrated in their quest to build early-season momentum while the visiting Tore Bobe earned a hard-fought point on the road.
Fresh off an impressive midweek triumph over Kenya Police FC, Leopards entered the match eager to claim their second victory of the campaign and solidify their position near the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Kisii-based Shabana arrived determined to rebound from a disappointing setback against Nairobi United.
The hard-fought stalemate leaves both traditional heavyweights tied on five points from their opening three fixtures, already trailing four points behind early pace-setters and defending champions Gor Mahia.
The hosts set a blistering tempo right from the referee's opening whistle, backed by a vocal home crowd at Nyayo Stadium.
Left-back Samuel Semo created the first real opening when he curled a dangerous free-kick into the side netting after clever playmaker Tyson Otieno was illegally brought down just outside the penalty area.
Leopards should have comfortably seized the lead within the first ten minutes through a beautifully constructed team move.
Otieno orchestrated the attack with a sharp turn in midfield, feeding Adama Kanteh on the flank, who in turn teed up Brian Ssenyonjo inside the box.
However, the Ugandan forward failed to keep his composure, firing wide from point-blank range to the utter dismay of the home supporters.
Shabana steadily settled into the contest as the half progressed, relying on direct counter-attacks and set-pieces to carve out threatening opportunities of their own.
Maina Sigmun forced Leopards' custodian Tom Ikara into his first major save with a stinging volley following a pinpoint cross from Brian Michira.
Moments later, defender Brian Ogutu rose highest to meet Kevin Omundi's whipped delivery, only to direct his header inches off target.
Ikara was called into action once again shortly before the interval, producing a sharp reactive save to deny George Onyango following a dangerous low delivery from Byron Otieno.
At the other end, Kelly Madada and Ssenyonjo both squandered late first-half chances created by the energetic James Kinyanjui, ensuring the sides remained deadlocked heading into the break.
The defining moment of the afternoon arrived in the 58th minute when refereeing officials pointed to the spot after Shabana defender Herbert Sanday caught Samuel Semo with a late tackle inside the box.
With a crucial three points on the line, Leopards captain Kayci Odhiambo stepped up to take the spot-kick. However, his effort was brilliantly thwarted by Shabana goalkeeper Pavel Ndzila, who guessed correctly, diving low to his left to parry the ball away and keep the scoreline goalless.
Buoyed by the crucial penalty reprieve, Shabana aggressively pushed forward in search of an upset victory. George Onyango nearly capitalised three minutes after the hour mark, glancing a header narrowly wide from an Omundi corner kick.
Ikara was called into action again moments later, tipping away a dangerous cross from Otieno to keep the hosts alive.
The visitors continued to threaten on the break, with substitute Derrick Oketch firing over the crossbar after being set up by James Mazembe, while Derrick Otieno saw a powerful volley well gathered by Ndzila at the opposite end in the 73rd minute.
Despite a frantic end-to-end push from both technical benches in the closing stages of the match, neither side could find the elusive decisive breakthrough before the referee blew the final whistle.
Both clubs will turn their attention to midweek league commitments on Wednesday, 28 October, aiming to get back to winning ways. AFC Leopards prepare to clash with high-flying Mara Sugar, while Shabana FC return to home soil to host Migori Youth FC.
The Gor Mahia boss has shared reasons behind the unavailability of the Harambee Stars defender for club duties.
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has weighed in on the suspension of goalkeeper Byrne Omondi and defender Mike Kibwage.
The two are yet to play this season since being suspended in the wake of the team’s 5-1 loss away to Pyramids FC of Egypt in the CAF Champions League for what the club termed a “questionable performance.”
While coach Charles Akonnor recently said the two players have been welcomed back, Rachier says only Omondi is now eligible to play after his suspension was lifted but Kibwage’s case is far from being solved.
“Byrne Omondi, we are through with him and he is supposed to resume training. I understand he has an injury and that is why he is not playing,” Rachier told the media after Gor Mahia’s 1-0 win over Bandari FC on Saturday.
“Mike Kibwage asked for certain details to show why he was given a suspension. We did not suspend, [we did] what is called precautionary suspension where you are not being disciplined as such but we are looking at the happenings of the Pyramids game.”
Rachier says Kibwage contested his suspension and asked for specific details of what he did wrong and that is why his case is yet to be solved.
