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By AFPMarch 30, 2026 08:40 (EAT)

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New Zealand’s scrum-half Aaron Smith (TOP) reacts alongside teammates as they gather after victory in the France 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between Argentina and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 20, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)

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All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams was Monday ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season after being hospitalised with a serious back infection.

The 25-year-old is under medical care after being diagnosed with discitis – an infection in one of the discs in his spine, his club said.

Williams will remain in hospital until he is stable enough to return home.

He will play no further part in the Super Rugby season, which runs until the final in mid-June, with his return beyond that guided by medical advice.

The All Blacks kick off their season against France in Christchurch on July 4.

“I’m feeling gutted, but I’m also grateful that the news isn’t as bad as what it could be,” said Williams, who has been capped 26 times by New Zealand.

“Being in hospital you see a lot and it makes you appreciate that this place is here to save us.

“I’ve been told I’m going to make a 100 percent recovery, so I’m thankful for that.”

The defending champion Crusaders are currently sixth on the 11-team Super Rugby ladder after round seven.

G7 ministers set to tackle financial fallout of Mideast war

By AFPMarch 30, 2026 07:35 (EAT)

A supervisor shows a control panel with temperature readings of an inoperative propane-powered kiln at a ceramics tiles-manufacturing factory, that remains closed amid global energy crisis owing to the Middle East war, in Morbi on March 26, 2026. Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP

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Ministers from the G7 will hold talks on Monday to unpack the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East, the French government said, as oil and gas prices continue to soar.

The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February and Tehran has hit back by targeting crude-exporting countries in the region and halting shipments through the Gulf.

The squeeze on supply has pushed oil and natural gas prices higher, with drastic knock-on effects for supply chains in countless industries.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the G7 meeting, to be held via videoconference, would include energy and finance ministers as well as central bank chiefs and the heads of other international agencies.

“There are already differences in the responses largely linked to differences in exposure to the crisis,” Lescure told a news conference on Friday, stressing that Asia was particularly exposed to the turmoil.

“That is one of the reasons why we wanted to convene a G7 of finance, energy and central banks,” he said.

He added that the idea was to exchange views on the impact on financial markets and the economy, later telling local media it was the first time in half a century the G7 had used this format.

The G7, an informal grouping of the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, helps shape policy debates in the world’s wealthiest nations.

The United States has sought support from the group to help halt Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

After a meeting last week, G7 foreign ministers said it was an “absolute necessity” for Iran to re-establish free passage through the strait and called for an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Governments scrambling

Under increasing pressure, many governments have rolled out measures to limit the impact of supply difficulties and soaring energy prices.

But a lack of clarity over US war aims, along with uncertainty over the potential length of the conflict and the spread of hostilities, has left governments scrambling for coherent responses.

US officials, including President Donald Trump, have said their goals in the war are almost achieved, but thousands of US personnel have been sent to the region in an unprecedented military build-up.

Activists based outside Iran say the US-Israeli campaign has killed more than 3,000 people in the country, over half of them civilians, while Lebanese officials have said more than 1,000 have been killed there since Israel began attacking its territory in retaliation for Hezbollah attacks on March 2.

Officials in Israel and countries across the Gulf have also reported much smaller numbers of casualties.

Kalonzo weighs in as Ruto-Gachagua clash spills into late governor’s will row

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Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised President William Ruto over his escalating war of words with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying it is improper for a Head of State to make serious character allegations against a former running mate years after they were elected together.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday night, Kalonzo said leaders should conduct thorough due diligence before picking deputies, arguing that it is inconsistent to campaign on one ticket and later make damaging claims without evidence.

“I think that it is important, even before you pick your running mate, to be able to ask yourself a question… You cannot then, after you have gone through, elected on one ticket, then turn around years later and say your deputy was a murderer and you cannot prove it,” Kalonzo said.

He argued that the President should be properly briefed before making statements that could unfairly tarnish a political opponent’s reputation, warning that remarks aimed at “besmirching” a former deputy’s character for political reasons undermine the standard expected of a Head of State.

“I must tell William that, in law, when you are dealing with people’s wills, one can die intestate or after writing a will. This president has not been properly briefed,” he said.

Kalonzo claimed that revisiting such allegations a decade later was wrong, and urged restraint in political discourse.

“Ten years later, for political reasons, you want now to besmirch the character of your former DP. I think there is a gap in briefing because a head of state should be properly briefed before he utters some of these things,” he added.

