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‘Hungry For Trophies:’ New Gor Signing Lays Down Marker After Signing On Dotted Line
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 10 – Harambee Stars defender Daniel Sakari is looking forward to lifting more silverware with Gor Mahia after joining the FKF Premier League record champions on a two-year deal.
The immediate former Kenya Police defender says joining K’Ogalo is the highest honour, and is determined to make it count. hilogame.news
“Of course, it is always a pleasure to join such a great team. The club has set some great history for themselves and I am looking forward to being part of them,” Sakari said.
The marauding full back already boasts two league titles, having clinched his first with Tusker in 2021/22 before repeating the trick with the law enforcers in 2024/25.
He also won the domestic cup with Police in 2023/24.
His arrival at Gor marks a major statement of intent from the league champions who are set to return to the Caf Champions League, next season.
They have also snapped up Ulinzi Stars striker Paul Okoth, who scored 18 goals for the soldiers last season — the second highest in the scorers’ chart.
Speaking at the same time, Gor chair Ambrose Rachier said the new signings are a recommendation of head coach Charles Akonnor.
“We will make the signings based on the recommendation of the head coachâ¦on the type of the players he requires. Ours will just to back him up with the resources he needs,” Rachier said.
K’Ogalo are also on the lookout for a goalkeeper following the departure of Gad Matthews, who mostly played second fiddle to Byrne Omondi, last season.
Arkema Première Ligue : l’internationale portugaise Nelly Da Cruz signe à l’OM
Les Marseillaises ajoutent une nouvelle joueuse à leur effectif d’Arkema Première Ligue.
L’OM a officialisé, ce vendredi, l’arrivée de la défenseure Nelly Da Cruz en provenance du FC Nantes où elle évoluait depuis 2023. L’internationale portugaise de 23 ans s’est engagée pour deux saisons, soit jusqu’en 2028 et effectue un retour au sein du club provençal lors de la saison 2022-2023.
« Nelly rejoint les Marseillaises afin d’apporter toute sa polyvalence et son volume de jeu à l’arrière garde marseillaise. Capable d’évoluer à tous les postes de la défense, elle vient renforcer l’effectif marseillais avec son profil complet et sa grande intelligence de jeu. », a écrit le club phocéen sur ses réseaux sociaux. « Nelly apportera de la stabilité, de l’équilibre et de nombreuses options au collectif olympien. », a ajouté l’OM.
The post Arkema Première Ligue : l’internationale portugaise Nelly Da Cruz signe à l’OM appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Sharks, Cheetahs travel for Challenge Cup openers
The Sharks and Cheetahs both face daunting French trips in the opening round of the 2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The EPCR confirmed the fixtures for next season on Friday, with the competition kicking off on 16 October.
The Sharks, winners of the tournament in 2024, travel to Lyon to face the 2021-22 champions in Pool 2 on 17 October in one of the standout opening-round fixtures.
Lyon will have extra motivation this season, with the Challenge Cup final set to be played in their home city. The French club will also face Benetton, Scarlets and Newcastle Red Bulls during the pool stage.
The Cheetahs have been drawn in a formidable pool 1 alongside Ulster, Bayonne, Perpignan, Dragons and Zebre.
The Free Staters will open their campaign away to Bayonne on 18 October before hosting the Dragons in round two.
They then travel to Zebre in round three before ending their pool campaign with a home clash against Perpignan.
Elsewhere, the Dragons launch the tournament against Perpignan at Rodney Parade on the opening night, while Edinburgh host Toulon in another marquee round-one encounter.
Last season’s finalists Ulster begin their campaign away to Zebre before facing Bayonne, Perpignan and the Dragons as they bid to go one step further this season.
Cheetahs fixtures (Pool 1)
Round 1: Bayonne (a)
Round 2: Dragons (h)
Round 3: Zebre (a)
Round 4: Perpignan (h)
Sharks fixtures (Pool 2)
Round 1: Lyon (a)
Round 2: Scarlets (h)
Round 3: Castres (h)
Round 4: Benetton (a)
FULL EPCR CHALLENGE CUP FIXTURES HERE
2026-27 EPCR Challenge Cup pools
Pool 1: Cheetahs, Ulster, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonne, Zebre
Pool 2: Benetton, Lyon, Newcastle Red Bulls, Sharks, Castres, Scarlets
Pool 3: Ospreys, Edinburgh, Black Lion, Harlequins, Toulon, Vannes
EPCR Challenge Cup match weekends
Round 1: 16, 17, 18 October 2026
Round 2: 11, 12, 13 December 2026
Round 3: 8, 9, 10 January 2027
Round 4: 15, 16, 17 January 2027
Round of 16: 2, 3, 4 April 2027
Quarter-finals: 9, 10, 11 April 2027
Semi-finals: 30 April, 1, 2 May 2027
Final: Friday 21 May 2027
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
The post Sharks, Cheetahs travel for Challenge Cup openers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
BOD takes another dig at Nienaber’s defence
Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll believes Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system at Leinster continues to create problems for players when they return to the national side.
