28 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Lennox Ogutu
Central midfielder Lennox Ogutu completing his paperwork at Nairobi City Stars

Lennox the final signing

September 28, 2021

Stopper Lennox Ogutu, 24, is the third and final Nairobi City Stars signing in the current transfer window.

Ogutu penned a three-year contract and comes in from Mathare United where he had been for the last six seasons.

His arrival adds competitiveness to the backline that has four other stoppers; Salim Shitu Abdalla, Kenedy Vidic Onyango, Wycliffe Wiked Otieno, and utility Edwin Malebo Buliba.

“Lennox adds the coach more selection options for the coach as well as solidify the backline,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“Other than his physicality and ball handling, Lennox is also well known for attending to dead balls which is an extra that he brings to the team. We welcome him on board,” added Sam

On his part, Lennox said; “It’s a new challenge being in a new home and I am looking forward to having a good season and helping the team achieve something,”

Left-back Dennis Wanjala and attacker Michael Madoya are the other new faces at Nairobi City Stars.

Lennox will don jersey no. 27.

The complete 30-man City Stars squad for the 2021-22 season

Goalkeepers: 23. Stephen Njunge, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano

Defenders: 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai, 22. Wycliffe Otieno

Midfielders: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 5. Michael Madoya, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 21. Oliver Maloba

Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 24. Erick Ombija, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 11. Davis Agesa

28 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
City Stars left back Herit Mungai challenges a Homeboyz player during an eleventh round Premier League tie at Bukhungu Stadium on Sat 6 Feb 2021. Homeboyz won 2-0

Herit extends City Stars stay

September 28, 2021

Left-footed Herit Atariza Mungai will stay on at Nairobi City Stars for yet another season after extending his contract for one more year. 

Herit, a left channel operator, joined Simba wa Nairobi in October 2020 for the 2020-21 season from second-tier side Coast Stima.

“I am humbled to stay on for yet another season at Nairobi City Stars. I look forward to a better one ahead.” Said Herit

Team coordinator Samson Otieno was excited by Herit’s decision to remain at Simba wa Nairobi;

“He is a hard worker and humble player. He was key to the team at the start of last season and was impactful thereafter when called upon from the bench,”

“We are happy to have him for yet another season as he gives the coach more options to the left-back and left-wing positions.” Added Otieno

In the ended season, Herit clocked 1,060 minutes gathered from 17 of 33 games. He started 11 times and went on to complete nine of them.

27 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Timothy 'Babu' Ouma
Timothy Ouma at Wundanyi Stadium on Sun 26 Sept 2021 in the opening game of the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season. He scored his debut topflight goal as City Stars lost the game 3-1

‘Babu’ revels in debut top-flight goal

September 27, 2021

Finally, teenager Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu got his Kenyan Premier League goal. 

This was as Nairobi City Stars kicked off its 2021-22 FKF Premier League campaign on Sunday 26 September 2021 away to Sofapaka in Wundayi, Taita Taveta.

City Stars lost the game 3-1 but one of the positives from Simba wa Nairobi was Babu’s goal in the 86th minute that sliced the scoreline to 2-1 before the home team added a last one in added time to carry the day.

“Before the game, I had told the CEO (Patrick Korir) I was determined to kick off the season with a goal,”

“It’s a good feeling to have scored even though the team did not win the game,”

“That was just the opening goal and I believe there are many more goals in me to score this season.” added the Laiser Hill alumnus

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti added his voice to Babu’s historic goal;

“It was a very good goal from him. It showed a lot of confidence.”

In the Sunday game, Timothy was a second-half substitute for field captain Anthony Muki Kimani at the hour mark alongside Peter Opiyo and Erick Ombija who came on for his sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Rodgers Okuse Okumu, respectively.

Last season Ouma featured in 24 of 33 games earning ten starts and went on to complete three games. He went on to clock 935 minutes in his first top-flight season.

He had three assists and was twice named the MVP in games against Tusker and Posta Rangers towards season-end.

27 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nicholas Muyoti
Nicholas Muyoti in Wundanyi during the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season opener against home team Sofapaka on Sun 26 Sept 2021

Muyoti: Losing start an eye opener

September 27, 2021

Nairobi City Stars had a false start to the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season after going down 3-1 to home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021 away to Sofapaka in Wundayi, Taita Taveta.

It was a debut game for head coach Nicholas Muyoti who took over the reins of the team in the offseason.

While he was obviously disappointed with the result, Muyoti states the mistakes were duly noted and will be rectified before the next assignment.

“Bad start, but a very good eye-opener,” he said before adding; “We have time to work on our mistakes before our next match,”

“At least we managed to pull a goal back and I am optimistic that the next result will be positive,” he added

As per the league calendar, the league takes an international break after the opening weekend to allow the national team adequately prepare for two 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

City Stars next premier league assignment is on Sunday 17 October 2021 against promoted Kenya Police at Ruaraka starting 3 pm.

26 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Sofapaka, Okuse
Nairobi City Stars winger Rodgers Okumu takes on a Sofapaka player during the 2021-22 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 26 Sept 2021 in Wundayi. Sofapaka won the game 3-1

False start against Sofapaka

September 26, 2021

Nairobi City Stars went down 3-1 to home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021 in a 2021-22 FKF Premier League matchday one tie played in Wundanyi.

Sofapaka carried a 1-0 lead to the break after a breakout Joe Waithira goal in the 40th minute off an assist from the left by Ambrose Sifuna.

They doubled the lead through skipper Lawrence Juma in the 80th minute via a penalty he won after being adjudged to have been fouled by Kevin Okumu in the box. Juma had raced down a long throw from his keeper Kelvin Omondi from mid-pitch into the box.

Substitute Timothy Babu Ouma pulled one back for Simba wa Nairobi in the 86th minute – his debut goal in the premier league – after chesting down a Kevin Chumsy Okumu delivery before firing low at the far post.

In stoppage time an unmarked Alex Imbusia slammed ball home, off a fed from Waithira,  from the edge of the box to end the contest at 3-1.

It was Sofapaka’s seventh win over City Stars in ten home games since year 2009.

City Stars had two debutants; head coach Nicholas Muyoti on the touchline and left-back Dennis Wanjala who joined in the off-season from Nzoia Sugar.

Next up for City Stars is an away game to newly promoted Kenya Police on Sunday 17 October 2021 at Ruaraka grounds starting 3pm.

Lineups:

Sofapaka: 35. Kevin Omondi, 20. Titus Achesa, 27. Stephen Okola, 6. David Nshimiramana, 11. Ambrose Sifuna, 10. Roy Okal, 66. Sebastian Sunday, 17. Alex Imbusia, 40. David King’atua, 16. Joe Waithira, 23. Lawrence Juma

Unused subs: Namasaka, Bernard, Nixon Omondi

Head coach: Kenedy Odhiambo

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (10. Peter Opiyo-60), 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (20. Timothy Ouma-60), 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-70), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 7. Rodgers Okumu (24. Erick Ombija-60)

Unused: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 3. Charles Otieno

Did not travel: 21. Oliver Maloba, 6. Ronney Kola & 22. Wycliffe Otieno (all injured), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai, 14. Rowland Makati, 5. Michael Madoya, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa, 1. Elvis Ochoro,

Head coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Yellow cards

Sofapaka: 11. Ambrose Sifuna (34), 16. Joe Waithira (52), 20. Titus Achesa (65)

Nairobi City Stars: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (38), 19. Kevin Okumu (81)

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