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Ugandan athlete who competed in the Olympics, Rebecca Cheptegei, passes away after being set ablaze by her ex-boyfriend.

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Rebecca Cheptegei represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics 2024 [File: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports]

Uganda’s Olympian Cheptegei dies after being set on fire by boyfriend

 


Marathon runner Cheptegei died aged 33 due to multiple organ failure after suffering 80 percent burns when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her on fire in Kenya.

Uganda’s Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, the country’s Olympic chief said.

“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President Donald Rukare said in a post on X on Thursday.

The 33-year-old succumbed to the burns she suffered when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in Kenya, making her the third female athlete to be killed in the country since October 2021.

 

“[Cheptegei] passed today morning after her organs failed,” Owen Menach, senior director of clinical services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), told the Reuters news agency, adding that a full report regarding the circumstances of her death would be released on Thursday afternoon.

Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s minister of state for education and sports, described her death as “tragic”.

“Kenyan authorities are investigating the circumstances under which she died and a more detailed report and program will be provided in due course,” he said.

UOC chief Rukare termed the incident a “cowardly and senseless act” and said it had deprived the country of a “great athlete”.

“Her legacy will continue to endure,” he added.

Cheptegei had sustained burns to three-quarters of her body, the acting head of MTRH in the Rift Valley city of Eldoret, where she was being treated, told reporters on Tuesday.

Identifying the accused as her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, police said he doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight on Sunday at her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.

The incident took place just weeks after Cheptegei participated in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.

The Uganda Olympic Committee called for swift action in a statement confirming Cheptegei’s death.

“We urge the relevant law enforcement agencies to take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrator to justice for this cowardly and deplorable action.”

Cheptegei began her career in 2010 and represented Uganda in various long-distance races, making her first Olympic appearance at the games in Paris.

Her parents travelled to Trans-Nzoia and told local media that their daughter had bought land in the Kenyan county and built a house where she stayed for her training.

She met Ndiema in Trans-Nzoia and the attack stemmed from a dispute over the house she owned, according to a report in The Standard newspaper.

The Uganda Athletics Federation decried the incident and termed Cheptegei a “victim to domestic violence”.

“We condemn such acts and call for justice,” the sports body said in a post.

Kenyan media reported that one of Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault at her mother’s home.

“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” Kenya’s The Standard quoted her as saying.

“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the girl, who was not named.

Marangach was also wounded in the incident, sustaining 30 percent burns on his body.

Cheptegei’s death shines a spotlight on violence experienced by sportswomen in Kenya. The assault comes two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a world-famous running hub in the Rift Valley.

And in 2021, record-breaking Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, 25, was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten in 2021. Her estranged husband is on trial over her murder. He has denied the charges.

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Serie A: Atalanta coach Juric confirms Lookman available to face Torino

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September 20, 2025

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Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed Ademola Lookman is available for Sunday’s Serie A clash with Torino.

Juric however said the Nigeria international is not in his best physical condition.

Lookman trained with his Atalanta teammates for the first time on Thursday, since pushing to join Inter Milan during the transfer window.

The 27-year-old is yet to feature for the Bergamo club this season.

The winger however made two appearances for Nigeria two weeks ago.

Juric disclosed that Lookman was warmly received on his return to the squad.

“He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,” Juric told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“He’s not in the best condition given that he’s been training alone up until now. He did very well in training (on Friday).”

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UCL: What Alonso said about Mourinho ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid clash

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September 20, 2025

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Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has insisted that it will be “special” for new Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho when both teams clash in the UEFA Champions League in the coming months.

Mourinho was recently appointed as Benfica’s new manager after he was sacked by Fenerbahce.

However, the 62-year-old is now set to face his former club, Real Madrid, in the league phase of the Champions League on January 28, 2026.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Espanyol on Saturday, Alonso said of Mourinho (via Madrid Xtra on X): “Playing against Mourinho? I had the chance to face him when he was at Roma and I was at Leverkusen.

“It will be special for him. It was three very intense years, very important. He has a huge affection for this club.”

Mourinho has faced Alonso in the Europa League in the past during his time at AS Roma.

The Portuguese led Roma to beat Bayer Leverkusen under the guidance of Alonso in the past.

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2026 WCQ: South Africa confirm they are under FIFA investigation as Benin, Nigeria wait

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2 days ago

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September 19, 2025

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Lydia Monyepao, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association, SAFA, has confirmed they have received communication from FIFA over an investigation into the Teboho Mokoena suspension saga.

The world football governing body has written to Bafana Bafana, demanding an explanation as to how Mokoena played against Lesotho in March this year.

The midfielder was ineligible to feature in the 2026 World Cup qualifier having picked up two yellow cards.

FIFA’s investigation could now overturn South Africa’s 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat.

“We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said via Idiski Times.

“So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which is ultimately required of us as an association…”

With two games left to play, Nigeria occupy third spot in Group C with 11 points, trailing South Africa, who have 17 points, and Benin Republic on 14 points.

Both Benin and Nigeria will be eagerly awaiting FIFA’s verdict on the matter.

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