Gabaleko Inspires Western Stima Past Tusker to KPL U-19 Glory As Questions Linger Over Kenyan Youth Football

2013 KPL Under 19 Champions Western Stima

Three minutes past the hour before noon, the shrill of the center referee's whistle pierces the chilly Nairobi air at Tusker's Ruaraka ground.

If Thika superhighway, that leads to this KPL under 19 tournament final is clogged with traffic, it probably Nairobians going about their business, least bothered.

Contrast this come sunday with the sea of red and green heading out for the 'mashemeji' derby gyrating and dancing to the African orchestra of isikuti, tingiti and vuvuzela; you get a sense of the place of youth football in Kenya.

The sizable crowd would probably be an upgrade--a handful-- if either of the youth teams that face off in Kenya's biggest day on the football calendar on Sunday-- AFC Leopards 'ingwe' or Gor Mahia 'Kogalo' -- had made it to the final.

But it is two corporate sponsored sides that fight it out for the 300,000 prize money: Tusker sponsored by the Diageo majority owned East African Breweries Limited and Western Stima bank rolled by the Nairobi Securities Exchange listed Kenya Power and Lighting Company.

As is the trend with the senior league, the crowd pullers are the mismanagement bedeviled community sides. Ingwe at least made it to the semis losing out to Tusker. A feat if the happenings at the unveiling of the DSTV/GOTV sponsored tournament are acknowledged.

As is everything, the youth are the roots that yeild the fruits. KPL and DSTV did their part in watering the roots by harnessing collections from DSTV Top 8 tournament to finance the KPL under 19 tournament. Not enough by the organizers own admissions, but nonetheless a noble take more so in light of the troubles of Europe's NextGen Series.

On the other side of the scale, the clubs were left exposed. With no functional football academies, it is widely reported that the scramble was on to sign talent on loan from  for the pitiful spattering of football academies that dot the city.

Even Western Stima who lead the final with a goal at the break, field a side largely drawn from Kenyan secondary school powerhouse Kakamega High school team The Green Commandos. Six players we are informed. Yes, it is currently the school holidays in Kenya but what about the preceding weeks at tournament kick off when school was in session?

What consideration for the future of these young lads. Is it a simple "Go play a tournament. Hope you get signed by a Kenya Premier League side on a pitiful contract"---- Keep in mind that the majority of these players are in their final years of O level study with months to national examinations of great bearing on their futures-- If there is a contract, who advised the young lads? Who guided them through the complicated contract process? If any are below the legal age, were their guardians involved?----

What a skewed trade off! What choices to bestow on these young shoulders. What a gamble on our Nations future!

This begs questions on football structures in Kenya. What exactly is the arrangement between the school and KPLC? What of the players welfare? Therein lies a whiff of child labor dare we say.

More questions. Consider this: Come the final, and the trend repeats itself as senior coaches on the touchlines puppeteer the junior coaches.

Now, that is damn worrying! Elementary youth football development places an absolute on the qualifications and pedigree of professionals who handle such precocious talent.

We can't picture an Arsene Wenger, Pep or Jurgen Klopp shouting out instructions at a youth tournament. Spectator? Yes. Back room consultations between the coaches of the two set ups? Yes. Puppeteer-ing? NO!

Suck it up you might say. TIA you might add. Justify your banter by throwing about known names in world football like Victor Wanyama of Celtic, his elder brother UEFA Champions league winner Macdonald Mariga and Dennis 'the menace' Oliech.

Forgetting the sound family support that makes Mariga and Wanyama the success they are. Contrast that with the bountiful talent not fully exploited in Oliech's case, troubles that could be traced here.

It is our prayer that the talent of Western Stima's Laban Gambaleko on display here gets to shine in such cathedrals such as Old Trafford and  Santiago Bernabeu.

That the likes of Micheal Olunga, Charles Adika, Kevin Okoth, Vitalis Okumu and Micheal Abor do not seep into the cracks into football abyss.

Granted, the world of football is filled with heart wrenching tales of shattered dreams and destroyed lives. We just need not to fodder it. We shouldn't parry it on through acts of commission or omission.

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To the KPL fraternity, time for a full time Under 19 league? Maybe a PPP model involving the Ministries of Edcation, Ministry of Sports and companies who have already shown a hand in youth sports like Brookside Milk and  Airtel would do the trick 

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To Kenyan universities, the cue has been set by the likes of Kenyatta University and Nairobi University through offering sports scholarships.

