07 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Edwin Mukolwe during warmup against Kariobangi Sharks in Police Sacco Stadium on Sat 2 March 2024

Edwin Mukolwe on Sharks stalemate

March 7, 2024

On Saturday 2 March 2024, Nairobi City Stars visited Kariobangi Sharks in a matchday 23, 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Police Sacco Stadium, and forced a 0-0 draw.

The outcome of the game could have been different but Simba wa Nairobi goalkeeper pulled of a massive coup on Sharks attempt to win the game by saving a Johnmark Makata penalty with just about ten minutes of play left.

In saving that spot kick, and topping up on other daring saves in the first half, Mukolwe went on to be named man of the match for a second time this season.

He talked up the immediate past game, and the plot in the upcoming one against his immediate former team Bidco United.

“It was a good push from the team. We wanted maximum points but are grateful for the point. Focus now shifts to the next assignment against Bidco United where we hope to bounce back to winning ways. We aim to improve day by day, one game at a time,”

Prior to the Sharks clash, City Stars had gone down 1-0 to reigning champions Gor Mahia in Machakos the previous weekend.

“Against Sharks, the boys gave a good account of themselves, bouncing back from that disappointing loss,” added Mukolwe

Mukolwe, in his first season with Simba wa Nairobi, has so far featured in half of the games this season – 17 – on his way to clocking 1,530 regular time minutes.

He has twice been named MVP – against Bandari in matchday 14 apart from the recent one against Sharks, and has eight clean sheets to his name.

In matchday 14, Mukolwe made it to the team of the week.

Edwin Mukolwe

Edwin Mukolwe in action against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on 13 Jan 2024. City stars won the game 1-0

05 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Mohammed Bajaber
Mohammed Bajaber against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 2 March 2024 in Police Sacco Stadium during a matchday 23, 2023-24 FKF Premier League season match

Mohammed Bajaber’s first 90

March 5, 2024

After sitting out three games, forward Mohammed Bajaber returned to the Nairobi City Stars lineup on Saturday 2 March 2024 against Kariobangi Sharks and went on to register his first full 90-minute Kenyan Premier League game.

Bajaber had sat out games against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia but returned to the starting lineup for the tenth time this season, against Sharks.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, especially after a recent injury. I had to do a lot of extra work to get my fitness up and I am happy it has brought about my first full premier league game,” said the player crowned Simba wa Nairobi’s January player of the month

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti chipped in on Mohammed’s milestone stating;

“He worked for it during recent friendlies and we were convinced that his performance has reached a point where he could stretch across a full game. And he proved it in the Sharks game,”

“Mentally he needs to know that he is a 90-minute player and should pyschologically prepare to complete more games.” said Muyoti

In returning against Sharks, Bajaber earned his 17th game this season, to improve his regular time minutes to 877. Overall, it was his 33rd premiership game.

In his previous 16 games in the last two seasons, Bajaber earned only three starts and 13 sub appearances.

04 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Obed Nyamweya
Nairobi City Stars Game Analyst and Psychologist Obed Nyamweya

Obed Nyamweya talks up journey from last season

March 4, 2024

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

02 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink

MD23: Kariobangi Sharks 0 Nairobi City Stars 0

March 2, 2024

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: –

02 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
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)

March 2, 2024

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, ??

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