30 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24

Rogers Wasega aims at being the main character

July 30, 2024

After six months of apprenticeship at Nairobi City Stars, budding left back Rogers Wasega Obusu believes he’s shaken off his high school-ness, and is ready to delve into the premier league.

The teenager has been learning the ropes since joining from Laiser Hill Academy in February of 2024, and, by his estimation, says he is ready for the upcoming season.

“At the beginning, training was somehow very exhausting because I was only used to light training ,”

“I experienced a whole new challenge due to the intensity compared to what I got in high school,”

Rogers joined City Stars during the mid transfer window and soon made it to matchday squads against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia.

“Sitting on the bench in those games gave me a hint of what the top flight is all about. Even without getting to the pitch you feel that it’s a whole new level and experience,”

He also made it to five other match day squads against Bidco United, Kenya Police, Tusker, Nzoia Sugar, and Kakamega Homeboyz.

After those eight appearances, his planned debut in the penultimate game of the season against Sofapaka in Dandora was not to be following a cut finger from a broken glass.

“During the final days of the season I had adapted to the system but unfortunately I couldn’t get a chance to make that debut,”

“I am now more than ready for the upcoming season. I believe I am going to be the main character in the team. Expect lot’s of assist from me.” summed Rogers

In missing the opportunity to make his debut last season, Rogers became the only player besides keeper Julius Ombacho not to feature for Simba wa Nairobi.

28 players featured across the season including nine top flight debutants: defender, Wycliffe Omondi, midfielders Brian Mzee, Abuyeka Kubasu, and Shem Odinga, forwards Robinson Asenwa, Gilbert Abala, Brian Mose Nyambane, and Yuto Kusaba, as well as keeper Byron Owino.

Though with prior premiership experience, keeper Edwin Mukolwe, and centerback Sosthenes Idah too earned their debuts with Simba wa Nairobi last season.

Rogers Wasega on the bench during a game against Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on 12 May 2024

Rogers Wasega during a friendly game at the Gems Cambridge school against Ulinzi Youth on 30 May 2024

24 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Edwin Mukolwe in action against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on 13 Jan 2024. City stars won the game 1-0

Edwin Mukolwe reviews past season

July 24, 2024

Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe reckons, in retrospect, that he, as well as Nairobi City Stars, had a descent outing in the ended 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

Simba wa Nairobi was for large spells in the top five towards the end of the first leg all through to the final set of games then dropped to end up a respectable sixth with half a century of points from 34 outings.

“I had a fairly good season with the team, a group of very hard working mates who did their best,”

“We were able to achieve some good wins, played some good football too, and also had some rough days for learning. That said, I look forward to an even better 2024/2025 season.” he added

Mukolwe made 26 appearances – all full games – on his debut season with City Stars to earn 2,340 regular time minutes. He registered ten clean sheets.

He was named team MVP for his heroics on five different occasions after games against Bandari in the first leg on matchday 14, and four times in the second leg against Shabana in match day 20, Kariobangi sharks where he saved a penalty in matchday 23, against FC Talanta where he saved two penalties in matchday 27, and against Sofapaka in match day 33.

Mukolwe made it to the Team of the Week on three different occasions; in matchday 14 against Bandari, matchdays 26 and 27 against Muranga SEAL, and Kariobangi Sharks, respectively.

Mukolwe was named the Fans player of the week after his heroics on matchday 27.

18 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Asenwa
Robinson Asenwa in action against Muranga SEAL on Wed 1 Nov 2023 durng a matchday 9 2023/4 FKF Premier League tie

Robinson Asenwa talks up debut premier league season

July 18, 2024

Coming straight out of third tier side Vapor Sports to the Kenya premier league, forward Robinson Asenwa never imagined he could find his footing almost immediately in the just ended 2024-25 FKF season with Nairobi City Stars.

But he did, featuring in 29 of the 34 league games on his way to clocking 1,788 regular game minutes on his debut in the Kenyan topflight.

“Thanks to God and the team for giving me the opportunity and trusting in me. Last season was a learning curve for me as a new player in the league,”

“I also thank the team coaches for giving me the chance to feature for the team and I attribute the performance that I had to them as well as my teammates as a whole,”

Asenwa scored four goals and had six assists, and three progressive passes. He made his debut on matchday three against Gor Mahia at Kasarani, and went on to score his maiden goal against Muranga SEALS on match day nine. He also scored against AFC Leopards, Bandari and FC Talanta.

