Center-half Lennox Ogutu finally got to the pitch in Nairobi City Stars colors during a third-round 2021/22 FKF Premier League clash against Wazito on Thursday 21 October 2021 at Thika Stadium.
Lennox partnered Kenedy Onyango at the heart of defense starting ahead of regular Salim Shitu Abdalla who was unavailable for the game.
“It felt nice earning my first game for City Stars and leading to the team to a historic (3-1) win,”
“I am now looking forward to earning many more games for Simba wa Nairobi.” added Lennox
Ogutu, signed from Mathare United in the offseason, missed out on the first game of the season against Sofapaka.
He made the squad for the second game against Kenya Police but was an unused substitute.
Nairobi City Stars ended a streak of six straight league losses to Wazito with a convincing 3-1 win at the Thika Stadium on Thursday 21 October 2021 during a third-round 2021/22 FKF Premier League tie.
Kenedy Vidic Onyango’s maiden goal for Simba wa Nairobi set the tone for Timothy Babu Ouma’s third goal in three straight games, and one more from speedster Rodgers Okuse Okumu, all in the last 13 minutes of the game.
Vidic got to the end of Anthony Muki Kimani’s freekick for the opener in the 76th minute before Babu – later named the match MVP – chested down a pass from substitute Erick Ombija to fire at the far post three minutes later.
Okuse dashed to confirm the ball over the line with a header after getting to the end of an Ombija chip over keeper Bixente.
Wazito scored their consolation through substitute Michael Wise Owino whose header, off a flick from Vincent Oburu, sandwiched City Stars second and third goals.
City Stars had lost all previous six league games to Wazito – four in the National Super League (NSL) in the 2017 and 2019 seasons, as well as home and away games in the ended 2020/21 Premier League season.
For the game, and from the lot that saw off Kenya Police 2-0 in the last encounter, City Stars introduced debutant Lenox Ogutu to partner Vidic at the back in place of the unavailable Salim Shitu Abdallah.
With the recent win, City Stars shoots up from ninth to sixth on the log with six points as Wazito remains stagnated at 15th spot with a single point.
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani (3. Charles Otieno-67), 11. Davis Agesa (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-82), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (7. Rodgers Okumu-32), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-67)
Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Mike Madoya, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (both injured) 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 21. Oliver Maloba, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh
Utility back Edwin Buliba is the only change from the 20-man squad that faced Kenya Police, and won 2-0, as Nairobi City Stars plots for Wazito on Thursday 21 October 2021 at Thika Stadium starting 3pm.
Buliba takes up the place of stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla who is unavailable for the Thika clash.
From the squad that faced Wazito in June during a 2020/21 season second leg cash at Ruaraka, the changes are seven.
Defenders Bolton Omwenga, Herit Mungai Atariza, Wycliffe Otieno, and Salim Abdalla, midfielders Peter Opiyo and Oliver Maloba, as well as striker Ebrima Sanneh who made the squad then are all out.
The places vacated by the seven have been taken up by Dennis Wanjala, Lennox Ogutu, Charles Otieno, Kevin Okumu, Mike Madoya, Timothy Noor Ouma, and Vincent Otieno Okoth
Nairobi City Stars squad vs Wazito
Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge
Defenders: 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu
Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 3. Charles Otieno, 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, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 21. Oliver Maloba, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh
For the second time in a year, but in different seasons, Nairobi City Stars will host Wazito on Thursday 21 October 2021 in a third-round FKF Premier League season at the Thika Stadium starting 3 pm.
Last season, City Stars hosted the same side at Ruaraka in a 23rd round 2020/21 Premier League tie that Wazito went on to win 1-0.
It will only be the third meeting in the Premiership between the two, and City Stars will be keen on a different result considering Wazito completed a double of wins last season.
Wazito is still under the watchful eyes of coach Francis Kimanzi.
Into the game, City Stars sits ninth on the log with three points from their recent 2-0 win over Kenya Police as Wazito is 15th with a single point earned from the first two games of the season.
Nairobi City Stars will host Wazito at Thika Stadium on Thursday 21 and NOT at Ruaraka on Wednesday 20 October 2021 as planned. Kick-off remains at 3 pm.
The shift of the third round 2021/22 FKF Premier League tie was necessitated by the temporary unavailability of Ruaraka to host any league matches.
NEXT MATCH ⏭️ FKF-PL | Round 3
? | Thursday 21st October 2021
? Wazito FC
? | FKF-PL ⏰ | 1500 EAT ? | Thika Stadium#???????ℕ?????? BETTER MUST COME
