Bafana stars Appollis and Mofokeng earn Mosimane’s praise

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has singled out praise for Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng following their display against Eritrea.

Appollis racked up three assists, while Mofokeng got his name on the scoresheet twice against the East African outfit. mchezo.co.za

South Africa went on to secure a comfortable 5-0 victory in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Wednesday at the Al Salaam Stadium in Cairo.

The Bafana coach was particularly impressed by Appollis’ creativity and versatility, while highlighting the team’s unselfishness and Mofokeng’s quality.

“I’m happy with the two assists of Appollis, he can play anywhere on the side, centrally, good boy, good player and I’m happy with Appollis,” Mosimane said.

“He gave assists, he set up Luther Singh an opportunity to score on his comeback, he’s been out for a long time to score.

“Even Luther gave two balls [created chances], it shows the players are together, no selfishness and together.

“Rele has showed his class, what a class, Rele is a top player.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, October 2, 2026 – Karan Patel and his partner Tauseef Khan are the 2026 African Rally Championship (ARC) drivers’ and navigators’ champions respectively.

The 2022 Kenyan champion and KCB Racing Team driver sealed his third continental title at the ongoing ARC Serengeti Rally of Tanzania, after his only remaining title rival and compatriot Aakif Virani withdrew from the ARC season finale.

In a statement posted last night, Virani’s Arrow Racing Team announced they had taken a strategic decision to consolidate second position in the overall standings and not contest the final round.

“It is with deep regret we announce our withdrawal from the ARC final round in Morogoro, Tanzania. After a hard-fought season, Arrow Racing Team (Aakif Virani and Zahir Shah) has taken the strategic decision to consolidate 2nd position in the overall African Rally Championship standings. Congratulations to Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan on becoming the 2026 African Rally Champions,” the team said.

The withdrawal hands Patel and co-driver Tauseef an unassailable lead heading into the final two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.

The championship was almost effectively over as Patel only needed a finish in Tanzania — but the news now confirms him as champion before Day 1 starts on Saturday.

It is a historic third ARC title for Patel, who now become only the fourth driver in the 45-year history of the FIA African Rally Championship to win three or more titles.

Patel joins an elite list led by Zambian legend Satwant Singh (eight titles), Ivory Coast’s Alain Ambrosino (three titles) and fellow Kenyan Manvir Baryan (three titles).

Karan wins Mkwawa qualifying stage

Meanwhile, Patel with partner Tauseef had earlier underlined their intent by winning Friday’s 2.40 KM SS00 Mkwawa Qualifying Stage in Morogoro.

The Kenyan crew clocked 01:58.1 in a Skoda Fabia to beat Tanzania Champion Ahmed Huwel (Toyota Yaris GR Rally2) by 0.6 seconds in 01:58.7, with Manveer Birdi third in 01:59.8.

Under ARC rules, the qualifying winner chooses his starting position.

Patel opted to start fifth on the road at 09:12 — directly behind Huwel in fourth.

Virani is assured of second position in the 2026 ARC regardless of the final results this weekend, and most importantly, the ARC Masters title (for competitors over 50 years) he sealed at the penultimate event in Rwanda.

The start list for Day 1 on Satuday will be led by Uganda’s Oscar Ntambi (09:00), followed by 2025 champion Yasin Nasser (09:03) and Manveer Birdi (09:06).

Ntambi claimed the ARC2 title without turning a wheel after his Rwandese opponent Christian Kanangire failed to enter the season-ender in Morogoro.

The Serengeti Rally, running from 2-4 October, is the ARC season closer.

The rally proper starts Saturday in the Morogoro region, with crews facing a stern test of endurance before Sunday’s finale.

SS00 Mkwawa Qualifying – Top 3 (FRIDAY):

1. Karan Patel / Tauseef Khan (KEN – Skoda Fabia) 01:58.1
2. Ahmed Huwel / Roheet Solanki (TZA – Toyota Yaris GR) 01:58.7 +0.6
3. Manveer Birdi / Zubayr Piredina (TZA – Skoda Fabia Evo) 01:59.8 +1.7