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Western Stima run away with the under 19 KPL title thrashing Tusker 4-0. Laban Gabaleko our player of the tournament. At 6 '2 the strikers skill and technical acumen is on point. A goal and two assists in the final capping a fine performance. As expected, the lad is still raw on the edges but he packs a full one with all the right ingredients to make a lethal striker. 

Goals

Laban Gabaleko (20)

Charles Adika (60)

Kevin Okoth (76)

Micheal Abor (79)

Montolivo Shines But Fiorentina Battle back To Claim Draw Against Milan in Champions League Spot Battle

I understand lunchtime kick offs aren’t a familiar tradition in Serie A . Fiorentina hosted Ac Milan in one of the few deviations from the norm and in the warm Florence sun, the opening exchanges were pretty much a Sunday football local team affair. Misplaced passes, lethargic runs and a rather quiet crowd content to while away the Sunday afternoon. Except, of course, when Montolivo got on the ball.

That man, Montolivo, the story of how friend turns foe. How hero turns villain. Of how allegiances swiftly change in football, with a flip in circumstances. For his case, it was a change of jerseys. First, the Italian international hustles Pizzaro on the ball.

 Deep into his own half and facing his own goal, Pizzaro appears to shrug off Montolivo’s undue attention and as he makes the turn to change defense into attack, an unfortunate slip gifts the ball to Montolivo. An onrushing keeper and a composed Montolivo combine to give Milan the opener. He celebrates. The jeers from the stands quieted.

Fast forward to the start of the second half and ten man Fiorentina are playing with much purpose. Adversity has a way to bring out the best in a man. To a man, Fiorentina felt hard done by the referee. Card after card as Ac Milan played to the gallery. It all culminated some seven minutes, give or take, to the end of the first half when last man Nenad Tomovicgot sent off after El Shaarawy  rather easily tumbled in a tussle for the ball.

However, with the constant jeers from the partisan crowd, it was the the other man facing adversity who shinned like a diamond. A brief spell of control by Milan. Montolivo works his way to the right wing, under pressure; he unexpectedly makes a low cross into the area. It’s only his teammate, former Arsenal man Flamini, anticipating. The Frenchman delicately side foots the ball into the bottom left. Goal two for Milan. Flamini’s first of the season.

‘Milan sinks Fiorentina in Florence’. ‘Fiorentina’s Champions League hopes dented by Milan’. At this point, I imagine those would have been the headlines on the back pages of Italian dailies. Two goals down, ten men, a stefan Jovetic  substituted at the end of the first through injury and an in form Ac Milan, there seemed to be no way back for Fiorentina. That, until

65:14 Ljaijc with an expected weaving run down the right into the box is clipped, or appears to have been clipped, penalty. The Serbian sends Abbiati the wrong way; Goal and Fiorentina have a life line. 2-1

72:01 In swinging cross from the left and Juan Cuadradodelightfully controlled it, skipped past Mattia De Sciglio got hacked down. Unlike the first, this one’s a clear penalty. Pizzaro dispatches and with that, villain turns hero.

2-2 it is, game on we thought. The remaining 28 mins were a typical Italian affair. Counter attacking football with a psychological edge. More yellow cards and exaggerated fouls. Milan had a shout for penalty that was turned down. In the end, a deserved 2-2 draw. We are pretty sure Florence is celebrating. 

Kenya Bags First Win in HSBC World Series Dubai Leg

Kenya’s splendid start to the 2012/13 IRB World Series continued with a 12-5 comeback victory over Scotland at the ongoing HSBC sevens in Dubai. After a first half characterized by sloppy give-away in possession as Scotland pinned Kenya in their own territory, The Morans , took to stride head coach Mike Friday’s half time call to up the pace and get it on with the leg work.

Collins Injera struck twice after the break. First center post converted try was a dummy run as he cut in on the weak side of the tracking defender while the second was one of sheer power as he bulldozed in his opposite number. With the two, the Kenyan leads the points log with 10. In the end, Kenya’s superior tackling success rate, 100% to 78%, saw them through to the buzzer.

Next up for Kenya is Spain at 13:58 with the Iberian side having lost to Fiji 14-0 in their first game. Will it be more for Injera?

