Sports

Ugandan Steeplechase champion Benjamin Kiplagat murdered in Kenya

Published

11 months ago

January 1, 2024

Ugandan Steeplechase champion, Benjamin Kiplagat, has been murdered in Kenya where he was undergoing training.

Kiplagat, 34, who represented Uganda at three Olympic Games, was found in a car with stab wounds on several parts of his body, with the Kenyan police saying they had launched an investigation into his death.

“He was found in a car with stab wounds to his chest and neck, near the Kenyan town of Eldoret, a top training centre for athletes,” a local media wrote.

President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), Dominic Otuchet, who confirmed Kiplagat’s death in a statement on Monday, said the star athlete was attacked at 9 pm by unknown people after withdrawing money from the bank.

“Kiplagat was heading to his brother’s home in Iten, Eldoret city when unknown assailants ambushed him while in his car, stabbed him in the chest, and stole an unspecified amount of money. His body was found lying on the driver’s seat,” Otuchet said.

Kiplagat started his athletics career by competing in the 10,000 meters during the 2004 World Junior Championships. He then made his international debut at the 2006 World Cross Country Championships, having qualified by finishing 6th in the Ugandan Junior Cross Country Championships.

At the World Junior Championships, he set a new national record of 8:35.77, which he then lowered to 8:34.14 in the final, and finished 6th.

In 2008, he finished 4th in the World Cross Country Championships and in the same year, lowered the Uganda record to 8:16.06 and then 8:14.29 before finishing second in the World Junior Championships.

In the 2009 season, he further lowered the Ugandan national record to 8:12.98, repeating the feat in 2010, again lowering the Ugandan record to 8:03.81, and finished fourth at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Kiplagat reached the semi-finals in the 3,000m steeplechase.

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”