Past ARC champions

1981 Kenya Shekhar Mehta Nissan

1982 West Germany Walter Röhrl Opel

1983 Ivory Coast Alain Ambrosino Peugeot

1984 Kenya David Horsey Peugeot

1985 Rwanda Luc Requile Opel/Mitsubishi

1986 Ivory Coast Alain Ambrosino Nissan

1987 Ivory Coast Alain Ambrosino Nissan

1988 Zambia Satwant Singh Toyota

1989 Zambia Satwant Singh Volkswagen

1990 Burundi Walter Costa Peugeot

1991 Zambia Satwant Singh Toyota

1992 Italy Aldo Riva Audi

1993 Zambia Satwant Singh Toyota

1994 Zimbabwe Abe Smit Audi

1995 Namibia Fritz Flachberger Ford

1996 Zambia Satwant Singh Subaru

1997 Zambia Satwant Singh Subaru

1998 Zambia Satwant Singh Subaru

1999 Uganda Charles Muhangi Subaru

2000 Zambia Satwant Singh Subaru

2001 South Africa Schalk Burger Subaru

2002 South Africa John Gemmel Subaru

2003 Spain Fernando Rueda Mitsubishi

2004 Zambia Muna Singh Subaru

2005 Zambia Muna Singh Subaru

2006 Belgium Patrick Emontspool Subaru

2007 Zimbabwe Conrad Rautenbach Subaru

2008 Japan Hideaki Miyoshi Mitsubishi

2009 Zimbabwe James Whyte Subaru

2010 Zimbabwe James Whyte Subaru

2011 Zimbabwe Conrad Rautenbach Subaru

2012 Zambia Mohamed Essa Subaru

2013 Zambia Jassy Singh Subaru

2014 Ivory Coast Gary Chaynes Mitsubishi

2015 Kenya Jaspreet Singh Chatthe Mitsubishi

2016 Kenya Don Smith Subaru

2017 Kenya Manvir Baryan Škoda

2018 Kenya Manvir Baryan Škoda

2019 Kenya Manvir Baryan Škoda

2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021 Kenya Carl “Flash” Tundo Volkswagen Polo

2022 Zambia Leeroy Gomes Ford

2023 Kenya Karan Patel Ford

2024 Kenya Karan Patel Škoda

2025 Tanzania Yasin Nasser Ford

2026 Kenya Karan Patel Škoda

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 2, 2026 – Amid a domestic double, Kenya Pipeline head coach Geoffrey Omondi is not yet satisfied.

His hunger and desire are now directed at the Africa Club Championships gong, which he has come so close, yet so far to winning for the oil merchants.

“I thank God because since I came here he has shown me a lot of success, having won the league twice back to back and won the Kenya Cup also and won the Kipchumba Karori tournament, Rwanda Genocide tournament. Those are the best results we have achieved so far. We are still working towards achieving the Africa Club Championships that has been a challenge for me for the last two years that I’ve been here,” the tactician says.

Kenya Pipeline last won the continental crown in 2005 – their sixth title in history – and since then, have endured a dry spell spanning 21 years.

In their latest appearance, at this year’s edition in Cairo, the team had to be content with a third-place finish, beating Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles 3-1 in the bronze medal match.

Earlier, they had fallen at the hands of fellow countrywomen KCB Volleyball who beat them in the semis to put paid to their title chances.

In light of these shortcomings, Pipeline have been hard at work in training to refine the rough edges to their game.

“We need to strengthen our services; as you can see in the background we are working on the services. We need to quicken our speed of attack. We need to also improve and put a lot of effort on our reception although it has not been an issue as such but we need to make it top-notch as always before we go for any competition,” Omondi says.

Immediate success

Before assuming the reins in 2024/25, Omondi was at Trailblazers Volleyball Club who he transformed into a household name and regular contenders for the men’s title.

He took to the women’s game as a duck to water, trumping Kenya Prisons 3-2 in a best-of-three series to win the league title with the oilers.

Pipeline then recovered from a set down to beat KCB 3-2, winning the Kenya Cup in the five-set thriller at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

Ascending to the apex of Kenyan volleyball is easy but maintaining that dominance is another thing all together.

This is a fact Omondi is all too conscious of and, is leaving nothing to chance to successfully defend both titles in the 2026/27 season.

“You just need to prepare well and to the highest level possible. Don’t prepare with the standards of the country. If you can prepare according to the standards of Africa and the world then when you meet players of teams within the country you will be one level higher,” he explains.

As they take baby steps towards another trophy-laden season, the support of their parent company – Kenya Pipeline Company – cannot be understated.

“The company is our mother and father so they’re taking care of us as their own children. We have massive support from the company; great support in terms of facilities, remuneration and even the welfare. So far so good we’re happy it’s now our time now to give back,” the coach says.

This support has been integral even as the team boost their ranks with experienced signings including the KCB duo of Pauline Chemutai and Faith Cherotich Sakong.

Their addition notwithstanding, Omondi is categorical that their gametime will only be based on merit and effort in training.

“We have so far received four players from other clubs who we are really nurturing and making sure that they’ll be of benefit to this team. We scouted them and we realized they’re talented and can boost our squad in terms of the offense, defense and and even the service. They are players that will add value to us. We’ve reminded them that only merit will give them a chance to be in the court and that’s what we are pushing,” he explains.

Thrill of pressure

Apart from Kenya Pipeline, Omondi is also head coach for the national women’s team, Malkia Strikers, having assumed the reins last year.

He led them to a commendable outing at last year’s World Championships in Thailand where they won one match – beating Vietnam in straight sets in their last match in Pool G.

Last month, he led the team to the finals of the African Championships on home soil before losing to Egypt in straight sets.

