KBC Channel 1

Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • Spain beat Croatia on penalties to win Nations League

    Spain beat Croatia on penalties to win Nations League

    Spain beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties to clinch Nations League glory as they celebrated their first trophy win since Euro 2012.

    Substitute Dani Carvajal converted the winning spot-kick with a Panenka after the game had finished goalless after extra-time, giving head coach Luis de la Fuente, only appointed Luis Enrique’s successor in December, a trophy-winning start to his tenure.

    Croatia, World Cup finalists in 2018 and third-placed finishers in Qatar last year, were hoping to lift their first trophy but could not find a way to goal across the 120 minutes despite the best efforts of Luka Modric, with substitutes Lovro Majer and Bruno Petkovic then seeing their penalties saved by Unai Simon in the shootout.

    It was a heartbreaking outcome for serial overachievers Croatia, who, four days on from their extra-time win over the Netherlands in the semis, once again fall painfully short of a historic triumph.

    Croatia, fatiguing after their extra-time win over the Netherlands only four days earlier, were certainly well backed in Rotterdam, with a sea of Croatian flags and red and white shirts in the De Kuip stands.

    It remains to be seen whether this was Modric’s final chance to deliver a trophy for his country, with the 37-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner set to make an announcement on his international future this week.

    Defeat may yet see him stay on to play in next summer’s European Championship in Germany.

    Victory also means Spain become the second nation to win the World Cup, European Championship and Nations League following France, who beat the Spanish in the 2021 Nations League final.

  • Murang’a Seal,Shabana earn promotion to KPL from next season

    Murang’a Seal,Shabana earn promotion to KPL from next season

    Murang’a Seal and former Kenya Premier League giants Shabana FC sealed their elevation to the top tier after winning their respective matches on Sunday to cement their position of top two places in the National Super League (NSL).

    Seal who are on top the NSL log on a superior goal difference despite having the same number of points on 64 won 1-0 against Coastal Heroes at Mbaraki while the Kisii based side Shabana overcame neighbours Migori Youth at Gusii stadium by the same scoreline.

    Seal head coach Vincent Nyaberi remains determined of winning the overall title with only four matches remaining towards the closure of the campaign.

    “Yes we have earned our promotion but still have work to do, we want to finish as number one and crowned champions so we have to win all our remaining matches. We would have won more convincingly had we stuck to our plan strictly,” he noted

    His Shabana counterpart Sammy Okoth was elated with his team’s performance and subsequent promotion.

    “I’m so grateful with my boys achieving this milestone because they have really worked hard for it, we must continue with this spirit and win all our remaining matches. We have improved in areas such as pressing and restarts. The boys played well compared to our last games,” said Okoth.

    Shabana FC, a community-based side, has experienced a resurgence this season. Both fans and players have been pushing for the ultimate prize – winning the National Super League title and also securing automatic promotion back to the top flight.

    The team has been absent from the Premier League scene for a considerable period of time and was eager to recapture past glory.

    Title contenders Murang’a Seal on the other hand have had their ambition of  making it to their first-ever appearance in the local Premier League since their establishment achieved.

    Seal’s lone goal was scored by Ally Yusuf in first half, and was enough to take their total season tally to 64, after 29 outings.

    In 2021,the San Sebastian Park-based landed a lucrative sponsorship deal that many believed could play a major role in helping the team grace the FKF Premier League in the subsequent seasons.

  • Ott Tänak: I would like to get to know Kenyan nature a bit better

    Ott Tänak: I would like to get to know Kenyan nature a bit better

    2019 World Rally Championship champion Ott Tänak is looking to improve on his track record at the Safari Rally in Kenya next week, and has also expressed appreciation of the event’s setting.

    Tänak lies in third place in the drivers’ table after six stages, no mean feat given the M-Sport Ford team he drives for is less well-funded than the Toyota and Hyundai works teams.

    Tänak said that the East African country’s rally offers some interesting experiences in terms of the scenery and wildlife, but the rough gravel roads will prove a challenge to drivers.

    “I wish we had more time to enjoy life in Kenya, because the nature here is so much more special, compared with our lives in Europe. But we have a bigger challenge, keeping the car in one piece,” he said.

