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KENYA PULLS OUT OF VOLLEYBALL CONTEST IN NIGERIA AS GOVERNMENT BANS ATHLETES FROM INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OVER CORONAVIRUS
BY MICHAEL HOUSTON.
Kenya’s Government have imposed a one-month international travel ban for athletes from the nation due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The shutdown has already affected the women’s beach volleyball
team who pulled out of their Olympic qualifier in Nigeria along with the
Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde.
Kenyan duo Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala said their Olympic dreams had been “shattered” following the decision.
According to All Africa, coach Sammy Mulinge said: “It’s really a sad moment for the volleyball family.
“The girls had a big chance of qualifying for the Olympics and I pity the players.”
To date, no-one in Kenya has tested positive for the virus which has infected more than 120,000 people and killed more than 4,370, predominantly in China.
Two people in Africa have died from the infection – one each in Morocco and Egypt with 11 nations having confirmed cases.
Kenya’s national football team will also have to call off their next away match with Comoros on March 29 after the Football Kenya Federation requested to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
An extension of the ban could see top Kenyan runners miss the London Marathon which is scheduled for April 26.
Meanwhile, America’s President, Donald Trump has announced that the United States would suspend all travel from Europe from Friday (March 13) for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The announcement comes just hours after the World Health Organisation officially declared it a pandemic.
The travel restrictions would not apply to the United Kingdom, which Trump said has taken more precautions than the European Union against the virus.
Americans who underwent the appropriate medical screenings would also be exempted, he said in a solemn address to the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday – only his second since taking office in 2017.
“We are at a critical time in the fight against the virus. We made a life-saving move with early action on China. Now we must take the same action with Europe. We will not delay,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security later said in a statement that the restrictions would cover foreign nationals who had been in Europe in the past 14 days.
It would not apply to legal permanent residents, nor in general to immediate family members of American citizens.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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