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Showing posts with the label Sports

The AFCON 2023 COTE D'IVORE

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The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off with a series of surprising developments during the group stage, setting the stage for an exciting tournament. Host nation Ivory Coast is bracing for a tense final game against Equatorial Guinea after suffering a defeat to Nigeria on Thursday night in Group A, which remains wide open and unpredictable. The twists and turns in the group stage have added an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming matches. In Group B, football powerhouses Ghana and Egypt find themselves facing significant challenges. Cape Verde has already secured victory by defeating both the Black Stars and Mozambique, the latter managing to secure a valuable point against Egypt in the opening match of their campaign. This unexpected turn of events has elevated Cape Verde to the top spot in the group. Friday night witnessed the spotlight shifting to Group C, where defending AFCON champions Senegal displayed their prowess by defeating Cameroon. Meanwhile, Alge...

Weekend Round Up: Kenya Cup

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 Kabras RFC and KCB Rugby have maintained a flawless record in the Kenya Cup for the 2023/2024 season, securing four wins each in the initial four rounds of play. Kabras has accumulated 20 points with four victories and four bonus points, placing them in the lead. KCB Rugby follows closely with the same number of points separated by points difference. In a dominant performance, Kabras' Sugarmen, triumphed over Homeboyz with a commanding score of 71-6, resulting in an impressive point differential of 245. Meanwhile, KCB Rugby holds a slightly lower differential of 195 points, establishing a fierce competition at the top. The Menengai Oilers are at third position, with 19 points after a triumph in the Nakuru derby against Nakuru RFC with a score of 19-8. However, they fell short of collecting a bonus point for the first time this season. Kenya Harlequins, despite narrowly defeating Strathmore Leos 8-6, dropped to the fourth position on 19 points. Blak Blad maintains fifth...

Kenya 7s Dominance: A Recap of the Dubai Leg in the 7s Challenger Series

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The Dubai leg of the 7s Challenger Series recently concluded with an electrifying display of rugby prowess, and Kenya's 7s team emerged as a standout performer throughout the tournament. In this article, we delve into the thrilling moments and exceptional performances that defined Kenya's presence in the competition. Key Highlights: 1. Unmatched Skills and Precision:    Kenya's 7s team showcased unparalleled skills and precision on the field, leaving spectators in awe. From strategic plays to impeccable teamwork, the squad demonstrated a level of mastery that set them apart from their competitors. 2. Notable Victories:    The team's journey in Dubai was marked by a series of impressive victories against formidable opponents. Each match was a testament to the players' resilience and determination to succeed on the global stage. 3. Star Players Shine:    Individual brilliance played a pivotal role in Kenya's success. Star players from ...

Dazzling in Dubai: The Unforgettable Leg of the 7s Challenger Series 2024

The scintillating world of rugby took center stage in Dubai as the city played host to a spectacular leg of the 7s Challenger Series 2024. Against the backdrop of the iconic skyline and amidst the passionate embrace of the local and international rugby community, the Dubai leg marked a pivotal moment in the series, showcasing the essence of the sport in a setting that is synonymous with luxury and excitement. Dubai, known for its opulence and grandeur, provided a fitting stage for the 7s Challenger Series. The juxtaposition of the city's extravagant lifestyle against the rugged intensity of the rugby matches created an atmosphere that was both glamorous and gritty. The event captured the imaginations of fans and players alike, underscoring the universal appeal of rugby in diverse settings. The Dubai leg featured state-of-the-art venues that added an extra layer of sophistication to the tournament. With cutting-edge facilities and a capacity for large crowds, the stadiums were abuzz...

Unveiling the Excitement: The 7s Challenger Series 2024

In the fast-paced world of sports, innovation and evolution are constant companions. The 7s Challenger Series 2024, a thrilling addition to the global rugby landscape, stands testament to the sport's adaptability and the pursuit of excellence. This tournament, set to captivate audiences worldwide, promises to showcase the essence of rugby in a dynamic and condensed format. 1. Format and Structure: The 7s Challenger Series 2024 adheres to the electrifying seven-a-side rugby format, known for its intensity and fast-paced action. The tournament structure involves multiple rounds, where teams from around the world compete in a series of matches to secure a coveted spot in the finals. The format not only ensures a spectacle for fans but also challenges the players to showcase their skills and adaptability. 2. Global Participation: One of the standout features of the 7s Challenger Series is its global appeal. Teams from various rugby-playing nations bring diverse playing styles, strategi...

