Two first-half goals by Ebrima Sanneh and Salim Abdallah, off a cross and corner from John Kamau, set off Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-0 romp over home team Vapor Sports at the Hope Centre, Kawangware on Tuesday 2 November 2021.
The first goal came in the 10th minute with Abdalla doubling things up in the 37th minute.
A goal off the blind side, from a Davis Agesa delivery across goal, settled the tie in the final minutes of the second half.
Head coach Nicholas Muyoti used the tie to hand match fitness to the players who did not feature in the last FKF Premier League game against Posta Rangers at the Thika Stadium on Saturday. That game ended 1-1.
Maloba was a second-half substitute for Agesa in the Posta game. It was his first premier league game this season.
Madoya was a late substitute for teenager Timothy Ouma in the same game as Salim, Masawa, Elvis, Buliba, and Njunge were unused substitutes.
While Opiyo is angling for a return after the opening game of the season, Ochoro, Kamau, Makati, Mungai, Sanneh are all seeking their first game of the season.
Charles and Vincent missed out on the last squad
Lineup
1. Elvis Ochoro (23. Stephen Njunge-45), 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdallah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo), 10. Peter Opiyo (21. Oliver Maloba), 9. Vincent Otieno (11. Davis Agesa), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Mike Madoya (14. Rowland Makati), 15. John Kamau
After a blistering start to the 2021/22 Kenyan Premier League season, teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu, an attacking midfielder, has been called up to the National Team for the last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda.
Ouma, signed from Laiser Hill Academy mid last year, is one of 27 players called up to the Provisional squad named on Monday 1 November 21 by head coach Engin Firat.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) November 1, 2021
The 2020 Rift Valley Chapa Dimba MVP has been in his finest element in the premier league where he has been directly involved in eight of the nine goals scored by City Stars in the first five games of the season.
Beyond, he has been behind four moves that contributed to four goals in the last four games after initiating the play that ended up with he assist providers.
Ouma was nominated for the player of the week after matchdays 3 and 4. He made the team of the week on both occasions.
Nicholas Kipkirui and Timothy Ouma representing ?⚪
“I am overjoyed to have had a good five games into the season. I have to thank my teammates for pushing me to the special mentions that I have received so far,” said Babu
“That push has now led to the biggest call of all; to the National team. It’s exciting, and very confusing at the same time. I will go there and promise to give a good account of myself.” added Ouma
City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti – a former Kenya National team skipper – commented on Ouma’s call;
“He has great potential. We wish him all the best. This call will boost his confidence.”
Kenya starts residential training on Saturday 6 November ahead of the upcoming assignments against Uganda (away) on Thursday 11 November 2021, and against Rwanda at Nyayo Stadium four days after.
It is the second time that Ouma is being considered for National as the latest call follows up on his first mention to another setup; the Kenya U20 team in October 2020 – alongside City Stars keeper Elvis Ochoro – ahead of CECAFA U20 championship held later that year in Tanzania.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Brian Bwire (Tusker), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Gad Mathews (Gor Mahia)
A well-orchestrated goal by field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani in the 52nd minute canceled out Brian Marita’s freekick in the 36th minute to force a 1-1 draw for City Stars against Posta Rangers in a fifth-round FKF Premier League tie played at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 30 October 2021.
Muki – later name MVP – had given away a freekick just outside the box that Marita planted home for the opener to send Rangers with a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Interestingly, from the same spot he gave away the foul, Muki slammed home a sumptuous goal seven minutes after the restart after getting to the end of an Ezekiel Odera lay-up. Odera had been picked out in the box by teenager Timothy Ouma aka Babu.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) October 30, 2021
Simba wa Nairobi’s game plan was distorted very early on when forward Nicholas Kipkirui was forced out of the game as early as the 17th minute after receiving a cut above his right eye when going up for a knockdown.
He had been forced out of a game against Wazito at the same grounds in similar circumstances close to a week back. On both occasions, he was replaced by speedster Rodgers Okuse Okumu.
Four minutes into the game, Rangers’ had the first real chance to activate the scoresheet when Vincent Wasambo arrived in the box only to send a ball just wide with City Stars keeper Jacob Osano beaten.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) October 30, 2021
City Stars had a chance to go 1-0 up in the 20th minute when Okuse, with a darting run, found himself at a vantage spot in the box to receive a Timothy Ouma pinpoint pass. He shockingly skied the ball.
That was two minutes after Muki had blasted a freekick into the Posta wall after Victor Majid had fouled Ouma.
Five minutes after that freekick, Okuse rounded his marker only to take the ball out with his speed when the intent was to deliver a cutback.
On 28 minutes Ouma burst into the Rangers box only to be mugged off the ball as Rangers neutralized the danger.
The next minute Rangers were in the City Stars box only for Lennox, a former Mathare United stopper, to lunge at the ball to clear it out.
Two minutes later it was another freekick for City Stars outside the box won by Ouma. Dennis Wanjala effort earned an unsuccessful corner.
The breather arrived with a Davis Agesa header, off a Kevin Chumsy Oumu delivery, flying wide.
