Nairobi City Stars have signed nine new players and welcomed back another three ahead of the 2019 National Super League season which officially kicks off next month.
The players joining the Kawangware based side includes former Thika United and Mathare United goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, left back Wesley Onguso from Posta Rangers, centre back Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdala from AFC Leopards, defender Cornelius Mwangi from Modern Coast Rangers, winger Nashon Thiong’o from Mt. Kenya United, Defensive midfielder Elvis Ojiambo from Kibera Black Stars and Erick Ochieng from Wazito.
Others include budding teenage striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno from Hakati Sportiff, Wycliffe Otieno who once featured for Kariobangi Sharks as well as the trio of Stephen Mueni from Modern Coast Rangers, Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani and Jimmy Bageya who are all returning to the club.
The players, a mix of fresh talent and seasoned players are expected to give a new lease of life to the team as the new season starts in September this year.
The newcomers join the 15 retained from last season who include; keepers Ronny Kagunzi and Vincent Khatili, defenders Edwin Buliba, Kevin Okumu, Calvins Masawa, Noah Abich, Victor Okulu and Augustine Ochieng, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Peter Wainaina, Charles Otieno, David Gateri and Heritier Luvualu, strikers Ebrima Sanneh from Gambia and Davis Agesa.
The club, acquired by the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) earlier in the year, is now focusing on a top finish in the second tier to enable them earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League next season for a return to the top tier since being relegated at the close of the 2016 season.
“The new players are expected to bring renewed energy and inertia to the team to enable them finish in a good position. With the new players, we are confident we will greatly improve our performance from last season as we eye a return to the Premier League next season,” said the club’s Chair Jonathan Jackson during a team meet-up.
Adding his voice during a team’s luncheon, the club’s CEO Patrick Korir said;
“Most of the new and returning players have had weeks to join- in with the players retained from last season during the last six weeks of preseason. We expect that lessons picked along the way and during friendly games played will give the team the right momentum into the season.”
Nairobi City Stars will host powerhouse Shabana at the Hope Centre on Sunday 1 September, 2019 starting 3pm in their 2019/2020 season opener.