It will be Premier League game number 19 since year 2008, and the first since 2016, when Western Stima hosts Nairobi City Stars at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 starting 3pm.
The upcoming game, the thirteenth round in the 2020/21 is a crucial one as both sides hope to pile up the points and move off the lower reaches of the 18-team standings.
History books
The archives confirms the two sides have played 18 times in the Premier League between 2008 and 2016.
Western Stima has registered seven wins, Nairobi City Stars three wins with the other eight duels ending in even Stevens.
Though the two last met in the Premier League back on 21 September 2016 at Nyayo Stadium, in a game Western Stima won 2-1, the two sides met twice again in the 2018 season while in the second tier, the National Super League (NSL).
In that year the two shared spoils after a 1-1 deadlock at Camp Toyoyo in April but Western Stima went on to finish off City Stars with a 1-0 win later in September in the reverse tie at Moi Stadium. John Oruko scored the lone goal.
In eight previous premier league home games against City Stars, Western Stima has managed two wins and as many losses, and four draws.
Up ahead of the afternoon clash, Western Stima will be buoyed by the fact that they beat City Stars in their last five premier league games from the second leg of the 2014 season all through to 2016. Four games just before the five wins all ended in draws.
Coaches
Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will be on City Stars touchline to change the dismal tide against Western Stima who are under experienced Juma Abdalla.
Sanjin will be the 12th coach to handle a City Stars game against Western Stima since 2008 after John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (3 games – 2 in 2008 and 1 in 2016), Oliver Page (1 game), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (3), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).
Past win
Sanjin will be seeking to break a run of nine straight premier league games without a win over Western Stima.
City Stars last win over the bogey Western Stima was on 21 May 2012 at Bukhungu Stadium. Levy Muaka scored at the stroke of half time to hand City Stars a 1-0 win.
Current form
Into the highlight game on Wednesday afternoon, Western Stima, with seven points, are 17th on the log as Nairobi City Stars are 13th with six points on their hosts.
The hosts come to the game wounded having let go a 2-1 lead in their last game to lose 3-2 to Homeboyz in Kisumu while City Stars carries a 2-1 win over Zoo FC in Nairobi.
Top scorers
Into the game, both clubs still have scorers from past matches available.
With three goals, Arthur Museve is City Stars top scorer against Western Stima. He has since retired and is now the team’s trainer.
Anthony Muki Kimani who scored against Western Stima at Bukhungu in July 2009, in a 1-1 draw, will captain the the side.
Ebrima Sanneh who scored once in a 2-1 loss at Nyayo Stadium in August 2015 is still in City Stars ranks.
Baron Oketch who scored the winner in that game after adding on to Wesley Kemboi’s goal will be leading Western Stima against City Stars once again.
Kemboi who is no longer part of Western Stima is the leading scorer against City Stars. He has scored a goal more than Baron, Francis Ochola and Job Omuse
Who will carry the day?
Summary
KPL Games: 18 (2008-2016)
Western Stima Home games vs City Stars
15-Mar-08, Western Stima vs World Hope 1-2 (W)
4-Jul-09, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Oct-10, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
17-Sep-11, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
12-May-12, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
11-May-13, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)
9-Aug-14, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
25-Mar-15, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
21-Feb-16, Western Stima vs City Stars 2-0 (L)
16-Sep-18, Western Stima vs City Stars 1-0 (L) *NSL
Top scorers
Western Stima vs City Stars
Wesley Kemboi – 3 goals
Job Omuse, Baron Oketch, Hedmond Mauda, Francis Ochola – 2 goals
City Stars vs Western Stima
Arthur Museve – 3 goals
Anthony Muki Kimani celebrate his opening goal against Nzoia Sugar at Narok Stadium on Sun 29 Nov 2020. City Stars won 2-0