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Author: Invo

  • Shujaas Bow Out of the Olympics

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Supersport}

     

    The Rugby 7s Olympic circuit in Paris began on the 24th of July. 2024 and honestly, it is not looking good for Team Kenya.

    There were 2 games played on the first day.

    First up was Argentina.

    Kenya actually started off well with an early try, after 3 minutes, after some individual brilliance from Chrisant Ojwang.  Argentina hit back before the break to level the score, save for missing their conversion.

    It was a relatively tentative first half and the second half started in more or less the same fashion as both teams were not looking to give the other an inch. It was, however, only a minute into the second half when Argentina struck again, after some good play down the wing. Kenya was not to be outdone though as we hit straight back a minute later. A good turn over in midfield saw the Shujaas launch a counter-attack, Kevin Wekesa showing some good hands to hold onto an offloaded pass by Ojwang and touch down in the try box.

    This is when the game changed though, as a series of unnecessary errors allowed Los Pumas to attack constantly and eventually overcome our defensive line.

    31-12 the final score as Kenya started off the Olympic games on the back foot.

     

    The second game against Australia…

    …did not fare any better.

    Australia began proceedings, running into the try box after some individual brilliance from the attacker.

    Kenya hit back after some quick thinking from Anthony Omondi, first to kick the ball into space behind the Australian defensive line. And second to take a quick penalty while the Australian defense was still readjusting and sailing over the tryline to level the score.

    Australia hit again just before halftime to go into the break with the lead.

    The Shujaas mounted a serious challenge to Australia in the second half but could not break their defenses. Australia managed to keep us at arms length and then, just before the final whistle, they hit us again guaranteeing their victory.

    21-7 the final score, leaving Kenya with it all to do in our last game against Samoa.

     

    The last game was against Samoa

    This one was difficult to watch.

    We needed a hefty score line against the Samoans in order to book a place in the next round of fixtures. But it was not to be. We looked tired, uninspired and devoid of ideas.

    The game had only just begun before Samoa went over for their first try.  We picked ourselves up and tried to take the game to Manu Samoa, but they held us at arm’s length. Things were made worse by the concession of a thoroughly avoidable yellow card for a needle offense, just before halftime. 5-0 at the break.

    Samoa came out energized and their one-man advantage proved pivotal as they scored their second try with barely a minute on the clock. Things were looking dire.

    Kenya tried to fightback with the likes of speedster Patrick Adongo and try scorer, Chrisant Ojwang, but to no avail. And because of the desperation in our attack, we left ourselves open to counter attacks.

    2 more tries for Samoa and one more yellow card for Kenya as the game ended 26-0, condemning the Shujaas to an early flight back home.

    That also made it 3 losses out of 3 for Team Kenya.

    It was a tough tournament for us. All that’s left now is for head coach, Kevin Wambua (dp), to regroup with the troupes and prepare for the next outing.

     

     

     

     

     

  • VAR Controversy at the Paris Olympics

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by TheCable}

     

    Argentina took on Morocco in what is sure to be remembered as one of the most controversial games since the Video Assisted Technology (VAR) was introduced.

    It was a tentative start but some neat interplay down the right wing just before the half-time break saw Bilal el Khhannouss send a low cross into the box for Centre Forward Soufiane Rahimi to tap into the Argentina net. 1-0 to Morocco going into half time.

    Morocco flew out of the traps at the start of the second half and it took only 5 minutes for them to double their lead. An incident in the Argentina penalty box saw the referee award Morocco a penalty, which Rahimi calmly dispatched to increase Morocco’s lead. 2-0 to the good.

    Argentina hit back in the 68th minute when Giuliano Simeone diverted a wayward shot by Julio Soler into the Moroccan net.

    There was about 15 minutes of added time given and Argentina did not intend to waste it. They made attacking substitutions and waited for their moment. And in the last minute of injury time, their bravery was rewarded.

