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Meet Stoke City teenage defender included in latest Harambee Stars squad

When Benni McCarthy named Sydney ‘Syd’ Agina in Kenya’s squad for the June international friendlies against Palestine and Kyrgyzstan, many Harambee Stars supporters were introduced to a new name carrying enormous promise.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsAt only 18 years old, Agina is already regarded as one of the brightest young defenders emerging at Stoke City, where years of steady development have transformed him from an academy prospect into a first-team player with a rapidly growing reputation.##NAJAVA_MECA_9750241##Born in the United Kingdom to Kenyan parents, the composed and versatile defender has chosen to represent Kenya internationally, giving Harambee Stars another exciting young talent as the team continues its long-term rebuild under McCarthy ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).Agina’s journey has been built on patience, discipline and consistency. He joined Stoke City’s academy as an eight-year-old and progressed through every level at the club wh..

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How UoN Women overcame 15-point deduction to reclaim Premier League status

Promotion campaigns are rarely linear, but for the University of Nairobi Women’s Hockey Team, popularly known as Vigilantes, the 2025 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Super League season was defined as much by resilience as it was by performance.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsUnder the guidance of coach Paul Omariba, the side navigated a campaign filled with logistical challenges, regulatory setbacks, and defining moments to ultimately secure a return to the Premier League.“It’s been a very good journey filled with ups and downs,” reflects Omariba, choosing to frame the season not by its complications but by the collective effort that carried the team through. “Overall, I want to congratulate the girls on the hard work they’ve put in throughout the season.”From the outset, Vigilantes showed the hallmarks of a promotion-chasing side. Their early form was built on consistency and belief, particularly evident in demanding away fixtures.Blue Ocean Chiefs crowned KHU Masters Series II ..

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Former Gor Mahia forward backs AFC Leopards to win tight title race

Former AFC Leopards forward Ezekiel Odera has expressed his delight at the fierce FKF Premier League title battle this season, describing the rivalry between Ingwe and Gor Mahia as a major boost for Kenyan football.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFor the first time in many years, the country’s two biggest and most decorated clubs have gone toe-to-toe in the title race deep into the final stretch of the campaign, with Gor currently holding a four-point advantage over Ingwe with only two matches left to play.Odera, who featured for AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Nairobi City Stars and KCB during his playing days, admitted the competitiveness shown by both sides has revived excitement among supporters.##NAJAVA_MECA_9757856##“AFC Leopards have made me proud this season, and it is very nice to see that the two big clubs in Kenyan football history are fighting for the title almost until the end,” said Odera.“These are the teams with the biggest fan bases in the country, and they have r..

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Chelsea’s way of consoling Joao Pedro — Brazilian named Blues’ Player of the Season

Joao Pedro failed to make Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Although it was never officially stated, it is clear to many that Carlo Ancelotti left him out in favor of Neymar. The Italian coach was under enormous pressure from the Brazilian public to include the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, despite the fact that Neymar has barely played over the past three seasons.Injuries have kept him away from the pitch far more often than football has, yet he was still given the opportunity to appear at a fourth World Cup. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Joao Pedro will have to wait another four years and continue scoring goals in hopes of earning his debut at the tournament in 2030.Carletto’s World Cup gamble or just craziness – Neymar in, Joao Pedro out?!It was reportedly an emotional night in the home of the Chelsea striker. His strong performances and 20 goals this season ultimately were not enough for Ancelotti to include him among Brazil’s 26-man squad. Having featured in bot..

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Pushing the limits — Ronaldo leads a star-studded Portugal squad at record sixth World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history after being included in Portugal’s preliminary 27-player squad for this summer’s World Cup. If he takes the field, the veteran forward will become the first male player ever to appear in six different World Cup tournaments. Lionel Messi could also reach that milestone should he be selected by Argentina.Portugal manager Roberto Martinez revealed the squad on Tuesday, featuring several of the nation’s biggest stars including Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes. The squad currently contains four goalkeepers, though one will be omitted before the final roster deadline.𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 🇵🇹🏆𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗬𝗘𝗦… 𝗛𝗘’𝗦 𝗜𝗡 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/8a3Q13SPo1— 433 (@433) May 19, 2026 Among the more unexpected selections are Goncalo Guedes, who has revived his international career after returning to the Portugal setup earlier this year following a four-year absence, and Mallorca midfielder Samuel Costa, who has only four senior caps.Costa’s incl..