Kalonzo’s remarks come against the backdrop of a widening political rift between Ruto and Gachagua that has increasingly drawn in personal and family issues.

Gachagua, now the leader of the Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP), recently told the President to keep off his family affairs following an appeal by the family of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua for the President’s intervention over claims of a forged will and alleged intermeddling in the estate.

Led by the late governor’s widow Margaret Nyokabi Nderitu, the family asked President Ruto to order an independent probe into the allegations.

The appeal came days after President Ruto, during a public outburst, accused Gachagua of calling him a thief while allegedly having stolen from his own brother — claims that have heightened tensions between the two.

While touring Kirinyaga County, Gachagua warned the Head of State against interfering in his family matters and urged him to focus on his own affairs.

“Amesahau mambo ya Kenya anaingilia mambo ya familia ya Gachagua… Ameshindwa kugawanya mlima, anafikiria atagawanya familia ya Gachagua? Wewe William Ruto, ukona familia yenu ya Kalenjin, kuenda ongea mambo ya familia yenu, usiingilie mambo ya familia yangu hapa milimani,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua has also been using his regional tours to popularise the DCP party and rally Mt Kenya residents to reject leaders aligned with the ruling administration ahead of the next general election.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi claims Sifuna camp was Raila’s fallback plan in politics with Ruto

Late Raila Odinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi, speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on Wednesday October 23, 2025. PHOTO|COURTESY

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Lawyer Paul Mwangi has claimed that the faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) associated with Secretary General Edwin Sifuna was part of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wider political calculus–including an “exit strategy” –as he navigated his relationship with President William Ruto.

Mwangi argued that the turbulence currently playing out in ODM reflects a long-standing contest between two broad camps he said have existed within Raila’s political orbit for years: a political-diplomatic wing and a militant wing.

He said the debate on which side truly carries Raila’s political legacy is misplaced, insisting both groupings reflect different dimensions of Raila’s leadership.

“What you’re having today is actually a fight between two Raila factions: a political-diplomatic faction and a militant faction. Raila was a multifaceted political character, and each group represents a different aspect of his legacy,” Mwangi said.

According to Mwangi, the militant camp has historically served as a strategic fallback whenever political engagements became difficult. He claimed the grouping aligned with Sifuna featured in that contingency plan.

“Raila would not engage in anything without an exit strategy. If things did not work out, or if there was a clash with the corporate side, he would turn to the militant faction and rally them as a fallback,” he said, adding that even during Raila’s cooperation with President Ruto, there were built-in alternatives.

Mwangi’s remarks come amid rising internal tensions within ODM, with Sifuna publicly hinting he may not continue serving as the party’s Secretary General under the new party leadership.

Speaking to supporters during what the Linda Mwananchi faction described as the ‘People’s’ National Delegates Convention (NDC) at Ufungamano House on Friday, Sifuna suggested he was ready to step aside, saying he would not serve under what he termed “mediocrity” following the party’s leadership transition after Raila’s death last year.

“It has been the honour of my life to be the Secretary General of probably the greatest politician this country will ever see, Raila Amollo Odinga,” he said.

“Sasa nataka mniangalie vizuri; yaani mnataka kuniambia naweza kuwa katibu mkuu wa ODM, katibu mkuu wa Raila Odinga, miaka nane, and then I become the SG of mediocrity? Oburu tafuta SG wako, mimi siwezi kuwa SG wa Oburu. I will not be the SG of mediocrity, after Raila Odinga, you characters don’t deserve me,” he added, in remarks widely interpreted as a public resignation or a refusal to serve under the new regime led by Dr Oburu Oginga.

Even as he struck a defiant tone, the Nairobi Senator said leadership positions are ultimately decided by voters, dismissing suggestions that losing the office would weaken him politically.

“Sifuna sio mwoga, kazi yoyote ambayo mtanituma kufanya kwa ajili ya taifa la Kenya, hiyo kazi ndio Sifuna atafanya… Nafasi zote za uongozi Kenya hii, zinapeanwa na nyinyi wananchi; leo nikinyang’anywa nafasi yoyote, mimi naamini mtanirudishia yote 2027,” he said.

Sifuna also said he does not consider himself entitled to remain Secretary General indefinitely, noting that other capable leaders exist within the party, but insisted any attempt to replace him must follow ODM’s constitutional procedures.

