STARS ABROAD: Reason behind Harambee Stars defender’s absence from Sunday clash revealed

Harambee Stars defender, Stanley Wilson, missed a third successive game for AIK as they secured a 2-1 victory over Goteborg in the 11th round of Swedish Allsvenskan at Gamla Ullevi on Sunday, 5 July.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsWilson, 19, was ruled out of the game due to a groin injury, which the club said was undergoing rehabilitation.##NAJAVA_MECA_9831845##In a brief note on the former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder, AIK noted on Thursday, 2 July: “[Stanley Wilson] Is in rehabilitation for a groin injury. Conducts rehabilitation in a gym.”The match was his first absence in the Swedish top-tier this season, following what has been a breakthrough campaign for the youngster.Why South Africa are unfazed by Junior Starlets’ 2-0 lead ahead of World Cup qualifier deciderWilson, who was rewarded with a new three-year deal in June, was ,however, not involved the two club friendlies against Kalmar and Vasteras SK, where AIK delivered mixed results, losing 2-0, and winning 3-2, re..

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Nick Mwendwa explains why football remains tough investment for African entrepreneurs

Former FKF President, Nick Mwendwa, has opened up on why African entrepreneurs are shying away from investing in football.The African football market, including Kenya, has proven difficult to attract significant investors over the years, with the majority of clubs being owned by corporate organizations as marketing tools.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsHaving led Kenyan football for nine years ,and as the proprietor of FKF Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks, Mwendwa shared his opinion on the scarcity of investors in the game.“The main issue with football is that it has not reached a point in Africa where clubs are profitable save for Morocco and a little bit of South Africa, Algeria and Egypt.Even in those countries, the governments are investing in the game but clubs are still barely profitable,” said Mwendwa.##NAJAVA_MECA_9832171##The 46-year-old went ahead to draw lessons from Egyptian giants: Al Ahly and Zamalek who have established themselves as African football pow..

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Real-life Hangover: One lost phone, 10 days missing, and a World Cup trip nobody will forget

Michael Hewitt travelled to the World Cup hoping to cheer on England in the United States, but his trip unexpectedly turned into a 10-day missing-person mystery that ended with him being found in a Barcelona pub.The 65-year-old Leeds United supporter, affectionately known as “Little Mick,” had planned to fly from Barcelona to Boston for England’s World Cup clash with Ghana. His family last spoke to him on June 21, shortly after he arrived in Spain, before all communication suddenly stopped.Some are saying this is the most British story ever. 65-year-old Michael Hewitt left Leeds for the World Cup, flying through Barcelona.Then he lost his phone, which had all his tickets, bookings, contacts, and travel info on it.He couldn’t call anyone, didn’t know a single… pic.twitter.com/EUC7qj7Pi0— Dudes Posting Their W’s (@DudespostingWs) July 4, 2026 >The reason behind his disappearance was ultimately much simpler than anyone had imagined. Shortly after reaching Barcelona, Hewitt lost his mobile..

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Madina Okot’s double-digit effort overshadowed by Dream’s latest defeat

Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot was back into double-digits scoring as her Atlanta Dream side extended their losing skid to five games, going down 88-83 to the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday, 4 July.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsOkot, who made her first career start in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) last week, was a reserve this time round, coming up with 11 points and two rebounds, from just 10 minutes of play.The 21-year-old made an instant impact in her first minutes on the floor, scoring four quick points as a late first-quarter substitution for Allisha Gray.National Term Two School Games land new sponsorship worth 20 million shillingsHer other seven points came late in the third quarter, when she connected two layups and drained three free-throws to make it her first double-digit scoring game since hitting another 11 in Dream’s 105-90 defeat to Seattle Storm on Sunday, 28 June.On the bigger view of things, the latest defeat was Atlanta’s fi..

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Inside new Shabana coach’s plan to dethrone Gor Mahia in 2026-2027 season

New Shabana FC head coach Ahmed Fathi Abdalla Ibrahim has wasted no time in outlining his ambitions, declaring that his mission at the Gusii-based club is to challenge for the FKF Premier League title. The Egyptian tactician was officially unveiled last Friday as Shabana’s new head coach, taking over from Osborne Monday who left for Nairobi United. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsAhmed was unveiled alongside former Kenya U-20 assistant coach Hesbon Nyabinge, who joined the club as his first assistant. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9833418##Speaking after his unveiling, the 40-year-old made his ambitions crystal clear, insisting he had arrived at the club to compete for major honours.”I cannot explain the feeling. I believe I am in the right place for this mission and I can assure the fans that we will give our best throughout the new season. I am here to go for the league title and CAF competitions, and I believe it is all achievable,” Ahmed declared.Stars Abroad: Harambee Stars forward sc..