    Commotion inside the box after shot saw desperation creep into the minds of the Moroccans. They lunged and chased after the ball as it bounced around in the box. Finally, the ball bounced off the crossbar and right onto Cristian Medina’s forehead who couldn’t miss from point blank range.

    2-2 the final score, Argentina rescuing a draw from the jaws of defeat.

    Or so we thought.

    This prompted a raucous reaction from the Moroccan fans as they ran onto the pitch and began hurling coins and bottles at the pitch, as any sore loser would do. Because of the risk toward the players, the lay was put off until the fans had calmed themselves. Seeing as this was the last action of the game anyway, the stadium emptied, with the players now in their changing rooms.

    Important to note that, the referee still hadn’t blown his whistle at full time meaning, effectively, the game was still on going.

    Sure enough, he called the players back onto the pitch and informed them of a VAR review that had been analyzing Argentina’s goal. The verdict was that the goal scorer was in violation of the Offside law and therefore the goal was null and void.

    Cue the celebrations from the Moroccan players as the referee then blew the final whistle to end the game.

    Oh, and this happened more than an hour after the game had been initially suspended.

    Heartbreak for Argentina.

    Argentina coach Javier Mascherano did not mince his words at the decision.

    “I have not been a coach for long, but never in my career as a player have I seen a situation like that,” said Mascherano, who won gold with Argentina in 2004 and 2008. “It is a circus. But that is how it is. We cannot control it…” “It is a disgrace that this should happen and poison the tournament. This wouldn’t even happen in a neighbourhood tournament. It’s pathetic…”

    A statement from the tournament organisers said: “The football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium was suspended due to a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators.” “The match then restarted and was able to conclude safely. Paris 2024 is working with the relevant stakeholders to understand the causes and identify appropriate actions.“

    Major controversy at the Paris Olympics, and we haven’t even seen the opening ceremony yet.

  • Nottingham Forest make Marquee Signing

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Alamy}

     

    Serbia international, Nikola Milenkovic has completed a £12m move to Nottingham Forest.

    The former Fiorentina Captain was previously heavily linked with a big money move to some big premier league teams, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, before, for whatever reason, the links died out. Obviously, none of these clubs opted to sign, preferring new targets, the likes of William Saliba, Benoit Badiashile and Micky van de Ven respectively.

    This has opened the door for Nottingham Forest to swoop in and seal the deal on a quality centre-back as Forest look to improve their status in the premier league going into the new season.

    The 26yr old Serbian is known for his aerial dominance, no doubt attributed to his a 6ft4in frame, his strong tackling and his composure on the ball. Also, having been the captain of his former club, Fiorentina, he has leadership qualities that are sure to benefit Nottingham Forest as they look to avoid another relegation battle come the end of the season. He can also be a bit of a goal threat at set pieces, having found the back of the net 17 times during his time at Fiorentina.

    “He is a key part of our squad planning this summer and I know how enthusiastic he has been to join the club,” said Ross Wilson, Nottingham Forest’s Sporting Director. “We have long admired his performances with the Serbia national team and in Serie A and European competitions for Fiorentina.”

    It is undoubtedly a promising signing that is sure to excite the Nottingham Forest faithful.

    All that remains is to see whether Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest Manager, can get the be犀利士
    st out of him.

     

  • The Most Toxic Family Dynamic Ever Written

    by Bem Ayuko

    {images by Tekken}

     

    For anyone who grew up like I did, playing Tekken 3 on PlayStation 1, Heihachi Mishima was pretty much just that old guy who looks like somebody’s grandfather. Only later on do you actually realize just how insane the lore behind the Tekken series and why this character shouldn’t be so easily dismissed.

    It all starts when a young girl named Kazumi Hachijo happens upon the Mishima Dojo. There, she meets a young Heihachi, they grow in love and eventually wed and bare offspring, whom they name Kazuya.

