KPL Game of The Day: It's Gor Mahia vs Ulinzi Stars

Gor Mahia Vs Ulinzi Stars

The reigning Kenya Premier League CHampions, Gor Mahia, are set to take Ulinzi Stars in a Kenya Premier League match set to be played at Machakos Stadium at 2pm

The Gor Mahia line up is already out and consists of:

1. Peter Odhiambo, 4. Wellington Ochieng, 21. Wesley Onguso, 15. Joachim Oluoch, 27. Charles Momanyi, 10. Cercidy Okeyo, 3. Karim Nzigiyimana, 14. Kevin Omondi, 7. Innocent Wafula, 19. Ephrem Guikan, 9. Jacques Tuyisenge

Substitutes:

16. Shaban Odhoji, 28. Raphael Asudi, 35. Stephen Okiro, 11. Boniface Omondi, 23. Francis Mustafa

Other Kenya Premier League matches slotted for today will see Thika United take on Tusker FC at 3m, and Sofapaka FC Vs. Kakamega Homeboys at 4pm

UEFA Champions League Schedule and Fixtures: September 2018

Below is the UEFA Champions League Schedule and Fixtures for the Month of September 2018

UEFA Champions League Fixtures: Tuesday 18th September

Barcelona Vs PSV Eindhoven 17:55

Inter Milan Vs Tottenham Hotspur 17:55

Club Brugge Vs Borussia Dortmund 20:00

Crvena Zvezda Vs Napoli 20:00

Galatasaray Vs Lokomotiv Moscow 20:00

Liverpool Vs Paris Saint-Germain 20:00

Monaco Vs Atletico Madrid 20:00

Schalke Vs FC Porto 20:00

UEFA Champions League Fixtures: Wednesday 19th September

Ajax Vs AEK Athens 17:55

Shakhtar Donetsk Vs Hoffenheim 17:55

BSC Young Boys Bern Vs Manchester United 20:00

Benfica Vs Bayern Munich 20:00

FC Viktoria Plzen Vs CSKA Moscow 20:00

Manchester City Vs Lyon 20:00

Real Madrid Vs Roma 20:00

Valencia Vs Juventus 20:00

Should Anthony Martial Leave Manchester United?

Anthony Martial | Image Courtesy

It's absurd trying to figure out what could have befallen the once creative and pacy Anthony Martial! It's hard telling whether Martial case is that of dip in form, or that of poor coach/player relations. All in all, Martial is in dire need of a miracle to turn around his football career.

The lack or limited substantial play time has seen him grow out of form, and even costed him a spot in the prestigious France's National team. The most painful effect was being left out of France's world cup winning squad in Russia. And as things stand, he seems not hold any promising future role in France's squad - if things doesn't turn around.

Martial needs more play time. He needs the trust of his coach and support of his colleagues. He needs to continuously be there on the pitch to work on his confidence and regain his scoring boots.

And if the price to pay should be walking away from Manchester United, then he should boldly do so.

What's your take?

Should Alexis Sanchez Leave Manchester United?

Alexis Sanchez | Image Courtesy

What has happened to the once fierce, quick, sharp and aggressive Alexis Sanchez? And wasn't he once Arsenal's most valuable player? 

Being Manchester United's top earning player, why has Sanchez suddenly grown goal shy? What could be hampering his known play making and goal scoring ability at United? Who has stolen his goal scoring boots? Could it be a new pattern of play, new coach, new environment, or just sheer bad luck?

While at Arsenal, Sanchez brought endless terror to the opposing teams' defense. Weirdly, the Sanchez playing at Manchester United is now just but a faint shadow of the real Alexis Sanchez.

To cushion his growing dip in form, Sanchez should up his game, or consider moving elsewhere from Old Trafford where he can grow in confidence and find his scoring boots.

Do you think Sanchez should move out of Manchester United?

Should Marcus Rashford Leave Manchester United?

Marcus Rashford | Picture Courtesy

Could it be time for Marcus Rashford to leave Manchester United? 

Rashford has truly worked his way to be regarded as one of United's lethal strikers. But given the sometimes in adequate play time; he is mostly brought in as substitute - after Romelo Lukaku and the likes, he has consequently started to grow pale in confidence, and this might have an overall negative impact on his future performnace.

