The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will be ruled out of two Africa Cup of Nations games due to a hamstring injury. Salah, who plays for Liverpool, came off late in the first half of Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana. As a result, he will not participate in the final group game against Cape Verde and any potential last-16 match. However, if Egypt reaches the quarter-finals, Salah may be able to return for his country. Senegal, the reigning champions, secured a spot in the last 16 with a 3-1 victory over Cameroon. Ismaila Sarr and Habib Diallo were instrumental in their win. Guinea also achieved a 1-0 victory over Gambia, thanks to Aguibou Camara’s goal. Cape Verde, on the other hand, became the first team to qualify for the last 16 by defeating Mozambique 3-0. They have now secured six points from two games and will face a third-placed team in the next round.

Equatorial Guinea’s national football team, known as the Nzalang Nacional, received a generous gift of 212 million Euros following their impressive victory over Ivory Coast. In their final group match of the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Equatorial Guinea defeated Ivory Coast 4-0, securing their place in the Round of 16. The team’s success was not only celebrated by their supporters but also by the country’s Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who happens to be the son of Equatorial Guinea’s President. In a pledge of support and pride, Vice President Mangue promised the team 50 thousand Euros per goal scored against Ivory Coast.

This overwhelming win allowed Equatorial Guinea to finish at the top of their group with seven points, surpassing Nigeria’s Super Eagles in goal difference. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo expressed his admiration for the team’s remarkable performance and rewarded them with a bonus of one million Euros, on top of their participation bonuses. In a statement, President Mbasogo referred to the players as “Héroes Nacionales” and encouraged them to continue their exceptional play in the tournament.

The success against Ivory Coast was particularly significant for Equatorial Guinea, as it secured their spot in the Round of 16. The team’s coach, Juan Micha, played a vital role in guiding the Nzalang Nacional to victory, ensuring they finished on top of Group A. With goals from players such as Pablo Ganet and Jannick Buyla, the team’s triumph was comprehensive.

On the other hand, Ivory Coast, who were considered favorites before the match, now face the possibility of being eliminated from the tournament. Their disappointing performance throughout the group matches resulted in only three points, putting their progression in serious doubt.

Equatorial Guinea’s outstanding victory against Ivory Coast not only showcased the team’s talent and determination but also highlighted the commitment and support they receive from their country’s leadership. As they prepare for the Round of 16, the Nzalang Nacional will undoubtedly strive to continue their impressive run in the AFCON and carry the hopes of their nation with pride.

Kenya has named a provisional squad for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The squad, consisting of 30 members, includes notable players such as Valerie Nekesa, who was a standout performer in the Kenyan team during the FIFA U20 Women’s qualifiers. The team will travel to DRC for the first leg of the qualifiers on Sunday, February 4. The return leg is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 11 in Nairobi, with the exact venue yet to be announced. The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by the Dominican Republic, and three teams from Africa will participate. Nigeria, a powerhouse in women’s football in West Africa, secured a bronze medal in the previous edition of the tournament by defeating Germany 3-2 on penalties.

The dates for the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit 2024 have been confirmed. The circuit will start in late July and end in mid-September, with a total of six outings. KCB is currently the reigning champion of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit.

The circuit will kick off in Nairobi with the Christie 7s on 27th and 28th July at the RFUEA Ground. The next round will be held in Kakamega for the KRU 7s on 3rd and 4th August. The KRU 7s is taking the place of the criticized Tisap 7s and will be organized and hosted by the KRU.

After a break on 30th August to 1st September, the circuit will head to Mombasa for the Driftwood 7s on 7th and 8th September. The circuit will conclude in Nakuru with the Prinsloo 7s on 14th and 15th September at the Nakuru Athletic Club.

In the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, teams compete for the overall title. Points are awarded based on finishing positions in each tournament, ultimately determining the circuit champion for the season.