    One day, Kazumi collapses in training, and when she wakes, she is like a completely different person. In fact, she completely morphs into some form of demonic entity. She reveals that she came to the Dojo intentionally in order to kill Heihachi, foreseeing the tyranny that he will enforce in his future. Heihachi, tragically, can only shed a tear as he has no choice but to murder the love of his life in cold blood.

    Heihachi, fearing that his 10yr old son may be possessed by a similar demonic entity, does what any father would do to handle the situation. He throws him off a cliff. The logic being that, if he survives, then he was surely right. Textbook parenting.

    He then proceeds to imprison his father and take over the family business, The Mishima Zaibatsu (The Dojo). Truly unhinged.

    His son, Kazuya Mishima, actually does survive the fall and, after learning about the fate of his mother, trains and trains until one day, when he is much older, he returns to face his father to exact revenge. He defeats him and, in an ironic twist of fate, he carries him up the same mountain, and tosses him off the same cliff. He is very satisfied with this.

    Heihachi, not to be outdone by his son, survives this fall, and returns to find that his son Kazuya has taken over the family business. He proceeds to exact his own revenge and, after a taxing battle, Kazuya morphs into a demonic entity. Alas, Heihachi was right. He defeats him and this time, carries Kazuya up a Volcano and tosses him inside to get rid of him for good.

    Heihachi then sets his sights on Kazuya’s son, Jin Kazama, who was training to avenge his own mother’s death. Having helped him achieve his revenge, Heihachi tries to end his life as well, perhaps fearing that the same demonic entity lies within him as well. This attempt on his life only serves as a catalyst to unleash the demonic entity and Jin survives, escaping into the night.

    Would you believe it, but Kazuya survived the Volcano. Surprised? Actually, his body was recovered by G-Corp (an organization in the know) and they revived him to even greater strength.

    He immediately sets on a course for his father, Heihachi but just as they meet, they are interrupted by Jin, who defeats them both. He then disappears. Kazuya and Heihachi wake up to find themselves surrounded by terminator-esque androids (the JACKS). They fight side-by-side, showing us a glimpse of what could have been. Alas, Kazuya betrays his father and leaves him for dead.

    Kazuya takes over G-Corp and goes out in search of his son. He comes across Akuma, a demon, in the city and when fighting him, morphs into a demon himself. This turns out to have been set up by Heihachi as now, in the public eye, everybody can see Kazuya for who he is. Heihachi, in an act of, perhaps even his, most vile and cruel malevolence, cancelled his own son.

    Heihachi, having barely survived the JACKS’ incident, was now in Kazuya’s crosshairs. They agree to meet inside a that volcano and proceed to fight to the death.

    After an arduous battle, Kazuya, finally, defeats his father.

    He picks him up and throws him directly into the lava. Heihachi Mishima…is Dead.

     

    Or so we thought. Listen, Heihachi and Kazuya have killed each other a number of times, yes, but still. This genuinely seemed like the one. Turns out, we were wrong…again.

    He’s Back! Breathing new life into probably the most toxic Father/Son relationship yet.

    We eagerly await this family reunion.

     

     

  • Anti-Graft Protests in Kampala

    by Ben Ayuko

    {Image by QFM_LIRA}

     

    Armed Officers took to the streets of Kampala to arrest young protestors who were trying to speak up against the corruption of public officials.

    These youthful protestors were marching toward the Parliament building in Kampala, demanding for the resignation of the Speaker to the National Assembly, Anitah Among, when they were intercepted and arrested.

    This comes after Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, had issued a warning to those planning to protest, saying that they were, “Playing with Fire.”

    “What right… do you have to seek to generate chaotic behavior? … We are busy producing … cheap food, other people in other parts of the world are starving… you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us…”, Museveni said in a three-hour-long wide-ranging address.

    This, of course, in the wake of the Anti-Finance Bill Protests seen all over Kenya whereby dozens-on-dozens-on-dozens of people were killed by Police sanctioned by President William Ruto, makes Yoweri Museveni’s words all the more ominous in nature as it is yet unclear what the words “Playing with Fire” are meant to imply.