English Premier League Transfer WishList

Proud to introduce the inaugural A.S. I Sportswire English Premier League transfer wish list, cum transfer dream team, cum shadow Premier league Team Of the Season 2011/12

Goal Keeper:                      Krul,

Defenders:        Walker, Heitinga, Jagielka, Bale

Midfielders:               Tiote, Sigurdsson
                        Holliet, Dempsey, Pikillton

Striker:                   Robin Van Persie


1.Tim Krul (Newcastle)

The Newcastle keeper epitomizes the Newcastle diagnosis: Average player turned above average thanks to team power. His tiff with Van Persie during the Emirates encounter that ended 1-2 in the gunner’s favor remains his moment for the season for me.  Such brashness, in the books of A.S.I Sportswire is a sign of pure ambition and and a healthy dose of self confidence. These are mental attributes tell of the kind of attitude needed by a player to prosper at a bigger club.
 2.Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

The currently injured Kyle Walker, was his peer’s pick for the Young Player of The Year, made it to the premier league team of the year and was a year ago, in the UEFA European Under 21 Football Championship team.  His missing out on the Euro’s on account of his injury has hit the headlines just as his White Hart Lane heroics dominated British backpages; when he hit that screamer of a winning goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.

Anyone shopping for a right back with premier league experience can’t look over him. We reckon 2011/12 UEFA Champions league winners, Chelsea, might be interested given the unflattering displays by their current personnel.  With Tottenham missing out on Champions League football, the vultures start circling on the lilies.

3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

The ‘tappers’ are it. Barcelona’s Dani Alves recently spoke well of the Welshman, and we all know what that means: when Barcelona players start talking about another player. He would definitely fetch more than the 10million Euros that Tottenham paid for him in the summer of 2007.

His season starts are as average as Theo Walcott’s for a player so much talked about: 9 goals from 123 shots and 8 assists in 32 appearances. 

The center backs are an interesting one. The pair come from Everton and has been subject for transfers come every summer. A.S.I Sportswire  would love to see them remain in Everton just because we love what Moyers is doing there. The two have helped marshal the leagues 4th tightest defense that had allowed only 38 goals, counting the four conceded, as by the time of  that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford that threw the title race open.

4.Johhny Heitinga (Everton)

The 28yr old is a full Netherlands international and featured prominently in the European qualifiers. Interesting to see if the Dutch win the Euros, and Heitinga heads back to Everton.

5. Phil Jagielka (Everton)

Terry-Cahil looks the automatic pick for England in the Euros. Jagielka might augur for a move considering the gloss that playing in big games against the likes of Messi has done to Cahill’s international career.

6. Tiote (Newcastle: Defensive Midfeilder)

The ping pong game is already on when it comes to Tiote. The Ivorian insists that he is staying, but It would be hard to see how he would turn down a move to Manchester United or Chelsea now that Newcastle has failed to make the Champions League dream true.
The downside is that the Ivorian could be away again at the African Cup of Nations in January 2013 for a maximum two months as Africa’s premier completion shifts calendar dates.

7.David Hoilett (Blackburn: Attacking midfielder)

Age 21, at a club that failed to fight relegation, with seven goals and 5 assists from 30+ premier league appearances, pretty much sums it up. According to premierleague.com, 77% of his attacking activity happens in the box; a significant statistic considering he has been used mostly as a wide player at Blackburn.

The Canadian International fits the bill for a Spurs and Liverpool kind of buy. However, according to widespread internet transfer rumor reports; the gunners are said to be in for him. With Blackburn being the soap opera show it was, and subsequently facing the axe from top flight football; the likelihood of one of its’ better players not being there to participate in Championship football is quite real.

In terms of his professional development it might be wise for himself to bid his time in lower league football, get in more playtime, smoothen the edges, build up his cred and make the move to a bigger club during the January transfer season.

8. Clint Dempsy (Fulham: Attacking Midfielder)

As with every hot prospect every transfer season, Arsenal  are apparently interested; but a return of 16 goals from 134 shots, 6 assists from 34 appearances from a midfielder in a team that finished outside the European places would tickle any manager.  If Arsenal do sign him, he would probably do an an Arteta. If Fulham hold onto the American international and part time you tube rapper, it would be a massive plus for them.