On January 19 and 20, 2024, the 12th edition of the KDF, Police & Prisons Cross Country Championships took place in Nairobi. The races were hotly contested by men and women from the security apparatus, with familiar names such as Daniel Ebenyo Simiu and 5km world record holder Beatrice Chebet emerging as the champions in their respective categories.

In the women’s 10km race, Beatrice Chebet displayed excellent form and ran a calculated race to claim victory. She finished ahead of Gladys Kwamboka and Margaret Chelimo, with Vivian Cheruiyot making a comeback and finishing in eighth place. In the men’s race, Daniel Ebenyo Simiu took the title in a thrilling fashion, followed by Edwin Kiplagat and Robert Kiprop in second and third place respectively.

In another event, Jemutai emerged as the winner in the women’s race, outpacing Cynthia Chepngeno in the final meters. Diana Chepkorir completed the podium finishes. In the men’s race, Mwaniki took first place, with Dismus Lokira and Daniel Munguti finishing in second and third place.

Notable absences from the championships included Hellen Obiri, the 2023 Boston Marathon champion. Nonetheless, the races saw impressive performances from athletes such as Kasait, who recently finished third in the 10K Ibercaja race in Spain. Kasait claimed victory in the women’s race, with Loise Chemining and Caren Chebet following behind. In the men’s category, Kiptoo crossed the finish line first, followed closely by Isaac Lasoi and Alex Nzioka.

Overall, the 2024 KDF, Police & Prisons Cross Country Championships showcased the talents of both familiar names and rising stars in the field of cross country running.

On January 22, 2024, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced that Mildred Cheche has been appointed as the new head coach of the U17 women’s national team. Cheche, along with Ann Aluoch, is one of the few women in the country who holds the Confederation of African Football (CAF) B license. Both Cheche and Aluoch participated in a four-month coaching course at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) last year.

In addition to her role as head coach of the U17 women’s national team, Cheche will also continue to serve as the assistant coach for the senior women’s national team, the Harambee Starlets, as well as the Rising Starlets. The FKF released a statement on Monday confirming Cheche’s appointment and mentioning Aluoch as her assistant.

The Junior Starlets technical bench will also include Rebecca Auma as the kit manager, Samuel Muringu as the video analyst, Esther Aluoch as the physiotherapist, and Geoffrey Okoth as the fitness trainer. Betty Meeme will serve as the team manager, Edith Macharia as the team doctor, and Dick Francis as the goalkeeper trainer.

The Junior Starlets are scheduled to play against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the first leg of their upcoming fixture on Sunday, February 4. They will then face their opponents again in Nairobi on Sunday, February 11. This fixture is part of the preparation for the 2024 FIFA U17 World Cup, which will be hosted by the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3.

Djokovic showed his dominating form, advancing to the last 16 of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. He expressed satisfaction with his performance and stated that it was his best performance of the tournament so far. Djokovic will face Adrian Mannarino in his next match.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner also made strong statements with their performances in the tournament. Sabalenka, the second seed and defending champion, has only dropped six games in her three matches so far. She aims to follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion, Iga Swiatek, who won many sets 6-0. Sinner, the fourth seed, has been in great form, winning his first Masters title and leading Italy to the Davis Cup title.

Other notable performances include Coco Gauff’s dominant win and the dream run of 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva. Gauff displayed her intent with a 6-0, 6-2 victory, while Andreeva fought back to defeat Diane Parry. Maria Timofeeva, a qualifier, also secured her spot in the fourth round by upsetting Beatriz Haddad Maia. Timofeeva’s run is particularly impressive as she is ranked 170th in the world and is the lowest-ranked woman to reach this stage in Melbourne since 2017.

Rejuvenated former teen prodigy Amanda Anisimova also emerged victorious, defeating Paula Badosa. Anisimova, who has returned from a break of eight months due to burnout and mental health issues, will face Sabalenka in the next round.

