FIFA steps in as Kenyan football crisis deepens

Kenyan football is once again staring at a familiar crisis after world governing body FIFA formally stepped in to probe a leadership standoff at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), triggered by the controversial suspension of President Hussein Mohammed and two senior officials.

In a letter dated 26 April 2026, and addressed to FKF’s National Executive Committee (NEC), FIFA confirmed it is working alongside Confederation of African Football to assess whether due process was followed in the decision that required Mohammed, NEC member Abdullahi Yusuf Ibrahim, and acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru to step aside.

FIFA has demanded extensive documentation, including proof of how the 24 April NEC meeting was convened, quorum and voting records, the agenda under which the resolution was passed, and evidence that the affected officials were granted a fair hearing as required under FKF statutes. The global body has set a 1 May deadline for submission of the documents, signalling the urgency and seriousness of the matter. sportbet.reviews

Power struggle meets fraud allegations

The governance dispute comes against the backdrop of explosive allegations linking Mohammed to a purported KES42 million insurance scandal tied to preparations for the African Nations Championship.

Mohammed has strongly denied the claims, dismissing them as “malicious and politically motivated,” and insisting that the insurance arrangement fell under CAF’s jurisdiction through the host agreement – with no FKF funds involved.

He has also rejected the legitimacy of the NEC meeting that led to his suspension, branding it unconstitutional and its resolutions “null and void,” setting the stage for a full-blown leadership confrontation at the federation.

Mariga assumes acting role, backs process

Amid the turmoil, FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga has emerged as a central figure, issuing a statement in which he identified himself as Acting President following what he described as a majority NEC decision.

Mariga welcomed FIFA’s intervention as “timely and necessary,” pledging full cooperation with the investigation and confirming that all requested documentation will be submitted within the stipulated timeline.

He maintained that the suspension of the officials remains in force, framing it as an administrative measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the federation rather than a punitive action. He further assured that those affected will be accorded a fair hearing, with the possibility of reinstatement if cleared of wrongdoing.

Sponsors call for stability

The unfolding crisis has drawn concern from key stakeholders, including betting firm SportPesa, a major sponsor of the domestic league.

In a carefully worded statement, SportPesa acknowledged the progress made under Mohammed’s leadership – including Kenya’s successful co-hosting of CHAN, improved league organisation, and national team milestones – but stressed the need for a “swift, transparent, and fair resolution.”

The sponsor warned that stability and integrity are critical to sustaining recent gains in Kenyan football, urging all parties to prioritise due process and the broader interests of the game.

Echoes of past instability

FIFA’s intervention raises the spectre of past governance crises that have repeatedly stalled the growth of Kenyan football, including periods of suspension and normalisation committees imposed due to government interference or internal disputes.

At the heart of FIFA’s current probe is whether FKF adhered to its own constitution – particularly provisions on convening meetings, voting procedures, and the right to a fair hearing before disciplinary action is taken.

Failure to meet these standards could expose Kenya to sanctions, including potential suspension from international football – a move that would bar national teams and clubs from continental and global competitions.

What’s at stake

The timing of the crisis is especially delicate. Kenya is riding a wave of renewed optimism after recent successes, including hosting major tournaments and improved performances by national teams.

However, the latest wrangles threaten to derail that progress. Prolonged uncertainty could undermine investor confidence, disrupt league operations, and stall development programmes at a time when the country is positioning itself as a rising football hub in East Africa.

For now, all eyes are on FIFA’s next move. Its findings – and any subsequent action – could determine whether Kenyan football stabilises or slips back into the administrative turmoil that has long hindered its potential.

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Le Mali est plongé dans une situation sécuritaire incertaine après la série d'attaques coordonnées, sans précédent, menées samedi 25 avril à travers le pays contre des positions stratégiques de la junte au pouvoir par des jihadistes du Groupe de soutien à l'islam et aux musulmans (JNIM, allié à Al-Qaïda) et la rébellion indépendantiste touareg du Front de libération de l'Azawad (FLA). Qui sont ces deux groupes ?

French Ligue 1 club Paris FC are considering the option of extending the contract of Algeria youth international Anis Fatahine.

While Paris FC’s upcoming transfer window promises to be ambitious and active, they will also continue to promote their young players to bolster their squad.

According Le Parisien, the option on the one-year professional contract signed last year by Fatahine will be exercised with the 20-year-old left-back soon to sign a two-year extension.

