WHAT A START TO THE EPL 17-18 SEASON?

A LOOK AT THE TITLE CONTENDERS FIRST GAME

A look up at the 1st English Premier League games of the new season. On Friday it was a perfect start for the Gunners as they came twice from behind to win the game 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium. It was a perfect win for the Arsene Wenger side since in the last seasons they have always lost the first game of the season. Though they lacked services of last season top scorer Alexis Sanchez whose situation is surrounded by a move away from the Emirates while Wenger says that since he has not played during the pre-season and is giving him more time. Sanchez was on duty for his Country Chile in the just concluded Confederation Cup where they lost to Germany in the Final. Though Arsenal did not miss Sanchez since their attacking was overall good. Record signing Alexander Lacazette scored just 3 minutes after the start of the game. Though Arsenal fans will be worried about conceding three goals. It was a league debut for Kolansic and his performance was good. Arsenal were just poor in defending crosses and that was the one ted ed hing that last season cost them. Though Mertersacker was not involved due to an injury he sustain during Arsenal win against Chelsea in the Community Shield, Monreal not playing his normal left back position but playing at the central defence, Koschieny missed due to suspension for his red card against Everton last season and Mustafi also not involved due to Country commitments in the Confederation Cup. Well done The Gunners.

On Saturday, Defending Champions Chelsea got into a poor start after losing 3-2 to Burnely. Chelsea Captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were sent off in the defeat. Chelsea fans more so Conte could at least smile after record signing Alvaro Morata scored his first goal for the club and provided an assist to the second goal which was scored by Brazil Defender David Luiz. Morata who started from the bench replaced Batshuayi came in and changed the game completely. Last season top scorer Diego Costa whose future at Chelsea is unknown and Hazard who is out due to injury. Conte needs to select the first 11 also introduce Morata to the starting line up and am sure Morata will score more goals.

Pep Guardiola who invested heavily in defense paid off on Saturday Night has they won 2-0 to new boys Brighton Albion. Though Brighton performance was very poor and if they continue the same game, they will be the first to be relegated. This season indeed City are title contenders and Aguero scoring and keeping clean sheets then, Guardiola will be winning his first title in England.

Spurs also winning their game 2-0. Newcastle Jojo Shevley send off and the game completely changed in favour of Spurs.

Manchester United got to the perfect start by winning 4 goals and topping the premier league. £75m summer signing Romelo Lukaku scored a brace. The last time United won at home with such a margin was back in 2014. Matic who signed for United from Chelsea displayed a fantastic performance in his first game. He completely controlled the midfield with Pobga and Herrera. The 29 year old is seen to have adapted to the United squad. Jose Mourinho is known to when he joins a team, the first year he builds the team and the following year he wins the league. He has done that with Chelsea, Madrid, Inter Milan and FC Porto. This season he might also do the same with Manchester United if they continue scoring, controlling the ball and defending well like they did against West Ham. 

ARSENAL, SPURS, CHELSEA, CITY AND UNITED are the title contenders this season.

FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS QUARTER FINAL

The first legs of the quarter-finals will be played on April 11 and 12, and the second legs played on April 18 and 19.

Round dates:

First legs - April 11

Dortmund v Monaco and Juventus v Barcelona

April 12

Atletico v Leicester and Bayern v Real Madrid

Second legs - April 18

Leicester v Atletico and Real Madrid v Bayern

April 19

Monaco v Dortmund and Barcelona v Juventus

FOOTBALL

Only 15 teams will play in 2017, Mwendwa insists

Regardless of the ruling by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) on the number of teams that will feature in the Sportpesa Premiership, only 15 will play in the 2017 season.

This was asserted by Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa, who, in a post his official Facebook page, said:

“We want 18 teams KPL but only 15 meet the criteria. So only those will be in the league for the first 2017 season” (sic).

The SDT has met severally seeking to end a stalemate between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited on the composition of the Sportpesa Premier League.

While FKF wanted the league expanded from 16 to 18 teams to allow more players enjoy top-flight football, KPL wanted it to remain at 16 teams. 

KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier said increasing the number of teams will mean more expenditure on matches and lesser benefits to clubs.

The SDT on Tuesday 10 January directed the two parties to form a Joint Executive Committee, to be set up by close of business on Wednesday 11 January, will gather on Monday 16 and give a report to the tribunal the following day.

The directive came a day after FKF had relegated three teams from the top tier for failing to meet Fifa’s club licensing requirements.

Sofapaka, Muhoroni Youth and Thika United dropped to the National Super League (NSL), to join Ushuru and Nairobi City Stars, who had been relegated earlier.  Nakumatt FC and Zoo Kericho, having acquired provisional licenses, were promoted alongside Nzoia Sugar and Kariobangi Sharks, who had won the second tier league last season.