    Tänak added that getting stuck in some sections and having a hard time in following the track, where co-driver Martin Järveoja will be tested to the max, were some of the challenges in an event which the Estonians have yet to meet with major success in.

    “We have to, together with the team, ensure that we don’t get any mechanical problems due to the conditions, and then just put on a good performance.”

    Tänak has 85 points going into Rally Kenya, behind reigning world champion Kalle Rovanperä of Finland, driving for Toyota (118 points), and ever-the-bridesmaid Belgian Thierry Neuville, Tänak’s former teammate at Hyundai, on 93 points.

    Rally Kenya starts a day earlier in the week than most WRC events, on Wednesday, with a shakedown run, followed by stage on proper on the Thursday, and the remainder Friday to Sunday.

    The event takes place around Naivasha, around 100km North of Nairobi.

  • Ronaldo marks 199th appearance for Portugal

    Ronaldo marks 199th appearance for Portugal

    Cristiano Ronaldo won his 199th Portugal cap as his side cruised past Bosnia-Herzegovina to maintain their winning streak in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

    Bruno Fernandes set up Bernardo Silva who opened the scoring with a chipped effort in the 44th minute.

    Fernandes added a second through a 77th minute header and a third in the closing stages with a sweet strike.

    Ronaldo had a first-half header ruled out for offside at Estadio da Luz.

    Portugal stay top of Group J having won all three of their matches.

    Coming into the fixture in Lisbon, Al Nassr’s Ronaldo, 38, had scored four goals across two European Championship qualifiers in March.

    He was fractionally offside when he nodded home Joao Cancelo’s cross in the 23rd minute, but Portugal were able to canter to victory without their talisman among the goals.

    Bosnia-Herzegovina are now fourth, four points behind second-placed Slovakia.

    The visitors could have taken the lead midway through the first half but Edin Dzeko volleyed over when unmarked in the box.

  • KBC to air Kenya v Mauritius friendly

    KBC to air Kenya v Mauritius friendly

    Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is set to televise live the friendly match pitting the national team Harambee Stars against hosts Mauritius in the Four Nations Tournament which comes to a conclusion in Port Louis on Sunday.

    The game which starts 2.30pm EAT will be played at Cote D’Or National Sports Complex in a culmination of the week-long tournament that involved four countries including Djibouti and Pakistan.

    Kenya beat lowly ranked Pakistan 1-0 on Wednesday after Kakamega Homeboyz forward Moses Shumah who was making his international debut, scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute of the game from close range.

    The Wednesday afternoon encounter was supposed to be East Africans’ second in the tournament, but they missed their opening game on Sunday against Djibouti due to what was termed as a ‘lack of a flight to Mauritius.

    Team head coach Engin Firat will be demanding more from his players in the game after decrying the display in their 1-0 win over Pakistan in their first match on Wednesday.

    “Our goal is test players eligible to play for us” he said.

    “We are here to see which players will help us in the long term, who will move up when they have the opportunity”, emphasized coach Firat.

    Kenya have never lost to Mauritius in their seven previous meetings, winning four and drawing three.The Micheal Olunga skippered side and Mauritius drew 0-0 in their last meeting in October 2015, in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The hosts arrive for the game with a 3-1 defeat by Djibouti, ending a possible positive sequence of victories after the triumph against Pakistan. The team currently ranks 184th placement in the FIFA ranking, being one of the last on the list while their opponents Kenya are ranked 102nd.

    Harambee Stars made their return to international football after a two-year absence with a friendly match against Iran which they narrowly lost going down 2-1 to the 24th-ranked Iranian team at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

    According to the Turkish tactician Firat,his key agenda is to prepare a formidable team for the upcoming CAF and FIFA assignments.

    “This tournament offers us diversity in the opponents we shall face, especially at a time when most African nations are engaged in AFCON Qualifiers,” noted Firat.

    “Playing three matches gives me an opportunity to give more players a chance to show what they can offer,” added the coach.

    The team’s next competitive assignment will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, set to kick off between November 13 and November 21, 2023. The draw for the qualification stage shall be conducted on July 12, 2023, in Cotonou, Benin.