Ireland survived a major scare to edge the Wallabies 33-31 in last weekend’s Nations Championship clash in Sydney, conceding 24 first-half points before fighting back to claim victory.
O’Driscoll felt the visitors were fortunate not to fall even further behind, pointing to Hugo Keenan’s try-saving tackle on Joseph Suaalii as a pivotal moment.
“It’s a huge try-saving tackle from Hugo, another bad defensive error,” O’Driscoll said on Off The Ball.
AFRICA PICKS: Nations Championship Round 2 accumulator
The former Ireland captain has previously questioned whether Leinster players are finding it difficult to switch between Nienaber’s aggressive blitz system and Ireland’s defensive approach, and he believes the Wallabies exposed that disconnect.
“There’s definitely an issue with transferring one defensive system to another. It’s ingrained in these Leinster players, and actually it’s not just them,” he said.
“I saw [centre] Stuart McCloskey at one stage shooting out of the line and the big thing about the shooters coming out of the line is you have to stop the ball or force the players back inside, but Australia were getting the ball out the back, they were doing those little loop plays.
“They have big variety hitting the short runner after that and sometimes going out the back, so Ireland looked incredibly exposed.”
ALSO: Beirne relishing Ireland captaincy
O’Driscoll acknowledged the challenge facing players asked to switch systems between club and country.
“I have sympathy for these players because it is something which has been drilled and drilled over the course of the last few years, particularly at Leinster with Jacques Nienaber’s defence,” he said.
“When they have line speed off the line, they think whoever is outside them is going to shut it off as well and that actually hasn’t been happening because it’s a different system.”
BARNEY: Don’t rule out Rassie, Jacques reunion
Despite his concerns, O’Driscoll expects Ireland to tighten up defensively when they face Japan in Newcastle this Saturday.
“I will imagine it will be significantly better,” he said.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
The post BOD takes another dig at Nienaber’s defence appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare: The One You Can Trust
Championships aren’t won on talent alone. They’re built on trust, consistency, and a team that delivers when it matters most. The same principles have guided Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare for more than two decades.
Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare helps motorists travel safely and confidently by delivering the kind of dependable service people come back to, time and time again. That commitment has made Hi-Q one of the country’s most trusted automotive retail brands – and that trust has once again been recognised.
In the 2024/25 Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey, Hi-Q achieved an impressive second-place ranking in the highly competitive Tyre Retail Outlet category. The recognition reinforces what thousands of South Africans already know: when it comes to looking after their vehicles, Hi-Q is a name they can trust.
Like any great rugby side, trust isn’t built in a single season. It’s earned over time through consistency, preparation and delivering when it matters most. That’s exactly how Hi-Q has built its reputation with South African motorists.
The Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey is South Africa’s largest independent brand study, measuring consumer trust, loyalty and affinity across thousands of brands. Unlike awards judged by a panel, the results are driven by real consumer perceptions, making this recognition especially meaningful. It reflects years of consistently delivering expert workmanship, honest advice and exceptional customer service.
Hi-Q has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of today’s motorists. Customers can choose from an extensive range of tyres from leading manufacturers, while also benefiting from a comprehensive range of automotive products and services designed to keep them moving safely and confidently.
Today, Hi-Q offers customers:
• Tyres from leading brands including Goodyear, Dunlop, Continental, Bridgestone and CEAT
• Wheel alignment and balancing
• Batteries
• Brakes and shocks
• Minor Vehicle Services at participating stores
Everything is delivered by professionally trained technicians who understand that keeping your vehicle performing at its best isn’t just about performance – it’s about safety, reliability and confidence every time you get behind the wheel.
Behind every Hi-Q store is a team of highly trained professionals who understand that trust isn’t built through advertising, but earned through every interaction, every recommendation and every completed job.
That customer-first approach has become a defining characteristic of the brand, helping generations of South Africans return to Hi-Q whenever their vehicles need attention.
Recognition in the Ask Afrika Icon Brands Survey belongs to every franchisee, store manager and technician who delivers on the Hi-Q promise each day. Their dedication ensures that customers receive knowledgeable advice, quality workmanship and transparent service they can rely on, every time they visit a Hi-Q store.
As South African motorists continue to seek convenience, value and confidence from their automotive service providers, Hi-Q remains committed to evolving alongside their needs. By combining trusted expertise with an expanding range of automotive solutions, the brand continues to deliver on its promise of being The One You Can Trust.
Whether you’re heading to the stadium, tackling the school run or setting off on a cross-country road trip, your journey deserves the same reliability you’d expect from any great team. That’s why South Africans continue to choose Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare.
Find your nearest Hi-Q store or request a quote online at hiq.co.za, and experience the trusted service that has kept South Africans moving for more than 20 years.
The post Hi-Q Tyres & Autocare: The One You Can Trust appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.