There’s just about a week and a half to the wrap of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League season but already, the season is over for four City Stars players.
Flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo, defensive-mid Ronney Kola, and stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno are, due to injuries, forced to focus on recovery and rehab with a view of chasing fitness for next season.
According to the fixtures, Nairobi City Stars has two games on the cards against Posta Rangers and KCB on 14th and 21st August 2021, respectively, to conclude the season.
Given the recovery and rehabilitation plans for the quartet by team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, the season would have since lapsed before they achieve full fitness.
“Peter Opiyo suffered a sprained ankle of the ligament in the 90th minute during an away match against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground on 21st July 2021,”
“He was to return to full training on 1st August but upon review, it was necessary to hand him a further two to three weeks full rest to heal fully,” said Brian
Peter Pinchez Opiyo celebrates his goal off a freekick against Ulinzi Stars in a round 8 Premier League tie at Utalii on Sat 16 Jan 2021
“Okuse picked a chest/lung injury in the game against Wazito (30 June). He underwent immediate medical attention and featured in the next game against Bandari, Gor Mahia, and Vihiga United. He later complained of pain and difficulty in breathing during stress training and had to take total rest for a period of three weeks beginning August. A review will follow after that period,”
“Wiki landed awkwardly and had an ankle dislocation in the most recent game against Mathare United on 7 August at Ruaraka and had to exit the pitch around the 34th minute,”
“He was rushed to hospital and checked as that match went on and returned for a review three days later. He is expected to sit out for a month before returning to action,” added the team physio
Nairobi City Stars stopper Wycliffe ‘Wiked’ Otieno challenges Ulinzi Stars right back Brian Birgen to the ball during a Betking Premier League match day 25 on Sat 17 Jul 2021 at the ASK Showground. City Stars won 2-0
“Ronny Kola has got injured while turning out for Nairobi Stima where he is on a season-long loan. Upon checking it was revealed that he has torn ligaments on one of his knees. With the application of the right procedures, he is expected to be fully fit within three months’ time.”
Away from the quartet, there’s an opposite tale as some players who were out injured are returning to full fitness.
Striker Ebrima Sanneh who had been out with an ankle sprain is now back to full fitness. He was a second-half substitute in the recent loss to Mathare United.
Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals for Nairobi City Stars during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021