Last chance! Mike Sonko rescues boxing legend Conjestina once again.

16th January 2024. Sonko announced that Conjestina has been readmitted at a coastal-based health care facility. Recent photos taken by media personality Carol Radull showed the boxing legend in bad condition after suffering from a relapse. Sonko took the initiative to take up the case once again to help Conjestina.

Former Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi, popularly known as Sonko, has come to the rescue of Conjestina Achieng once again after the Kenyan boxing legend experienced a relapse. Mbuvi announced on Tuesday 16 January 2024 that Conjestina has been readmitted at a coastal-based health care facility. In a social media post, he stated, “I just want to let the public know that she was readmitted at the Mombasa women rehabilitation centre where she will start her treatment afresh under the care of a group of specialists, including counselors, consultants, and physiatrists.”

Reacting to Radull’s post, Sonko later released an audio arguing that Conjestina decided to part company with him after being requested to use a bus from Mombasa to Nairobi since all the flights were full. He also reprimanded Conjestina’s loved ones in the short audio, accusing them of interfering with his efforts to help the boxer recover. Sonko stated, “Even though our chances in Conjestina’s healing journey were watered down, I’m a person who does not give up in life. It is for this reason that we have given Conjestina the third and last chance again on her case.” He concluded by appreciating the effort shown by the Mombasa Women’s Hospital management to help Conjestina recover.

Conjestina has been struggling with a mental illness condition for over a decade now. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition which makes victims lose touch with reality. Conjestina, who turned 46 years old in October last year, was a force to reckon with inside the boxing ring. She registered an impressive 17 wins in the 27 fights she took part in her career. She became the first African woman to hold an international title when she beat Ugandan Fiona Tugume to take the vacant WIBF Middleweight title.

Captain Vincent Onyala is excited about the new-look and efficient Shujaa rugby team under the leadership of head coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua. Since Wambua took over, Shujaa has won all three tournaments they have participated in. Their latest victory came against Chile, where they clinched the main cup final in the Dubai leg of the 2024 Challenger Series.

This victory not only highlights Shujaa’s dominance in the tournament but also puts them in a strong position to secure a top-four finish in the series. With 20 points, they currently lead the standings, two points ahead of second-placed Chile. This success is a clear indication of Shujaa’s determination to regain promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Captain Onyala praises the team for their inclusive approach and the unity they have displayed. He feels proud to lead the national team, unlike his previous season where he felt out of place as a vice captain. The energy and vibe within the team are contributing to their success.

Onyala acknowledges the hard work and planning that has gone into their recent achievements. He is confident that their current cruise towards success will continue, and they will soon secure their place in the HSBC Series. However, he anticipates more challenging questions once they reach that level.

The Challenger Series plays a significant role in providing a pathway for promotion to the HSBC Sevens. The top four teams from the Grand Final play-off will earn their spot in the HSBC SVNS 2025. The remaining four teams will have the opportunity to compete in regional qualification tournaments for a chance to participate in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025.

Gor Mahia, the record Kenyan champions, have announced the completion of a signing during the January transfer window. The club chairman, Ambrose Rachier, has revealed that they are also targeting two more players to strengthen their attacking department and left-back position. Currently sitting at the top of the league with 40 points, seven ahead of second-placed Nairobi City Stars, Gor Mahia is determined to secure their 21st league crown.

The signing of winger Shariff Musa from Bidco United confirms the club’s intention to strengthen their squad. Rachier stated in an exclusive interview that they have been actively searching for three more players to add to their team before the January window closes on 8 February 2024. In addition to the experienced players to bolster the squad, they are also looking for younger players who can be developed to eventually replace the older ones.

Rachier expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially their unbeaten record after eighteen games played. He mentioned that previously, the team had struggled with draws, but they have managed to overcome that and are now in good form.

Gor Mahia’s unbeaten streak will face a tough challenge when they host Tusker on Saturday 20 January at the Machakos Stadium. Tusker, sitting third on the log with 31 points and an eight-match unbeaten streak, will provide a strong test for Gor Mahia. The match is set to kick off at 1500EAT.

Maseno school alumni Nyakeri has been handed a suspension due to a violent action. On Wednesday, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) disciplinary committee issued a three-week suspension to Nyakeri, who currently plays for the Nairobi-based team AP Warriors. The suspension was imposed after Nyakeri was found guilty of assaulting Walter Omwangu, a player from Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) Sparxx during a recent match held at the institution’s grounds.