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McCarthy to face South Africa as Harambee Stars land tricky AFCON 2027 qualifying group

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is set for an emotional reunion with his home country, South Africa, after Kenya was drawn against Bafana Bafana in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe draw, conducted on Tuesday, 19 May, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo, placed Kenya in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea.McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, will now have the task of guiding Harambee Stars against the country where he built his legendary football career.##NAJAVA_MECA_9757857##A total of 48 nations, including co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, were divided into 12 groups of four teams each for the qualification campaign to the AFCON PAMOJA 2027.Although the three East African nations are already guaranteed places at the finals by virtue of being hosts, they will still participate in the qualifiers.CAF confirmed that in groups containing either Kenya, Ugand..

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Nagelsmann goes all-in with veteran Neuer, his backup gutted

The biggest story in German football right now is official: Manuel Neuer will be Germany’s No. 1 at the World Cup.It felt inevitable once the Bayern Munich veteran announced his willingness to come out of international retirement, but now the decision has reportedly been made. According to Sky Sport Germany and Bild, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has chosen the four-time world champion over the man who had seemingly won the job in recent months – Oliver Baumann.Matthias Sammer on criticism of Julian Nagelsmann’s decision to bring back Manuel Neuer over Oliver Baumann: “Excuse me, are we on a day trip or are we in high-performance sports, where even the brutality of such decisions sometimes seems absurd to the people out there at first… pic.twitter.com/14wrS08pkr— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) May 19, 2026 The debate had dominated German media for days. Would Nagelsmann stick with the reliable Hoffenheim goalkeeper who stepped up after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury, or would he..

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First Women’s NBA double-double for Madina Okot against holders Aces

Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) rising rookie Madina Okot came off the bench for Atlanta Dream to notch her first-ever double-double, as they fell short in an 85-84 loss to Las Vegas Aces during a sold-out home clash at State Farm Arena.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsIn just 16 minutes, the Kenyan star dropped 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding a sensational block as a shorthanded Atlanta team took on defending champions Aces, coming from a 17-point deficit to lose in the final seconds.Atlanta played a spectacular second half, outscoring Aces 20-4, over the final eight minutes of regulation, another late-game burst on both ends of the floor, but ended on the losing end this time.Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy confirmed as 2026 FIFA World Cup punditIt was not the best performance for Okot’s side as they shot 37% from the field and just 22% from 3-point range.The side scored 42 paint points and won the boards 45-38, this despite missing two of its bes..

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Shabana coach opens up on managing Gen Zs in the team

Shabana FC head coach Osborne Monday has opened up on the challenges of managing young players in the team. Monday made a return to Shabana a month ago, on an interim basis, following the exit of Peter Okidi. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe former Harambee Stars midfielder was tasked with helping Shaban finish the season strongly as well as develop the scores of youngsters who fall in the Gen Z bracket (born between 1997 and 2012).##NAJAVA_MECA_9757957##Speaking after Shabana’s win over Bidco United, the 40-year-old explained some of the ways of coaching the players and how it worked to deliver three points against Bidco. “Relationships with players are very key. They are Gen Zs and so you have to go to their level to understand what they want in order to help them to grow in football.Mambote (Assis) for instance was performing below par last week and I expressed my frustrations on him, had a heated chat and I think he reacted positively to it,” said Monday.Akhulia brea..

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Arteta turns into Cherries’ biggest fan as Arsenal push City to the edge

Arsenal did their part. Now, all eyes turn to Manchester City.The Gunners edged past Burnley 1-0 on Monday night to keep the Premier League title race dramatic, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side must beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium tonight (9.30 pm) if they want to stay in control of their destiny heading into the final weekend.And while City still hold the advantage, Mikel Arteta is openly hoping Bournemouth can deliver Arsenal one final favour.##NAJAVA_MECA_9757932##The Cherries are far from pushovers. Andoni Iraola’s side is still dreaming of an unlikely Champions League place, turning what could have been a routine night for City into one of the most dangerous fixtures left on the calendar.Arteta certainly knows it.”I’ll be Bournemouth’s biggest fan ever tonight,” the Arsenal boss admitted after the win over Burnley. “I think everyone connected to Arsenal will support them because we know what it could mean for us. We’ve done our job, and now there’s one game left – unless some..

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