Category: Sports

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy wants his team to put up a strong fight against his home country, South Africa, in two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches next month.

Kenya will play the first match away on November 13, before hosting Bafana Bafana at Nyayo National Stadium on November 17. The Nairobi match will kick off at 7 pm.

McCarthy knows South Africa well, having played for the country. However, he will want his Kenyan side to rise to the challenge and show that they can compete against one of Africa's top teams.

Kenya have already qualified for the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania. However, the two matches will give McCarthy a chance to test his players and improve the team before the tournament.

Stars have had a difficult start to their Group D campaign. They drew 1-1 with Eritrea at Nyayo before losing 1-0 to Guinea away in Conakry. McCarthy will be hoping for better results against South Africa.

"We have to approach these matches with the right mentality. South Africa have quality and experience, but we must believe in ourselves and play to our strengths. We are not going there merely to participate," McCarthy said.

South Africa are top of Group D with six points after beating Guinea 2-1 and thrashing Eritrea 5-0. This makes the two matches an important test for Kenya.

McCarthy has named a provisional squad of 36 players, blending experience and young talents. Goalkeepers Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire and Caleb Kramer have been included.

The defence features Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma, Abud Omar, Vincent Harper, Stanley Wilson and Rooney Onyango, among others. "We need players who are ready to compete and understand what it means to represent their country. Everyone called up must come with the hunger to fight for a place in the team," he said.

Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango is among seven midfielders selected, alongside Manzur Okwaro, Henry Ochieng, Chris Erambo, Marvin Nabwire, Zak Vyner and Alwyn Tera. The attack includes captain Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wangaya, Job Ochieng, Mohammed Bajaber, Will Lenkupae, Ben Stanley, Adam Wilson, Micah Obiero and Lawrence Okoth.

The inclusion of Kibet and Wangaya gives the young players a chance to impress, while Olunga brings experience to the attack.

"Young players must understand that talent alone is not enough. They have to work hard, learn and show that they can handle the demands of international football," McCarthy said.

The coach will use the training camp to work on the team's attack and defence before travelling to South Africa. "We respect South Africa, but our responsibility is to Kenya. We want to compete, get results and give our supporters something to be proud of," he added.

The Stars will then return home for the second match, where they will hope to give their supporters a good performance at Nyayo National Stadium.

Elvis 'Machapo' Rupia is targeting another Golden Boot award and a return to domestic dominance with Kenya Police FC as he looks to make his second spell at the club a success.

The experienced striker wants to rediscover the scoring form that made him one of the most feared forwards during the 2022/23 season, when he scored a record 27 league goals to win the Golden Boot.

“My ambition is to help Kenya Police fight for the league title again. I also want to score as many goals as possible and compete for the Golden Boot. I know what I can do, and I want to bring that quality back to the team,” said Rupia.

The forward believes he still has unfinished business with the Law Enforcers after returning from Tanzania, where he spent three seasons with Singida Fountain Gate, later known as Singida Black Stars.

He hopes to use the experience gained in Tanzania and continental competitions to help Police return to the top of Kenyan football.

“We have a good squad and enough quality to compete. What matters now is consistency. We cannot afford to keep dropping points if we want to challenge for the title,” he said.

Rupia has already shown what he can offer, scoring the winning goal in Police's 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars in the Forces Derby. The goal was a major boost for a team that had struggled to find consistency at the start of the season.

“Scoring in the derby was important for me and the team. It gives you confidence, especially when the team needs a result. We must build on that victory and keep working hard,” he added.

Rupia also wants to help Police return to continental football. His time in Tanzania, which included playing in the CAF Confederation Cup, gave him valuable experience against teams from across Africa.

“Playing in continental competitions gives you a different kind of experience. I want to help Police reach that level again because every player wants to compete against the best teams in Africa,” he said.

Rupia's football journey began in Nakuru, where he developed his talent at Nakuru AllStars before making his senior debut with Muhoroni Youth in 2015.

His started to shine at Nzoia Sugar, scoring 17 goals in 42 appearances. He later joined AFC Leopards in 2020 and scored 17 goals during the 2020/21 season.

This included a hat-trick against Sofapaka, which earned him the FKF Premier League Player of the Month award. However, his best season came at Kenya Police. In 2022/23, Rupia scored 27 goals to shatter the 26-goal record set by Maurice Ochieng in 1976.

He became the first player in 47 years to surpass that mark and won the Golden Boot. His goals also helped Police finish third in the league. He left for Tanzania in 2023, where he played for Singida before returning to Kenya Police in 2026.

The 31-year-old also has experience with Harambee Stars. He scored the winning goal on his international debut in Kenya's 1-0 friendly victory over South Sudan at Nyayo Stadium in March 2021.

Now back at Police, Rupia faces the challenge of producing the same form that made him one of the league's leading scorers. His goals will be important as the club seeks to challenge for the title and win silverware.

‎The 2025 World Masters Athletics Indoor shot put champion Peter Mwangi will be keen to defend his crown when the global showpiece returns to Gainesville, Florida, in March 2027.

