14 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kamau
John Kamau in action for Nairobi City Stars during a premier league game vs Homeboyz in Bukhungu, Kakamega on 20 Jan 2022. It ended 4-4

More consideration excites Kamau

February 14, 2022

In the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season, left-footed John Kamau managed to clock five of 33 games, with just one start, on his way to clocking 165 minutes.

Fast forward to the current 2021/22 season that’s halfway through, Kamau, a former Vapor and Tusker player, has been part of the team in eleven of 18 games.

“For now I have to say the season is going on well. Everyone is getting a chance to play,”

“I am glad to be getting chances of my own to express myself and to contribute to the team to achieve its goals which is to be champions.”

Of 11 games that Kamau has made the squad this season, he’s gone on to pick three starts and has been off the bench five times.

Kamau spent a year at City Stars from 2017 but left in mid-2018 to join Tusker FC. He returned in January 2020 on a short-term deal to the end of the season aiding Simba wa Nairobi to promotion back to the top flight.  He earned a two-season deal upon promotion.

Kamau

John Kamau in action for Nairobi City Stars during a premier league game against Tusker in Ruaraka on 16 Jan 2022. City Stars won the game 1-0

John Kamau in action for Nairobi City Stars during a premier league game in Ruaraka in Jan 2022

13 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Anthony Muki Kimani celebrate his opening goal against Nzoia Sugar at Narok Stadium on Sun 29 Nov 2020. City Stars won 2-0

Nzoia Sugar 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

February 13, 2022

Home team Nzoia Sugar rallied to score an 83rd-minute goal by Joseph Mwangi to cancel out Anthony Muki Kimani’s opener at the half-hour mark in a matchday 18 FKF Premier League tie played on Sunday 13 February 2022 in Sudi Stadium, Nzoia.

Muki, returning to the squad after missing the last assignment against Kariobangi Sharks was at the right place to ram home a rebound from keeper Humphrey Katasi who failed to contain a Sven Yidah shot after he received a perfect ball in the box from Ezekiel Odera.

It was Muki’s fifth goal of the season that sees him tie Ezekiel Odera atop the Simba wa Nairobi score-chart.

Inside the last ten minutes, just when Simba wa Nairobi were planning to lock out the game, Mwangi received a long pass from newly recruited stopper Hamisi Salim to head home from close range for Nzoia to grab a share of the spoils.

Mwangi’s goal, the first-ever for Nzoia Sugar against City Stars in the premier league, came off one of the several raids initiated by the home side especially in the second half of the game.

Though denied all points in the first-ever visit to Sudi Stadium by the determined hosts, City Stars moved a spot up from third to second with 32 as Nzoia Sugar remained in 16th spot with an improved 12 points.

Lineups

Nzoia United: 15. Humphrey Katasi, 30. Moses Mwale, 29. Vincent Mahiga, 5. Ian Karani, 4. Hamisi Salim, 13. Kevin Juma, 18. James Kibande (20. Felicien Okanda-54), 6. Bonface Kweyu, 21. Joseph Mwangi, 9. Lewis Okelo, 10. Beja Hassan

Subs: 39. Benson Mangala, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 28. Randy Bakari, 12. Dan Wafula, 32. Leonard Kasemebeli, 22. Alfred Emoni,

Coach: Salim Babu

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa – Captain, 12. Edwin Buliba, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani (7. Rodgers Okumu-82), 20. Timothy Ouma (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-66), 11. Davis Agesa (21. Oliver Maloba-66), 21. Oliver Maloba, 32. Ezekiel Odera (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-82),

Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 5. Michael Madoya,

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 12. Edwin Buliba (all injured) 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 29. Augustine Kuta, 3. Charles Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Yellow cards

Nzoia Sugar: TBC

Nairobi City Stars: 25. Kenedy Onyango (47), 16. Jacob Osano, (76), 7. Rodgers Okumu (82)

Goals

Nzoia Sugar: 21. Joseph Mwangi (83)

Nairobi City Stars: 30. Anthony Muki Kimani (30)

12 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
City Stars players celebrate a long goal by Rodgers Okumu that earned a 1-0 win over Nzoia United at Narok Stadium on Fri 25 June 2021

Head-to-head: Nzoia Sugar (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2021-22 FKF-PL season

February 12, 2022

For only the second time, Nzoia Sugar will host Nairobi City Stars in an FKF Premier League match on Sunday 13 February 2022 in Sudi Stadium.

The upcoming tie will be historic as City Stars has never visited Sudi Stadium to play Nzoia Sugar.

During the reverse game last season, Nzoia ‘hosted’ City Stars in Narok following a coronavirus-influenced lockdown of their County.

It ended 1-0 in favor of City Stars thanks to a late Rodgers Okuse Okumu goal.

During the first leg game played in Ruraka in December 2021, Nzoia Sugar returned home with a point after forcing a 0-0 draw.

In the Sudi game, City Stars will be seeking all available points considering they dropped two crucial ones at home.

Between the first leg and the reverse game, there will be a new coach in charge of the host team, hence a new approach.

Salim Babu has since taken over from Ibrahim Shikanda who was in charge of the December game.

For City Stars, there are no changes as Nicholas Muyoti is still the man at the helm. He was once Sudi-based, and he will be up against a team he handled during his formative years as a coach.