2023, The Year That saw International Rugby Peak

 In 2023, the international rugby landscape witnessed thrilling moments, fierce competition, and historic events, primarily revolving around the Rugby World Cup. The pinnacle of rugby union saw nations from across the globe converge to showcase their prowess and compete for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. The Rugby World Cup, held once every four years, took center stage in 2023, hosted by France. The tournament featured intense battles, surprise upsets, and outstanding individual performances. Traditional powerhouses such as New Zealand, South Africa, and England faced stiff challenges from emerging rugby nations, highlighting the growing parity in the sport. The knockout stages were particularly memorable, with high-stakes encounters keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The final, held at a packed Stade de France, witnessed an epic clash between two rugby giants. The tension and excitement culminated in a thrilling contest that showcased the best of the sport. In addition to the ...

Who was behind All Saints Rugby team at the KSSSA National Games

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  The KSSSA national games wrapped up and Butula Boys High School were crowned champions after seeing of a Spirited All Saints Embu High School, 38-0. However impressive is the rise of All Saints Embu High School who made their debut at the national games and left their mark by rampaging through teams to earn their slot at the finals. All praise goes to the young lads representing Eastern Region.  Benson Mwenda  This not withstanding, my attention was drawn to their coach, Benson Mwenda, a young coach who has had a brilliant impact on the team. I have followed his activities via Meru Rugby Football Club and he is indeed an exceptionally talented coach.  He reminds me of the 2011 St. Joseph's Boys Kitale coach, Ben Amboko, who had a similar fete back in 2011, guiding the school to their maiden national 7s games and rampaging through formidable sides to only fall short in the final to Maseno School, in the process birthing stars like Daniel Sikuta who went on to play f...

Titans Clash In The City of Cool Waters

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One of the most mouth-watering, sold out fixtures in recent days has to be between the KCB Lions and Kabras Rugby Sugarmen. We first got an taste of the rivalry that has developed over the years when Kabras gained promotion to the Kenya Cup in 2014. They faced KCB at the den with a beefed up squad and the duel ended 10-13 in favour of KCB, who were the more established of the two sides. This would go to be the case, with Kabras making the finals in the 2014/15 season and loosing to KCB. This wouldn't however dampen the mood in the sugar millers as they marched into the 2016 season rampaging through core Kenya Cup sides and booking a ticket in the final to face Impala Saracens who had eliminated KCB. Kabras, in what was their fashion that season, enjoyed the rainy match in the capital city, winning their maiden Kenya Cup title. Fast forward, Kabras have won the Kenya Cup thrice, beating Menengai Oilers and most recently KCB. With the Enterprise Cup finals in town, Kabras will want t...

Simba's to The World. Kenyan Internationals debuting for International Club sides

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image courtesy of KRU  It is no secret that Kenya churns out tremendous amounts of rugby talent for the shorter and longer versions of the game. Gems in the form of Kenya Sevens contigent of, Kevin Wekesa, Edmund Anya, Brian Tanga and Alvin Otieno have been tearing it up with the big boys on the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series. On the longer version, Several experienced heads from the simbas got a chance to run out and represent East Africa in the Hong Kong International 10s tournament. Likewise Simba's utility forward Thomas Okeyo Ongera is lined up to make his Currie Cup Premier Division debut for the Griffons this coming Sunday when they host defending champions Pumas in Welkom. Okeyo debuted for the Simbas in 2021, and previously turned out for former Kenya Cup champions Wanyore (Nakuru RC) and South African Varsity Cup side University of Johannesburg. He has become a key cog in the Simbas forward pack over the past three years, most recently featuring at the RWC 2023 Final Qu...

How Shujaa can escape HSBC World Series Relegation.

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image courtesy of Shujaa With only two legs left in the 2023 HSBC World Sevens Series, Shujaa sit 13th on the log with 37 points. If things are to stay as they are, new regulations will see Shujaa take part in a relegation playoff tournament that will decide the last of the 12 core sides of the Series going forward. Shujaa are 12points from 11th position and only 11 points behind 12 placed Spain. This is now a race against time to amerce points in the last two legs to guarantee survival. The winner of any leg in the HSBC Series gets 22points with the runner up getting 19, 3rd place gets 17, 4th place gets 15, 5th place gets 12 points and 6th gets 10. For Shujaa to survive they will need to finish 5th or higher in the last two legs to guarantee them maximum points accumulated and thus escape the relegation zone. With the pools for Toulouse leg announce after the completion of the Singapore set piece, It is down to the boys to put in the work and get themselves in main c...

KRU Elections Done. What Do We Expect?