“What was claimed is that they did not play according to the instructions and he [Kibwage] wanted to know what kind of instructions and in what way was he being faulted,” he added.
“We are supposed to give them the videos [of the Pyramids game] and say in their on view, if that is something normal in football. So, Mike Kibwage, the investigation is till going on, but Byrne Omondi the precautionary suspension has been lifted.”
Gor Mahia have so far played three games, winning all of them, starting with a 4-2 victory over Murang’a Seal, before identical 1-0 wins against APS Bomet and Bandari, both settled by Alpha Onyango’s strikes.
It remains to be seen how long Kibwage will be out as the games come think and fast for Gor Mahia, who will play Kakamega Homeboyz on Wednesday before taking on Mathare United next weekend.
The Harambee Stars playmaker has disclosed the reason behind his decision to sign for the ambitious Nairobi United.
Harambee Stars forward Mohammed Bajaber has explained what encouraged him to choose Nairobi United as his next team.
Bajaber was unveiled this weekend by Naibois, joining the ambitious FKF Premier League club as a free agent, after his departure from Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
The playmaker adds experience and quality to Patrick Aussems’ team, who are looking to fight for the league title, and he says the club’s ambition and the vision laid out to him by the coach were attractive.
“This club has a lot of ambition and I was just listening to the project from the chairman and CEO and they really want to achieve greatness and I want to be part of that,” he said during an interview with the club.
“It was an easy decision to say yes and may we have a lot of success. The project and talking to the coach; he really had a good influence on me choosing Nairobi United. They have a vision for me and club and it was very easy to say yes.”
Bajaber is hoping that his experience as a league winner with Kenya Police FC in 2025 can rub off on the rest of the team even as he looks to add goals and assists to the side.
“I bring goals, assists and composure in the final third and chance creation,” he added. “As well as experience, because I have won a league before and we have the team to win the league this season.”
Nairobi United started the season with back-to-back draws against KCB and Shabana FC and will be looking for their first win of the campaign when they take on APs Bomet on Sunday.
Kenyan boxer and TikTok content creator Ferdinand Omondi, also known as “Mbavu Destroyer,” has found himself on the wrong side of social media platform TikTok after his account was banned with over 700,000 followers.According to Nairobi Gossip Club, his account was banned following the unusual videos he creates and uploads on the platform.
Seagulls Take FlightBRIGHTON, England — Brighton & Hove Albion produced a sensational performance at the American Express Stadium, taking a commanding 3–0 lead over defending champions Arsenal in the 75th minute of their Premier League clash.Brighton opened the scoring in the 31st minute through skipper Pascal Groß, whose brilliant strike broke the deadlock and sent the home crowd into raptures.
The national men’s volleyball team, Wafalme, must strive for a strong performance at the Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship, which starts tomorrow in Tunis, Tunisia. A lot is at stake at the 16-team championship. The winners will earn a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, while the top three will qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland.
Kenyans are hoping Wafalme will emulate their women counterparts, Malkia Strikers, who finished second at the just-concluded Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Nairobi.
Malkia Strikers may have missed out on qualification for the 2028 Olympics after losing 3-0 to Egypt, but they had already secured a place at the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States and Canada.
The Strikers have competed at the Olympics four times and will be making their sixth appearance at the World Cup. They have also featured at the Women’s World Championship eight times.
Wafalme, by contrast, are still chasing their maiden appearance at all three global events, as well as their first podium finish at the continental championship.
Their best performance came in 1995 in Tunis, where they finished sixth in a six-team tournament. They also finished ninth in the last two editions, in Kigali in 2021 and Cairo in 2023.
The team, under coach Gideon Tarus, can improve on that record if the players combine hard work, discipline and self-belief.
However, Kenya must rethink how Wafalme are prepared for major international competitions. The Kenya Volleyball Federation, government and National Olympic Committee of Kenya must provide adequate training, competitive build-up matches and proper welfare.
It is unacceptable that the team entered this championship without adequate build-up matches and with allowances not fully paid.
Kenya cannot expect world-class performances while failing to provide world-class preparation and basic welfare. Wafalme deserve better support if they are to end their long wait for continental and global success.
For players who use composite baseball or softball bats, the break-in period can feel like part of the equipment itself. A new composite bat may need repeated contact before the barrel reaches the feel and responsiveness a player expects. That is where rolling enters the conversation.Rolling uses controlled pressure to flex a composite barrel and accelerate part of the natural break-in process.