“Sifuna was not born to be the Secretary General of ODM forever… Ndani ya chama kuna vijana wengi ambao wanaweza kufanya hii kazi, lakini ukitaka kureplace Sifuna fuata katiba ya chama; itisha NDC ambayo kila mtu anaenda kwa debe, walete candidate wao alafu akutane na mimi,” he said.

Caf general secretary Mosengo-Omba resigns amid Afcon controversy

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The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has stepped down at a turbulent moment for the sport across the continent.

Veron Mosengo-Omba announced his retirement in a statement. Still, his exit comes as Caf faces mounting criticism following controversial decisions, including stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and the late postponement of the women’s tournament.

These developments have shaken confidence in the organisation, which oversees football in Africa.

In his statement on Sunday, Mosengo-Omba referenced the challenges and disputes that marked his time in office.

He said he was leaving with a clear conscience after addressing allegations against him, adding that he believed he had strengthened the organisation during his tenure.

The 66-year-old, who served as deputy to Caf president Patrice Motsepe, had faced criticism for remaining in the role beyond the organisation’s official retirement age of 63.

He was also accused by some staff members of fostering a difficult working environment, although an internal investigation later cleared him of wrongdoing.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and also a Swiss national, Mosengo-Omba was appointed general secretary in March 2021.

Reports indicate that Caf’s competitions director, Samson Adamu, is expected to take over in an acting capacity.

Meanwhile, Caf is awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal after being stripped of their Afcon title. The dispute stems from the final against hosts Morocco in January.

During that match, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty while the score was still goalless.

Play resumed after a delay of about 17 minutes, with Morocco missing the penalty before Senegal went on to score the winning goal in extra time.

However, following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, Caf later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory instead.

Italy chase World Cup spot as Kosovo bid to make debut

By AFPMarch 30, 2026 07:31 (EAT)

Gennaro Gattuso is the Head Coach of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Group I football match between Italy and Norway in San Siro, Italy, on November 16, 2025. (Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto) (Photo by Alessio Morgese / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

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Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football’s biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a major tournament.

Citizen Digital previews the play-off finals that will decide the last four European qualifiers for this summer’s 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada:

Bosnia and Hercegovina v Italy

Gennaro Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner, is trying to lead Italy back to the tournament after the Azzurri missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions, but they can expect a hostile atmosphere in Zenica.

Italy players were caught on camera celebrating when Bosnia beat Wales in the semi-finals on Thursday, although Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco insisted no disrespect was intended.

Bosnia’s 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko, who scored a late equaliser against Wales and spent almost a decade playing in Serie A, went to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — his country’s first as an independent nation.

Dzeko says Italy are “big favourites” to take the final spot in Group B, which includes Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Sweden v Poland

Viktor Gyokeres stepped up in the absence of the injured Alexander Isak to lead Sweden past Ukraine and to the cusp of just a second World Cup in 20 years.

Graham Potter’s Sweden, whose win over Ukraine was their first of the qualifying campaign, will be at home in Stockholm against a Poland side seeking to go to a third successive World Cup.

Robert Lewandowski scored his 89th international last week as Poland came from behind to beat Albania in the semi-finals. The winner of this tie will go into Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia.

Kosovo v Turkey

Kosovo, the lowest ranked team to make the play-offs, are potentially 90 minutes away from reaching a first major tournament, a decade on from their admission to UEFA and FIFA.

They edged Slovakia 4-3 in Bratislava to set up a clash with Turkey, who have not played at the World Cup since a surprise third-place finish in 2002. Turkey beat Romania 1-0 with a goal from Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu.

“We are in euphoria right now but we need to play the last game with calm,” said Kosovo coach Franco Foda.

Kosovo will have home advantage in Pristina against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey. A place in Group D alongside the United States, Australia and Paraguay awaits the winner.

Czech Republic v Denmark

The Czechs rallied from two goals down to get past the Republic of Ireland on penalties, and will stay in Prague as a fancied Denmark attempt to crash the party.

Denmark missed out on automatic qualification after a dramatic defeat in Scotland in November, but four second-half goals saw them comfortably brush aside North Macedonia in Copenhagen to stay in the hunt.

The Czech Republic last went to the World Cup in 2006, while Denmark have played at three of the last four finals. Tuesday’s winning team will complete Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.

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