Newton Ochieng up against Ulinzi's Bernard Ongoma in KAsarani Annex during an FKF matchday 17 tie on 26 Feb 2023. Ulinzi won 2-0
Newton Ochieng up against Ulinzi's Bernard Ongoma in KAsarani Annex during an FKF matchday 17 tie on 26 Feb 2023. Ulinzi won 2-0

Newton Ochieng stays positive

Central attacking midfielder Newton Ochieng aka Tony is of the opinion that Nairobi City Stars will have an improved second leg.

Not just the team, but himself too at a personal level, as he is now more familiar with the top-flight terrain.

“I believe in my team and our coaches. We are now in the second leg and we are more prepared and focused. There will be more positive results than during the first leg,”said the former Vapor Sports and Upper Hill lad before adding;

“On a personal note I am still putting in extra work in training because I want to step up and advance from where I reached in the first leg,”

“I think I am growing well an getting used to the level I am in now. It’s a good experience that I am facing everyday despite the challenges we face,”

Newton has so far featured in 14 of 20 games played nailing down five starts. He went on to complete one game against Ulinzi Stars

“Before the match I was already prepared and I knew that I was going to start. Not just to start but to have my first full match,”

“It was a tough game but I had the greatest moment in the field against a strong team like Ulinzi with all that experience and quality in every department,” he said of the Ulinzi tie that City Stars went on to lose 2-0 at Kasarani Annex

On his topflight debut season, Newton has so far managed to clock 585 minutes.

Newton Ochieng, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars midfielder Newton Ochieng in action against Kenya Police during the Elite Cup tournament in Kasarani Annex in September 2022

Vincent Owino celebrates his maiden goal for City Stars during a 2-1 win over Wazito in Muhoroni on Thur 16 Mar 2023
Vincent Owino celebrates his maiden goal for City Stars during a 2-1 win over Wazito in Muhoroni on Thur 16 Mar 2023

Owino, Bajaber talk up debut goals

Two goals, one by new signing Vincent Oti Owino and another by Mohammed Hamudi Bajaber sent Nairobi City Stars to a 2-1 win over home team Wazito FC in Muhoroni on Thursday 16 March 2023 during a matchday 20 FKF Premier League tie.

Owino, in his first start for Simba wa Nairobi, and just his second game since crossing over from FC Talanta rammed home a poorly cleared floater from Dennis Decha Wanjala past the Wazito keeper for the opener within the first five minutes of the second half.

Bajaber’s goal, scored on the day he turned 20 years old, came at the death when he towered over a defender to power in a header to finish off Newton Tony Ochieng’s cross from the right to hand City Stars all spoils.

“I’m glad to have scored my first goal in the Kenyan topflight,” said Bajaber before adding; “But I am even happier to have helped the team get the maximum three points in what was a vital win for our season.”

Owino, commonly known as Oti, said;

“It excites me to open my account at City Stars even before I fully settle in the team. I am particularly happy that the team went on to win. I believe that first goal is a sign of many more to come.” added Owino

In between the two goals, Wazito had pulled a goal back through Kelly Wesonga off a corner kick.

With three points from Wazito, City Stars improved to 17 points while maintaining the 16th spot in the 20-team log.

MD20: Wazito 1 Nairobi City Stars 2

Debut goals Vincent Owino and Mohammed Bajaber saw Nairobi City Stars register a 2-1 win over Wazito in a matchday 20 FKF Premier League match played at Muhoroni Stadium on Thursday 16 March 2023. 

Owino, in just his first start, and second game at City Stars, slammed home the opener inside the first five minutes of the second half of an unattended ball off a corner.

Wazito drew level in the 84th minute through Kelly Wesonga who bundled home a corner.

But right at the death, birthday boy Mohammed Bajaber, celebrating his 20th birthday, headed home a sure Owino delivery for his maiden top-flight goal to hand City Stars their fourth win of the season, and a double over Wazito.

City Stars are now up to 17 points in 20 games but remain 16th with a six-point buffer over the same Wazito who are 17th.

Next up for City Stars is a home game against Mathare United on Wed 29 March 2023 in Ruaraka.

Elvis Ochoro
Elvis Ochoro

Ochoro, Masawa in for Wazito

Keeper Elvis Ochoro and fullback Calvin Masawa returned to the City Stars squad as the team heads out to Muhoroni for game 20 FKF Premier League tie in Muhoroni Stadium against Wazito FC on Thursday 16 March 2023.

Ochoro and Masawa take up the place of midfielder Anthony Kimani and Ezekiel Odera who are both unavailable

Squad to face Wazito FC

Goal Keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 5. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 15. Newton Ochieng, 18. Clifford Ouma, 20. Kelvin Etemesi,  30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Strikers: 22. Samuel Kapen

Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Samuel Kapen scored as City Stars was held 1-1 by Sofapaka on Sat 11 March 2023 in Ruaraka in an FKF Math day 19 tie
Samuel Kapen scored as City Stars was held 1-1 by Sofapaka on Sat 11 March 2023 in Ruaraka in an FKF Math day 19 tie

MD19: Nairobi City Stars 1 Sofapaka 1

A goal inside the first two minutes of the second half by Samuel Kapen and a leveler by Rody Manga in the 75thminute settled a Nairobi City Stars and Sofapaka at 1-1 during a matchday 19 FKF Premier League tie held in Ruaraka on Saturday 11 March 2023.

Kapen’s goal came after an Andrew Kisilu drive was punched back in play by keeper Simon Masaka. He fired with his outfoot to the roof of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Manga’s goal was a header off a long-range float from Ben Stanley Omondi from.the right.

With a point, City Stars improved to 14 points to still hold on to position 16 as Sofapaka moved to the 22-point mark while remaining eleventh.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah-captain 2, 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Clifford Ouma, 11. Andrew Kisilu (15. Newton Ochieng-84), 30. Anthony Kimani-captain 1 (19. *Vincent Owino-80), 22. Samuel Kapen (20. Kelvin Etemesi-80), 9. *Dennis Oalo, 32. Ezekiel Odera (31. Mohammed Bajaber-80)

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Noor, 5. Timothy Muganda, 6. Ronny Kola, 23. Steve Njunge

Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati

*City Stars debut

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Cautions (yellow cards)
Sofapaka: 24. Ben Stanley Omondi (89)
Nairobi City Stars: 9. Dennis Oalo (63), 26. Dennis Wanjala (69), 18. Clifford Ouma (74), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (89)

Goals
Sofapaka: 9. Rody Manga (75)
Nairobi City Stars: 22. Samuel Kapen (48)