Given his great performance for both club and country, Marcus Rashford deserves more play time to grow more in confidence and sharpen his striking ability. But given that he isn't guaranteed a starting position at Manchester United, he should perhaps up his game, or consider elsewhere...

What's your take? Leave your comment below 

KOT 5 Aside - #KOT5Aside (Kenyans On Twitter 5 Aside Football Tournament)

Football Pitch | Image Curtesy

Date: Saturday 8th Septemeber 2018

Venue: Ligi Ndogo Grounds (Ngong Road)

Starting Time: 10:30 am

The #KOT5Aside tournament will take place this Saturday, 8th Septemeber 2018 at Ligi Ndogo grounds, along Ngong Road, Naiobi.

According to the organizers, the even will attract a total of 32 teams, and the mode of the match is knock-out. The first match will kick off at 10.30am, and each team will have 12 minutes on the pitch, with the final match getting an allocation of 20 minutes.

David Beckham is the winner of UEFA President’s Award for 2018

David Beckham | Image Courtesy

David Beckham has been recognised for his contribution to football and his “tireless humanitarian efforts”. He is set to receive the prestigious trophy in Monaco later this year.

“The President’s Award recognises outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities,” noted UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

“I have chosen David Beckham as the recipient of this year’s award because he has been a global ambassador for football, promoting the game and all its values in every corner of the planet.

“His tireless humanitarian efforts, which have helped the lives of many children around the world, should also be celebrated. Beckham is a true football icon of his generation.”

David Beckham on the other hand described it as an “honour” to receive the prize, which was awarded to former Roma captain Francesco Totti last year, 2017.

Gor Mahia's 1-2 Loss to Rayon Sports Narrows Their Quarter Finals Qualification in CAF Confederation Cup

Gor Mahia's Tuyisenge in action | picture courtesy

Gor Mahia lost 1-2 to a determined Rayon Sports in a second leg of their meeting in CAF confederation Cup in a match played at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani, Nairobi. In their first meeting, the two teams drew 1-1 away in Rwanda. The Nairobi meeting was therefore an opportunity for Gor Mahia to grab all the three points and make an easy sail into the next round of the tournament, but now Kogalo's chances are narrow.

Table

Gor Mahia and Algeria's USM Alger are jointly tied at the top of the table, each with 8points and +4goal difference. Rwanda's  Rayon Sports come third with 6points and 0goal difference. Tanzania's Young Africans lies at the bottom of the table with 4points and -8 goal difference.

Difficulty sailing through

For Gor Mahia to sail through, they need either a win or draw away in Algeria. This will be a difficult task since for USM Alger, their next opponent, needs a win to affirm qualification. On the other hand, Rayon Sports will need to hammer Young African +4 goals to guarantee a chance in the next level, and from how they played in Nairobi, they seem capab;le of realizing this.

Miracle

Summarily, Gor Mahia needs a miracle to pull it through to the next round. Interestingly, Gor Mahia seems to deliver when it most matters, and this will be another opportunity for the team to show the depth of their quality.

Everton Fc Vs Gor Mahia Sportpesa Sponsored Match Date and Venue

Rooney in the midst of Gor Mahia Players when Everton and Gor Mahia FC
last met in Tanzania | Picture Courtesy

The long awaited Sportpesa sponsored match between England’s Everton FC and Kenya’s premier league champions, Gor Mahia, will be played on Tuesday 6^th, or Wednesday 7^th November 2018 in Liverpool.

When the two teams last met in Tanzania, Gor Mahia, popularly known as Kogalo, lost 1-2, after putting in unbelievably tough fight.

Playing the match in Liverpool will offer a neutral ground, with none of the teams enjoying home-advantage.

We take this earliest opportunity to wish Gor Mahia all the best as they prepare to re-take Everton.

This Weekend Premier League Fixtures - English premier league fixtures

Below are the fixtures for this weekend’s English Premier League games. 

This will be match 6 of 38

All times are in East African Time. 

Saturday 22^nd September 2018

Fulham Vs Watford 14:30

Manchester United Vs Wolverhamptom Wanderers 17.00 

Crystal Place Vs Newcastle United 17:00

Leicester City Vs Huddersfield Town 17:00

Cardiff City Vs Manchester City 17:00

Liverpool Vs. Southampton 17:00

Burnley Vs Bournemouth 17:00 

Brighton & Hove Albion Vs Tottenham Hotspurs 19:30

Sunday 23^rd September 2018

West Ham United Vs Chelsea 15:30

Arsenal Vs Everton  18:00

Gor Mahia Are The 2018 Kenyan Premier League Champions – Congratulations!