In the men’s draw, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Taylor Fritz all secured wins in their respective matches. Rublev will face Alex de Minaur in the next round, while Tsitsipas and Fritz will face each other for a spot in the quarter-finals.

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Kenya Cup rugby season will reach the midpoint with a highly anticipated clash between KCB and Strathmore Leos. Both teams are vying for a spot in the playoffs, making this match crucial for their respective campaigns. KCB, currently sitting in second place, has been dominant so far, winning all four of their previous games and securing bonus points in each. However, the upcoming match against the Strathmore Leos presents their toughest challenge yet. The Leos have had a rocky season, with two wins and two losses. Former KCB flyhalf Stephen Osumba, now playing for the Leos, will be a key figure in their game plan against his former team. Other important players for the Leos include Andrew Matoka, Richard Liva, and Barnabas Owuor. In another key match, Kenya Harlequin, in fourth place, will host seventh-placed Nakuru. Both teams have been performing well, with Quins boasting an undefeated record and Nakuru coming off a strong showing in the Nakuru Derby. The top-ranked Kabras Sugar will host Mwamba in Kakamega, and Menengai Oilers will welcome Kenyatta University Blak Blad to the Nakuru Showground. Other matches include Catholic Monks against Kisumu and Nondescripts hosting Homeboyz.

Mikel Arteta believes that Arsenal, despite a recent dip in form, are ready to bounce back and compete for the Premier League title. The team has only managed one win in their last seven games across all competitions, a disappointing run that includes being knocked out of the FA Cup third round by Liverpool. However, the squad recently took a break for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, and Arteta is confident that the time away has re-energized his players.

Arteta spoke to reporters, expressing his optimism for the second half of the season: “We are recharged, full of energy and super motivated so we want to attack the second half of the season with a lot of ambition and the understanding that the team is capable of big things. They are convinced of that.” He praised the training camp in Dubai, referring to it as a “phenomenal camp” that helped recharge the team’s batteries.

One of the main issues the team has faced during their recent run of form has been a lack of goals, with only five scored in their last seven games. However, Arteta highlighted the return of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus from a knee injury as a potential boost for the team. Despite this, Arteta stated that he does not plan on making any signings in the January transfer window, expressing his satisfaction with the current squad.

Regarding Jesus’ return and impact, Arteta acknowledged that he is still some way off from being able to compete fully, but there is hope that he could make a realistic impact before the end of the season if everything goes well.

In conclusion, Arteta is optimistic about Arsenal’s prospects moving forward, with the belief that the team is recharged and ready to fight for the title. The training camp in Dubai has provided a much-needed break and boost of motivation, and the potential return of Gabriel Jesus could provide a boost to the team’s goalscoring woes. Despite this, Arteta does not plan on making any signings in the January transfer window, as he is satisfied with the current squad.

Austin’s sublime free kick in the 20th minute secured the victory for Gor Mahia in their match against Tusker. The win allowed Gor Mahia to maintain their unbeaten run this season and move ten points clear at the top of the league table. It was a closely contested match that lived up to its billing as a potential title-deciding clash. Gor Mahia dominated the game and created more chances, although the scoreline did not reflect their dominance. Tusker struggled to create opportunities and were not clinical in front of goal.

Both teams started slowly in the opening quarter, with neither side able to take control of the game. However, Gor Mahia’s midfield took control of possession and put pressure on Tusker, which eventually paid off in the 20th minute when Austin scored from a free kick just outside the box. Gor Mahia continued to attack and came close to doubling their lead before halftime.

In the second half, Tusker made changes and tried to increase their attacking efforts. However, Gor Mahia remained resolute and weathered the storm, ultimately securing the three points and completing the league double over Tusker. The victory was praised by Gor Mahia boss Johnathan McKinstry, who was impressed with his team’s performance. On the other hand, Tusker head coach Rober Matano lamented his team’s slow start and lack of clinical finishing.

Overall, it was a well-fought match that showcased Gor Mahia’s dominance and secured their position as the leading team in the league.