The league will now be contested by: Tusker, Ulinzi Stars, Gor Mahia, Bandari, AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz, Chemelil Sugar, Posta Rangers Western Stima, Mathare United, Sony Sugar, Nakumatt, Zoo Kericho, Kariobangi Sharks and Nzoia Sugar.

FOOTBALL

Cancellation of the u20, Cameroon International friendly match

Under National 20 football friendly match between Cameroon and Kenya has been called off.

In a Press Statement sent to newsroom by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) read that the cancellation of the friendly match was called off at the request of the Cameroonian Football Association.

The match which was scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday December, 2016 will now be played on a date to be agreed upon by both parties.

The letter read that “FKF wishes to apologies for any inconveniences caused this even as the federation strives to organize high profile friendlies for all national teams in line with its vision for qualifying for the 2022 world Cup.”

The Kenya Under-20 football team was supposed to play two international friendly matches against Cameroon in December.

According to FKF, John Kamau’s charges are scheduled to tackle Cameroon on December 10 away before hosting the same side on December 17 in Nairobi.

Last month, the Kenyan Under-20 played South Africa in another friendly match where they lost 3-1 thanks to goals from Captain Tercius Malepe and second half substitutes Menzi Ndwandwe and Lehlohonolo Radebe at Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan.

Kenya got a consolation goal from second-half substitute Francis Muturi Kinyua.

Cameroon is gearing up for Africa Under -20 Cup of Nations, which will take place from February 26 to March 12 in Zambia next year.

Cameroon is in pool B together with Senegal, South Africa and Sudan.

The first four teams from continental tourney will qualify for 2017 FIFA Under -20 World Cup to be held in South Korea from May 20 to June 11.

FOOTBALL

FKF issues warning on unlicensed clubs

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have handed clubs one week notice to comply with CAF (Confederation of African Football) licensing rules and regulations.

 FKF Chairman Nick Mwendwa said that clubs that don’t apply for the license will have to be relegated to the lower leagues.

Mwendwa said, “It’s a FIFA and CAF regulation and not our own making. Clubs must obtain CAF license to participate in the top leagues and we have extended the deadline to Friday December 16.”

“Clubs that will not apply for the same by deadline day will risk being relegated to lower leagues. If in KPL, they will be relegated to National Super League,” said Mwendwa.

Three clubs have been issued with the certificate to participate in the league come next year.

Tusker and Ulinzi were awarded certificates due to their participation in the CAF champion’s league while Wazito FC was awarded yesterday.

“There are 16 clubs in the Sportpesa premier league and 20 clubs in the National Super league and only 15 clubs in those two divisions have sent their application,” said FKF chairman.

He added that 12 clubs have begun their process that is; AFC Leopards, Chemelil Sugar, Gor Mahia, KK Homeboyz, Sony Sugar, Thika United, Palos FC, Kariobangi Sharks, KCB, Nakumatt, Zoo Kericho and Posta Rangers.

Rugby

Kenya Sevens National Team to have a new Shirt

 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has today unveiled Sport Betting firm Sportpesa as the official shirt sponsor of the Kenya Sevens national team.

This is after previous sponsor’s Kenya Airways the contract expires on Wednesday November 30th 2016.

Speaking today during the unveiling of the shirt, KRU Chairman Richard Omwela said that they were pleased with the sponsorship forged with Sportpesa and with this support the rugby team will scale even to greater heights.

Omwela also paid tribute to outgoing shirt sponsors Kenya Airways saying, “We appreciate the support Kenya Airways have accorded the Kenya sevens team and the KRU in general.”

He added that KRU will continue working with Kenya Airways  as the promotion of their destinations through rugby as a key to travelling base and  also as a sport tourism destination.

Omwela praised the collaborative support of Safaricom, KBL, General Motors, Dasani and Tatu City in sustaining long term development of Rugby in the country.

Sportpesa Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said that they were proud to be the official shirt sponsors of Rugby sevens.

Karauri said that the players will be awarded bonuses based on their performance which is part of their deal. 

“If they win in any series, each player receives Ksh 6000,000 ( 6,000 dollars) , runners up  Ksh 300,000 (3,000 dollars),  Ksh 150,000 (1,500 dollars)  in the semis and Ksh 100,000 ( 1,000 dollars) in the plate final.

Sportpesa offered KRU Ksh. 607 million shillings deal in July that saw Sportpesa become partner in all its activities including the Kenya Sevens Men’s team.

The deal also covers the development of Kenya Simba’s, Kenya U19s, Kenya Lionesses and other youth programmes with the target of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Sportpesa is a sport betting company in Kenya which provides both mobile and online platform for sports betting.

Football

The 40-man shortlist (in alphabetical order by position):

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham spur) Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Pepe (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Joe Allen (Stoke), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Grzegorz Krychowiak (PSG), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Paul Pogba (Man Utd), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Man City), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Higuaín (Juventus), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man Utd), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Barcelona).