Gor Mahia are the Champions | picture courtesy

It appears nothing seems to stop the Mighty Kogalo from winning, again, again and again the Kenyan Premier League title. With Just one loss since the beginning of the matches, Gor Mahia are set to be crowned this year’s, 2018, Kenyan Premier League Champions.

They deserve it. They have fought for it, like they normally do.

Compared with other teams in the Kenyan Premier league, Kogalo seems to have an edge with known good support base, favorable exposure, and favorable financial backup. Their close rivals, AFC Leopards, seems to be

re-growing their claws and may bring a real fight to Kogalo’s door step in the not so distant future.

Interestingly, Gor Mahia have been crowned Champions back to back, to back, and from the look of its squad, team management, and support, I doubt they will relinquish the title any time sooner. They may have it for eternity!
                                                                  

Congratulations to Gor Mahia FC, the 2018 Kenyan Premier League Champions!

Why Arsenal May Win 2018/2019 English Premier League Title

Pep and Emery exchanging Pleasantries | Image Courtesy

It seems the new Arsenal Manager, Unai Emery, has been introduced to the English premier league by a disappointing 0-2 loss to the title holders, Manchester City. In all honesty, Arsenal players on the field looked like they lacked depth, concentration, focus, stamina, zeal…..name it, to deny Manchester City a win. On the other side, Manchester City players looked well oiled, focused and determined to prove that indeed, they are the reigning title holders.

All that aside, looking at the Arsenal squad assembled by Unai Emery, and a few of their past engagements, especially in the friendly games like the International Cup, it’s with no doubt that Arsenal looks set to bring a fight to this season’s title, and may possibly ran away with it. But all these will depend on how fast the team and the technical bench blend and commit to deliver results.

In the past, Wenger had shelved all the blames for Arsenal failing to clinch the title for such a spell, it’s now time for the players to step in and prove their worth. And trust me, they will.It seems the new Arsenal Manager, Unai Emery, has been introduced to the English premier league by a disappointing 0-2 loss to the title holders, Manchester City. In all honesty, Arsenal players on the field looked like they lacked depth, concentration, focus, stamina, zeal…..name it, to deny Manchester City a win. On the other side, Manchester City players looked well oiled, focused and determined to prove that indeed, they are the reigning title holders.

image courtesy

All that aside, looking at the Arsenal squad assembled by Unai Emery, and a few of their past engagements, especially in the friendly games like the International Cup, it’s with no doubt that Arsenal looks set to bring a fight to this season’s title, and may possibly ran away with it. But all these will depend on how fast the team and the technical bench blend and commit to deliver results.

In the past, Wenger had shelved all the blames for Arsenal failing to clinch the title for such a spell, it’s now time for the players to step in and prove their worth. And trust me, they will.

Michael Olunga Signs for Japanese Club, Kashiwa Reysol

Michael Olunga | Picture Courtesy

Kenyan forward and former Gor Mahia striker, Michael Olunga, has officially joined Chinese football club, Kashiwa Reysol.

Olunga put pen to paper in a deal that will see him earn more than Ksh 15Million per month, making him the first Kenyan footballer to professionally play in Japan. 

He will be the second best earning Kenyan professional footballer after Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama whose earnings average Ksh. 22 million per month.

Olunga took to his Instagram page and wrote ‘ New Roads, New River, New Chapter. Beginning of another unfolded history.”

Olunga made headlines in the past season by becoming the first Kenyan to score a hat-trick in the competitive Spanish League – LaLiga, while having a stint at Girona FC on a loan deal from Chinese top tier side, GUizou Zhicheng.

Game Yetu Sport Blog wishes Michael Olunga all the best in this new adventure with Kashiwa Reyshol.

Thibaut Courtois Joins Real Madrid From Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois - Image Courtesy

Latest Transfer News

After a dazzling performance at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2018, where he helped Belgium secure Semi-Finals, and a third place, Chelsea number one keeper Thibaut Courtois is now set to join Real Madrid.

Both Chelsea and Real Madrid have both confirmed release and welcoming of Thibaut respectively.

All the best to Thibaut Courtois on this new adventure.