Michael Karanga receives his trophy from KGU Chairman Chris Kinuthia after winning the 2025 NCBA Nanyuki Open

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The inaugural NCBA Nanyuki Open 2025 concluded in thrilling fashion at the scenic Nanyuki Sports Club, with Michael Karanga capturing the tournament’s first-ever title. The event, which drew 74 top amateurs with a handicap limit of 13.5, delivered on its promise of world-class golf against the backdrop of Mt. Kenya. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Karanga, currently ranked 70th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, showcased his trademark consistency and sharp play to outlast a competitive field. Among the top contenders were John Lejirma, Elvis Muigua, and Ebill Omollo, who pushed the champion all the way in a fiercely contested tournament.

The championship featured a prize purse of Kes 500,000, underscoring the NCBA Nanyuki Open’s growing stature and solidifying its place on the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit. Beyond the competition, the event spotlighted Nanyuki Sports Club’s rich golfing tradition, challenging course, and panoramic views, while also offering fans a weekend of sport, community, and hospitality.

During the prize-giving ceremony, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) announced the four-man national team set to represent the country at the Africa Region IV Championship in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from 25th to 29th November 2025.

The team includes:

• John Lejirma (Captain) – Reigning Kenya No. 1, ranked 74th in the WAGR. Winner of seven KAGC titles this season.Michael Karanga – Ranked 70th WAGR, winner of five titles this year including the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship, securing him a spot at the 2026 Magical Kenya Open.
• Elvis Muigua – Three-time champion this year, currently ranked 418th WAGR.
• Junaid Ayaz Manji – Kenya’s top junior golfer, ranked 822nd WAGR, with two titles in 2025 and captain of the junior team at the All Africa Junior Golf Team Championship.

The same trio of Lejirma, Karanga, and Muigua delivered victory for Kenya in Kigali last year. With Junaid now strengthening the side, confidence is high for a successful title defense under Coach Saleem Haji.

Speaking after the announcement, the KGU Chairman said:

“This team reflects the strength and depth of Kenyan golf at both senior and junior levels. We are confident they will rise to the occasion and bring the trophy back home.”

Karanga, celebrating both his Nanyuki Open victory and his place on the national team, added:

“Winning the inaugural NCBA Nanyuki Open is a proud moment. I’m equally honored to represent Kenya once again, and we are determined to make the country proud in Madagascar.”

With the success of the NCBA Nanyuki Open, the Kenya Golf Union and NCBA Group have set a strong foundation for the event to become a permanent fixture on the KAGC calendar, promising even greater competition and opportunities for Kenya’s golfing talent in the years to come.

Overall Gross Lady Winner Cherono Kipkorir in action during Royal Nairobi Golf Club leg of the 2025 NCBA Golf Series

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 5 is just around the corner, and the top four teams are scheduled to take each other on. Making the matches even more interesting is the fact that this is a double clash between the cities of Madrid and Barcelona. League leaders Real Madrid are set to host third-placed RCD Espanyol, with second-placed FC Barcelona facing Getafe CF, who are currently joint-fourth in the table. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.

Real Madrid vs RCD Espanyol: Both teams want to remain unbeaten

On Saturday, the Bernabéu will play host to a duel between two of the three teams (along with FC Barcelona) who are still undefeated in the league. Having won all their first three matches of the season, Real Madrid also grabbed a hard-fought victory away at Real Sociedad last weekend. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring 12 minutes into the first half and, despite Dean Huijsen’s sending off just after the half-hour-mark, the visitors managed to double their lead through Arda Güler before the break. Mikel Oyarzabal pulled one back from the spot after the interval, but the Basque side didn’t manage to complete a comeback and Los Blancos recorded their fourth straight victory.

Meanwhile, one of the most entertaining games of Matchday 4 took place in the Catalan capital, where RCD Espanyol hosted RCD Mallorca on Monday. Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández gave Manolo González’s side a two-goal lead, one which was cancelled out by Vedat Muriqi’s brace. That was before Kike García converted from the spot to help RCD Espanyol clinch all three points. Having recorded three victories and one draw, Los Periquitos have hit the ground running, and are currently one of the hottest teams in LALIGA EA SPORTS.

However, RCD Espanyol won’t have it easy against Xabi Alonso’s side on Saturday. The Catalan team have lost 25 of their last 27 games away at Real Madrid, with their last win in the Spanish capital dating back to 1996. In fact, RCD Espanyol have scored in just four of their last 14 duels at the Bernabéu, where Real Madrid have won 10 straight matches. The last time Los Periquitos got something from a game in the capital was in 2012/13, when they grabbed a 2-2 draw on the road. It now remains to be seen whether either or both of the teams will manage to retain their unbeaten record in the league.

FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF: Geta look to break the away curse

One day later in Catalonia, FC Barcelona are set to host a Getafe CF side who have kicked off the 2025/26 campaign in style. Los Azulones have won three of their first four games of the season, including a 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo on Saturday, courtesy of first-half goals from Mario Martín and Borja Mayoral, both teed up by Luis Milla. Meanwhile, after dropping two points away at Rayo Vallecano before the international break, FC Barcelona bounced back with a 6-0 thrashing of Valencia CF on Sunday. Fermín López, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace each for a Barça side boasting the best attack in the league with 13 goals scored in four matches.

The head-to-head history in the upcoming duel between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF is clearly in Barça’s favour, as Los Blaugrana have never lost at home against their upcoming rivals. In fact, the hosts have won seven straight home games against Los Azulones, who haven’t managed to find the back of the net in their past three visits.

Yet, Getafe CF were one of the few teams who forced FC Barcelona to drop points last season, when the Catalans won 28 of their 38 games to secure the league title. Hosting Barça at the Coliseum on Matchday 20, Getafe CF earned a 1-1 draw, which was actually their fifth consecutive home game without defeat against FC Barcelona. Now, they’ll hope to finally cause Barça some problems on the road this Sunday.