Kenya`s semi-professional football club Mathare United on Sunday was crowned the new national league champions to ensure its place in the African Champions League next year.

The Nairobi-based team earned the vital point to pip former champions Sony Sugar for their first-ever title with two matches in hand.

Kenya on Tuesday named a panel to probe the national cricket team`s poor performance in recent months in a bid to improve standards, a top official said.

Cricket Kenya (CK) chief Tom Tikolo said the panel, led by veteran cricket administrator Jasmer Singh, will also assess national cricket policies and programmes.

A local soccer team christened Obama FC was at the weekend beaten 1-0 in a derby held in a western Kenyan village of the US Democrat`s kin.

The tournament, dubbed Obama Big Day Soccer Tournament, was organised by Barack Obama`s step-brother Malik Obama, in anticipation of the senator`s victory in the November 4 US presidential elections.

Jacques Kallis steered South Africa to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kenya in the second and final one-day international at the Diamond Oval here on Sunday.

Kallis hit an unbeaten 92 as South Africa overhauled Kenya`s total of 222 for nine with 14.3 overs to spare.

Teenage opening batsman Seren Waters hit a solid half-century to lead Kenya to a respectable total in the second and final one-day international at the Diamond Oval Sunday.

Waters, 18, made 74 as Kenya reached 222 for nine after winning the toss and making first use of a good batting pitch.

Scoreboard in the second and final one-day international between South Africa and Kenya at the Diamond Oval on Sunday.

M Ouma c Boucher b Louw 9

S Waters b Morkel 74

A Obanda c Ontong b Kallis 23

S Tikolo c Boucher b Morkel 0

T Odoyo run out (Duminy) 32

D Obuya c Boucher b Zondeki 12

J Kamande c De Villiers b Morkel 29

Jean-Paul Duminy hit 90 and took three wickets with his off-spin as South Africa scored a comfortable 159-run win against Kenya in the first one-day international at Springbok Park Friday.

South Africa made 336 for seven and bowled Kenya out for 177.

Jacques Kallis and Jean-Paul Duminy took advantage of a modest Kenya bowling attack as South Africa piled up 336 for seven in the first one-day international at Springbok Park Friday.

Kallis, in his first international innings since a disappointing tour of England, made a confident 71 while the left-handed Duminy stroked his way to a career-best 90.

Scoreboard after South Africa`s innings in their one-day international against Kenya at Springbok Park here on Friday:

South Africa innings

H Gibbs c and b Ongondo 44

H Amla c and b Ongondo 7

J Kallis c Obanda b Varaiya 71

A de Villiers b Otieno 11

J Duminy c Varaiya b Odhiambo 90

J Ontong c Otieno b Odhiambo 19

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat against Kenya in the first of two one-day internationals at Springbok Park here Friday.

South Africa were captained for the first time by off-spinner Johan Botha in the absence of Graeme Smith because of a tennis elbow injury, and fast bowler Dale Steyn, who is recovering from illness.

NAIROBI, Oct 27, 2008 (AFP) - The Kenyan cricket team is relishing a return to South Africa this week to play two one-day internationals, hoping the series would aid in the revival of the game, the team manager said Monday.

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot broke the course record to win the Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday with all of the first ten men home coming from Kenya.

Cheruiyot, not to be confused with Boston marathon winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, finished in 2hr 07min 21secs to claim victory and the winners cheque.

Results here Sunday from the Nairobi International marathon:

1. Kikwei Tuiyange (KEN) 2:10:30

2. Gitia Baaru (KEN) 2:11:01

3. Cosmas Musyoka (KEN) 2:13:10

1. Emma Muthoni (KEN) 2:33:42

2. Jepkosgei Sawe (KEN) 2:36:59

3. Irene Jerotich (KEN) 2:36:59

NAIROBI, Oct 25, 2008 (AFP) - Heavy rain washed away the final of the Nairobi Tri-Series between hosts Kenya and Zimbabwe here on Saturday.

It was the fourth consecutive game scheduled for the Nairobi Gymkhana ground to be washed out without a ball being bowled.

NAIROBI, Oct 23, 2008 (AFP) - Persistent rain put paid to Ireland's hopes of reaching the final in the one-day triangular series in Kenya after yet another heavy downpour prevented play in the game between the hosts and Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The second match in the Kenyan cricket triangular one-day series was abandoned without a ball being bowled Wednesday after three days of rain rendered the Nairobi Gymkhana club grounds unplayable for the second successive day.

Tunisia will be the main threat to Nigeria`s dream to feature at the 2010 World Cup, assistant coach Daniel Amokachi has disclosed.

? ? The draw for the final qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup, which was conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, has seen Nigeria come up against Mozambique, Kenya and Tunisia in Group Two.

A fighting century from skipper Steve Tikolo helped guide Kenya to a morale-boosting 95-run victory over Zimbabwe in their tri-series one-day match at the Nairobi Gymkhana club ground on Sunday.

Scoreboard after Kenya`s win in the third match of the one-day triangular series against Zimbabwe at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club ground on Sunday:

S. Waters run out (Matsikenyeri) 20

D. Obuya c Chakabva b Mpofu 9

A. Obanda b Utseya 71

S. Tikolo c Masakadza b Mpofu 102

M. Ouma c Matsikenyeri b Mpofu 12

T. Odoyo c Chakabva b Chibhabha 17

Kenya coach Andy Kirsten is seeking assistance from his older brother Peter to help his side`s batsmen, who have proved to be the weakest link in the team in recent matches.

NAIROBI, Oct 13, 2008 (AFP) - Opening batsman Seren Waters and his skipper Steve Tikolo will look to cement their partnership Tuesday after helping Kenya claw its way back into contention on the third day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match.

The hosts trailed the Irish by 246 runs in the game which they need a draw to qualify to the final and meet Namibia in South Africa next month.

CONAKRY, Oct 12, 2008 (AFP) - Result of a 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup Group 2 qualifying match Sunday:

Guinea 3 (Ismael Bangoura 32, Mamadou Bah 61, Kamil Zayatte 71) Kenya 2 (Francis Ouma 81, Kevin Opondo 90+3)

Namibia 4 (Oliver Risser 20, 49, Rudolf Bester 32, Paulus Shipanga 44) Zimbabwe 2 (Esrom Nyandoro 51, Cuthbert Malajila 83)

NAIROBI, Oct 8, 2008 (AFP) - Kenya were boosted by the return of striker Denis Oliech on Wednesday as they prepare for their 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup tie against Guinea on Sunday.

NAIROBI, Oct 7, 2008 (AFP) - Kenya's cricket team has lost its ability to perform and may not measure up against any foreign opposition, a former national cricket official said on Tuesday.

CONAKRY, Oct 2, 2008 (AFP) - Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret has named a 26-man squad for a 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup Group 2 qualifier against leaders Kenya here on October 12:

Goalkeepers: Youssouf Toure (Fello Star), Naby Yattara (Sete/France)

NAIROBI, Sept 23, 2008 (AFP) - Kenyan 400m runner Elizabeth Muthoka has been banned for two years after testing positive for prohibited drug nandrolone, Athletics Kenya (AK) officials said on Tuesday.

Muthoka, who qualified for the Beijing Olympics as the only woman sprinter in the Kenyan team, was dropped after failing the dope test at the national championships in Nairobi in June.

NAIROBI, Sept 19, 2008 (AFP) - Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday saluted the country's Paralympics team that won five gold, three silver and one bronze medals in Beijing.

NAIROBI, Sept 18, 2008 (AFP) - Six months ago Pamela Jelimo was barely known in her Kenyan village, but after winning the 800m at the Beijing Olympics she is a million-dollar star.

NAIROBI, Sept 16, 2008 (AFP) - Olympic 800m champion Pamela Jelimo late on Tuesday caused a big media stampede on arrival back home as the clamour to grab a piece of Kenya's athletics millionaire nearly turned ugly.

NAIROBI, September 15, 2008 (AFP) - The Kenyan athletics board Monday urged the government to protect its athletes after the home of Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru was raided.

Armed robbers over the weekend raided Wanjiru's his rural home in Nyahururu, 190 kilometres north of Nairobi and demanded his prize money, but none was hurt.

NAIROBI, September 10, 2008 (AFP) - Zimbabwe's cricket team will arrive in Nairobi on October 14 for a tri-series with Kenya and Ireland, its first international outing since a political crisis erupted in March.

NAIROBI, September 6, 2008 (AFP) - Result of a 2010 World Cup-African Nations Cup Group 2 qualifying match on Saturday:

Kenya 1 (Jamal Mohammed 44-pen) Namibia 0

Zimbabwe v Guinea 1300GMT

Standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, against, points)

Kenya 5 3 1 1 6 2 10

BRUSSELS, September 5, 2008 (AFP) - Kenya's Pamela Jelimo scooped the Golden League million dollar jackpot Friday, after winning the 800m here to record her sixth successive win of the season.

TOKYO, September 5, 2008 (AFP) - Beijing Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya vowed here Friday to go for a world record in the Berlin Marathon next year and retain his title at the 2012 London Games.

'I managed to win the gold medal with the patience which I have learned in Japan,' the Japan-based 21-year-old told a news conference in Osaka.

Mother-of-nine Rodah Keter basked in the glory of seeing her teenage daughter Pamela Jelimo keep ...

Sports is filled with bitter country rivalries which add extra spice - such as India and Pakistan, ...

NAIROBI, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki on Monday announced the doubling of cash bonuses for its medallists at next month's Beijing Olympic Games.

Gold medal winners will receive 750,000 shillings (11,200 dollars, 7,500 euros) while silver and bronze will get 500,000 shillings and 250,00 shillings respectively.

NAIROBI, July 28, 2008 (AFP) - For the love of her mother who couldn't make it big in athletics in the early 1970s, Kenya's Pamela Jelimo wants to reward her by striking gold in Beijing.

The 18-year-old, 800 metres athlete has taken the world by storm with her fleet-footed running in only her first year on the international track scene.

NAIROBI, July 24, 2008 (AFP) - Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medallist Paul Kipsiele Koech on Thursday joined the Kenyan squad in training for the Beijing Games after being called up as one of the reserves.

The 26-year-old failed to qualify for the Olympics after finishing fourth during the national trials in Nairobi early this month.