    Ugandan Opposition Leader, Bobi Wine, gave a statement in support of the protests which he made a point to claim were “organized by the young people of Uganda” and not his national party. The former musician, just a few years ago, was arrested amidst forming a campaign to challenge Museveni’s rule. His arrest led to protests in Uganda which were met with law enforcement. Dozens-on-dozens died on the day trying to push for his freedom.

    He is back, this time, not at the forefront. but as part of the movement that would defy Museveni’s long-standing government.

     

  • Ajali Barabarani!

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by X}

    There was an accident on the Southern Bypass near Ole Sereni Hotel at 6:30a.m on Tuesday morning, July 23rd, 2024.

    A Lorry and a Trailer were headed in opposite directions (one coming from Kikuyu, the other going toward Kikuyu respectively) on opposite sides of the road when the Lorry driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle, barreling right into the trailer. It is, as of yet, not known what caused this sudden mishap but the consequence of it can only be described as severe.

    Both drivers lost their lives on impact as the trailer then proceeded to catch fire and erupt into flames. The driver’s body was burnt beyond recognition.

     

    Practitioners from a Multi-Agency Response Team arrived on the scene quickly and were able to pull 3 passengers from the wreckage and take them to the hospital for treatment as per statement by the Kenya Red Cross, i.e. “Three people have been taken to hospital, thanks to the efforts of a multi-agency response team,”- Kenya Red Cross.

     

  • All Blacks Annihilate Faltering Fijians

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by PlanetRugby}

     

    Fresh off beating England in their first round of test matches, the New Zealand All Blacks set their sights on their Oceania “brothers“, Fiji.

    As usual, the game started with each side issuing a war cry to their opponent. The roar of the Fijian ‘CIBI’ was met with the defiance of the New Zealand ‘HAKA’. 2 sets of warriors, on opposite sides, ready to leave it all on the line.

    No sooner had the game started than New Zealand soared over the try line for the first points of the game. Good play from Damien McKenzie saw him break through the Fijian defensive line and send the ball out wide. Caleb Clarke was on the end of the move, and he side stepped 2 defenders before touching down for New Zealand. McKenzie converted his kick.

    Literally 5 minutes later, scrumhalf Cortez Ratima increased the advantage for the All Blacks. A strong carry from Centre, Anton Lienert-Brown set up a ruck just underneath the Fijian posts. Ratima took advantage of a stumbling Fijian backline, picking the ball up straight from the ruck and sailing into the try box. Sadly, this would be his last meaningful contribution to the team as he went off after suffering a shoulder injury. McKenzie converted his kick give his team a 14-0 lead 14minutes into the game.

    This seemed to spark Fiji into gear, seeing as how they enjoyed their best spell of the half for the next period of the game. Flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula started looking to influencing the game using his kicking ability. He sent a kick to the air that was knocked on by a New Zealand defender who failed in his attempt to catch the ball. From the resultant scrum, Armstrong-Ravula received the ball once more, this time sending a carefully aimed kick over to the blindside right into the arms of veteran Fijian winger, Semi Radradra. He climbed highest to catch the ball and then, skillfully tossed it back to his inside just before being taken out by the defender. The ball landed right into the arms of the fullback, Vilimoni Botitu who had a clear run into the New Zealand try box and touched down to get Fiji on the score board. A textbook exhibit of Fijian Rugby at its best.

    This would prove to be the last cheerful moment for Fiji in this game as tries from Billy Proctor, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Ethan de Groot and George Bell aided by McKenzie‘s conversions for all but one, meant that Fiji didn’t stand a chance on the day. The spectators were treated to some special moments from their players, though. Something to give them inspiration and spark a response in the 2nd test match.

     

     

  • The Real Deal?

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by X}

     

    Lenny Yoro enjoyed a solid outing in his first ever performance for Man United in their friendly against Rangers over the weekend.

