City Stars, Hombeoyz
Timothy Ouma seeks for the ball from Brian Eshihanda as City Stars took on Homeboyz on Thur 20 Jan 2022 in Bukhungu Stadium in round 15 FKF Premier League game. It ended 4-4

Kakamega Homeboyz 4 Nairobi City Stars 4

Visiting Nairobi City Stars dug deep to come to pick a vital point after rallying to tie home team Kakamega Homeboyz 4-4 in a 15th round FKF Premier League in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega on Thursday 20 January 2022.

The game brought immediate former Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti face to face with his former deputy Bernard Mwalala, the man now in charge of Abana Beingo.

Muyoti’s substitutes Erick Ombija and Davis Agesa, on for Ezekiel Odera and Anthony Kimani in the 70th minute, respectively, proved the masterstroke as they went on to score in the 80th and 84th minute for Simba wa Nairobi to silence the crowd and force the draw.

Homeboyz, hosting City Stars for only the fourth time in nine years, called the shots from early on and went a goal up in the 15th minute when stopper Brian Eshihanda’s header, off a corner from livewire David Okoth, echoed off the undersigned of the crossbar and bounced on the line.

The center referee went on to award it as a goal to the wild protestations from City Stars. Less than ten days back, City Stars was denied a goal in similar circumstances while playing FC Talanta at Kasarani Annex.

Eight minutes later Homeboyz were 2-0 up after Okoth scored a penalty awarded after left-back Dennis Wanjala was adjudged to have clipped Stephen Opoku as worked his way into the box after receiving a corner.

City Stars vehemently disputed the call but came out as the losers after the center ref slapped right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu and striker Ezekiel Odera with yellow cards. Okoth stepped up and sent the ball beneath Jacob Osano who had dived the right way for Homeboyz to double matters.

A minute after the half-hour mark City Stars forced a corner and, a quick take by Muki found teenage sensation Timothy Babu Ouma who squared the ball for Sven to head in at the near post to half the scores.

Homeboyz, however, restored their two-goal cushion in the 38th minute when Yema Mwana on the right-wing capitalized on a poor clearance from City Stars to find an unmarked Moses Mudavadi in the box and the skipper made no mistake from close range to smack home the third for Abana Beingo.

Moments later City Stars resilience showed when right back Okumu received a long ball from Peter Pinchez Opiyo on the right. He placed it to  Timothy Babu Ouma who one-timed the ball home after racing to the box past keeper Elix Otieno to end his ten-game goal drought.

Spurred, City Stars chased a leveler before the breather only for the center referee to prematurely end the game with a corner in the air.

There were no added minutes in the half in spite of the fact that City Stars stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla had spent close to four minutes on the ground to receive treatment by medics within the first ten minutes of the game, and Ezekiel Odera too for about two minutes in the 43rd minute.

At the start of the second half, Muyoti pulled out winger John Kamau and stopper Edwin Buliba and threw in Oliver Maloba and former Homeboyz stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango.

Eight minutes later, Vidic was adjudged to have shoved Yema Mwana after he flew into the box to receive a perfect Mudavadi splitting pass, and the referee, again, awarded a penalty.

No amount of protestations from City Stars could overturn the penalty and once again Okoth beat Osano to send Homeboyz 4-2 up.

Less than ten minutes after the fourth goal, Mwalala brought in Ahmed Ali Bhai and Stephen Wakhanya for Sunday Mutuku and Stephen Opoku, correspondingly. In the 71st minute, Nigerian forward Michael Karamor took up the place of Chris Masinza.

But with the game seemingly out of reach, City Stars resilience and character showed when Chumsy fired a freekick from the right to find Ombija in the box. He volleyed the ball home to reduce the scores to 4-3.

And four minutes later, Agesa lobbed the keeper for the leveler from the tightest of angles on the right off a pass from Sven.  Agesa’s goal, his first this season, and only his third premier league goal, set up a nervy finish to the game.

There were five added minutes after regulation time, but second-placed City Stars held on to their greatest comeback yet to hit the 27-point mark from 15 games to stay five points behind leaders Homeboyz whom they host in a reverse fixture on Monday 24 January 2022 in Ruaraka starting 3pm.