Fatahine is an Algeria youth international

Having joined Paris FC at the tender age of 11, Fatahine will continue his development with his boyhood club if the agreement is finalized.

A key player for the reserve team, the defender made his first-team debut this season in the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France against Raon-l’Étape during a 3-0 win and was also in the squad against PSG on January 4th.

Although he previously played for the French U16 and U17 teams, he chose Algeria in 2021 where he played for the U18, U20 and U23 teams.

Paris FC currently sit in 12th on the French Ligue 1 table with 38 points from 21 matches.

With three games to wrap up the current campaign, Paris are safe from relegation and would want to strengthen the squad for the next campaign.

South Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, Sunday 26 April 2026: This weekend, trail runners converged on the Southern Drakensberg to compete in one of Africa’s most demanding and spectacular mountain running events. Against a backdrop of jagged escarpments, high-altitude crossings, and rapidly shifting weather, athletes from across South Africa and beyond pushed the limits of human endurance across distances ranging from 62km to 160km.

The competition drew elite international ultrarunners alongside exceptional local talent, creating a fiercely competitive yet supportive atmosphere that exemplifies the best of trail-running culture.

What sets the RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg apart is the unforgiving combination of technical terrain and high altitude. Participants navigate rocky single track, river crossings, steep ascents and descents, and exposed escarpment sections where weather conditions can turn in minutes. The routes incorporate iconic Drakensberg landmarks, including Sani Pass, one of southern Africa’s most notorious mountain passes, the Giant’s Cup Hiking Trail, and ridge traverses with unbroken views into neighbouring Lesotho.

“Ultra-trail running isn’t just a sport; it’s a journey of self-discovery. Our courses through the Drakensberg push runners to their limits while surrounding them with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet. From the jagged peaks to the hidden valleys, these routes offer a true test of endurance and willpower,” says Stuart McConnachie, Co-Founder of Summit Events and Race Director for RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg.

The Miler — 160km

The event’s ultimate test, the 160km Miler, set off at 13:00 on Friday from Silverstreams Trading Store near Bushman’s Nek. Athletes faced a route that traverses the full length of the Giant’s Cup Trail, summits the highest peak south of Kilimanjaro, and crosses the border into the Lesotho Highlands before the final descent to the finish. To complete it requires running continuously through two nights across some of the most remote terrain in southern Africa.

Defending champion Kennedy Sekhuthe, Thato Kabeli (who claimed the UTD 100km title in 2025), and 2024 Miler winner Admire Muzopambwa of Zimbabwe quickly established themselves at the front. As darkness fell and the formidable ascent of Sani Pass loomed, it was Kabeli and Muzopambwa who locked horns at the head of the field, with Matt Dove, a familiar face on the UTD Miler podium, pushing hard for a top-three finish.

Athletes crossed into Lesotho just before midnight, where icy temperatures and thin air awaited. The warmth of the Basotho community provided vital relief: fires blazed through the night at the aid station, offering one of the race’s most memorable moments of respite. Refuelled and revived, competitors continued through the Highlands, accompanied by Basotho shepherds on horseback.

By sunrise on Saturday, Kabeli had built a commanding lead. He crossed the finish line to claim victory in just over 24 hours, a dominant performance from start to finish. Behind him, Dove overtook Muzopambwa in the closing stages to secure second place (26:10:35), with Muzopambwa completing the podium in third (27:21:25).

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The women’s Miler unfolded as a testament to consistency and quiet resilience. Over a course that demands not just fitness but the mental fortitude to keep moving through two nights and extremes of altitude and cold, Rinel McLaren crossed the finish line first (41:23:53). American runners Lee Conner (41:57:33) and Karmell Ohlrogge (41:57:34) completed the women’s podium in a remarkable finish separated by just one second.

The GCU65 — 62km

Saturday afternoon, Race Village hummed with anticipation as the GCU65 (Giant’s Cup Ultra) elite field approached the finish. The 62km race, launched at 06:00 that morning, follows the full length of the iconic Giant’s Cup Trail, a route that hikers typically complete over five days, conquered here in a single relentless push.

Cody Lind crossed the line in commanding fashion (05:24:52) after racing with measured patience before a decisive late surge. Robert Rorich pushed him hard throughout, claiming second (05:43:50), with Remaketse Lekaka rounding out the podium in third (05:54:00).

