Pain, strain and hopelessness as FIFA gives Kenya red card

Kenya has been suspended from all international football activities.

By Sammy Kitula 3 years ago

Premium

The good, the bad and the ugly of 2021 AFCON

It has been more than fun. Some of the 52 matches were most impressive. Others were just there; pedestrian. A few were boring.

By Sammy Kitula 4 years ago

Will Kamau save Mathare United’s sinking ship?

For years, faces at Mathare United's technical bench have been famed.

By Sammy Kitula 4 years ago

Walk of shame: Comoros end Ghana’s AFCON dream

Ghana's Black Stars had ambitions at this year's African Cup of Nations. They had huge dreams.

By Sammy Kitula 4 years ago

Francis Kimanzi given no chance just to say goodbye

While surrounded by the unconditional and unrestricted appreciation of everyone inside Old Trafford in May 2013, former Manchester United manager...

By Sammy Kitula 5 years ago

Francis and Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno to be unveiled tomorrow

Former Mathare United head coach takes over as Harambee Stars coach

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

The good, bad and ugly of 2019 AFCON

To Cairo International Stadium, 30 June Stadium, Al Salam Stadium, Alexandria Stadium, Suez Stadium and Ismailia Stadium, goodbye!

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

Varsity don Waweru makes history as first Kenyan centre ref at Afcon

Waweru, who has a doctoral degree in Pure Mathematics, was in control of the proceedings from the first whistle

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

AFCON: It’s time Uganda learnt to win ugly

The Uganda Cranes progress into knockouts as the second team from Group A.

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

AFCON 2019: CAF’s Competitions boss Adamu happy with tournament progress

The expansion of participating countries to 24 in this year’s African Cup of Nations has been a success.

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

Why Harambee Stars are not walking alone in Egypt

Although Kenya’s national football team Harambee Stars have been blowing hot and cold in...

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

When Mane failed to deliver on his AFCON return

The Liverpool number 10 played from his usual left-sided attacking role, but was an unresponsive figure for...

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

Algeria coach will not focus on Liverpool's Sadio Mane

An Algerian journalist had asked how his side planned to deal with Champions League winner...

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

AFCON 2019: It’s back to the drawing board for Stars

Harambee Stars face Tanzanians next on Thursday night.

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

Safety at AFCON 2019: Cairo is as safe as it comes

Despite the upsurge in petty crime after the 2011 uprising, I’m told Cairo and Egypt in general, is pretty safe.

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

AFCON 2019: How Standard journalist was rudely welcomed in Egypt

My trip to this marvelous country was full of drama. From delayed take-off to almost missing my...

By Sammy Kitula 6 years ago

Moment of glory: Finally, the long wait is almost over for Stars

National team bags vital win in decisive match against Ethiopia.

By Sammy Kitula 7 years ago

KPL: ‘Slum Boys’ have been less than inspiring despite winning 2008 league title

More is expected from a side that is said to have one of the best youth development structures in Kenya.

By Sammy Kitula 8 years ago

Thank you Ng'etich for job well done

Globe-conquering athletes, including Olympic and World champion Faith Chepng’etich, have passed through his firm hands.

By Sammy Kitula 8 years ago

In the words of Africa's only female football boss

She is a woman of many words. She speaks her mind, no matter the subject.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SONS: Abedi Pele sons Andre and Jordan steady Ghana ship

On November 5, 1964, God gave Ghana Abedi Ayew Pele. And in return, the mercurial former Black Stars striker gave Ghana his adorable sons — Andre and Jordan Ayew.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

LUXURY: CAF officials having good time in Libreville

Confederation of African Football officials are lucky fellows. Unlike me, who has been forced to make do with some wobbly hotel and still part with a daily rate of $141 (Sh14, 664), these guys are enjoying the cool ambience of the Radisson Blu Okoume Palace Hotel.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

When great players get it wrong with penalties

Ronaldo. The other Ronaldo. Roberto Baggio. David Beckham. John Terry. Wayne Rooney and now, Sadio Mane.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

EL HADARY, THE MAN TO BEAT: Legendary keeper keen on protecting 360 minutes of clean sheet

A goalkeeper is indisputably one of the most critical players in football.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

GABON STADIUMS SHAME JUBILEE PROMISE: UhuRuto’s ‘five world-class stadiums’ remain a pipe-dream as AFCON hosts put their best foot forward to welcome

The place is full of overgrown grass. Plenty of waste plastic bags litter the construction site. The drainage is blocked.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

Footballers' crazy hairstyles set Afcon on fire

When it comes to making certain statements, sports personalities do it with finesse.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

LIONS SHOWDOWN: Senegal tackle Cameroon in Nations Cup quarters

It has now come to this. After two weeks of nothing but fascinating show mostly in the stands than on the field of play, we enter the homestretch of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

SECURITY: Libreville, where military police patrol streets

Wherever one goes, they always enjoy that constant assurance that everything is okay. It is during such times when you appreciate that there is no need of turning your head in fear. Quite a reassuring feeling by all means.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

FASHION: Soaring heat gives room to scanty dress codes

Gabon is a country with one of the highest scorching temperatures in the world. Libreville being a coastal city, you can imagine the kind of humidity we have had to endure for the past 13 days. At times, it hits 35°C during the day.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

SO FAR, SO GOOD: Organisers have done good job as event enters quarter-finals

With each passing day, Gabon keeps proving they are the perfect host for this year’s tournament.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

Miya delivers Uganda’s Afcon goal after 14,197 days

14,197. Those are the number of days Uganda waited for an Africa Cup of Nations goal. What a long wait!

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

DEFENDING CHAMPS FALL AT FIRST HURDLE: Afcon specialist Renard comes back to haunt Ivory Coast

They looked panicky. They were all anxious and jittery, while to their fans, they were evidently angry.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

Cornered Algeria's Desert Warriors leave Afcon in shame

Algeria arrived here as kings awaiting coronation, but left like captured soldiers.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

GUIDES: Volunteers here have disarming smiles

Getting settled in the stadium, especially during such a big tournament can be quite challenging. It is made even worse by the fact some of us do not speak French.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

It’s Adebayor’s responsibility to lead Togo in Afcon

Since leaving Crystal Palace last season, Emmanuel Adebayor has been without a club. But that did not show in the 32-year-old Togolese striker during their opening Group C match against Ivory Cost in Oyem, Gabon.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

GABON STARE AT EXIT: Hosts resign to their fate as they face eminent Afcon elimination

For more than 10 hours before the Gabon versus Burkina Faso match, fireworks hit the sky, illuminating the otherwise dark heavens with awesome lights.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

CLASSES: Social stratification big bother to Gabonese

Though Gabon’s income is about four times that of other sub-Saharan African nations, majority of this wealth is in the hands of a few.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

TRAFFIC: Devil of accidents stalks Gabonese everyday

While still on matters traffic, I know this will sound like a contradiction, but there are accidents here everyday.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

TRAFFIC: Drivers are strict observers of rules

One of the most intriguing things I have noticed is that drivers here observe traffic rules to the letter. No matter the time of the day or whether one is alone on the road, so long as the red light is on, they stop.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago

RUDE WELCOME: Cranes undone by AFCON stage fright

As he sung the Ugandan national anthem inside the Stade de Port-Gentil, tears welled up in his eyes.

By Sammy Kitula 9 years ago