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Four decades after ‘Hand of God’, Three Lions return to Azteca to break both Mexico and curse

Forty years after one of the most painful nights in England’s football history, the Three Lions are back at the Azteca.The iconic stadium in Mexico City, forever etched into English football folklore because of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and his unforgettable “Goal of the Century” in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, will once again provide the backdrop for a match of enormous significance. This time, England’s opponents are the hosts themselves, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.The last time England played a game at the Azteca, Maradona produced the most iconic performance in football history pic.twitter.com/woj8prXEzr— TK (@TeaKupps) July 5, 2026 Thomas Tuchel’s side know they will have to overcome far more than just an in-form Mexican team. They must also deal with one of world football’s most intimidating venues, where more than 80,000 home supporters are expected to create a deafening atmosphere and where Mexico have turned the stadium into a fortress…

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BETTING GUIDE: Brazil vs Norway, Mexico vs England, World Cup predictions

BETTING GUIDE: Brazil vs NorwayBrazil and Norway renew acquaintances on the World Cup stage for the first time since their famous meeting at France 1998, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil come into the contest after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan, while Norway edged past Ivory Coast by the same scoreline thanks to another decisive goal from Erling Haaland.Download Our MozzartSport App For More NewsWhile Brazil boast greater tournament pedigree, Norway’s direct attacking style, led by Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, has made them one of the most dangerous counter-attacking teams at the tournament, setting up what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle.##NAJAVA_MECA_9831845##Kick-off: 11:00 PM (Kenyan Time), SundayVenue: MetLife Stadium, New JerseyGroup: Round of 16Current standings: Knockout StageMbappe fires shots after surviving Paraguay’s guillotine: “We can also get our hands dirty”Qualification implications: The winner advances to ..

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Why South Africa are unfazed by Junior Starlets’ 2-0 lead ahead of World Cup qualifier decider

South Africa U17 Women’s head coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo, has explained why she is hopeful of qualification to the 2026 World Cup despite falling to Kenya in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers. The Bantwana failed to capitalize on home advantage,losing 2-0 to Junior Starlets in a match played on Saturday, 4 June at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsFaith Boke opened the scoring for Kenya in the 23rd minute, before goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo came to Kenya’s rescue moments later, saving Koketso Malibana’s penalty to keep the score in favour of the visitors. Red-hot Brenda Achieng sealed the win for Kenya in the 70th minute, giving her side crucial advantage ahead of the second leg.##NAJAVA_MECA_9833418##Speaking after the match, a disappointed Khumalo highlighted why she is hopeful of a second leg triumph in Nairobi.“I saw a lot of improvement in this game. We will go back and correct some mistakes, and go to the s..

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Carletto reveals that ex-Man Utd boss is the only person whose advice he’d listen to

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that there is only one man in football whose advice he believes carries unquestionable authority – Sir Alex Ferguson.The Brazil head coach made that remark ahead of today’s World Cup Round of 16 clash against Norway, after facing criticism over his team’s pragmatic style of play, despite guiding the five-time world champions into the last 16.##NAJAVA_MECA_9831845####EDITORS_CHOICE##The Italian, one of the most decorated managers in football history, pointed to Ferguson’s unparalleled longevity as the only benchmark that exceeds his own.”In Italy they say every man wants to be a football coach and every woman wants to be an architect,” Ancelotti said.”I don’t know whether I understand football or not, but nobody can judge that. The only certainty is that I’ve prepared teams for around 1,400 matches. Maybe that’s not enough to fully understand football, but it’s certainly a lot of experience.””Only one man has managed more matches than me – Alex Ferguson, who..

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Former Harambee Stars defender explains why AFCON 2027 will transform Kenyan football

Former Harambee Stars defender Lawrence Olum believes the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will leave a lasting legacy on Kenyan footballHe says the tournament will inspire a new generation of players while transforming the region’s football infrastructure.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsKenya will co-host the continental showpiece alongside Uganda and Tanzania.Olum describes the tournament as a defining moment not only for the three host nations but for East African football as a whole.##NAJAVA_MECA_9832171##The former Harambee Stars midfielder, who represented Kenya between 2014 and 2015, believes local fans and young players will benefit immensely from watching some of Africa’s biggest stars compete on home soil.”When those players come here, young footballers will finally see what world-class football really looks like,” Olum said in an interview with Eastleigh Voice.”That kind of exposure changes people because they begin believing they can reach those levels too.”Ol..

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