A high-level technical inspection team, accompanied by the time-tronics experts from Belgium, inspected the Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday in preparation for the seventh Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold set for April 24.
The team, accompanied by the local organising committee, later held discussions with Sports Stadia Director General Timothy Kilimo to assess venue readiness and align on final infrastructure requirements.
The seventh edition of the gold label Kip Keino Classic continental tour, which will be the second stop in the calendar after Australia’s meet set for this weekend, will be making a return to Nyayo Stadium since 2024.
Unlike the previous events, this year’s edition is set to run from 4pm until 8pm, bringing together both international and local track and field star athletes.
National soccer team Harambee Stars embarked on intensive training on Tuesday evening hours after arriving in Kigali, in preparation for the two crucial FIFA Series international friendlies this weekend at the Amahoro Stadium.
Kenya will play Estonia in the opening match on Friday from 6pm EAT, the first ever meeting between the two sides, after which Grenada will face hosts Rwanda at 9pm in the second match.
Winners of the two matches will faceoff in the final on Monday, 30th March, while losers will meet for the 3rd place play-off preceding the final.
Benni McCarthy’s side, rocked with injuries ahead of the tie, is placed 113 in the February 2026 FIFA rankings, while their European opponent is ranked 128.
The FIFA Series 2026 is designed to bring together teams with a wide range of competitive profiles, from established international sides to emerging nations, thereby reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable global football development.
FIFA’s ranking system has now recorded Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal as a forfeited match, with the Atlas Lions benefiting from the recent decision by the CAF appeals committee.
The official ranking site of world football’s governing body lists the final as “forfeited,” with Morocco awarded a 3-0 win and the continental crown.
The update shows Morocco reaching 1754.59 total points, with a gain of +18.02 points from that match.
This comes after CAF’s appeal decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory following Senegal’s walk-off during the January 18 final in Rabat.
Under CAF regulations, leaving the pitch can lead to a forfeit.
CAF cited these rules when declaring Morocco last week as the winner of the 2025 AFCON.
FIFA’s system now appears to be integrating that outcome into its ranking calculations.
However, FIFA has not yet issued a separate official statement specifically confirming the ranking change.
The governing body follows a fixed calendar for ranking releases, with the next official update scheduled for April 1.
Equity Bank’s chess ace, Sasha Mwongeli, delivered an electrifying performance at this year’s Mavens Open International Chess Championship after emerging as the top female player, racking up an incredible 7 out of 8 points in the intense four-day tournament held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
FIDE Woman Candidate Master Mwongeli was the only Kenyan to achieve a podium finish, a truly remarkable accomplishment given the intense international competition.
Her victory on home soil underscores her exceptional skill and the rising strength of Kenyan chess on the global stage.
The championship, held from March 19–22, drew over 200 participants, including a record-breaking 18 titled players.
Grandmasters, International Masters, and FIDE Masters from Africa, Europe, and Asia converged in Nairobi, highlighting the event’s growing international prestige.
In the main Open category, Slovakia’s Grandmaster Vojtech Plat secured the overall title.
Sasha Mwongeli receives her prize from Grace Ngina of the event Platinum sponsor MyBoda
Equity teammates Mark Nyola and FIDE Master Haruna Nsubuga from Uganda shared the second runner-up position after strong performances.
Mwongeli’s path to victory was marked by consistent play and crucial wins, including a decisive match against WCM Nashipae Bella.
Her only setback was against the experienced WCM Lucy Wanjiru. However, the sting of that loss was eased when Mwongeli’s teammate, WCM Jully Mutisya, achieved one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating Wanjiru.
“This result is a testament to the hard work we’re putting in as players and as a team,” Mwongeli stated after her impressive win. “It proves that we can compete at this high level.”
Other notable performances included Nyola’s victories over higher-rated opponents, along with strong showings from regional contenders like CM Emmanuel Egesa (Uganda) and India’s AIM Aarush Bhat, highlighting the deep talent pool present.
Tournament organizers and coaches quickly pointed to the event as clear evidence of Kenya’s rising profile on the international chess scene.
“We are witnessing tangible progress,” remarked coach Moses Andiwoh. “Kenyan players are rapidly closing the gap with international competitors through consistent exposure and structured training programs.”
For Mwongeli, this victory solidifies her status as one of Kenya’s premier female players and provides significant momentum for the country’s next generation of chess stars.
Harambee Stars left back Eric Marcelo Ouma has unveiled the inaugural Super Eight Inter-University Football Tournament with the aim of nurturing talent.
The tournament set to be hosted at Kenyatta University between May 30th and June 1st, 2026, is organised by the Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma Foundation (EMOF) and aims at transforming the university football landscape in Kenya.
The initiative marks a significant step toward reimagining university football by creating opportunities for exposure, collaboration, and long-term development within the sport.
It also calls upon stakeholders, partners, and the wider sports community to play an active role in shaping the future of Kenyan football.
Speaking at the launch on Monday Marcelo said;“This inaugural Inter-Universities Football Tournament is more than a competition—it is a statement. A statement that we are ready to build and reimagine the journey of a Kenyan footballer.”
Participating teams have been divided into two pools with Group A featuring Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, Zetech University, and African International University, while Group B includes KCA University, St. Paul’s University, Kenya Methodist University, and Mount Kenya University.
“Everywhere I have played, one lesson has remained constant football does not grow through lone efforts. No federation, player, or organization succeeds alone. The great footballing nations we admire today were built through collaboration—through many hands, many hearts, and a shared vision,” Ouma added.