The incident occurred when Omwangu went to retrieve the ball from Nyakeri. According to the report filed by Michael Aloo, the referee of the game, Nyakeri punched Omwangu in the face. The disciplinary committee categorized the red card given to Nyakeri as a low-end on the scale of seriousness. After considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances, they decided to impose a three-week suspension on Nyakeri.

During the hearing, Nyakeri was represented by assistant manager Brian Murimi and head coach Fred Hamisi from AP Warriors. They argued that Nyakeri did not throw any punches and that the referee unfairly issued a red card without being able to see what caused the fight. Murimi seconded Hamisi’s claims and criticized Aloo’s decision to show Nyakeri a red card.

It is important to note that this suspension serves as a disciplinary action taken by the KRU to address the violent behavior exhibited by Nyakeri during the match.

Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, expressed shock after learning that Mohamed Salah had suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah, known for his impressive fitness record, had missed only ten Premier League matches in six and a half seasons with Liverpool. Klopp is awaiting updates on the extent of Salah’s injury and how long he will be sidelined. Egypt coach Rui Vitoria, however, expressed hope that Salah’s injury was not serious.

Liverpool will wait for further updates before deciding whether to send their medical staff to the Ivory Coast to check on Salah. Klopp stated that it depended on the diagnosis and Egypt’s plans. While Liverpool didn’t expect Salah to return until early February, a long-term injury would be a significant setback as they pursue the Premier League title, as well as competing in the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.

Liverpool will face Bournemouth without several key players due to a combination of injuries and international commitments. Klopp mentioned that Salah, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Stefan Bajcetic were all unavailable for the upcoming game. However, Klopp remained optimistic about their progress and hoped some of them would be able to participate in team training next week, although they wouldn’t be ready for the Bournemouth game.

The Reds currently hold a 2-1 lead from their previous encounter against Fulham at Anfield. Klopp added that despite the absence of key players, the team remained positive and close to returning to full fitness.

Gor Mahia chairman Rachier has addressed recent transfer rumors involving forward Benson Omalla. There have been reports linking Omalla to Algerian club USM Alger, who are the current CAF Confederation Cup champions. This speculation comes as Gor Mahia’s impressive season has attracted the attention of local and international clubs.

However, in an exclusive interview with SportPesa News, Rachier denied any talks regarding Omalla’s potential move to USM Alger. He stated that as the chairman of Gor Mahia, he has not been contacted by anyone about Omalla’s transfer or sale. Therefore, the club is not aware of any intended sale or transfer of Omalla.

Rachier added that if any club was interested in acquiring Omalla’s services, they would need to approach Gor Mahia’s management to discuss the transfer. He expressed his concern about rumors circulating on social media and stated that background discussions do not sit well with him.

Some rumors about the potential transfer even went as far as revealing the amount of salary Omalla would earn at USM Alger. According to unreliable information, USM Alger was reportedly willing to pay $50,000 per month for Omalla’s signature, and Omalla himself would earn a monthly salary of $20,000.

Despite not recently scoring goals, Omalla currently leads the Golden Boot race with nine goals, three ahead of Moses Shumah from Kakamega Homeboyz and Vincent Owino from Nairobi City Stars. Omalla is expected to lead Gor Mahia’s attack in the upcoming match against Tusker FC on January 19 at the Machakos Stadium, which is eagerly anticipated.

Okutoyi, a Kenyan tennis player, has made significant improvements in her Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings after an impressive performance at the W35 Naples tournament in Florida. She has moved up six places in the latest rankings and now sits at position 586.

At the W35 Naples event, Okutoyi showcased her skills by winning her matches in spectacular fashion. However, she was ultimately defeated in the Singles semi-final by American player Allie Kiick. Kiick proved to be too strong for Okutoyi, securing a straight-set 6-0, 6-4 victory.

Okutoyi also participated in the Doubles competition alongside her Auburn University teammate Carolyn Ansari. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from the tournament by Hsu Chieh-Yu from Taiwan and Mayuka Aikawa from Japan, suffering a 7-5, 6-3 defeat.

Currently, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur holds the highest ranking among African female players, occupying the sixth position. She is preceded by American players Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

Although Okutoyi’s journey at the W35 Naples tournament ultimately came to an end, her impressive performance has elevated her rankings and solidified her position as a rising star in the world of tennis.

