26 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ebrima Sanneh
Ebrima Sanneh at Nairobi City Stars

Sanneh leaves City Stars by mutual consent

January 26, 2022

Gambia hitman Ebrima Sanneh has left Nairobi City Stars by mutual consent ending his second stint with the club.

The header specialist has been part of the Simba wa Nairobi setup since April 2019 when he returned to the club for a second time.

He arrived at City Stars on loan from Gambian side Real de Banjul in July 2014. He stayed at the club till the end of the 2015 premier league season.

“Nairobi City Stars announces that it has reached an agreement for the consensual termination of the contract with striker Ebrima Sanneh,”

“Simba wa Nairobi would like to thank Sanneh for his extraordinary goal prowess, in top-scoring to lead us to promotion to the Premier league in 2020, and for all his 32 goals across two stints. Sanneh will forever remain firmly etched in the history of Nairobi City Stars,”

“Sanneh is an excellent professional, who contributed immensely to the club since he joined in July 2014. We will forever recall his 11 goals in his first full season in 2015, including a goal in the season-ender against Sony that saved the club from relegation,”

“We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” said club CEO Patrick Korir

With a total of 32 goals in all competitions, Sanneh leaves City Stars as the third-best scorer in the all-time list behind Justus Basweti and Francis Thairu.

At the close of the 2015 season, Sanneh earned nominations for two awards: New Young Player where he emerged second best, and Player of the Year.

After that season he detoured to Ushuru then to Kariobangi Sharks before returning to City Stars in April 2019 on a short-term contract to help the team survive relegation from the National Super League (NSL) in the 2019/20 season with seven crucial goals.

He earned a one-year contract to feature in 2019/20 NSL season and went on to top score with eight goals to guide City Stars to promotion back to the premier league after four seasons out.

His performance earned him a two-year deal across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

Sanneh had many firsts: He scored four times in a Cup game against Transfoc in June 2015 to become the only City Stars player to slam in a quartet of goals in a single game.

Coupled with two other goals in a Cup game against Mutomo Tigers in February 2021, Sanneh stands out as City Stars’ top scorer in the Domestic Cup with six goals.

In the same 2015 season, Sanneh set an unmatched record of scoring in four straight premier league games against Tusker, Western Stima, Thika United (brace), and Bandari in rounds 24 to 27.

Nairobi City Stars

Sanneh in action in Oct 2019 against Migori Youth at Camp Toyoyo

Nairobi City Stars

Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh in a past game for City Stars against Coast Stima at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 8 Feb 2020

Nairobi City Stars, Sanneh

Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh during a Betway Cup Round 64 game against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He scored a brace to lead City Stars to a 4-1 win

24 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Homeboyz
City Stars right back on the ball keeping it off Homeboyz left-back Eric Ambunya during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

Nairobi City Stars 1 Kakamega Homeboyz 1

January 24, 2022

Substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu’s goal in the 88th minute earned Nairobi City Stars a 1-1 draw against visiting Kakamega Homeboyz in an FKF Premier League match 16 played in Ruaraka on Monday 24 January 2022.

It was the second time in five days that City Stars came from behind to tie Abana Beingo following up on the incredible 4-4 draw on Thursday in Bukhungu, Kakamega.

Homeboyz took the lead through substitute Gaetan Masha who, on his debut, powered home a header after the ball was headed his way by George Odiwuor in the 76th minute.

Masha had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes after coming on for Stephen Opoku in the 65th minute.

Okuse, an unused substitute in the Thursday game, came on in the 69th minute for a tiring Davis Agesa. He got to the end of a perfect ball from the skipper on the day Peter Pinchez Opiyo to smack home a low left-footer off the left of goal for the leveler past keeper David Juma.

With shared spoils, Homeboyz maintains the top spot with 33 points to maintain a five-point buffer over City Stars who are part of a three-team chasing pack besides Kariobangi Sharks and KCB, all with 28 points.

City Stars earned the first corner of the game in the third minute that left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala floated well only for stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla to head wide.

Four minutes later Homeboyz had one of their own on the other end that followed up on a freekick. Both were wasted.

In the 13th minute, a dashing Oliver Maloba got to the box and fired on target only for keeper David Juma to pick it out at the near post.

The best chance in the half came in the 19th minute when Agesa found space to the left of the goal and aimed for the far top corner. Juma did well to tip the ball for a fruitless corner.

Two minutes later Homeboyz responded with a corner that stopper Brian Eshihanda headed straight to City Stars keeper Jacob Osano.

In the whole, City Stars outdid Homeboyz eight to three corners in the first half but all, taken by Decha, failed to yield the desired results.

In the second half, Homeboyz had an early charge for goal only to be checked by Shitu. Minutes later, Pinchez floated a corner only for stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango to send wide.