Lineups

Kakamega Homeboyz: 30. Elix Otieno, 16. Collins Odhiambo, 2. Eric Ambunya, 44.Brian Eshihanda, Sylvester Owino, 12. Sunday Mutuku (24. Ahmed Ali Bhai-62), 10. Moses Mudavadi, 25. Stephen Opoku (8. Stephen Wakanya-62), 9. David Okoth, 22. Chris Masinza (31. Michael Karamor-71), 27. Yema Mwana

Unused Subs: 32. David Juma, 6. Benjamin Oketch, 21. Estone Esiye, 5. Enock Masinza, 20. George Odiwour, 11. Robert Arrot

Coach: Bernard Mwalala

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 12. Edwin Buliba (25. Kenedy Onyango-46), 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (11. Davis Agesa-70,), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24.Erick Ombija-70)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa,   27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu

Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 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

Yellow cards

Kakamega Homeboyz: None

Nairobi City Stars: 4. Kevin Okumu (22), Ezekiel Odera (22)

Goals:

Kakamega Homeboyz:  Brian Eshihanda (15), 9. David Okoth (23,53 – both penalties), 10. Moses Mudavadi (38)

Nairobi City Stars: 18. Sven Yidah (31), 20. Timothy Ouma (41), 24. Erick Ombija (80), 11. Davis Agesa (84)

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

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

Kakamega Homeboyz will host Nairobi City Stars in matchday 15 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu on Thursday 20 January 2022 starting at 3 pm.

It will be the seventh premiership game between the two since the year 2013, but the fourth with Homeboyz as hosts.

A 0-0 draw was registered when City Stars first visit Bukhungu to face Homeboyz in July 2013. The next two visits, in April 2016 and February 2021 ended in 1-0 and 2-0 wins, respectively, for the home team.

City Stars will therefore be out for their first-ever win at the venue for the fourth time of asking.

In their last visit eleven months back, City Stars was guided by coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia where he came up against Nicholas Muyoti at Homeboyz.

Muyoti is now the head coach at City Stars and on Thursday he will come up against his understudy Bernard Mwalala who stepped up to take his role after he became a Simba wa Nairobi.

With 31-points, Homeboyz tops the 18-team log with a five-point buffer over City Stars.

Form-wise, both teams head to the game on the back of two straight wins from their immediate past assignments.

While Homeboyz beat Kariobangi Sharks (1-0) and KCB (3-2) to collect maximum points, City Stars edged out FC Talanta 2-1 then champions Tusker 1-0 to move to the 26-point mark.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars away games vs Homeboyz; Wins (0), Draws (1), Loses (2). Total – 4

20-Jul-13; Homeboyz vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)

9-Apr-16; Homeboyz vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)

6-Feb-21; Homeboyz vs City Stars, 2-0 (L)

20-Jan-20; Homeboyz vs City Stars, ??

City Stars, Homeboyz

Timothy Ouma vs Kakamega Homwboyz on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz won 2-0

Nairobi City Stars

Davis Agesa against Homeboyz on Sat 6 Feb 2021 during a Premier League matchday 11 game. Homeboyz won 2-0

Nairobi City Stars

City Stars left-back Herit Mungai challenges a Homeboyz player during an eleventh round Premier League tie at Bukhungu Stadium on Sat 6 Feb 2021. Homeboyz won 2-0

 

Kenedy Vidic Onyango, City Stars
City Stars stopper Kenedy 'Vidic' Onyango clebrates his maiden league goal during a 3-1 win over Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium

Onyango returns for Homeboyz clash

After skipping the last two premier league games against FC Talanta and Tusker, stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango is back in the City Stars squad for a 3 pm clash with his former employers Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu, Kakamega on Thursday 20 January 2022.

Onyango is the only change from the squad that saw off Tusker 1-0 on Sunday, as he takes up the place of rested Michael Madoya for the round 15 tie against current log leaders Homeboyz.

From the 18-man squad that traveled to face Homeboyz in February 2021, and lost 2-0, the changes in the team are seven plus two additions.

Keeper Steve Njunge did not travel due to personal reasons and his place was taken up by promising Elvis Ochoro.

Bolton Omwenga and Azizi Okaka – who have since left the club -, as well as left-footer Herit Mungai, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo and forward Vincent Otieno Okoth, are the face missing from the last trip to Bukhungu.

The vacated slots have been taken up by defenders Dennis Wanjala, Lennox Ogutu, Kevin Okumu, and overall skipper Calvin Masawa.

Spoiler Sven Yidah and stopper Edwin Buliba who missed the last trip Homeboyz due to knee knocks make he squad as well as field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani who was recuperating from a shoulder injury then.