‎Mwangi is among the athletes expected to headline Kenya's campaign as the country begins preparations for the championships, with Kenya Masters Athletics having scheduled trials for November 6 next week.

‎The venue for the selection trials is yet to be disclosed.

‎The 2027 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships is scheduled for March 18–26 in Gainesville.

‎At the 2025 edition, also held in Gainesville, Mwangi won gold in the M40 shot put category after an impressive heave of 14.79m to secure the world title. ‎The three-time national shot put champion is already looking forward to defending his title. "The aim is to try and defend my World Indoor title," he said.

‎Kenya will also be keen to build on its impressive outing at the 2025 Indoor Championships, where the country collected eight medals, comprising four gold and four silver.

Apart from Mwangi, other gold medallists were Francis Bowen (M50 3,000m), Eric Shikuku (M50 3,000m race walk) and Millicent Ndoro (M35 200m).

‎The upcoming indoor campaign returns after another impressive international outing for Kenyan Masters at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

‎At the championships, Kenya finished 12th overall with 27 medals (15 gold, seven silver and five bronze), to top Africa.

‎South Africa finished as the continent's second-best representative in 23rd place after collecting 25 medals. ‎The United States dominated the overall medal standings with a commanding 226 medals. ‎Australia followed in second place with 172, as hosts Japan completed the podium with 158.

After Kenya's impressive medal haul in Daegu, African Masters Athletics (AFMA) President and Athletics Kenya Masters Secretary General, Rose Tata, said attention shifts to the 2027 indoor campaign.

‎"Next year we are going to the World Indoors in Florida, so we have to prepare," she said.

‎Tata also paid tribute to the master athletes, describing them as the embodiment of resilience, dedication and an enduring passion for athletic excellence.‎ ‎"The reason why the masters are still running is to keep fit, and it is also very healthy. They could have retired after their senior careers, but they chose not to," she said.

After an action-packed opening leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Country circuit in Machakos, attention now shifts to the second stop as the series heads to Kimilili in Bungoma County this weekend.

The Kimilili showdown is scheduled for Saturday at Amutala Stadium, where athletes will once again battle for honours as they seek to build momentum in the new cross country season.

Just like the season opener in Machakos, the Kimilili leg will feature four categories. The programme will feature the Under-18 4km girls' and 6km boys' races, the Under-20 6km women's and 8km men's contests, the senior men's and women's 10km races and the 2km races for both men and women.

Ahead of the second leg, AK has called on athletes to turn out in large numbers and register through its website, while wishing all competitors the very best as they prepare to take to the starting line.

"We wish all participants the very best as they prepare for the second cross country meet of the season," the federation said in a statement.

Beyond providing a competitive platform for athletes to test their endurance and gauge their early-season form, the championships will also offer an attractive prize purse for the leading finishers.

Winners in the senior races will pocket Sh50,000, while the runners-up and third-place finishers will take home Sh40,000 and Sh25,000, respectively, with prize money extending down to 10th place.

In the Under-20 category, the top three finishers will earn Sh30,000, Sh20,000 and Sh15,000, respectively, while the Under-18 races and the 2km loop will offer Sh10,000 to the winners, Sh8,000 to the runners-up and Sh6,000 to those finishing third.

The circuit got off to an exciting start at the Machakos Teachers Training College, where Fredrick Chebii and Emmaculate Jepkosgei stamped their authority in the senior races, laying down an early marker for their rivals as the series gathered pace

In the senior men's 10km race, Chebii dictated the pace from the gun, maintaining a commanding pace before crossing the finish line in 29:55.8 to clinch victory. Kenneth Kiprono Lagat followed in second place in 30:33.7, while Peter Makau Mutie completed the podium in 30:35.3

Chebii described the AK Cross Country circuit as an ideal platform to sharpen his endurance and build a solid foundation ahead of a busy 2027 season. "I believe cross country will help me in building my endurance before I shift focus to the road races and track," Chebii said.

In the senior women's 10km contest, Jepkosgei produced an authoritative display, pulling clear of the lead pack to win in 33:46.7.

Betty Chelangat secured second place in 34:32.6, while Miriam Chemutai Kibet completed the podium in 34:44.1. For Jepkosgei, the Machakos triumph was particularly sweet, having arrived at the season opener determined to make amends following a disappointing outing at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho.

"I came here to redeem myself after finishing second at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho, and I am happy I managed to achieve that," Jepkosgei said.

Jepkosgei was delighted to have won despite the challenging weather conditions. She admitted that the scorching sun had made the contest a demanding test of endurance. "The race was very tough because of the sun, but I had to push myself and take the win because that's what I came here for. I am very happy," she added

The junior categories in Machakos also produced impressive performances, with Faith Cherotich powering to the Under-18 girls' 4km title in 13:42.20, while Jairus Byegon claimed the boys' crown in 18:29.0.

In the Under-20 races, rising prospect Cynthia Chepkurui clinched the women's 6km title in 20:20.4, while Edwin Elkana triumphed in the men's 8km contest, clocking 24:01.7.