In the second half, the real danger, other than City Stars leveler from Muki, came off Rangers skipper Eliud Lokuwam who, found in space, burst into the box but just before he pulled the trigger. stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango knicked the ball from his feet to save Rangers from going 2-1 up.
A minute after the hour mark, Rangers initiated a counter-attack, off a cleared corner by City Stars, that ended up at the side netting. Chrispinus Ochieng got to the final ball then beat keeper Osano only to be forced to a tight angle by Lennox to fire out.
At the 70th minute Rangers midfielder, Majid received a yellow card after a nasty tackle on Muki who thought he should have received a harsher punishment.
Majid was replaced almost immediately by Jackson Dwang. He was accompanied out by Chrispinus whose place was taken up by Sammy Odero.
✉ | 80′ It’s been all Nairobi City Stars in the second half
Posta Rangers back peddling as City Stars raid their defence
John Njau with two decent saves
The final quarter of the game saw Rangers add more attackers; Dennis Oalo, Francis Nambute, and later Timothy Otieno but City Stars defenders stood tall to the very end.
Posta Rangers: 29. John Njau, 28. Sammy Imbuye, 18. Michael Apudo, 17. Bernard Ondiek, 5. David Cheche Ochieng, 8. Victor Majid (10. Jackson Dwang-72), 39. Brian Marita (12. Francis Nambute-76), 4. Vincent Wasambo, 11. Eliud Lokuwam-Captain (14. Timothy Otieno-83), 31. Chrispinus Onyango (24. Sammy Odero-72), 40. Caleb Olilo (7. Dennis Oalo-76)
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma (5. Mike Madoya-85), 11. Davis Agesa (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (7. Rodgers Okumu-17), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-65)
Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 4. Salim Abdallah, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (both injured) 1. Elvis Ochoro, 10. Peter Opiyo, 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Yellow cards
87-24. Erick Ombija (Nairobi City Stars)
69 -8. Victor Majid (Posta Rangers)
60-21. Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars)
From the squad that hit Bidco United 2-0 on Sunday 24 October 2021, head coach Nicholas Muyoti has made two changes ahead of the next assignment against Posta Rangers at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 30 October starting 1 pm.
Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, who missed the last two games against Wazito and Bidco United, has returned to the squad and is in line to face his former employers Rangers.
Also coming into the squad, for the first time this season, is ball player Oliver Maloba who had been nursing an injury.
Maloba missed the final six premier league games last season due to Kenya U23 team duty out in Ethiopia from where he returned with a thigh injury.
Shitu and Maloba take up the slots of Edwin Buliba and Charles Otieno who were part and parcel of the lot that faced Wazito and Bidco United.
Other than Otieno and Buliba, the other players who were in the squad then but will miss out include goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro as well as left-footed Herit Mungai.
Bolton Omwenga who started the game has since left the club while Ebrima Sanneh and John Kamau who came on as substitutes for Kevin Okumu and Davis Agesa, respectively, were not picked for the game.
Maloba is one of the new faces in the game besides keeper Jacob Osano who is in for Ochoro, overall skipper and utility fullback Calvin Masawa, as well as striker Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica.
Newcomers Michael Madoya, left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala, and stopper Lennox Ogutu complete the changes.
20-man squad to face Posta Rangers
Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge
Defenders: 4. Salim Abdalla,8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu
Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 21. Oliver Maloba, 5. Mike Madoya, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 30. Anthony Kimani
Strikers: 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 11. Davis Agesa, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (both injured) 1. Elvis Ochoro, 10. Peter Opiyo, 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno
Nairobi City Stars will be guests to Posta Rangers at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 30 October 2021 during a fifth-round 2021/22 FKF Premier League match that kicks off at 1 pm.
It will be premier league game 11 between the two since the year 2010, and the sixth that Rangers will be hosting City Stars.
In the five premier league games hosted by Rangers, the two sides have each picked one win apiece with the other three ending in draws.
There will be a change in personnel at the touchline in the upcoming game compared to the one Rangers hosted back in January this year.
Sammy Pamzo Omolo was in charge of Rangers then while Bosnian Sanjin Alagic was on the City Stars side. That has since changed with Stanley Okumbi taking over from Omollo as Nicholas Muyoti took the baton from Sanjin.
Of note ahead of the upcoming game is that Rangers and City Stars have never faced off in a premier league game at the Thika Stadium.
Coming to the game, City Stars carries a three-game winning streak after triumphs over Kenya Police (2-0), Wazito (3-1) and Bidco United (2-0) while Ranfers is reeling from a 2-0 defeat from Homeboyz which ended a two-game winning run over Vihiga Bullets (4-0) and Bandari (2-0).
Summary
KPL games: 10 – Posta Rangers wins (2), Nairobi City Stars wins (1), Draws (7)
List of Nairobi City Stars away games to Posta Rangers
10-Jul-10; Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 1-3 (W)
29-May-11, Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
3-Nov-12, Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
10-Jul-16; Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
10-Jul-16; Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
08-Jan-21; Posta Rangers vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Oct-21; Posta Rangers vs City Stars, ??
