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Kenyan marathoner slapped with four-year ban after testing positive for banned substance
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 7, 2026 – Kenyan marathoner Caren Chelagat has been slapped with a four-year ban after testing positive for the banned substance norandrosterone. albergomalica.it
According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the 31-year-old tested positive for the substance on July 7 this year, in the aftermath of her participation at the Durban International Marathon in which she finished fifth after clocking 2:40:40.
Chelagat maintained her innocence to the very end, insisting she did not use the supposed substance but that it had to something to do with a medication she had taken.
“The only possible explanation for the Adverse Analytical Finding was treatment she had received at a medical facility a few days prior to the Durban International Marathon; and she would check her medical records relating to that treatment and provide them to ADAK (Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya),” the statement indicated.
However, despite several invitations to present evidence to support her ‘innocence’, Chelagat was allegedly not forthcoming, prompting AIU to deliver the guilty verdict.
“She had until no later than 31 August 2026 to return a completed Admission of Anti Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form (enclosed with the Charge) to benefit from a one (1)-year reduction to the period of Ineligibility under Rule 10.8.1 ADR, and that, if she failed to do so, then the AIU would proceed by issuing a final decision in her case, including imposing a four (4)-year period of Ineligibility,” AIU indicated.
They added: “On 29 August 2026, the Athlete wrote to the AIU via WhatsApp further stating that she had not used any drug, was innocent and could not therefore sign the Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form.”
Chelagat becomes the third high-profile athlete to suffer the AIU axe as a result of doping offences.
Her ban comes less than a week after that of Kenyan middle distance runner Emmanuel Wafula who was provisionally suspended for testing positive for testosterone.
Chiefs coach Da Cruz questions his players’ personality
Fernando da Cruz has questioned Kaizer Chiefs’ mentality despite seeing his side claim a 3-2 victory over Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Amakhosi appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory after taking a 1-0 lead into half-time before doubling their advantage shortly after the hour mark.
However, Siwelele’s fightback left Da Cruz concerned about his team’s ability to manage games. Mfundo Vilakazi opened the scoring with a 30th-minute strike before Wandile Duba doubled Chiefs’ lead after the hour mark.
Siwelele pulled one back soon afterwards, but an own goal by Samukelo Xulu with 14 minutes remaining restored Chiefs’ two-goal cushion. The visitors refused to give up, though, as new signing Michael N’Guessan scored in injury time to set up a nervy finish.
Chiefs held on to secure all three points and move up to third in the Betway Premiership standings, behind Orlando Pirates and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Da Cruz was pleased with the result, he was far from satisfied with his team’s performance, particularly their defensive display after taking control of the match.
“We scored our second goal, but directly afterwards, Siwelele scored their first. And we were worried after that and the defensive part was not good,” Da Cruz reflected.
“We scored again and they also scored their second but after the first goal of Siwelele, we began to be worried and we were afraid on the field and at the moment I can’t explain it.
“But we have a lack of personality on the field. To conclude, we deserved all three points if you analyse the game, but our regret is that our opponent came into our box two times and they scored on both occasions so they have 100% success.”
The French coach believes Chiefs should have put the game beyond Siwelele’s reach before half-time after creating several opportunities.
“In the first half, we were very good in possession and we created a lot of chances but we didn’t have the killer instinct inside the box,” Da Cruz added.
“At the start of the second half we didn’t play well, we started to play long and but we needed to continue to play the way we played in the first half.”
Da Cruz will now hope his players respond when Chiefs travel to face Polokwane City in their next Betway Premiership encounter.
The coach says the team’s shortcomings cannot simply be addressed through tactical adjustments, insisting the players’ mentality and attitude must also improve.
“The first step is to do our match analysis and correct the tactical side but it’s not only that. It also depends on the spirt and mentality of the players on the field,” he concluded.
Paris FC : Sinayoko, une bonne pioche déjà payante
Arrivé au Paris FC cet été, Lassine Sinayoko n’a pas mis longtemps à se faire remarquer. En seulement trois journées de Ligue 1, l’attaquant malien a déjà trouvé le chemin des filets à quatre reprises et s’est offert un triplé retentissant face à l’Olympique de Marseille (3-2), dimanche au Vélodrome.