Marcelo has an illustrious football career spanning to 50 caps for the Harambee Stars since his first call-up in 2016.
The 29-year-old left back also played for Gor Mahia in 2016 before joining FC Kolkheti 1913 in Georgia in 2017.
In 2018-2019 Marcelo joined Swedish side Vasalund, then switched to AIK Football, still in Scandinavia, featuring 45 times between 2020 and 2023.
Ouma has already amassed 44 caps with his current Polish top-tier league club Raków Częstochowa since joining them in 2024.
Kenya is set to host Australia, India, and Malawi for Group 4 of the 2026 FIFA Women’s Series international friendlies, scheduled from April 11 to 15 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
These bring to 16 the number of women’s teams lined up for the inaugural edition of the FIFA series 2026.
Australia will open the tournament against Malawi on the 11th of next month, with the match commencing at 2pm before paving way for Harambee Starlets who will face India at 6pm .
The winners from these encounters will progress to the final, which is slated for April 15th at 6pm, while losers will meet for a 3rd place playoff at 2pm.
The other three women’s groups will take place in Brazil, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 host Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand.
Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series also strengthens holistic football development beyond the pitch.
Hosting and participating MAs benefit from hands-on experience in event delivery, operational planning, referee development and competition organisation, mirroring the conditions of major international tournaments and strengthening capacity across multiple functional areas.
All FIFA Series 2026 matches will be broadcast to a global audience, increasing access for fans worldwide while enhancing the visibility of the participating teams.
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has vehemently denied rumours that Moroccan players left the pitch during their pivotal 1976 Africa Cup of Nations calling them “false” and devoid of any formal basis.
The federation denied rumours that it is attempting to contest the historic match’s result in a clear statement, stating that neither the Confederation of African Football nor the Court of Arbitration for Sport have received any legal action.
“The Guinean Football Federation informs the national and international public that it has not initiated any procedure either with the Court of Arbitration for Sport or with CAF in relation to the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement read, stressing that the reports are “inaccurate and not based on any official foundation.”read teh statement
Football investigative French journalist Romain Molina stated in a podcast released on Saturday night that the first CAF disciplinary committee hearing was influenced by interference that went against Morocco.
He also claimed that the unauthorised gathering at Rabat train station was premeditated by the Senegalese Football Federation.
In this podcast, Romain Molina provides details on the behind-the-scenes tensions between CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF):
Interference during the initial hearing: Molina insists that there was political interference within the CAF disciplinary committee during the first ruling (which went against Morocco).
He suggests that Patrice Motsepe’s camp wanted to “flex its muscles” in the face of Fouzi Lekjaa’s growing influence.
Rabat train station:
Regarding the incidents involving the Senegalese contingent, Molina indicates that the movement to Rabat train station without an adequate escort and the subsequent communication seemed orchestrated (or at least not coordinated with Moroccan security) to create a crowd surge and serve a narrative of victimisation.
CAF dysfunctions:
He describes an organisation “colonised” by FIFA and incapable of managing its own regulations, forcing Morocco to play the role of financial and organisational “saviour” (Awards, Youth AFCON, etc.), which ultimately creates resentment among other nations.
Refereeing and final:
Molina confirms that the CAF refereeing chief went down to see the final referee to give him instructions (not to give cards, not to whistle too early), totally disrupting the sovereignty of the refereeing body.
Moroccan club Berkane struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal from Sudan on Sunday and book their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
With the tie finely balanced at 1-1 from the first leg, the Moroccan side delivered a decisive blow in the 93rd minute through Mounir Chouiar to claim a 2-1 aggregate triumph, ending Al-Hilal’s campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
The result not only sends Berkane into the last four but also guarantees Morocco a place in the final, with FAR Rabat already through to the semi-finals on the same side of the draw.
In another match, Mamelodi Sundowns held their nerve under intense pressure in Bamako to secure a place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals, despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Stade Malien in the second leg on Sunday.
The South African side advanced 3-2 on aggregate after their commanding first-leg victory, withstanding a fierce challenge from the Malian side in a dramatic encounter.
Esperance from Tunisia will host Mamelodi in the 1st leg of the last four on the 10th of next month before a return leg a week later in South Africa.
FAR Rabat will stage the 1st leg of the Moroccan derby semi-final on the same date, with Barkane playing host for the return leg on 17th April.
The National Sevens rugby team, Shujaa, stunned hosts Uruguay 22-14, in the last group match of the 2nd HSBC SNVS Division 2 series early on Monday remaining on track for a return to the Sevens World Championship.
Shujaa led 12-7 at the break thanks to Patrick Odongo’s tries in the 7th and 9th minutes as Nygel Amaitsa added a conversion after missing the first one.
Francisco Landauer had earned 7 points for the hosts through a converted try in the 3rd minute.
Odongo was the hero of the match for the Kenyans with a 3rd try in the 11th minute, but David Nyagge missed the conversion.
John Okeyo solidified Shujaa’s win with a fourth try just before the match concluded, while Dante Soto managed a last-minute converted try for Uruguay, narrowing the score line.
Kenya calimed a bronze medal once more earning 16 points for their third-place finish in the series, which was ultimately claimed by the USA.
Shujaa remains in third place with 32 points, trailing the joint leaders, the USA and Germany, by six points as they gear up for the final leg in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this weekend.
The top four teams will earn promotion to the Sevens World Championship next season.
