Chelsea through to Europa round 32

pic; courtesy of skysport
Chelsea made it four wins from four matches in Group L by edging out a spirited BATE Borisov 1-0 in 
Belarus.

Giroud ended his 11-game goal drought this season by giving Chelsea a 53rd-minute lead, and the Premier League giants held on despite BATE striking the woodwork three times in the match.

“I was hoping to score soon because I came back late from the World Cup and I was lacking maybe a bit of efficiency and luck but you always need to keep working hard and keep the faith and that’s what happened tonight,” France striker Giroud told BT Sport.

The Londoners moved six points clear of Hungarians Vidi at the top of the group and have not tasted defeat in 17 matches since losing the Community Shield to Manchester City in August

Football Kenya Federation seeks legal redress over AWCON omission

 Blow to Harambee Starlets’ hopes of a second straight participation at the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) by reinstating Equatorial Guinea following an apparent appeal to an earlier successful application by Kenya, but the Football Kenya Federation not take the matter lying down and has made initial moves at having the development addressed through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

While the Kenya women’s national team was busy preparing for the finals to be held in Ghana starting Saturday 17 November, the Appeals Board pulled a fast one on the team with the declaration coming just 10 days to the start of the competition.

In a statement issued on Thursday 8 November, the FKF decries both the timing and the board’s sense of fairness and integrity. FKF wants a hearing and explanation for the move from CAF, under the jurisdiction of CAS, with the view of Kenya getting its place at the competition.

“We have been left with no option but to seek redress as per the statutes of CAF and FIFA, with the sole aim of promoting fairness and integrity of the sport,” the statement reads partly.

FKF has also called to suspension of the tournament’s kickoff until this matter is heard and addressed appropriately and hopes at the end of it, a fair ruling will be delivered.

Meanwhile, the Kenya women national team, which has been in residential camp for over a week now, remains in training as the affected parties work on the matter at hand.

“We have written to CAF expressing our displeasure with the November 7, 2018 ruling and initiated an appeal process at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a view to having Kenya included in the tournament and/or stopping the same from commencing until the matter is heard and resolved.

“It is our belief that both CAF and CAS will treat the matter with the seriousness that it deserves, this even as Harambee Starlets remain in camp in preparation for our AWCON opening fixture against Zambia scheduled for November 18, 2018 at the Cape Coast Stadium, beginning 1830hrs local time,” the statement adds.

The bone of contention in the whole matter was FKF protest over Equatorial Guinea player Annette Jacky Messomo’s eligibility to play for the West African nation, as she is not a bona-fide citizen of the country, having lived and played all her football in Cameroon and Europe. FKF maintains that stand.

MEET THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE, 2018

British actor Idris Elba has been named the sexiest man alive in 2018 by America’s People Magazine.

The 46 year old was surprised by the announcement as he did not see it coming

“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?’ Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.” Remarks Idris.

Idris is the 33rd man to be mentioned in the position, after Blake Shelton, Dwayne Johnson, Adam Levine and George Clooney among others.

The Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom actor has said that it is an honor to be named as sexiest man alive and that his mother is going to be really proud of him.

According to People magazine the actor shared that he was a bit awkward growing up and never thought he’d look the way he does today.

“I was very tall and skinny. And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, okay? I got picked on a little bit. But as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers.” Added Idris.

Free entry for Harambee Starlets, Black Queens international friendly

Football Kenya Federation has waived gate charges for the upcoming international friendly match pitting the Kenya women national football team, the Harambee Starlets, against their Ghanaian counterparts, the Black Queens.

Set to be played on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at the MISC Kasarani starting at 4 pm, the match will be the first high profile friendly for the Starlets since the team kicked off preparations for the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations.

The Black Queens had earlier on Sunday, November 4, 2018, jetted into the country for the friendly, with their coach Hayford Bashuri noting that the match will be a good build up for both sides ahead of the tourney.

Also lined up for the Harambee Starlets is a friendly match against Mali before the team jets out to Ghana on November 14, 2018, in time for the continental showpiece, which will act as a qualifier to the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup.

Harambee Starlets provisional squad trimmed to 25 ahead of Ghana friendly

 David Ouma Harambee Starlets coach has shed seven players off the initial 32 who hit camp ahead of the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations.

The squad will further be trimmed to 21 before the team jets out to Ghana on November 14, 2018, ahead of the continental showpiece.

Among those who have been retained in the team that is currently camping in Nairobi are influential forwards Mary Kinuthia and Mwanahalima Adams, as well as midfielders Corazone Aquino and Christine Nafula. Israel based Esse Akida, has also been included in the team.

The Starlets will face off with Ghana on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani starting 4 pm in a buildup friendly match with another friendly against Mali also lined up.

Starlets Squad in Camp

Goalkeepers

Pauline Atieno, Monica Karambu, Maureen Shimuli, Annette Kundu

Defenders

Dorcas Shikobe, Elizabeth Ambogo, Wendy Achieng, Lilian Adera, Elizabeth Wambui, Vivian Nasaka, Maureen Kakhasa, Ruth Ingosi

Midfielders

Cynthia Shilwatso, Corazone Aquino, Sheryl Angachi, Neddy Atieno, Mary Kinuthia, Cheris Avilia, Christine Nafula, Mercy Achieng, Mwanalima Adams

Forwards

Terry Engesha, Phoebe Oketch, Janet Moraa, Esse Akida