Obed Nyamweya
Nairobi City Stars Game Analyst and Psychologist Obed Nyamweya

Obed Nyamweya talks up journey from last season

Nairobi City Stars game analyst and team psychologist Obed Nyamweya notes that player growth is what has contributed positively to the teams’ improved performance this season.

According to Nyamweya, the youthful lot at City Stars are very adaptive and, with a newfound familiarity amongst themselves, things have turned out for the better in the team.

In the first leg of last season, Simba wa Nairobi was a firm relegation candidate, and deep in the lower echelons of the 18-team log. Only an improved second-leg show got the team out of the red zone.

“Fighting relegation in the premier league is not easy for various reasons; teams perceive you as underdogs and they come for all points,”

“There is an aspect of an inferiority complex when you keep losing matches and for young players it’s hard to boost their morale, and lastly, there is an aspect of bad luck. Things don’t work out completely and you are left asking what are we not doing right,” added Nyamweya

“Last season we had a mixture of experienced and inexperienced players and we had to find balance within the team. Somehow, the results did not come as we had expected. We are glad we turned the corner and survived relegation and now we are onto a much better season.”

According to Nyamweya, the team is now a fully functional and confident lot;

“From the look of things, as per the Premier League table, it’s evident City Stars is a different team from last season having grown in terms of confidence & performance,”

“Last season, entry of players to the premier league was an induction process. This year they have grown and have belief in themselves and have been pushing and are loving the fact they are playing,”

“Most of the young players have the fire burning in their belies. They have found their feet and their confidence is growing. They are getting more minutes under their belts and have the urge to prove themselves and make headlines,”

“City Stars is now a fully gelled team and the results are coming through.”

Nyamweya joined Simba wa Nairobi at the onset of last year when the team was groping with losses. Separately, Nyamweya is the head coach of  FIFA Best, a community side.

Obed Nyamweya

Nairobi City Stars game analyst and psychologist Obed Nyamweya

Nyamweya, Muyoti

City Stars game analyst Obed Nyamweya and head coach Nicholas Muyoti

MD23: Kariobangi Sharks 0 Nairobi City Stars 0

It ended 0-0 on Saturday 2 March 2024 when Kariobangi Sharks hosted Nairobi City Stars in a matchday 23, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie at the Police Sacco Stadium.

The tie could have taken a twist in favor of Sharks in the 79th minute but it was not to be after Simba wa Nairobi keeper Edwin Mukolwe saved a point blank penalty by John Mark Makwata.

The spot kick was awarded after right back Rowland Makati was adjudged to have handled a swerving ball that headed wide at the far post.

Mukolwe, who had some massive saves in the first half, was later named the most valuable player after the match.

With a point earned, City Stars moved two places up from sixth to fourth on the 18-team log with a new tally of 38 points.

Sharks on their part maintained 15th spot with a new collection of 24 points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Bidco United on Saturday 9 March 2023 in Machakos starting at 1 pm.

Line ups

Kariobangi Sharks: 30. Sebastian Wekesa, 4. Ian Karani, 14. Timothy Ekhavi, 25. Kevinluke Otiala-captain, 11. Geoffrey Onyango, 15. Biron Otieno, 8. Andreas Odhiambo (23. Keith Imbali-46), 10. Fortune Omoto, 22. Julius Masaba, 5. Isaac Wasambo (28. Patrick Ngunyi-63), 21. Leon Otieno (24. JohnMark Makwata-46)

Unused subs: 16. Bernard Jairo, 6. Biko Omolo, 13. Kevin Musamali, 29. David Jimma, 7. Victor Ngume, 26. Moses Shikanda, 20. Mathew Kibiwott, 17. Sigmun Maina, 27. Lennox Kimani,

Coach: William Muluya

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah (4. Timothy Muganda-60), 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 18. Clifford Ouma, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu (25. Shem Odinga-60), 19. Vincent Owino (5. Newton Ochieng-70), 22. Samuel Kapen (27. Gilbert Abala-70), 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 3. Robinson Asenwa (10. Dennis Oalo-70)

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Noor, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 26. Dennis Wanjala,

Out:  7. Pius Omachi, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 23. Byron Owino, 24. Rogers Obusu

Cautions

Kariobangi Sharks: –

Nairobi City Stars: 32. Sosthenes Idah (43), 4. Timothy Muganda (78), 18. Clifford Ouma (86)

Goals

Kariobangi Sharks: 24. JohnMark Makwata (79-pen miss)

Nairobi City Stars: –

Owino
Vincent Owino celebrates on of his two goals against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 25 Nov 2023 in Kasarani Annex. City Stars won the game 3-1

Head-to-head: Kariobangi Sharks (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

On Saturday 2 March 2024, Kariobangi Sharks will host Nairobi City Stars in a matchday 23, 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Police Sacco Stadium, South C, starting at 3 p.m.