The gaffer is relishing the challenge and pressure of coaching both teams, which come with a lot of expectations.

“The good thing with the calendar we adopted and the calendar we’re using now is that the period for the national team is totally for the national team the period for the clubs is also a period for the club. I deal with the club first then I’m able to go to the national team. They are two different assignments because they are two different levels but that’s why I’m a coach,” Omondi says.

He may be starving for a continental title but Omondi and Co are not under any illusion that the race for the battle for league crown is a foregone conclusion.

With perennial rivals KCB and Kenya Prisons lurking in the shadows, Pipeline are not about to give up their domestic double without a ferocious fight.

Successfully defending their three titles of the past season would be the perfect appetiser for Pipeline as they seek to taste glory in Africa.

“Actually, there are three Kenya Cup, the league title and the Kipchumba Karori tournament; that is our aim and goal. That is what we are working towards but this is a sport…anything can happen so we are just ready, we are preparing for the best,” the gaffer says.

With the days ebbing away to the new season, Pipeline fans will be in for a treat as their teams serve up a thriller on court in bid for glory on all fronts.

Alors que l’Olympique de Marseille traverse un début de saison délicat sur le plan sportif, le club phocéen continue aussi de préparer l’avenir. L’OM a annoncé la prolongation de Yanis Sellami jusqu’en juin 2029, offrant ainsi un nouveau contrat à l’un de ses jeunes éléments issus du centre de formation. Âgé de 19 ans, le milieu de terrain algérien est désormais lié à Marseille pour les prochaines saisons, avec la perspective de poursuivre sa progression au sein du club.

L’OM mise sur sa formation

Cette prolongation illustre la volonté de Marseille de conserver ses jeunes joueurs et de leur offrir un cadre pour continuer leur développement. Sellami figure actuellement dans l’effectif de la Pro 2, sous les ordres de Romain Ferrier, au milieu de terrain. Né en 2007, le joueur possède la double nationalité franco-algérienne et est notamment référencé comme international français chez les jeunes dans les bases disponibles.

Son nouveau bail jusqu’en 2029 constitue ainsi un signal clair de la confiance accordée par l’OM à son développement. Dans un club où la pression du résultat est particulièrement forte, prolonger un jeune issu de la formation permet aussi de conserver des solutions pour l’avenir, plutôt que de laisser partir trop rapidement des éléments encore en phase de progression.

Une prolongation dans un contexte particulier

Cette décision intervient alors que l’équipe première marseillaise connaît une entame compliquée en championnat. L’OM occupe actuellement la 17e place de Ligue 1 avec trois points, selon le classement affiché par le club, dans une période où chaque secteur est scruté et où la nécessité de relancer la dynamique sportive est déjà présente.

Pour Yanis Sellami, cette prolongation représente donc surtout une nouvelle étape dans son parcours marseillais. Le club a choisi de sécuriser son avenir, mais le plus important commencera désormais sur le terrain : continuer à progresser, franchir les différents paliers et tenter, à terme, de se rapprocher du groupe professionnel. À 19 ans, Sellami a désormais du temps devant lui pour écrire la suite de son histoire avec l’OM.

The post OM : Yanis Sellami prolonge jusqu’en 2029 appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Defence coach Jaque Fourie says the Lions must be switched on for 80 minutes at Ellis Park on Saturday, following last week’s narrow win over the URC champions.

Ivan van Rooyen’s charges head into their round-two clash after edging Leinster 27-26 in Joburg. Erich Cronjé scored twice and Kelly Mpeku added the decisive try as the Pride held on despite a Fintan Gunne hat-trick.

They now face an Ospreys side that opened its campaign with a 41-24 defeat to the Sharks in Durban.

“There’s a lot we had to work on after last Saturday’s game against Leinster,” Fourie told reporters in a press junket ahead of this week’s clash.

“We now have to make sure we start with a clean slate because we know that the Ospreys will provide a different kind of challenge.

“We have prepared well for this match and we are excited about what awaits us this weekend.”

TEAM: Bok boost for Lions

The Lions have been boosted by the return of Springboks Morné van den Berg and Quan Horn. Henco van Wyk is unavailable after suffering a head knock against Leinster.

The Welsh visitors have made several changes, with Liam Wright and Keelan Giles named as co-captains and Dan Edwards returning at flyhalf.

Wright, Harri Deaves and Morgan Morse form the loose-forward combination, while experienced loose forward Ross Moriarty provides cover from the bench.

ICYMI: URC champs copy Rassie

“It doesn’t matter whether we play the Ospreys at home or away, matches against them always provide a difficult challenge,” Fourie added.

“They boast a huge pack and their maul and scrum work is good. We saw that last weekend against the Sharks how they improved in that area of their game.

“Then they are also a team that never gives up. They play for the full 80 minutes, so we will have to be clinical with our execution and make sure we put their defence under a lot of pressure.”

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

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