Manchester turn full blueSome ten years ago, if you heard someone saying he/she’s a Manchester fan, you’d be positively sure they were talking about United. City was not in focus, to put it politely. However, things have changed considerably since that time, and another battering of their local rivals on Sunday only goes to show which one of those two dominates the city of Manchester today.He’ll need time to adapt, they said. Well, time is obviously not the same for Erling and the othersThe entire week and all the previous action we saw in the last couple of days can’t stand a chance compared to that 6-3 rout.Giving your 100% is not optional! The Red Devils are reeling after a harsh lesson at EtihadThe Red Devils no longer have the bragging rights in the town where they were the only serious team for decades.London goes all redJust like every other major city in England, the capital has its own story of neighbourhood rivalry that’s larger-than-life. And it’s, of course, the one in North London between Arsenal and Tottenham.Lloris’ blunders, Jesus’ tenacity, Royal’s madness: The Gunners have the bragging rightsThe Spurs have risen over the years and topped the red and whites in the last couple of years, but it seems that those glory days are over.Arsenal’s best player last season, unnoticeable in the new one – Smith Rowe recovers from a surgeryMikel Arteta has finally found the perfect formula for the Gunners, who are getting back to those tracks paved by Arsene Wenger in the late ’90s. Unusually flawless, Arsenal have made it clear that the city of London belongs to them exclusively.Elite PreSeason Cup offers teaser of long-lost organizationThe inaugural edition of the Elite PreSeason Cup finally came to an end on Sunday with Kenya Police clinching the trophy and the one million cash prize that was on offer after defeating Nairobi City Stars 2-0 at Nyayo National Stadium.Elite Preseason Cup: Simiyu, Nabwire on the mark as Police thump City StarsAway from the stadium, it is activities surrounding the tournament that gave stakeholders of the game a glimpse of what has been missing since the country was suspended by world footballing governing body FIFA.The tournament was available on broadcast live on digital media, the communication was clear and the attendance was also encouraging, some of the things that were not available from the controversial government installed Football Kenya Federation Transition Committee.Congratulations @kenyapolicefc for winning the Inaugural Elite Preseason Cup #ElitePreSeasonCup pic.twitter.com/aIQRnXvXEv— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) October 1, 2022 Hail Kipruto for reclaiming the London Marathon men’s title.The country had invested hopes on Amos Kipruto to reclaim the men’s title in the London Marathon as he was the sole Kenyan lining up for the race. Kipruto did not disappoint as he coasted to victory after clocking two hours, four minutes and thirty-nine seconds.Following the victory, Kipruto joined the high table as it was his first win in a major marathon. The challenge on the 2019 world bronze medalist now becomes maintaining the splendid performance displayed in the streets of London last weekend going forward.Kipruto claims victory in London Marathon on his debutEthiopian, Yalemzerf Yehualaw broke Kenyan women’s dominance in the London Marathon after piping outgoing champion Joyciline Jepkosgei to the title last weekend.Prior to Yehualaw’s win, Kenya had won the past six editions of the race. Hopefully, the women marathoners will bring the title home in the 43rd edition.Malkia Strikers’ match to global glory continues They came so close yet so far to achieving their dream of featuring in the second round of the FIVB Women’s World Championships, losing yo Puerto Rico 3-1. I believe a time is coming when we will look back at what our targets in 2022 were and appreciate the journey Kenyan volleyball has been on. A time when Malkia Strikers will compete with other Nations League teams at par. It was not an excersice in futility, however, as the Luizomar de Moura-coached side managed their second victory at this level in seven appearances, beating Cameroon in straight sets.Malkia Strikers falter in their quest for World championship second roundThis was sweet revenge for the Kenyan side that has lost to Cameroon in the last three Africa Games and most recently at last year’s Africa Championships, where they lost twice to the same team at the group stage and in the final. They also had a commendable performance against European and VNL champions Italy, despite a 3-0 loss. As they returned to the country on Sunday 2 October night, the team’s top performer Sharon Chepchumba boarded a different flight to Greece where she has already completed a deal with Aris Thessaloniko. More players are expected to land such pro deals. KPA dethroned as Equity Hawks miss continental tourneyKenya Ports Authority (KPA) managed silver at this year’s FIBA Africa Zone Five women’s club championship held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last week, concluding on Saturday. The dockers had gone to the championship as title holders, having won last year at the same venue, but could not brepeat the feat as Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) of Egypt bagged gold. Silver for KPA as Egypt’s ASC lift Zone Five titleVictoria Reynolds who was a new addition to help bolster the team’s squad was named the best scorer with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) gong going to Hagar Mohamed of Egypt. While KPA booked their ticket to the next FIBA Africa Championships, their counterparts Equity Hawks will be missing out after finishing fifth in Dar es Salaam.