Other than Muyoti, Dennis Decha Wanjala will also be returning to his former home for the Sunday tie. The left-back crossed over in the offseason from Nzoia Sugar to join Simba wa Nairobi.

Heading to the Sudi game, Nzoia sits 16th in the 18-team log with 11 points while City Stars is third with a 20-point buffer on 31-points.

Form-wise, Nzoia head to the game on the back of two away draws against FC Talanta (2-2) and league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz (1-1) as City Stars carry a similar 1-1 draw over Homeboyz and a 1-0 away win over Kariobangi Sharks.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars away games vs Nzoia Sugar; Wins (1), Draws (0), Loses (0). Total – 1

25-06-21; Nzoia Sugar vs Nairobi City Stars, 0-1 (W)
13-02-22; Nzoia Sugar vs Nairobi City Stars, ??

City Stars

City Stars left back Bolton Omwenga taking on Nzoia United centre back Elvis Ronack during a round 21 premier league game in Narok on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0

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

City Stars, Muki

Nairobi City Stars skipper Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani skipping away from Nzoia Sugar left-back Vincent Mahiga during an 8th round FKF Premier League match on Wed 8 Dec 2021 in Ruaraka. It ended 0-0

12 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Muki, City Stars
City Stars skipper Anthony Muki Kimani in action against Vihiga Bullets stopper Mophat Liuva Kovelo in Ruaraka on Sat 6 Nov 2021 during a round 6 FKF Premier League game. City Stars won 4-0

Muki in for Sudi trip

February 12, 2022

After skipping the recent Kariobangi Sharks clash, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani is back for Nairobi City Stars away game to Nzoia Sugar on Sunday 13 February 2022 in Sudi Stadium.

Muki is the only change to the squad that faced Sharks, and he takes up the place of stopper Edwin Buliba who picked up an injury in training over the week.

From the squad that faced Nzoia Sugar in the first leg in Ruaraka in early December 2021, a game that ended 0-0, changes are four.

Other than Buliba, fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu, defensive midfielder Charles Otieno and forward Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth are all out.

Their places have been taken up by midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Michael Madoya, Rodgers Okuse Okumu, and John Bombay Kamau.

Squad to face Nzoia United

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai,

Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 5. Michael Madoya

Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 12. Edwin Buliba (all injured) 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 29. Augustine Kuta, 3. Charles Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

Muki, City Stars

Captains affair; Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani of City Stars vs his counterpart Dennis Odhiambo of KCB in a season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars, Muki, Gor Mahia

Simba wa Nairobi skipper Anthony Muki Kimani shielding the ball off Gor Mahia’s debutant Frank Odhiambo in a round 17 clash at the Utalii grounds on Sun 16 May 2021. Gor won 1-0

12 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Sven
City Stars DM Sven Yidah on the ball at Kasarani Annex during a match day 17 games against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0

Sven Yidah talks up improved season

February 12, 2022

Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah opines that Nairobi City Stars’ good run in the current FKF Premier League season is due to a good coach, and a more confident and unchanged squad.

According to Sven, those three factors that have led to a better approach to matches hence improved results and placing on the table.

Having played 17 games and halfway through the season, Simba wa Nairobi is placed second with 31 points, three off log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

“Last season, some of the players featured in the premier league for only the first time. Now they have matured and are more confident and they know exactly what is required from them on and off the pitch,”

“The management has also helped a great deal by maintaining last season’s team and bench. That helps a lot as team chemistry has been maintained,”

Further, Sven drummed up the influence brought about by head coach Nicholas Muyoti, a former Kenya captain.

“We have a coach who’s a legend not only in the league but also at the National team level. His experience is really helping us,”

“Having played in this league, Muyoti understands how the system works and how the grounds are. Moreover, he has played with some of the coaches in other teams making it easier for him to pick their philosophy,”

“Muyoti’s combination with former City Stars captains on the bench such as (Arthur) Museve, (Noah) Abich, and (John) Amboko is turning out to be of great value,”

“All these are part of the reasons why we are placed second on the table,”

Beyond team performance, Sven, now in his second season with Simba wa Nairobi, is happy with his own progression.

“This season is much better compared to last season. Then I was new and only knew two former Kariobangi Sharks players; Wiked (Wycliffe Otieno) and (Ebrima) Sanneh, as well as Shitu (Salim Abdalla), my former teammate at Ligi Ndogo,”

“I had also not worked with anyone in the technical bench as well as in the management team. All those were new challenges and learning process. This season is much better as I am treading on familiar ground,”

“I have played more minutes compared to last season a time like this and contributed more to the team which points to individual progress.” concluded Sven

Thus far, Sven has started all 17 games and has gone on to complete 15 of them on his way to clocking 1,519 minutes of a possible 1,530 minutes. He has scored twice and provided an assist.

At the same point last season, Sven had clocked 1,224 minutes having featured in 16 of 17 games. He completed eight games and came off the bench three times. He had a goal and an assist.

City Stars, Sven

Sven Yidah going for goal in the 36th minute against F Talanta in Kasarani Annex on Sat 8 Jan 2022. His goal added to Muki’s for City Stars to register a 2-1 win

Nairobi City Stars

Spoiler Sven Yiday during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0

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