16 minutes into the second half City Stars head coach brought in Erick Ombija for Ezekiel Odera and two minutes later Homeboyz countered it with Masha for Opoku.

In the 66th minute, City Stars had a chance for goal when Maloba burst into the box only to find his shooting boot for the ball to roll easily to Juma. Three minutes later it was the chance of Yema in the City Stars box. He fired wide.

Two minutes on, a perfect ball found teenage sensation Timothy Babu Ouma in the box but he took a few seconds more on the ball to allow Juma to pick it from his feet.

Another goal attempt by City Stars minutes later saw Okuse break to the box only to fire wide. Three minutes after that attempt Homeboyz was a goal ahead after a poor clearance off a corner ended up with Eshihanda who headed for Masha to open his goal account on his debut.

Within the next ten minutes after that goal, City Stars introduced Anthony Muki Kimani in place of Babu and were level when after stopper Vidic moved up the pitch to square a ball to Pinchez who then laid it for Okuse to do the rest for his second goal of the season.

Okuse’s goal brought belief to City Stars as evidenced in the four added minutes. Simba wa Nairobi forced two dangerous freekicks, a corner, and one fine ball that landed on an unmarked Maloba who chested the ball well at the edge of the box. He failed to get his footing leaving Juma with an easy pick from what should have been the decider.

It’s within the added minutes that substitute Masha left the pitch with an injury, his place taken up by Nigerian Michael Karamor.

A final corner by Homeboyz and a final drive up a field by City Stars soon brought proceedings to an end.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo-captain, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma (30. Anthony Kimani-82), 21. Oliver Maloba, 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu-69), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-62)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 12. Edwin Buliba

Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 23. Stephen Njunge (GK), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 14. Rowland Makati, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 28. Herit Mungai, 5. Michael Madoya

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Kakamega Homeboyz: 32. David Juma, 2. Eric Ambunya, 44. Brian Eshihanda, 15. Sylvester Owino, 6. Benjamin Oketch, 20. George Odiwour, 25. Stephen Opoku [Gaetan Masha-65 (31. Michael Karamor-90+)], 8. Stephen Wakanya, 9. David Okoth, 22. Chris Masinza 27. Yema Mwana,

Unused Subs: 30. Elix Otieno, Otieno S, 16. Collins Odhiambo, 21. Estone Esiye, 5. Enock Masinza, 12. Sunday Mutuku, 24. Ahmed Ali Bhai

 Coach: Bernard Mwalala

Yellow cards

Nairobi City Stars: 4. Kevin Okumu (58), 18. Sven Yidah (74). 24. Erick Ombija (90+)

Kakamega Homeboyz: 2. Erick Ambunya (29)

Goals:

Nairobi City Stars: 7. Rodgers Okumu (88)

Kakamega Homeboyz: Gaetan Masha (76)

City Stars, Shitu

City Stars stopper challenges his opposite number Brian Eshihanda of Homeboyz during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

City Stars

City Stars stopper Salim Abdalla on the ball ghosting his Homeboyz counterpart Sylvester Owino during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

23 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kipkirui, City Stars
Nicholas Kipkirui surrounded by City Stars players after his first-ever premier league goal earned Simba wa Nairobi a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz on Sat 19 June 2021 at Ruaraka during a matchday 21 tie

Same lot for Homeboyz reverse tie

January 23, 2022

No changes have been made to the squad that faced Kakamega Homeboyz on Thursday in Bukhungu, and registered a 4-4 draw, ahead of the reverse tie in Ruaraka on Monday 24 January 2022.

With an intact squad, Nicholas Kipkirui, the scorer of the lone goal that delivered a win against the same side last June at the same venue, will miss the game.

Kipkirui is yet to fully recover from an ankle injury picked during a recent league game against AFC Leopards.

Other than Kipkirui absentees from the squad that played in June 2021 include Bolton Omwenga who has since left the club, defenders Wycliffe Otieno, and Herit Mungai, midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo, striker Ebrima Sanneh and keeper Steve Njunge.

Young keeper Elvis Ochoro takes up the Njunge’s place as Dennis Wanjala, Edwin Buliba, and Lennox Ogutu take up places in the backline.

Teenage sensation Timothy Babu Ouma, Charles Otieno, and John Kamau pack up the midfield in the absence of additions to the front row.

20-man squad to face Kakamega Homeboyz

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 26. Dennis Wanjala, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Kenedy Onyango,

Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 21. Oliver Maloba, 15. John Kamau, 10. Peter Opiyo,

Strikers: 32. Ezekiel Odera, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa

 Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 23. Stephen Njunge, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 28. Herit Mungai, 5. Michael Madoya

23 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Opiyo
Homeboyz fullback three Eric Ambunya tracks City Stars midfielder Peter Opiyo (no. 10) during an away game to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu on Thur 20 Jan 2022. The game ended 4-4

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Homeboyz (A): 2021/22 FKF Premier League season

January 23, 2022

For the eighth time since 2013, Nairobi City Stars will take on Kakamega Homeboyz in the premier league, this time during a 16th round tie in Ruaraka on Monday 24 January 2022 starting 3 pm.