Face à l’OM, Sinayoko a frappé trois fois, aux 1re, 19e et 86e minutes. Un triplé qui a permis au Paris FC de décrocher une victoire spectaculaire au terme d’une rencontre particulièrement animée. Par son efficacité, mais aussi par son activité, l’international malien a été l’un des grands artisans de ce succès.
Un impact immédiat
Avant son déplacement à Marseille, Sinayoko avait déjà montré de belles dispositions lors des deux premières journées. Malgré le nul concédé face à Troyes (0-0), il avait affiché une activité intéressante sur le front de l’attaque, avant de participer au large succès parisien contre Nice (3-0).
Son profil apporte plusieurs solutions au Paris FC. Explosif, capable de prendre la profondeur et de multiplier les appels, l’ancien Auxerrois sait également se rendre utile dans le pressing. Une activité qui lui permet de peser sur les défenses, même lorsqu’il n’est pas directement impliqué dans les actions décisives.
Une recrue déjà décisive
Recruté cet été pour environ 8 millions d’euros, Sinayoko avait été choisi pour renforcer le secteur offensif du Paris FC. Trois journées auront suffi pour mesurer l’impact de son arrivée.
Avec quatre buts au compteur, le Malien occupe déjà une place importante dans le dispositif parisien. Son triplé au Vélodrome vient surtout confirmer une efficacité qui pourrait s’avérer précieuse tout au long de la saison.
À 26 ans, Sinayoko semble avoir rapidement trouvé ses marques dans son nouvel environnement. Si cette dynamique se poursuit, la recrue estivale pourrait rapidement devenir l’un des principaux atouts offensifs du Paris FC.
Après trois journées seulement, le choix du club parisien semble déjà porter ses fruits.
The post Paris FC : Sinayoko, une bonne pioche déjà payante appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Hansen: All Blacks not in the hunt up front
Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie say the Springboks’ set-piece dominance in Joburg on Saturday meant New Zealand’s attacking skills simply weren’t enough.
They were speaking on the Rugby Unity podcast after the Boks’ 29-24 win at FNB Stadium, a result that put South Africa 2-1 up in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series ahead of this Saturday’s finale in Baltimore.
Hansen felt the All Blacks’ second-half scoreboard chase cost Dave Rennie’s men dearly.
ALSO: All Blacks coach tired of the same story
“They had to [chase the game], because they got too far behind on the scoreboard, and you’re not going to beat the Boks until you can get parity at scrum time and you can get decent ball in the lineout,” the former All Blacks coach said.
“A lot of the times we were having to go to the front and it was messy or ugly, and you’re letting them get a free shot at you from the back with their defensive system the way it is.
“We’ve got until next year, the World Cup, to get those things right, and I think we will. Once we do that, then we’re right in the hunt.”
EX-ALL BLACKS: Boks thrive on pressure
McKenzie pointed to the same scrum imbalance but was equally taken by the Kiwis’ running rugby, even as Ardie Savea’s injury disrupted their shape late on.
“The points difference and the scrum … was very good for them [the Boks], and their scramble defence. They got up in their [All Blacks’] faces,” the ex-Wallabies boss said.
“But New Zealand, some of the attacking footy they played at times was as good as you’ll see. The skill execution was brilliant but not good enough to win the game, unfortunately.
ALSO: ‘Humble’ Kiwis look for scrum quick fix
“Losing Savea was probably important from a leadership point of view … They probably lost a bit of composure right at the death.”
Hansen viewed the same passage of play as a lesson New Zealand can carry forward.
“That 10-minute mark, and this will be a great learning for this team, you can’t go scoreboard-focused because it creates an outcome pressure that you don’t need.
“You just have to say, ‘What do I need to do right now, right here?’
“We probably wasted five of those 10 minutes worrying about the scoreboard … Wanting to win is not a bad thing, but you’ve just got to be in control.”
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post Hansen: All Blacks not in the hunt up front appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.