Clint Dempsy Rap Video: 'Don't Tread'

9. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea: Attacking Midfielder)

The Iceland international on loan at Swansea from TSG Hoffenheim alongside Newcastle’s Cisse are the stars of the January transfer season. At 22 years, Swansea can underlay their ambitions by reviving their botched January bid

With a goal to game ratio of 1:2 (7 goals in 15 games from 61 shots) and 2 assists, the rumors that he could be headed to the Emirates or Old Trafford would be welcome to both sets of fans following the trophy-less campaigns just ended. He loves the ‘Cesc area’ ghosting in and around the opposition box as the most forward midfielder in the team, can pick a pass and good defensive play.

10: Van Persie (Arsenal: Forward)

Arsenal’s worry here: wages (read: current EPL Champions Manchester City), the fact that Alexis Sanchez doesn’t look any part Barcelona material and just about anything else you will read about in the papers.

11. Pikillton (Norwich: Forward)

He did better than a Koscienly-by passing Championship football all the way to the top flight from lower league side Brighton. In 28+ appearances, Pikillton has netted 8 times with 1 assists. Of the eight goals, was the spectacular opener at White Hart lane as Norwich overrun the lilies in one of their sizable upsets the past season.


Premier League Transfer Wishlist 'B'

Kyut (Liverpool: Attacking Midfeilder)

Kyut is the Toyota of football players. At his age, the more likely move would be one back to Netherlands, although he is a leading candidate of a Benayoun- Arsenal kind of deal considering his age defying work rate.

Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City: Forward)

Mancini is an interesting one : A treat it is now that Manchester City has bagged the premier league.  His press conferences are sheer journalist delight. He definitely is Italian. Consider his Balotelli gamble and Teves affair. But our pick has to be his loaning out of Adebayor.

It’s hard to come round how he can semi-peddle the Togolese. A player, whose performances gave Tottenham the dream of Champions League football; a player with 14 league goals to his name, placing him just above the stellar company of Ballotelli and Dzeko , but head and shoulders  above his direct competitors with 11 assists, outstanding team play and commitment.

Internet reports indicate that Adebayor and Tottenham are deep in negotiations as we speak.

Steven Fletcher (Wolves: Forward)

The Scotland international’s 10 league goals failed to save woeful Wolves from relegation.  He would be a hot pick for any of the bottom half teams, especially the likes of, QPR and Aston villa.

Demba ba (Newcastle: Forward)

The Senegalese wants PSG and doesn’t hide it. Oh, he even wants Real Madrid: seems to us a player angling for a move while their stock is still hot. Sadly, this aspect of his manner reminds us of that other side of his compatriot,

Banan (Aston Villa: Midfeilder)

Little has been seen of the youngster. The glimpses though paint an interesting picture. Banan looks set to have a good 2012/13 season under a different manger and under a new system. Whether this is going to happen at Aston Villa is another question altogether.

Coloccini (Newcastle: Defender)

Coloccini was set to be the Captain who led Newcastle, for the first time ever, as a Champions League side. In spite of his workman like performances this season, a move looks unlikely.



Premier League Manager Transfer WishList
 
Roberto Martinez (Wigan )

Director of Wigan’s  ‘Great Escape’ miniseries. In talks with Liverpool, the Spaniard was voyeuristic in his execution of strategy as Wigan beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in succession.  His choice of an attacking 3-5-3 formation at certain stages of the matches with these English football giants was sheer delight.

Brandan Rodgers ( Swansea)

Looks set to continue his work at Swansea having brushed off Liverpool’s advances. His side has been the surprise package and has pleased with their possession football.  As the AVB  experience at Chelsea taught the football world, it might prove too costly for a team to try teach old dogs new tricks: he fits like a glove to Swansea and may fail to effectively impart his football philosophies at another stable.

AVB

Andre Villas Boas. Somehow, everyone outside Chelsea is willing to lend excuses rather than abuses when
asked of their take on AVB’s reign at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese draws so much sympathy from many yet, once he left and his deputy leads the team to a FA Cup and Champions League double.
Liverpool are eyeing him, seemingly in support of the widely held view that AVB by accepting the Chelsea job was walking into a private member’s club. A decision that is somewhat akin to unknowingly and voluntarily being part of a fraternity, whose culture you have no clue of and worse still trying to impart your values there.