The game comes on the back of a 4-4 draw last Thursday in Bukhungu, Kakamega, where Simba wa Nairobi clawed back after being two goals down on three different occasions to earn the point from Homeboyz.

The Monday game, a reverse one, marks the beginning of the second leg assignments for Simba wa Nairobi.

In the upcoming game, City Stars will be hosting Homeboyz in the premier league for only the fourth time, but the second straight time in Ruaraka.

From the previous three games in Nairobi, City Stars has registered two wins – in May 2013 and June 2021, both by identical 1-0 wins.

A 3-1 loss was registered between the wins during a game played in October 2016 at Kasarani. It confirmed City Stars’ relegation from the top-flight.

In the last home game, Nicholas Kipkirui scored the lone winning goal but he will miss the upcoming game as he is yet to recuperate from an injury picked during a recent AFC Leopards match.

That game was handled by Bosnian coach Sanjin Alagic but his place has since been taken up by Homeboyz losing coach then, Nicholas Muyoti. His place at Abana Beingo was filled up by his deputy Bernard Mwalala whom he faces once again within five days.

Homeboyz comes to the game as the log leader with 32 points from 15 games and has a five-point cushion over City Stars who have dropped two places down to fourth following results of games played on Sunday.

Who wins this one?

Summary

KPL home Games vs Homeboyz: Total (3); Wins (2), Draws (0), Loses (1)

25-May-13: City Stars vs Homeboyz, 1-0 (W)

30-Oct-16: City Stars vs Homeboyz, 1-3 (L)

19-Jun-21: City Stars vs Homeboyz, 1-0 (W)

24-Jan-22: City Stars vs Homeboyz, ??

21 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Muyoti
City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti and his Homeboyz counterpart Bernard Mwalala just before an FKF Premier League match in Bukhungu, Kakamega on Thu 20 Jan 2022. The game ended 4-4

Muyoti talks up fightback against Homeboyz

January 21, 2022

Nairobi City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti has termed the comeback led to a 4-4 draw in a top-drawer clash with home team Kakamega Homeboyz on Thursday 20 January 2022 in Bukungu as simply awesome.

City Stars were on the back foot in the mano-a-mano and trailed the game by two goals on three different occasions but Simba wa Nairobi clawed back to force even- stevens.

By the 23rd minute City Stars were down 2-0 from Brian Eshihanda’s 15th-minute header and a David Okoth penalty. By the 38th minute, Simba wa Nairobi was sinking 3-1 after Homeboy skipper Moses Mudavadi had restored the two-goal cushion.

On 53 minutes, Simba wa Nairobi was trailing the game 4-2 after Okoth planted home his second spot-kick.

Defensive-mid Sven Yidah then initiated City Stars comeback with a header off at Timothy Babu Ouma cross on 31 minutes to halve the scores to 2-1. Babu then had the ball in the net ten minutes later with his fourth goal of the season for the scoreboard to read 3-2 at halftime.

Then City Stars twin substitutes Erick Ombija and Davis Agesa, in for forward Ezekiel ODera and skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, took charge scoring the goals that drew Simba wa Nairobi level in the 80th and 84th minutes.

Muyoti, the immediate former Homeboyz coach, appreciated the claw-back from his troops on duty but pointed out some weak areas that need to be rectified before the reverse tie against the same side on Monday 24 January in Ruaraka.

“The boys showed very good character, a never say die attitude. That was awesome!”

“At times we had one touch too many allowing Homeboyz to win the ball in our half, we lost many balls and didn’t get the ball upfront at the right moment. We have to work on our build-up and transition immediately both ways,” he added

Following the draw in the top-table clash, both Homeboyz and City Stars maintained spots one and two in the 18-team log with 32 and 27-points, respectively.

City Stars, Opiyo

Homeboyz fullback three Eric Ambunya tracks City Stars midfielder Peter Opiyo (no. 10) during an away game to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu on Thur 20 Jan 2022. The game ended 4-4

Muyoti, City stars

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti swings instructions to midfielder Peter Opiyo (no. 10) and winger John Kamau (no. 15) during a tough away game to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu on Thur 20 Jan 2022. The game ended 4-4

City Stars, Babu

City Stars midfielder Tiothy Ouma goes for the ball against Homeboyz stopper Brian Eshihanda during an FKF Premier League tie on Thur 20 Jan 2021 in Bukhungu. The game ended 4-4

 

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