The women’s race belonged to defending champion Olivia Dubern, who delivered a masterclass in bold pacing and technical precision to retain her 2025 title. Crossing the line in an impressive ninth place overall (06:42:33), Nadia Booyens followed her in second (07:17:52) and Lisa Loubser in third (08:13:18).

The UTD100 — 100km

As evening descended and temperatures dropped, the UTD100 field brought an electric atmosphere to Race Village. The 100km race had started at 05:00 on Saturday morning, following the Giant’s Cup Trail from Silverstreams before climbing Sani Pass and traversing the exposed high-altitude terrain of the 12 Apostles and Khanti Ridge, a route where the combination of distance, altitude and rocky technical ground tests even the most experienced mountain runners.

David Pearce claimed his first RMB UTD100 title with a masterclass in patience and terrain awareness. Drawing on his adventure racing background and deep familiarity with KwaZulu-Natal, he ran a measured race off the front pack before making his move between the Sani Road Aid Station and the South African border post. Pearce crossed the finish line first (11:52:39) in a breakthrough performance built on timing and trust in the process. Seasoned trail veterans Oli Morris and Skye Clark fought out a fast-paced sprint to the line for the remaining podium positions, finishing second (12:27:02) and third (12:32:13) respectively.

The women’s UTD100 produced one of the weekend’s most compelling finishes. Annamart Marincowitz led from the start and looked set to take the win, but in the closing stages, Céline Cloete, racing her first ever 100km, executed a decisive overtake to claim victory (13:40:25). Marincowitz held on for second (13:49:03), a fine result in her own right on a course that punishes any lapse in concentration or pacing. Ioanna Keppler secured the final podium position (16:02:40).

A Growing Movement

Since its humble beginnings in 2017 with 250 participants, the RMB Ultra-trail Drakensberg has grown significantly, reflecting trail running’s emergence as South Africa’s fastest-growing sport. The event’s partnership with title sponsor Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has elevated the competition, with equal prize money distribution between men and women totalling R161,000.

“This year’s RMB UTD was another incredible showcase of the grit and human spirit synonymous with trail running. We’re so proud to back this iconic event in this unique landscape of South African heritage and the community that supports it. A brilliant showcase of what’s possible when talent and grit come together. Congratulations to every runner that took on and conquered ambitious goals and big mountains this weekend. In particular, the 100-milers who pioneered a brutal new course, setting lofty benchmarks for future participants to chase,” says Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead.

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After overcoming injuries and indifferent form, Zimbabwean legend Khama Billiat is expressing himself freely on the park, scoring and creating goals regularly again back home.

Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC forward Khama Billiat has commented on his red-hot form in the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Khama Billiat was voted man of the match by a @CastleLagerPSL media panel for his performance in the 1-0 win over MWOS at Ngoni Stadium this afternoon.#Mabviravira pic.twitter.com/gYNlR6nwGO

— Scottland Football Club (@ScottlandFC) April 25, 2026

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns winger scored for the Zimbabwe league defending champions when they edged MWOS FC 1-0 on Saturday.

The sole strike registered at Ngoni Stadium took the tally of the 35-year-old to five league goals in eight Castle Lager PSL games, just one behind the leading scorer.

Khama Billiat refuses to take credit

Billiat, speaking to his club’s media, refused to take personal credit, apportioning his scoring fluency to teamwork, hard work and peak fitness.

“I thank God for keeping me fit and keeping me going,” he said. “I want to thank the club, the coaches and the players. They push us every day. It is a great challenge in training. Every day, we are speaking about football, and you can see we are growing as a team. I just want to give credit to everyone around for the team for pushing.”

The Castle Lager PSL holders went into Saturday’s contest against MWOS FC after having endured a three-game winless spell during which they registered all goalless draws.

Reflecting on that dry patch, the former Warriors attacker insisted that the was no reason that was preventing them from scoring, saying it was normal for teams to struggle for goals.

“It seemed like it would end soon every time we played. It was not a problem. It was a challenge we were looking forward to,” added the on-and-off Warriors’ winger.

The three points pushed them three places up the ladder into fourth place, two points behind pacesetters CAPS United. MWOS FC remain in sixth position of the 18-member log table.

The next league assignment for Mapeza’s wards will be a home meeting with 2024 Castle Lager PSL winners Simba Bhora on 2 May 2026.