Head coach Sanjin Alagic has tweaked his troops ahead of a Betway Cup round 32 trip to Kianyaga Stadium where City Stars will take on host Fortune Sacco on Tuesday 1 June 2021 starting 2pm.
There are several changes to the squad that hit Mutomo Tigers 4-1 in Kitui in Mid February to book Fortune Sacco, a team chasing promotion to the premier league from the National Super League.
Midfielders Sven Yidah, Oliver Maloba and Peter Opiyo, striker Nicholas Kipkirui, field skipper Anthony Kimani, stoppers Salim Abdalla, and Edwin Buliba, are the new additions to the lot that triumphed in Kitui.
The seven take up the places of Bolton Omwenga, Kevin Okumu, Timothy Noor Ouma, John Kamau, Vincent Otieno Okoth, Azizi Okaka, and Charles Otieno who received a straight red card against Mutomo Tigers.
Starting keeper Stephen Njunge, who has featured in all 19 premier league games so far, has been given a worthy rest leaving his understudies Jacob Osano who tended goal in Kitui, and Elvis Ochoro to contest a starting place in Kianyaga.
Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Rodgers Okumu, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh, and Erick Ombija who came on second-half substitutes in Kitui all make the trip as well as defenders Calvin Masawa, Herit Mungai Atariza, and Kenedy Onyango who were unused subs.
Wycliffe Otieno, Wesley Onguso, and Ezekiel Odera, who all started against Mutomo Tigers complete the squad.
Head-to-head
City Stars heads to the game on a high of two straight premier league wins over Sofapaka (3-0) and Kariobangi Sharks (2-1) and will hope to continue with that run on Tuesday.
Simba wa Nairobi has once been in Kianyaga to face Fortune Sacco; back on 20th January 2019 during a ninth-round National Super League tie in the shortened 2018/19 season. It ended 2-2. The reverse game later in April ended 4-4 at Camp Toyoyo.
During the 2019/20 NSL season, City Stars hit Fortune Sacco 2-1 at Hope Center but never traveled for the return game as the season was cut short due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Sanjin’s comments
As the tie nears, this is what head coach Sanjin had to say;
“The atmosphere is great after two big wins. We enter this match full of self-confidence,”
“The (Betway) Cup is a difficult competition and if you are not at your best level the other team can surprise you,”
“Fortune Sacco is currently going good in the National Super League (4th after 19 rounds). We play at their ground so they will be a tough opponent to beat,”
“But I’m confident that we will continue with our good performance and qualify for the next round.” summed the coach
20-man squad to face Fortune Sacco
Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Elvis Ochoro
Defenders: 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba
Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo,
Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno (suspended), 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Azizi Okaka during a round 64 Betway Cup against Mutomo Tigers on Sat 13 Feb 2021 at Kitui Stadium. Simba wa Nairobi won it 4-1 to progress to round of 32
Kevin ‘Çhumsy’ Okumu of Nairobi City Stars against a Mutomo Tigers player during a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars came from behind to win 4-1
City Stars flyer Rodgers ‘Okuse’ Okumu in action against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021 during a round 64 Betway Cup. City Stars won 4-1