    Being one of the more promising youngsters around playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, he will, now, have more eyes on him than he has ever had before going into the new season and he will be hoping to have a decent debut season in the English Premier League. But if his season is anything like the performance he gave in that pre-season friendly, then he surely has nothing to worry about.

    Yoro looks to be a very sturdy defensive unit. He reminds me of a young Nathan Ake. His explosive power allows him to catch up to any attacker, even if caught out of position, while his body strength allows him to handle the situation with minimal jeopardy; his long, agile limbs allowing him to reach for the ball from the most awkward of angles. A player who is decent enough on the ball to keep things ticking over and who can be relied on as the last line in defense. It remains to be seen whether he is as much of an attacking threat in the opposition box as Ake was.

    He has received major plaudits for his performances, being likened to another player who burst onto the scene as a youngster, Arsenal’s William Saliba.

    One should remember, though, that Saliba was loaned out to the French Ligue 1 for 2 seasons before Mikel Arteta saw it fit to integrate him into the first team at Arsenal. If this is the path Yoro would take, while it does promise a prodigious talent in the long run, it would also surely beckon jeers and dejection at the hands of a restless Man United fanbase.

    The best thing for such a young player, often, is to let his burgeoning talent blossom at its own pace without any added pressure being thrust upon his shoulders. Manchester United goalkeeper, André Onana, has already come out and said, “We’re here to help Leny. We will take responsibility no matter what happens”. “We’re leaders, he’s a young player, we’ll give him time and he will be alright”

    However, whenever a player makes a big money move, it always comes with a big pile of pressure to accompany it. Many a football will undoubtedly be eager to see his £145k per week, €62mil price tag justified. Should he take some time to show his promise in this, his debut season, will the Man United faithful be so grand as to allow him time to find his footing?

  • Team Drama Overshadows Maiden Piastri Victory

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Formula1}

     

    Oscar Piastri secured his 1st ever win in Formula 1 after some hullabaloo involving his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.

    It proved to be a very volatile atmosphere as both the McLaren and the Red Bull Racing team engineers had to rein in their respective drivers and ensure they brought the car home in one piece.

    The action began as soon as the 1st corner as both Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen launched off the line and ran up alongside pole sitter Lando Norris right into the right hander. They were lined up 3 abreast going into the corner but for Oscar, having the advantage of the inside line meant that he would emerge out of the corner in the lead. Verstappen took 2nd place by going around the outside of Norris but was adjudged to have gained an advantage by going off the track and therefore he had to give the place back to the Mclaren driver, despite his protestations to the team.

    This incident wound up winding him up and for the rest of the race he was almost on his own personal charge as though looking to prove something.

    The real fireworks flew after the 2nd round of pitstops on lap 50.

    The McLaren team decide to pit Norris ahead of teammate Oscar who was leading the race. Norris came back out with fresh tyres and as a result, managed to overtake his teammate after he made his own pitstop in the following lap. This was a bad look.

    McLaren issued team orders to Norris telling him to switch positions back with Oscar. Norris was reluctant to do this. After all, he was sat in 2nd place in the overall driver championships standings, and it would have served him best to take advantage of the situation.

    This debate went on, over the very public team radio, for over 10 laps as Norris built his lead over Oscar. As heartbreaking as it would be for Oscar to lose the chance to win his first race in this manner, questions like “Well why didn’t you pit him first?” or “Tell him to catch up…”  would prove difficult to argue against Norris for his convictions.

    Verstappen was already not enjoying his best race and his 2nd pitstop left him with an even bigger mountain to climb should he be looking to win the race, a point he made sure to put forward with some rather colourful language on the team radio. His frustrations at being stuck behind Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in 4th place finally boiled over as he elected to send his car from deep and divebomb Hamilton at the first corner. He overshot it. He made contact with Hamilton. His car was sent flying into the air and, miraculously, avoided taking any damage. He did lose a position to Charles Leclerc though.

