03 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Wycliffe Otieno in action in a Premier League round 8 tie against Ulinzi Stars on Sat 16 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

Wycliffe Otieno back to his boots

February 3, 2022

After five months out, from two cratches to a single one, limping in sandals, then to training with sneakers, stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno has finally reacquainted himself with his soccer boots.

In mid-August 2021, while going for a corner in Ruaraka in a game against Mathare United, Otieno landed awkwardly and dislocated his ankle.

That dislocation kept him out from featuring in any game in the current 2021/2022 FKF Premier League season.

“For the first time in five months, I finally got to wear my soccer boots this week and even attended full training,”

“It’s been a long and patient journey to get here and I am glad that I can put on my boots once again and train with the team,” said Wycliffe

According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, it’s a matter of weeks and Wycliffe will be up for selection for games.

“He has fully healed and back to full training. In a matter of weeks, he will be ready for games once he attains the much-needed match fitness.”

Wiked has been a key component in the City Stars backline as evidenced by the 2,000 and 1,069 minutes he registered in the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) and 2020/21 FKF Premier League, respectively.

With Wiked out, Salim Shitu Abdalla, Edwin Malebo Buliba, Kenedy Vidic Onyango, and Lennox Ogutu have been interchangeably contesting the center half positions in the last 16 games played thus far this season.

Wiked, City Stars

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

Nairobi City Stars, Betway Cup

Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno chase the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Rangers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars won 4-1

Wycliffe Otieno in a game against Mt. Kenya United at Dagoretti High on Sat 14 Nov 2020

02 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Homeboyz
Elvis Noor Ojiambo vs Kakamega Homeboyz skipper Ali Bhai during an FKF PL match on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega. Homeboyz won the game 2-0

Fit-again Ojiambo raring to go

February 2, 2022

After missing the last six league games largely due to injury, Nairobi City Stars midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo is sighting better days as the top flight league enters the second leg.

The defensive mid cum creative midfielder has just shaken off an ankle knock and is now looking to work his way back to the main squad.

“It’s been challenging sitting out games but with an injury, there is so much you can do,”

“I am now fully fit and training well with the rest of the squad. My objective is to work harder and become available for upcoming matches,” said Ojiambo

The former Kibera Black Stars made his top-flight debut with promoted City Stars last season where he went on to clock 1,012 minutes after featuring in 25 matches. He started in 12 games.

Thus far, Elvis, the elder sibling of teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma, has made the squad seven times.

Elvis, City Stars

City stars midfielder Elvis Ojiambo taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars, Homeboyz

Elvis Noor Ojiambo vs Kakamega Homwboyz on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz won 2-0

Elvis, City Stars

Elvis Noor Ojiambo has a go at Ulinzi Stars’ Brian Birgen during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

29 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Kipkirui
City Stars striker Nicholas Kipkirui celebrates his opening goal against Ulinzi Stars at the ASK Showground on Sat 10 Jul 2021. City Stars won the round 24 Premier League game 2-0

Kipkirui returns

January 29, 2022

Forward Nicholas Kipkirui is back to full training after recovering from a recent injury suffered during a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards in Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday 5 January 2022.

Due to the injury, Kipkirui limped off the Leopards game with four minutes of regulation time left handing John Kamau playtime to see off the game.

According to team Physio Brian Odongo Otieno, Kipkirui is now fully fit and ready for selection in upcoming matches.

“Kipkirui suffered an ankle ligament sprain against AFC Leopards in Nyayo. He is now fully fit and has resumed full training with the rest of the team,” said Odongo

Due to his injury, Kipkirui went on to miss four games; two wins over FC Talanta and Tusker, and away and home games against league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz that both ended in 4-4 and 1-1 draws.

From nine games played thus far this season, Kipkirui has scored once and has provided four assists.

Kipkirui, City Stars

City Stars striker Nicholas Kipkirui taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training

City Stars

Elvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0

28 Jan 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training
City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 6 South B All Stars 0

January 28, 2022

Simba wa Nairobi scored thrice in each half to see off visiting South B All Stars during a training match in Ligi Ndogo on Friday 28 January 2022.

A goal by defensive midfielder Sven Yidah in the 22nd minute off an assist by forward Erick Ombija activated the scoresheet.

An own goal ten minutes later by Clifford Karani and one more by Ombija off an assist from overall team captain and right back Calvin Masawa in the 38th minute had the scores at 3-0 heading to the break.

The first half team took a break at the break a whole new lot showed for the second half.

Nicholas Kipkirui confirmed he’s back to full fitness after recovering from an ankle injury by claiming a brace in the 52nd and 58th minutes.

His former Zoo FC teammate Mike Madoya sealed the scores with the final goal in the 65th minute.

Herit Mungai was the toast in the second half as he provided all three assists.

“We thank South B for granting us the quality friendly. They gave a good account of themselves and we could see lots of potential from their game approach which they can build on to be a force in the near future,” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno after the game

City Stars will take a rest this fixtureless weekend and will resume training on Monday to continue preparations for the next league assignment against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 5 February.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars 1st Half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Salim Abdalla, 12. Ewin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 24. Erick Ombija, 15. John Kamau, 11. Davis Agesa,

Nairobi City Stars 2nd Half: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, Mohammed Bajaber (guest)

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 16. Jacob Osano, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 19. Kevin Okumu

Coach: John Amboko (for Nicholas Muyoti)

South B All Stars: Clifford Karani, Victor Onyango, Allan Ogote. Hope Omega, Collins Okoth, Bernard Syong’o, Wiseman Ashavoke, Victor Odongo, Dickson Omwenga, Abraham Dawo, Amis Adebayo

Subs: Maurice Ochieng, Roy Kabugi, Ian Gibiya, Mohammed Yahya, Kenedy Awoko, Francisco Ndeti, Calvin Omondi, Eugene Mundai, John Kioko

Coach: Victor Ambula

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

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