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With the KRU Elections done and dusted, a new dawn sets on the Kenya Rugby Union under the stewardship of Sasha Mutai, who assumes the Chairmanship of the Kenya Rugby Union Board. As the Rugby fraternity, we participated in the elections through our various club delegates who voted in the new team. This is what we want from them. It will be important to build on our national team and qualify for the RWC for both men and women teams. This has been an elusive dream for our nation but we can learn and craft our way to the worldwide setpiece event in 2027 having missed out on three world cups following heartbreaking losses to Madagascar 2014, Namibia 2018, and Namibia 2022. We want our sport to go pro. This can only be achieved by bringing corporates on-board. If we invest in our facilities amd personnel, rugby will be the number one sport in Kenya. We have the capacity to achieve this. Age grade rugby systems must be defined and proper coaching to be done to ensure that the ta...

Match Day Three Fixtures

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KENYA CUP   Kenya Cup enters week three with another set of mouth-watering fixtures that will run on Saturday, 10th December 2022 at various venues. Catholic Monks who have thus suffered two consecutive defeats aim at undoing their run of losses as they host fellow Students Mean Machine at Catholic University of East Africa while Kenya Cup Reigning Champions Kabras Sugar Rugby Club welcome Ngong based Kenya Harlequins to the Kakamega Showground.  University side MMUST Rugby Club will tour Nakuru to play table toppers Menengai Oilers as KCB Rugby Club host the deejays, Homeboyz Rugby Club, at "the den" KCB Sports club.   Nakuru RC welcome students, Strathmore Leos, at the Nakuru Athletic Club as Mwamba Rugby Club seek to make it 2 wins as they take on Blak Blad at the Strathmore Grounds.  Kenya Cup Week Three Fixtures: Saturday 10 December 2022 Catholic Monks v Mean Machine | Catholic University of Eastern Africa Kabras Sugar v Kenya Harlequin | Kakam...

Doddie Weir Passes on aged 52

Doddie Weir, a former second-row for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, died at the age of 52 from complications related to MND, the family announced through Scottish Rugby. A statement from the family reads: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Doddie. Doddie was an inspirational force of nature. His unending energy and drive, and his strength of character powered him through his rugby and business careers and, we believe, enabled him to fight the effects of MND (Motor Neurone Disease) for so many years." Rest In Peace Legend.

KRU NATIONWIDE COLLATED RESULTS FOR MATCH DAY 1

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Nationwide League Week One Collected Results Nationwide Nairobi Universities: MKU Nairobi 26 v Machakos University 20. Cooperative University 20 v MultiMedia University 19. KCA University 5 v Nazarene University 3. Stallions 30 v TUK 3 Clubs Ngong 28 v Comras 0. Swara 28 v Stingers 0. Dagoretti Bulldogs 0 v Makueni 28. Stormers 11 v Masaku 10. Central Region JKUAT 15 v Chuka University 9. Meru 24 v Kenya Prisons 30. Kiambu 28 v Meru University 0. Embu 10 v MKU Thika 12 Rift Valley Kitale 37 v National Youth Service 3 Moi University 71 v Kericho 0. Molo 28 v Kitale Poly 0. Western Citam Kisumu 21 v Rongo University 13. Kisii 50 v Siaya 0. Jaramogi University 13 v Mbale 10. Kibabii University 11 v Shamberere TTI 8. Bungoma 10 v Webuye 14. Vihiga Granites 0 v Boarderacks 28. Coast Mombasa 65 v Taita Taveta 3. TUM 28 v Malindi 0. Kilifi 29 v SC Bucanners 5.

The KRU Championship Match Day 1 Report

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Impala's transition to the second tier got off to a bad start when they were defeated by Zetech Oaks in their KRU Championship match day 1 contest at the Impala Club on Saturday, November 26, 2022. On the other hand, Nondescripts, a multiple Kenya Cup champion, had little issues defeating Daystar Falcons 46-13 at home with brutal efficiency. In Ukunda, the South Coast Pirates defeated the USIU Martials 32-24 after a high-scoring match, while Kisumu defeated Shamas 15-11 at the RFUEA Ground. Western Bulls and University of Eldoret Trojans played out a 13-13 stalemate in Kakamega, and Eldoret lost at home against Kabarak University, 6-16. KRU Championship Week One Collected Results Impala 16 v Zetech University 18. Nondescripts 46 v Daystar University 13. South Coast Pirates 32 v USIU 24 . Shamas Rugby Foundation 11 v Kisumu RFC 15 Western Bulls 13 v University Of Eldoret 13. Eldoret RFC 6 v Kabarak University 16

