16 Aug 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Byron Owino vs Kakamega Homeboyz at Police Sacco on 15 June 2024
Byron Owino vs Kakamega Homeboyz at Police Sacco on 15 June 2024

Byron Owino seeks more

August 16, 2024

Budding keeper Byron Owino has an aim that he’s keen to claim in the upcoming season.

Owino, a midseason signing from Kibera Black Stars, became the latest premier league player at Simba wa Nairobi in matchday 31 of last season after earning his debut away to Nzoia Sugar in Mumias.

He featured in the next tie against Kakamega Homeboyz at Police Sacco, to end his first top flight season with two games under his belt.

“It’s really a great feeling and a dream come true playing in the Kenya premier league and Nairobi city stars,” he said

“I am looking forward to earning more playing time and becoming a regular starter for the club,” added

Beyond the league and club level, Byron has a ceiling he wishes to hit;

“I and am also working hard to receive a national team call up,”

Prior to earning his maiden league game against Nzoia, Byron had made the Simba wa Nairobi bench three times in games against Gor Mahia, Bidco United, and against Muranga SEAL.

Byron Owino vs Muranga SEAL at Police Sacco on 13 Apr 2024

 

12 Aug 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Mzee
Brian Mzee getting set for a matchday 7, 2023-24 FKF Premier League season against Kenya Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on 25 Oct 2023

Brian Mzee retunes

August 12, 2024

Midfielder Brian Mzee is looking forward to yet another topflight season with Nairobi City Stars. 

Mzee aka Mzeeles, has just come through his debut Kenyan Premier league season where he featured in 25 of 34 games for Simba wa Nairobi.

He could have earned more, probably, had he not detoured to Asia at some point in the year.

Mzee is one of 16 players who renewed their contracts for next season. He talks of his tryout, and derailment in the past season.

“My first season in premier league was good as I was able to feature in 25 of 34 games,”

“In January I went to Taiwan to try my trade but things didn’t turn out as planned and I came back,”

“The team welcomed me back very well and I have to thank the management and the entire coaching staff for accepting me back, “

In his debut season, Mzee became a topflight player in the season opener after making a cameo appearance against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex, and went on to pick his first full game in the next game against Bidco United at Kasarani Annex. That game came with a reward as he was named the most valuable player.

He was also named MVP in matchday 10 against AFC Leopards, and made it to the team of week thereafter. He was also named match Mvp against Muranga SEAL on matchday 26.

On the back of last season’s pickings, Mzee shared his ambitions for next term.

“I am anticipating a more successful season given that I’ve gained some experience from my first season,”

“I want to contribute more to the success of the team,” added

From his 25 games last season, Mzee clocked 1,673 regular game minutes, 18 starts, and 11 full games.

City Stars, Mzee

Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Brian Mzee taking on Bidco United forward Ezekiel Okare during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Sun 3 Sep 2023. It ended 1-1

City Stars

Brian Mzee on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

07 Aug 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0
Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0

16 re-up contracts for 2024-25 season

August 7, 2024

Twenty two (22) of 28 players who featured for Nairobi City Stars last term will be part of the squad for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season.

Six of the 22 players had running contracts while another 16 renewed their stay for yet another season that kicks off on 24-25 August, 2024 with an away game to Kenya Police.

Goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro will be activating his fifth and final year of his contract, as center back Wycliffe Awiko Omondi, as well as flyer Gilbert Abala enter their second year.

Midfielder Vincent Owino, centre back Timothy Muganda, and left back Rogers Wasega complete the list of the players with running contracts.

Goalkeepers Edwin Mukolwe and Byron Owino are part of the 16 that renewed their contracts and will stay on for next season.

The same applies to fullbacks Edwin Buliba and Rowland Makati, as well as team skipper Calvin Masawa who is looking forward to his fifteenth straight season – since the year 2011 – with City Stars.

Defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma is in for his third straight season as Elvis Noor Ojiambo agreed to stay at Simba wa Nairobi for his sixth season.

Ouma and Noor will have the company of midfielders Brian Mzee, and Abuyeka Kubasu who will also grace another season.

Forwards Dennis Oalo, Mohammed Bajaber, Pius Omachi, Yuto Kusaba, Kelvin Etemesi, Robinson Asenwa, and Brian Mose Nyambane, all confirmed their stay.

Six players: flyer Samuel Kapen, defenders Dennis Wanjala,  and Sosthenes Idah, midfielders Newton Ochieng, Shem Odinga, and Andrew Kisilu have since left the club to pursue other interests.