This will be the fourth time that Sharks will be home against Simba wa Nairobi in the top flight.

From the previous three games, City Stars carried the day winning all games outscoring their opponents five goals to two.

Sharks lost the last two encounters in the past two seasons 2-1 and 1-0 in games played at Kasarani Annex on 22 April 2023, and 5 Feb 2022, respectively.

The first away topflight trip against Sharks back on 29 May 2021 in Utalii ended in a 2-1 win.

Ahead of the upcoming tie, Sharks will be seeking their first home win over City Stars.

They come to the Saturday tie with a 1-1 draw against FC Talanta from their previous game while City Stars tags along with a 1-0 loss to champions Gor Mahia.

City Stars also parades a 3-1 triumph over Sharks in the first leg to the game, a result Shsrks will be keen to overtun.

Table-wise, Sharks is 16th on the log with 23 points after 22 rounds while Simba wa Nairobi is up sixth with 37 points.

The touchline will see Sharks Coach William Kanu Muluya face off with former Kenya Captain Nicholas Muyoti for the sixth time in the Kenyan topflight.

Who wins this one?

Summary 

City Stars away games vs Sharks: 3 – Wins (3), Draws (0), Losses (0)

29-05-21: Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)

05-02-22: Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)

22-04-23: Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)

02-03-24: Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, ??

Edwin Mukolwe
Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe prior to a game against Bandari in Mbaraki on Sat 9 March 2024

Four changes against Kariobangi Sharks

Midfielders Newton Ochieng and Elvis Noor, as well as keeper Edwin Mukolwe, are all back and in the bracket to face Kariobangi Sharks on matchday 23 at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday 2 Mar 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Mukolwe and Noor missed out on the last game against Gor Mahia due to an accumulation of cards, while Newton, aka Tony, missed that game and the previous one against Bandari due to a direct ejection in an earlier game against Shabana in Machakos.

The three are joined by Mohammed Bajaber who sat out the last three games against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia.

While Mukolwe comes on for newcomer Byron Owino, Tony is in for flyer Brian Mose Nyambane who was part of the squad in the last four games.

Bajaber comes on for Andrew Kisilu who takes a rest to miss out on selection for the first time this season, as Noor replaces youngster Rogers Obusu Wasega who was in the matchday squad in the last three games.

Squad to face Kariobangi Sharks

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor,  5. Newton Ochieng,  6. Shem Odinga, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino,  31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 22. Samuel Kapen, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 27. Gilbert Abala

Out:  7. Pius Omachi, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 23. Byron Owino, 24. Rogers Obusu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Dennis Wanjala
Dennis Wanjala against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season opener in Kasarani Annex on Sun 26 Aug 2023

Dennis Wanjala: We are on track

Fullback Dennis Wanjala aka Decha is of the view that Simba wa Nairobi started off the blocks slowly, then turned a corner, and is now back on track, fully.

The left-back reckons that talk of going for the league title is not outside the ranks of Nairobi City Stars.

“We were off to a relatively poor start but I have to thank my teammates for coming out set their targets, and collectively for the team,”

“Part of the challenge that we had earlier was low confidence, a bit of inexperience, and unfamiliarity,”

“Now we are a blended team and every player is putting in the right shift and constantly seeking to consolidate their position which has upped the fighting spirit and competition. That is keeping us on track for the title,”

Wanjala, now in his third term with City Stars, has featured in exactly half of the games this season – 17 – on his way to clocking 1,212 regular time minutes.

The former Nzoia Sugar player has now earned a record 124 premier league games making him the most experienced player – topflightwise – at City Stars.

Dennis Wanjala

Left-back Dennis ‘Decha’ Wanjala in action against Vihiga Bullets during a matchday 25 FKF Premier League tie in KAsarani Annex on Sunday 16 Apr 2023. He scored once – his debut goal – as City Stars won 5-2