“Going by last season, I am more ambitious heading to next season because of the lessons I learnt. I have goals to achieve, mostly personal targets, but all geared towards elevating the team to it’s set objectives for the new season.”

“I scored each of my four goals from four different positions upfront; playing out on either flank, as a point man, and as an attacking midfielder. I believe I can top up on that figure come because of my dynamism.” added Asenwa

He was twice named as an MVP after games against Tusker in the first leg, and against Bidco United in the second leg.

At the league level, Asenwa made it to the team of the week once during matchday 17 tie against FC Talanta in Ruaraka.

20 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
Dennis Oalo celebrates his winning goal against Ulinzi Stars during an FKF Matchday 15 tie in Ulinzi Complex on Sun 17 Dec 2023. City Stars won 2-1

Dennis Oalo’s take on second leg

March 20, 2024

Forward Dennis Oalo superbly slammed home a beauty of a goal on Saturday 9 March 2024 as Nairobi City Stars hosted Bidco United in Machakos during a 24th round FKF Premier League match.

The goal, his fourth this season, ended a three-month drought, as he topped up on his last one – a winner against Ulinzi Stars – in mid December 2023.

Though it his goal was as good a game winner, it turned out to be a point earner as Bidco left it late to tie the game at 1-1.

“I am happy to have found the back of the net once again,” said Oalo

“We are onto the second leg where all games are always tough. When you earn a point during this period it’s a great achievement,” 

“I’ll be actively seeking for more (goals) in the upcoming games to hep the team scale up the standings,” he added

Oalo scored against Gor Mahia and Tusker during the first leg before coming off the bench to win for City Stars against Ulinzi Stars in December.

Away from goals, he has two assists, and has been fielded 21 times this season and has clocked 1,210 regular time minutes.

09 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Forward Dennis Oalo celebrates his goal against Bidco United in Machakos during a matchday 24 FKF Premier League tie on Sat 9 March 2024
Forward Dennis Oalo celebrates his goal against Bidco United in Machakos during a matchday 24 FKF Premier League tie on Sat 9 March 2024

MD24: Nairobi City Stars 1 Bidco United 1

March 9, 2024

A goal in added time by Jacob Onyango is what Bidco United needed to force Nairobi City Stars to a 1-1 draw in Machakos during a 24th round, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie on Saturday 9 March, 2024.

Simba wa Nairobi had taken a 41st minute lead through Dennis Oalo – his fourth of the season – after being teed up by Robinson Asenwa.

Asenwa who registered his sixth assist of the season, was later named man of the match.

The weekend result matched the first leg score of 1-1 when the two sides faced off in matchday two in Kasarani Annex back in September 2023.

With a point, City Stars improved to 39 points to temporarily move from sixth to fifth spot while Bidco moved up to 32 points and to the tenth spot.

Next up for City Stars will be an away trip to Muhoroni Youth after a recess of three weeks, on Sunday 7 April 2024.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 30. Rowland Makati, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Shem Oluoch(18. Clifford Ouma-64), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu (2. Elvis Noor-76), 5. Newton Ochieng (19. Vincent Owino-64 ), 3. Robinson Asenwa, 10. Dennis Oalo (17. Brian Mose- 88), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (22. Samuel Kapen-76),

Unused subs: 23. Byron OWino, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 24. Rogers Obusu, 27. Gilbert Abala

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Bidco United: 35. Daniel Odiwuor, 4. David Kalama, 8. Lameck Oloo, 15. Gabriel Wandera, 31. Peter Nzuki (33. Kelvin Mwaura-88), 21. Said Tsuma, 2. Jacob Onyango-captain, 10. Chris Opondo (19. Eric Michibu-57), 28. Douglas Mokaya (27. Ezekiel Okare-57), 22. Clinton Asiago (13. Emmanuel Mogaka-57), 38. Brian Mboya (11.John Kelwish-57)

Unused subs: 1. Melvin Nderitu, 3. Thomas Wainaina, 6. Kassim Mwinyi, 14. Michael Omondi, 24. John Owira,

Coach: Anthony Akhulia

Cautions
Nairobi City Stars: 8. Calvin Masawa (54), 15. Wycliffe Omondi (86), 19. Vincent Owino (90+)
Bidco United: –

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 10. Dennis Oalo (41)
Bidco United: 2. Jacob Onyango (90+4)

 

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