    Alas, with 3 laps to go, Norris yielded, allowing Oscar to claim first place back and take his race victory. Norris in a disgruntled 2nd place, Hamilton and Leclerc in rather fortunate 3rd and 4th respectively as Verstappen finished in 5th.

    Oscar became the 7th different driver to win a race in 2024.

     

  • The Ship of Theseus

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by jotem}

    We have all, by now, heard of ‘the Ship of Theseus‘. If you haven’t, Theseus was Divine Hero and a Founder of Athens in Greek Mythology. He was known for his exploits, most famously perhaps for defeating the minotaur. The King Minos of Crete had an annual tradition whereby he would select 7 maidens & 7 young men from Athens to feed, as a sacrifice, to the minotaur located at the center of the Labyrinth on Crete. Theseus, determined to end Minoan rule, volunteered to go as one of the young men. Remember when I said he was a Hero.

    He would find his way to the Minotaur, slay it, and, with the help of Ariadne- the King’s daughter- he would make his way out of the Labyrinth, escaping the island on a ship. The Athenians, undoubtedly grateful, would preserve this ship -which came to be known as the aforementioned Ship of Theseus– by replacing each panel of decaying wood one at a time. That’s how the story goes anyway.

    The question is this, after every single aging/decaying panel of wood that makes up the boat has been replaced by new wood, can we still refer to the new ship as the Ship of Theseus?

    Or, in other words, what makes the ship of Theseus the Ship of Theseus? Is it the wooden framework? Is it the contents of the ship? Is it the fact that Theseus sailed on it?

    Surely once you have replaced every single panel of the ship, then the original ship ceases to exist. Or maybe it does still exist, but it exists in the corner where the pile of discarded dead wood has been tossed. That is to say, should one possess the ability to stitch the dead wood back together, then Theseus would now have 2 ships, no? Or is it still just one? Surely, they can’t both be the Ship of Theseus because only one of these ships aided in his escape from Crete. But which one is it?

    With developing technology, we, as humans, may soon have to come up with a concrete answer to this question. In video games such as Cyberpunk 2077, we come across characters who have augmented their bodies, replacing their fleshy body parts with robotic attachments to enhance their level of existence. For instance, replacing one’s eyeballs with actual cameras that can see things more clearly, record events, even zoom in and out. Maybe they want to run faster/ jump higher, so they replace their legs with machinery that would enable them to do so. They have smoked all their lives and have therefore weakened their lungs, so they replace them with more efficient ventilators. Or they have had one too many heart attacks and opt to replace their heart with a state-of-the-art pacemaker.

    Or maybe I take things up an echelon. I want to avoid death. I mean, it’s only the physical elements of our bodies that die, right? The brain may decay and limit the mind’s functionality, but the mind would otherwise remain unaffected.

    Maybe I want to live beyond the years my body will allow me. Maybe I watched shows like ‘Altered Carbon‘ and ‘Pantheon‘ and got intrigued by their idea of life. Maybe I can just lift my consciousness from out of my brain and preserve it on some kind of digital hardware. Maybe I can upload this hardware onto a different machine and live like the Terminator and call myself Adam Smasher.

    If I did so, then would I cease to be myself? And if so, then at what point would I cease to be myself? How many body parts would I need to replace in order to stop being myself? And if I donated all my body parts to one single person who needed them, would they become me? Surely, we couldn’t both be me, could we?

    Or maybe I made a copy of my own consciousness. Then I put it into another body. Would it be me? If anyone else talked to it, they would definitely believe that they were talking to me, wouldn’t they? But it wouldn’t really be me, would it? If I left my clone with them and travelled to the other side of the galaxy to start another life, by the time I returned, would they still accept me? Or would my clone now take priority considering the clone now had some new memories with them. Memories that I don’t have. From their perspective, it’s all the same. All the time I’ve been away, they have been living with me.

    If Theseus returned from beyond Olympus, would he recognize the ship as the same ship he had escaped from Crete with? If not, then what was the crossover point?