On January 16, 2024, Iga Swiatek, the Polish world number one, emerged victorious in her match against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Swiatek triumphed with a score of 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, demonstrating her skill and determination. This victory is significant as Kenin was the player Swiatek defeated to win her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2020. Swiatek fought hard in the first set, coming back from being down a break twice in the 68-minute battle. In the second set, she found her rhythm and won the final five games to secure the win. With a 17-match winning streak, Swiatek is in excellent form and will face unseeded American Danielle Collins in the next round. Collins defeated former winner Angelique Kerber 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

In other matches, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens had a successful first-round victory against Australian wildcard Olivia Gadecki, winning 6-3, 6-1. Emma Navarro, the 27th seed from America, also secured a win over China’s Wang Xiyu. On the men’s side, 11th seed Casper Ruud won convincingly against Albert Ramos-Vinolas with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. British player Cameron Norrie, seeded 19th, had an easy win in straight sets against Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas. However, the main focus of the evening session in Melbourne is on Carlos Alcaraz, the Wimbledon champion who is competing with Novak Djokovic for the number one ranking. Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in a thrilling final at the All England Club last year, but Djokovic has since defeated Alcaraz twice, including at the ATP Finals in November. Alcaraz sees the challenge of facing Djokovic in Melbourne as an opportunity for extra motivation and a chance to test his level against one of the best players in the world. Alcaraz hopes to reach the final and play against Djokovic.

In the women’s competition, last year’s beaten finalist Elena Rybakina, fresh from her win at the Brisbane International, will face former world number one Karolina Pliskova. Rybakina shocked the tennis world when she won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier but has struggled to replicate that success in subsequent Grand Slams. However, she remains confident in her abilities and believes that consistent hard work will lead to better results.

Overall, the Australian Open has seen some intense matches and exciting players to watch as the tournament progresses.

Five countries have stood out in the history of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for achieving the most hat-tricks. Egypt leads the way, followed closely by Ivory Coast. Despite the surprises in the delayed 2023 AFCON, Egypt, a multiple winner, had a disappointing start with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique. On the other hand, Namibia celebrated their first ever AFCON win with a 1-0 victory over Tunisia. Defending champions Senegal came close to victory with Lamine Camara scoring twice against Gambia.

For Egypt, Mohamed Diab Al-Attar scored the country’s first ever hat-trick at the inaugural edition of AFCON in 1957. Other Egyptian legends, including Hossam Hassan, Hassan El-Shazly, Mahmoud El-Gohary, and Mohamed Morsi, also achieved hat-tricks in subsequent editions of the tournament. Ivory Coast had a memorable hat-trick in 1965 when they defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3-0. Laurent Pokou scored five goals in a 6-1 win over Ethiopia in 1970, and Joel Teihi added another hat-trick for Ivory Coast in 1994 with a 4-0 victory against Sierra Leone.

Cameroon has had two hat-tricks in consecutive editions of AFCON. Patrick Mboma scored the first hat-trick in 2004 against Zimbabwe, followed by Bernard Chanda and Kalusha Bwalya who achieved hat-tricks in 1976 and 1994 respectively. Chanda’s hat-trick came in a semifinal match against Congo-Brazzaville, while Bwalya’s was in a group stage match against Sierra Leone. Algeria holds the record for the country’s only hat-trick, scored by Hacene Lalmas in a group stage match against Uganda in 1968.

These five countries have made their mark in AFCON history with their impressive hat-trick achievements, showcasing the individual talents and capabilities of their players.

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have discovered their opponents for the preliminary round of the 2024 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup. The draw was held at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) and was aired live on the FKF Facebook page. Over 30 clubs showed interest in the tournament, which is set to begin on February 24.

Gor Mahia, who currently have a seven-point lead at the top of the national league, will be facing Denmak FC from Kwale in the preliminary round. The little-known team will be looking to upset the reigning champions and make a name for themselves. Gor Mahia, who were knocked out in the quarterfinals last year, last won the FKF Cup in 2021 by defeating arch-rivals AFC Leopards.

In other fixtures, defending cup champions Kakamega Homeboyz will be hosting Solian City, while KCB FC will be battling it out with the Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA). AFC Leopards, on the other hand, will be facing PAC University.

The preliminary round matches are scheduled to be played on January 27, while the round of 32 will take place on February 24 and 25. Premier League sides Bandari FC, Posta Rangers, Kenya Police FC, and FC Talanta will also start in the preliminary round, facing off against lower tier sides.

The champions of the FKF Cup will have the opportunity to represent Kenya in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup.