113 players will battle it out over four rounds in Rwanda, blending seasoned international professionals with East Africa’s rising stars.

Edwin Kiplagat, Marabou News Agency

The 2026 Rwanda Open has kicked off at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, marking its debut as an official Sunshine Tour event, featuring 25 regional players from the Sunshine Development Tour’s East Africa Swing, competing against an international field.

Kenya will be represented by a tournament-high 11 players. The squad, battling for the top prize in Kigali, features recognizable names, including, Njoroge Kibugu, Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, Adel Balala, Sammy Mulama, Daniel Nduva, Mutahi Kibugu, Taimur Malik, David Wakhu, Justus Madoya, and Nelson Mudanyi.

Uganda fields a nine-man team led by Ronald Rugumayo, fresh off his maiden Sunshine Development Tour victory at the Pearl of Africa Golf Series.

Joining him on the Ugandan roster are Kasango Grace, Ronald Otile, Phillip Kasozi, Hussein Bagalana, Abraham Ainamani, David Kamulindwa, Rodell Gaita, and Willy Deus Kitata.

Celestine Nsanzuwera and Aloys Nsabimana will represent host nation Rwanda, while Malawi’s Paul Chidale, Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko, and Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel complete the development contingent.

In total, 113 players will battle it out over four rounds at the Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, blending seasoned international professionals with East Africa’s rising stars.

Launched in 2025, the Sunshine Development Tour held its inaugural event in Kenya, where local star Njoroge Kibugu claimed the title.

The Tour offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, providing players a direct pathway to Olympic qualification and top tier international events.

Marabou News Agency

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Kenya will open its Group D AFCON qualification campaign against Eritrea on Saturday, but preparations have been disrupted. Players are demanding payment for allowances accrued from their last four international assignments.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has called on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to address emerging issues in the national team camp, as Kenya prepares to begin its 2027 EA Pamoja AFCON qualification campaign.

Kenya will open its Group D campaign against Eritrea on Saturday, September 26, at Nyayo Stadium before travelling to face Guinea on October 1.

But preparations have been disrupted. Players are yet to train since Tuesday over unresolved welfare and logistical concerns. They are demanding payment for allowances accrued from their last four international assignments before returning to training.

They are also seeking better travel and accommodation arrangements during away assignments, citing poor standards in previous camps.

The players have further requested an audience with president William Ruto and the top brass at the ministry of sports to present their grievances.

“I’d love for the federation to be a little bit more proactive and not let anything come into this camp that shouldn’t concern us. We must be here for football and nothing else, work on what we need to do, getting the best preparation that we need, instead of fighting all kinds of things. I’ve not thought about football once because I’m constantly defending the team, the players and talking about things that don’t matter to me,” McCarthy lamented.

The South African coach also defended himself against criticism over his presence in Kenya and his monitoring of local talent.

McCarthy revealed that he and his technical staff have been working without work permits since their appointment in March 2025. He also pointed out that the domestic leagues are yet to commence, limiting his opportunities to assess players in competitive action.

“I think there are a lot of things that can change, that the federation can do better, and I hope they can do because we want Kenyan football to prosper. It can only prosper when the federation does what they need to do to make sure that football is run properly, and then that will allow me to do my job with the team correctly as well,” McCarthy added.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, but the three hosts are still required to participate in the qualification process.

Kenya’s preparations come against the backdrop of a prolonged football crisis, with disputes and court cases delaying the start of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season.

For McCarthy, resolving the off-field issues is crucial if Harambee Stars are to focus fully on their preparations for the continental campaign.

Marabou News Agency

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The 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations will bring together eight of Africa’s leading futsal nations, with hosts Morocco expected to have a successful tournament.

Bonface Osano, Marabou New Agency

Zambia Futsal national team head coach Andrea Cristoforetti has named his final 14-member squad for the 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, set for Morocco from October 12 to 21.

The team will fine-tune their preparations with two international friendly matches against Egypt on October 3 and 6.

Cristoforetti says the squad combines youth and experience, but admits Zambia faces a tough challenge after being drawn in Group A alongside hosts and defending champions Morocco, Algeria and Libya.

“We’ve been consistently monitoring the players, trying to put a good mix of young players, experienced players, and also finding a good balance in different roles,” Andrea said.

Cristoforetti has set a semi-final appearance as Zambia’s target, although he acknowledges the difficulty of topping a group that includes three-time African champions Morocco.

“Our objective is to go to the semifinals, do well in the group stage in this campaign, knowing that it will be very difficult because we’re playing against the champions. It should be clear to all of us that Morocco is out of the league of all the African teams,” he added.

Zambia’s qualification for the continental showpiece is already being viewed as a significant achievement, with the team now aiming to make a deep run in Morocco.

Morocco, who won the title in 2016, 2020 and 2024, will open their Group A campaign alongside Libya, Zambia and Algeria.

Group B features three-time champions Egypt, who won the title in 1996, 2000 and 2004, alongside Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania. Libya, meanwhile, will be seeking to revive the form that saw them lift the continental title in 2008. The 2026 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations will bring together eight of Africa’s leading futsal nations.

Marabou News Agency

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