The final addition is John Kamau, a starter in the last two games against FC Talanta and Tusker.

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

City Stars, Homeboyz

Stopper Kenedy Onyango in a game vs his former side Kakamega Homwboyz on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz won the tie 2-0

City Stars
City Stars players celebrate Oliver Maloba's goal that delivered a 1-0 win over Tusker in Ruaraka on Sun 16 Jan 2022

Ruaraka win sets new City Stars record

Sunday’s 1-0 win over champions Tusker in Ruaraka saw Nairobi City Stars register their best ever points tally, 26, after the first 14 games into a premier league season.

The Tusker win, delivered by substitute Oliver Maloba’s lone goal in the 87th minute, sent City Stars to the 26 point-mark and up second in the 18-team FKF Premier League log.

The 26-point tally surpasses the previous best of 24-points recorded after the first 14 games in the 2005/6 season when the team, then known as Word Hope, was coached by Robert Matano, incidentally, Tusker’s losing coach on Sunday.

World Hope went on to scoop 23 and 22 points in the first 14 games in the 2006/7 and 2008 seasons, respectively. The haul at the  14-game mark then came down to 20 in the 2009 season.

The team never came close to that mark thereafter but now, in their 14th premier league season, a new record of 26-points has been set.

“We regularly look at records, stats, and matrices from the past to help us shape and mute our future,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“Compared to last season, we had 16 points after the first 14 games but now we have ten more which points to a much-improved season under coach Nicholas Muyoti,”

“Records and stats aside we still have lots of work to do as we are in a very competitive league,” added Otieno

City Stars has two big assignments against current log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz on Thur 20 (Kakamega) and in Nairobi on Mon 24 Jan 2022.

Gogo Boys, City Stars
City Stars stopper Lennox Ogutu takes on a Gogo Boys during a friendly at Ligi Ndogo grounds on Mon 17 Jan 2022. The game ended 0-0

Friendly fire: City Stars 0 Gogo Boys 0

A vastly improved Gogo Boys held Nairobi City Stars to a 0-0 draw in a friendly game played at the Ligi Ndogo grounds on Monday 17 January 2022.

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti used the friendly to bring to speed match fitness of the lot that did not clock full minutes – subs Oliver Maloba, Erick Ombija, and Davis Agesa, as well as all those that did not feature in the Premier League match against Tusker the day before.

After the friendly, Abdul Ali, a member of Gogo Boys said;

“The friendly was a good one as it brought about friendship. It was good exposure for our boys who were very excited to have played against City Stars,”

“Other than tap into the experience of a premier league team, we used the friendly to have a look at a select number of players who are hoping to join our team,” added Ali


City Stars head coach Muyoti took notes on areas to work on after the match;

“Gogo had a good game, they were very organized but just lacked the punch up front,”

“On our part, we defended well but lacked urgency. It’s very important though that we kept a clean sheet. But we have to improve on our final third by creating more chances and convert,” added Muyoti on the lesson learned from the game

In late November last year, Gogo Boys faced off with Simba wa Nairobi for the first time ever and received a 5-0 hiding in the Hills of Ngong Vapor.

Gogo Boys scaled a ladder up to Kenya’s third-tier league, Division One, and were using the Monday friendly as part of their preparation for an away trip to face Malindi’s Progressive FC in their league opener on Sun 6 February 2022 at the Alsakan grounds.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno, Mohammed Bejabur-guest (Elvis Noor), 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu), 21. Oliver Maloba (9. Vincent Otieno), 24. Erick Ombija (Martin Kibinu – guest)

Out: 23. Steve Njunge, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 22. Wycliffe Otieno

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Gogo Boys: Emmanuel Juma, Kevin Muturi, Gilbert Omondi, Joseph Masinde, Baba Kouame, William Oricho, John Macharia, Joseph Chege, Nigel Winjira, Kevin Oluoch, Thomas Ganda

Subs: Brian Machisu (GK), Michael Matasio (GK), Derrick Ochieng, PEter Njuguna, Vitalis Juma, Brian Wanyonyi, Fabish Otieno, Ali Yusuf, Eddy Brian, Ocharo Brian, Joseph Karanja,

Coach: Hamisi Mohammed Kaka

Gogo Boys, City Stars

City Stars attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba shields the ball off a Gogo Boys player during a friendly at Ligi Ndogo grounds on Mon 17 Jan 2022. The game ended 0-0