  • Scotland stay top of Group A after win over Norway in EURO 2024 qualifying

    Scotland stay top of Group A after win over Norway in EURO 2024 qualifying

    Scotland scored two goals in two minutes to complete a stunning late turnaround as they maintained their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo.

    Scotland produced a solid defensive performance in the blistering heat of Norway’s capital, but they were finally undone when Erling Haaland, fresh from Man City’s celebrations after winning the treble, was pulled down in the penalty area by Ryan Porteous before picking himself up and scoring from the spot (61).

    Norway looked to be on course for what would have been an important win, but Scotland turned the game on its head in sensational fashion with two goals in two minutes.

    Lyndon Dykes capitalised on some hesitancy in the Norway defence to level before Kenny McLean slotted home in the 89th minute to make it 2-1 and spark wild Scotland celebrations.

    The victory sees Steve Clarke’s side make it three wins from three to move eight points clear of Norway, who stay fourth in Group A, with five games remaining ahead of their clash with Georgia at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

    Scotland have won their opening three qualifying games for a major tournament (Euros/World Cup) for the first time since qualifying for Euro 2008 under Walter Smith.

    Their next Euro 2024 qualifier is against Georgia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. Kick-off 7.45pm.

    Up next for Norway is another home game against Cyprus, also on Tuesday; kick-off 7.45pm.

  • Loubet determined to bounce back in Kenya

    Loubet determined to bounce back in Kenya

    M-Sport Ford youngster Pierre-Louis Loubet will look to put a tough first half of the season behind him when he makes his Safari Rally Kenya debut next week (22 – 25 June)

    The Corsican star arrived into his first full season at rallying’s highest level chasing a maiden podium, having twice finished fourth aboard a Puma Rally1 Hybrid in 2022, and is looking forward to delivering on that potential in the coming events.

    Loubet had been sitting third overall at the previous round in Italy but plummeted down the order after incurring time penalties when he struggled to engage any gears prior to SS5. Damaged steering caused him to go off the road later in the opening day.

    “It has been tough,” said Loubet. “After Sardinia, it was time for me to make a refocus and a reset to get ready for Kenya. It’s exciting to go to the Safari Rally for the first time. It’s fair to say the results we had so far were not what we were hoping for – in Sardinia things were working really nicely on the first day even in some tough conditions.

    “We will focus on the next one.”

    Loubet heads to Naivasha confident in the knowledge his best results have come on rough gravel rallies, with those fourth places coming in Greece and Italy last year.

    M-Sport team principal Richard Millener echoed those thoughts, adding: “Sardinia was a tough one for the whole team – everybody in the team is trying so hard right now, but we’re just not getting any luck. We’ll bounce back next week, this championship’s absolutely not over and we’re not about to give up.”

    Arguably the most anticipated event on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, Safari Rally Kenya once again is ready to throw up one of the most unpredictable events on the WRC calendar.

    The event which will always be one of the most epic adventures to grace the FIA WRC lived up to its reputation during the last edition as one of the world’s iconic motorsport events.

    Rocky and sandy gravel tracks around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita proved brutal, while stunning scenery, exotic wildlife and enthusiastic locals portrayed Africa at its best.

    The unremitting roads cut a swathe through the big guns, ruling out the likes of Sébastien Loeb, who stopped on day one with fire billowing from his Puma’s engine bay.

  • 102 golfers to tee off at the inaugural Ruiru Open Championship

    102 golfers to tee off at the inaugural Ruiru Open Championship

    A total of 102 players are expected to tee it up at the Inaugural Ruiru Open Championship at the par73 Ruiru Sports Club this weekend.

    The event is being hosted by the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) in partnership with NCBA.

    “The Kenya Amateur golf Championships takes place this weekend at the prestigious Ruiru Sports Club. The tournament promises to be an exhilarating event, showcasing the best talent in the sport and offering exciting cash prizes to the winners” read part of the statement by the organizers

    The players will be battling it out for the initial title of the championship and also the Ksh. 400,000 purse sponsored jointly by NCBA Bank, Ruby Granite and J-Wines.
     
