Sports

More trouble for Samuel Eto’o as CAF launches investigation into sexual abuse, match fixing allegations

Published

1 year ago

August 10, 2023

Former Cameroonian international striker and current President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o, is in all sorts of trouble as Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it is investigating allegations of improper conduct including sexual harassment of staff of the federation and match fixing.

The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, who was elected Fecafoot President in December 2021, has been in the eye of the storm following a plethora of allegations that have dogged his tenure. In recent times, the 42-year-old legend has had to contend with a series of troubles including a recent paternity case where he had to fork out a huge amount to settle his estranged daughter.

CAF’s resolve to investigate the Cameroonian agent came after a group of amateur clubs in the country called on Eto’o to resign, accusing him of “grave irregularities” and match fixing to favour a club he had interest in.

The group also called on Cameroon’s Sports Minister to intervene, as well as mentioning the possibility of asking FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, to also investigate Eto’o.

In a statement from CAF on Wednesday, the African football governing body said it had received written statements from several Cameroonian football stakeholders and would be looking into the requests based on and in accordance with the CAF statutes and regulations.

The statement added that on first impression, the allegations looked serious but noted that Eto’o would be presumed innocent until an appropriate judicial body concluded otherwise.

The four-time African Footballer of the Year has also had issues with Fecafoot following his appointment of former teammate, Rigobert Song, and falling out with senior players including goalkeeper, Andre Onana, who accused him of highhandeness.

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Sports

Kenyan court jails killers of Ugandan Olympian Kiplagat for 35 years

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Kenyan court sitting in Nairobi on Tuesday sentenced two men, Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, and David Ekai Lokere, 25, to 35 years in prison each for the murder of Ugandan Olympic athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat, who was stabbed to death last year.

Khalumi and Lokere were both found guilty by Justice Reuben Nyakundi of the Kenyan High Court in the northwestern city of Eldoret for stabbing the 34-year-old steeplechaser to death.

In his ruling, Nyakundi said overwhelming evidence from CCTV cameras showed the pair intentionally killed the athlete, adding that they had not shown any remorse for the pre-meditated crime and deserved a harsh sentence.

“Your actions were cruel to a defenceless person whose life you cut short contrary to God’s plan, where God intended man to live for a minimum of 70 years,” Nyakundi said while announcing the 35-year sentence for each defendant.

The judge however, rejected a plea from Kiplagat’s mother, Elizabeth Chemweno, and his two brothers who wanted Khalumi and Lokere to be given life sentences.

The two convicts were arrested a day after the athlete’s body was found in his car on the outskirts of Eldoret on New Year’s Eve with a deep wound to his neck in a murder that shocked the country and Africa in general.

Kiplagat who was born in the Eldoret region in Kenya, had an illustrious career spanning almost two decades, and had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including at several Olympic Games and World Championships.

He won the silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2008 World Junior Championships and bronze at the African Championships in 2012 and made the semi-finals of the event at the 2012 Olympics in London and also competed in Rio in 2016.

Sports

Chepkirui leads Kenya to podium sweep at New York City Marathon

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenya had a clean sweep of the podium at the 2024 New York City Marathon on Sunday as Sheila Chepkirui clinched victory in the race, clocking 2:24:35, with the defending champion, Hellen Obiri, securing second place, while Vivian Cheruiyot finished third.

In just her fourth marathon, Chepkirui ran a ferocious last half mile to win the race ahead of Obiri, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.

Chepkirui, 33, came into the race with the fastest personal best in the field, 2:17:29, which she ran at the 2022 Valencia Marathon though this is her her first win at a world marathon major.

Speaking in the post-race press conference the race, she said:

“Winning means a lot to me. It means my training has been going well, and I’m really happy for the win.

“The last turn was really tough. I was still with Hellen. I told myself I had to push up at the finish line.

“In the last mile, it was really hard. I pushed myself. I’m so happy. I pushed myself to the limit.”

This Kenyan dominance underscores the nation’s strength in long-distance running, particularly in major marathon events.

The 2024 New York City Marathon featured a competitive field, but the Kenyan athletes’ performances stood out, reaffirming their status as leading figures in women’s marathon running.