Kenya Cup Match Day 1 Report

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Following a decisive victory over relative unknowns Catholic Monks on November 26, 2022, at Kakamega Showground, reigning Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar Rugby Club have made a strong start in their title defense. At the Kenyatta University Grounds, Blak Blad ran over Nakuru in the Kenya Cup opener. In a very tough match at Strathmore University, the Strathmore Leos narrowly defeat the MMUST Rugby Club. The Boys from Lurambi and MMUST put up a spirited fight to come back from a 17-0 deficit. At RFUEA Ngong road Grounds, Homeboyz Rugby triumphed over Mwamba in their Kenya Cup match. Menengai Oilers defeated Newbies Mean Machine at Nakuru Showground to open the Kenya Cup season with a bang. KCB Rugby Club defeated Kenya Harlequins comprehensively in their KC opener at KCB Sports Club. Kenya Cup Week One Collected Results Kabras Sugar 40 v Catholic University 13 Menengai Oilers 72 v Mean Machine 6 KCB 38 v Kenya Harlequins 0 Strathmore 23 v Masinde Muliro University 21 Mw...

Australia hand Wayne Pivac's Wales Another Defeat

Wales suffers another loss in the Autumn Nations Series Round Five Matches thanks to a comeback by Australia. Wales led the Wallabies 20-13 at the half, were it not for the Australians coming back with a strong performance to win. Full-time Scores: Australia 39, Wales 34.

Blitzboks Squad for Dubai 7s

For the Emirates Dubai Sevens competition, the second of the 2022–23 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo made significant squad adjustments. These included selecting the uncapped pair of Masande Mtshali and Ricardo Duarttee and welcoming back Zain Davids, Muller du Plessis, and James Murphy from injury. For his second competition in Blitzbok colors, Dalvon Blood, who made his debut at the France Sevens in Toulouse in May, is also included. The Springbok Sevens squad for Dubai: Ryan Oosthuizen – 33 tournaments, 165 points (33 tries) Impi Visser – 22 tournaments, 125 points (25 tries) Zain Davids – 33 tournaments, 160 points (32 tries) James Murphy – 10 tournaments, 45 points (9 tries) JC Pretorius – 21 tournaments, 225 points (45 tries) Masande Mtshali – uncapped Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain) – 41 tournaments, 680 points (136 tries) Branco du Preez – 83 tournaments, 1434 points (100 tries, 464 conversions, 1 penalty goal, 1 drop goal) Dewald Human – 19 tou...

Carlos Spencer back at The Blues

Carlos Spencer, a former Blues superstar and fan favorite, has returned to his roots as the coach of the Blues women's backs for Super Rugby Aupiki 2023. Spencer, who played 99 times in nine seasons with the club and was a member of the original Blues team in 1996, expressed his "beyond stokedness" to be reunited with the Blues whanau. He has extensive playing and coaching experience, the latter of which includes several stints in South Africa and more recent stops with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and New Orleans Gold in Major League Rugby in America. “When I was playing, I always liked to bring a bit of innovation and ‘out-the-box’ thinking to the table, Now as a coach I want to encourage and help grow those same traits in our nib Blues wahine.” said Spencer. Spencer stated that it has been enjoyable to observe the influence of the Previous Rugby World Cup and predicted that Super Rugby Aupiki will profit from the Black Ferns' World Cup triumph. “You’ve seen the r...

Wallabies Hand Flyhalf Debut against Wales

Ben Donaldson of the NSW Waratahs will make his Wallabies debut at flyhalf against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff. Wallabies team to play Wales at Principality Stadium: James Slipper (c) (126 Tests) Folau Fainga’a (37 Tests) Allan Alaalatoa (63 Tests) Nick Frost (8 Tests) Cadeyrn Neville (7 Tests) Jed Holloway (9 Tests) Fraser McReight (9 Tests) Langi Gleeson (2 Tests) Jake Gordon (19 Tests) Ben Donaldson (1 Test) Mark Nawaqanitawase (2 Tests) Reece Hodge (61 Tests) Len Ikitau (25 Tests) Jordan Petaia (24 Tests) Tom Wright (22 Tests)  Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan (7 Tests) Tom Robertson (30 Tests) Sam Talakai* Ned Hanigan (27 Tests) Pete Samu (32 Tests) Tate McDermott (20 Tests) Noah Lolesio (16 Tests) Jock Campbell (3 Tests)  *denotes uncapped 2022 Spring Tour Fixtures Wallabies 16 defeated Scotland 15, Sunday 30 October at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh Wallabies 29 defeated by France 30, Sunday 6 November at Stade de France, Paris Wallabies 27 defeated by Italy 28, Saturday 12 N...