    Present will be the recently crowned winners of the Africa Region IV championship; Dennis Maara, Michael Karanga, John Lejirma and Elvis Muigua who won last weekend at Addis Ababa Golf Club, Ethiopia. Other notable golfers include veteran Bernard Omondi and Lady junior golfer Channele Wangari.

    “As a staunch supporter of sports development in Kenya, NCBA is proud to partner with KGU for this prestigious event. The bank has long recognized the importance of promoting and nurturing talent across various disciplines, and this collaboration reaffirms their commitment to the growth of golf in the country” The statement further added

    Through this partnership, NCBA will award the winners of the KGU Golf Tournament with substantial cash prizes, encouraging them to continue pursuing excellence in the sport.

    The KAGC Series has become a celebrated fixture in the Kenyan golfing calendar, attracting elite golfers from across the country. With its long-standing tradition and reputation for excellence, the tournament serves as a platform to promote the sport of golf while fostering camaraderie among players of all skill levels.

    The tournament qualifies for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Ranking points and Club of The Year Trophy (COTY).

  • Champions Man City open title defence bid against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley

    Champions Man City open title defence bid against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley

    Manchester City face a reunion with Vincent Kompany as the champions kick off the 2023/24 Premier League season away at newly-promoted Burnley on Friday, August 11.

    Last season’s Sky Bet Championship winners have been handed a daunting first assignment on their return to the top flight as Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners travel to Turf Moor on Friday Night Football.

    The game is the first instalment of a bumper opening weekend as Newcastle host Aston Villa on Saturday Night Football, Tottenham travel to Brentford and Mauricio Pochettino takes on Liverpool in his first game as Chelsea manager on Super Sunday, and Manchester United entertain Wolves on the first Monday Night Football of the season.

    Newly-promoted Sheffield United host Crystal Palace on the opening weekend, while Luton Town travel to Brighton for their first-ever Premier League game. Arsenal host Nottingham Forest, West Ham travel to Bournemouth and Everton host Fulham to complete the first round of fixtures.

    The Premier League season concludes on May 19, with Manchester City vs West Ham and Arsenal vs Everton among the final-day fixtures.

    Champions and runners-up in 2022/23, Manchester City and Arsenal meet on October 7 at the Emirates before the Gunners travel to the Etihad on March 30.

    The first north London derby of the season takes place at the Emirates Stadium on September 23, with Arsenal travelling to Tottenham for the return fixture on April 27 – the fourth-last game of the campaign.

    Liverpool host Everton in the first Merseyside derby on October 21, before making the short trip to Goodison Park on March 16. Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on October 28, with the return fixture at the Etihad Stadium on March 2.

    Rivals Manchester United and Liverpool meet on December 16 and April 6, Manchester City and Liverpool renew their rivalry on November 25 and March 9, and Brighton and Crystal Palace lock horns on in the M23 derby on December 23 and February 3.

  • Croatia beat Netherlands to qualify for Nations League final

    Croatia beat Netherlands to qualify for Nations League final

    Croatia are one win from their first major title after beating hosts the Netherlands in a dramatic Uefa Nations League semi-final.

    Substitute Bruno Petkovic struck from distance in extra time before Luka Modric’s penalty settled a remarkable game in Rotterdam

    A 96th-minute Dutch equaliser from Noa Lang had denied Croatia in normal time.

    But Zlatko Dalic’s side will now play Italy or Spain in Sunday’s final, while the Dutch face a third-place play-off.

    Their victory was sealed by 37-year-old talisman Modric from the penalty spot with four minutes left, after he was felled by a clumsy Tyrell Malacia challenge.

    It means Croatia have reached just their second international final, following the 2018 World Cup where they were beaten 4-2 by France.

    For the Dutch, their international trophy drought now extends to beyond 35 years – they have not won a major title since the 1988 European Championship.

    It also continues Ronald Koeman’s inauspicious start to his second spell as the Netherlands manager, having lost 4-0 to France in a Euro 2024 qualifier in March.

    Coming at the end of a long season – Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries and Marcelo Brozovic all played just four days after featuring in the Champions League final – both sides struggled to reach a competitive tempo in the early stages.