“We are keen on continuity hence the retention of most of the players from last season for the new one,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“Like in every team setup, it’s near impossible to keep all players. Some chose to explore other opportunities at the end of the season and we granted them their wish,”

“We will have minimal additions to the current squad. The newcomers have all been identified and will be announced in due course.” he added

Summary

With running contracts: Timothy Muganda, Gilbert Abala, Rogers Wasega, Vincent Owino, Wycliffe Omondi, Elvis Ochoro

Contract renewals: Edwin Mukolwe, Byron Owino (goalkeepers), Calvin Masawa, Edwin Buliba, Rowland Makati (defenders), Clifford Ouma, Brian Mzee, Abuyeka Kubasu, Elvis Noor Ojiambo (midfielders), Dennis Oalo, Mohammed Bajaber, Pius Omachi, Yuto Kusaba, Kelvin Etemesi, Robinson Asenwa, Brian Mose Nyambane (forwards)

Out: Samuel Kapen, Dennis Wanjala, Sosthenes Idah, Newton Ochieng, Shem Odinga, and Andrew Kisilu

30 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24

Rogers Wasega aims at being the main character

July 30, 2024

After six months of apprenticeship at Nairobi City Stars, budding left back Rogers Wasega Obusu believes he’s shaken off his high school-ness, and is ready to delve into the premier league.

The teenager has been learning the ropes since joining from Laiser Hill Academy in February of 2024, and, by his estimation, says he is ready for the upcoming season.

“At the beginning, training was somehow very exhausting because I was only used to light training ,”

“I experienced a whole new challenge due to the intensity compared to what I got in high school,”

Rogers joined City Stars during the mid transfer window and soon made it to matchday squads against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia.

“Sitting on the bench in those games gave me a hint of what the top flight is all about. Even without getting to the pitch you feel that it’s a whole new level and experience,”

He also made it to five other match day squads against Bidco United, Kenya Police, Tusker, Nzoia Sugar, and Kakamega Homeboyz.

After those eight appearances, his planned debut in the penultimate game of the season against Sofapaka in Dandora was not to be following a cut finger from a broken glass.

“During the final days of the season I had adapted to the system but unfortunately I couldn’t get a chance to make that debut,”

“I am now more than ready for the upcoming season. I believe I am going to be the main character in the team. Expect lot’s of assist from me.” summed Rogers

In missing the opportunity to make his debut last season, Rogers became the only player besides keeper Julius Ombacho not to feature for Simba wa Nairobi.

28 players featured across the season including nine top flight debutants: defender, Wycliffe Omondi, midfielders Brian Mzee, Abuyeka Kubasu, and Shem Odinga, forwards Robinson Asenwa, Gilbert Abala, Brian Mose Nyambane, and Yuto Kusaba, as well as keeper Byron Owino.

Though with prior premiership experience, keeper Edwin Mukolwe, and centerback Sosthenes Idah too earned their debuts with Simba wa Nairobi last season.

Rogers Wasega on the bench during a game against Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on 12 May 2024

Rogers Wasega during a friendly game at the Gems Cambridge school against Ulinzi Youth on 30 May 2024

24 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Edwin Mukolwe in action against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on 13 Jan 2024. City stars won the game 1-0

Edwin Mukolwe reviews past season

July 24, 2024

Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe reckons, in retrospect, that he, as well as Nairobi City Stars, had a descent outing in the ended 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

Simba wa Nairobi was for large spells in the top five towards the end of the first leg all through to the final set of games then dropped to end up a respectable sixth with half a century of points from 34 outings.

“I had a fairly good season with the team, a group of very hard working mates who did their best,”

“We were able to achieve some good wins, played some good football too, and also had some rough days for learning. That said, I look forward to an even better 2024/2025 season.” he added

Mukolwe made 26 appearances – all full games – on his debut season with City Stars to earn 2,340 regular time minutes. He registered ten clean sheets.

He was named team MVP for his heroics on five different occasions after games against Bandari in the first leg on matchday 14, and four times in the second leg against Shabana in match day 20, Kariobangi sharks where he saved a penalty in matchday 23, against FC Talanta where he saved two penalties in matchday 27, and against Sofapaka in match day 33.

Mukolwe made it to the Team of the Week on three different occasions; in matchday 14 against Bandari, matchdays 26 and 27 against Muranga SEAL, and Kariobangi Sharks, respectively.

Mukolwe was named the Fans player of the week after his heroics on matchday 27.

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