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In Kenyan prison as in Moscow, Russia beats Saudi Arabia 5-0

By Carlos Mureithi
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • A goalkeeper jumps for the ball during warm-up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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    A goalkeeper jumps for the ball during warm-up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    A goalkeeper jumps for the ball during warm-up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • A prisoner warms up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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    A prisoner warms up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    A prisoner warms up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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    enyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    5/14

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners warm up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    6/14

    Kenyan prisoners warm up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners warm up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • A Kenyan prisoner changes back to his prison uniform after participating in a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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    A Kenyan prisoner changes back to his prison uniform after participating in a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    A Kenyan prisoner changes back to his prison uniform after participating in a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Players jump for the ball during a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    8/14

    Players jump for the ball during a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Players jump for the ball during a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • A prisoner warms up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    9/14

    A prisoner warms up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    A prisoner warms up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    10/14

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    11/14

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Prisoners wait for the start of a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    12/14

    Prisoners wait for the start of a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Prisoners wait for the start of a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    13/14

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
  • A Kenyan prisoner wearing a shirt with the words "Crime is not good" watches a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    14/14

    A Kenyan prisoner wearing a shirt with the words "Crime is not good" watches a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison

    A Kenyan prisoner wearing a shirt with the words "Crime is not good" watches a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
    Reuters
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A goalkeeper jumps for the ball during warm-up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A prisoner warms up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners warm up before a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A Kenyan prisoner changes back to his prison uniform after participating in a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Players jump for the ball during a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A prisoner warms up before the start of a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock World Cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Prisoners wait for the start of a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenyan prisoners watch a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
A Kenyan prisoner wearing a shirt with the words "Crime is not good" watches a mock world cup soccer match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, as part of a month-long soccer tournament involving eight prison teams at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, Kenya's largest prison facility, near Nairobi, Kenya, June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

By Carlos Mureithi KAMITI MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON, Kenya (Reuters) - Host nation Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, exactly mirroring the scoreline of a match played on a dirt pitch in a jail in Africa thousands of miles away. As part of their rehabilitation, inmates at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in rural Kenya are playing their own version of the soccer tournament, with teams named after the countries competing at the real thing. In Thursday's opener, watched from the sidelines by inmates in blue and white striped uniforms, "Russia" beat "Saudi Arabia" 5-0 - the same score marked up hours later by the real teams in Moscow. "The game was good even though I peaked late," said 23-year-old Byron Otieno, serving life for murder, who scored two of Russia's five goals. Joseph Kirai, a volunteer who organized the 7-a-side competition with a local church, said the idea was to use the interest in the real World Cup to bring inmates together for a positive experience. "Our major goal is to transform the inmate through sports," Kirai said. (Reporting by Carlos Mureithi; Editing by Maggie Fick and Robin Pomeroy)