Mike Madoya
Mike Madoya

Madoya, Wanjala join Simba wa Nairobi

Left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala and forward Michael Idovolo Madoya have joined Nairobi City Stars on three- and one-year deals, respectively.

Decha joins in from Nzoia Sugar where he had been for the past four seasons as Madoya onboards from league champions Tusker, his workstation for the last three years.

“Wanjala is a direct replacement for Bolton Omwenga who left the club to pursue other interests as Madoya takes up the slot vacated by Azizi Okaka who exited the club at the expiry of this contract at season end,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“Wanjala still had a contract with Nzoia Sugar but, after successful negotiations, he was allowed to leave and join Simba wa Nairobi. We thank Nzoia Sugar for being very professional in the discussions and for having the interest of the player at heart,”

“Madoya joins in after being freed up by Tusker and, we believe, given his experience, will add the right punch up front,”

“He now links up with his former Zoo FC teammate Kipkirui. The two had a lethal combination back in the 2017 season for Zoo and a revisit of that partnership played a big part in his acquisition.” Added Korir

Wanjala will don jersey 26 that belonged to Bolton as Madoya settles for his preferred jersey number 5.

Muyoti, Jackson
Nicholas Muyoti being unveiled as the new Nairobi City Stars coach by club chair Jonathan Jackson

Nicholas Muyoti joins Nairobi City Stars

Nairobi City Stars has appointed Nicholas Ndubi Muyoti, 45, as head coach.  

Muyoti, a former Kenya captain, capped 17 times for the national team between 2001 and 2004, joins City Stars on a three-year deal.

He will be assisted by club legend John Amboko who handled the club from mid-July 2021 after the exit of Bosnian Sanjin Alagic at the expiry of his contract and two-year tenure.

Muyoti, a former assistant coach at AFC Leopards, and head coach at Oserian, Zetech University, Thika United, and Nzoia Sugar, joins Simba wa Nairobi after three years at Premiership side Kakamega Homeboyz.

“Muyoti is a skill and performance-based coach known for his leadership and good relationship with players from the young to the senior ones,” said club chair Jonathan Jackson

“He became the best fit for Simba wa Nairobi as the club has a balanced squad full of youth and experienced players,”

“I take this opportunity to usher him to Nairobi City Stars.” Added Jonathan

Club CEO Patrick Korir added his voice to Muyoti’s arrival stating:

“We were made aware of his availability at a time when we were looing through a pile of applications from both local and foreign coaches,”

“His recent track record where he made Homeboyz a formidable side in the last three seasons with a top-seven finish in all instances, as well as his great personality, became our attraction point,”

“Most importantly, Muyoti is known for his voluntary service to the community which directly aligns with the strong pillars of the Jonathan Jackson Foundation that manages Nairobi City Stars,”

“It goes to say that in many fronts he suited the Nairobi City Stars family.” added Korir

In taking up the role, Muyoti had this to say:

‘I would like to thank the chair Jonathan for the opportunity and for the confidence he has shown in me to coach Nairobi City Stars,”

“When I left my last workstation, I was to seek an opportunity outside the country but when the possibility to join City Stars came by I had to change my plans,”

“That possibility turned to reality, and it excites me to be part of Simba wa Nairobi, a club full of stability and ambitions. I believe that together, we will achieve the set targets,” said Muyoti

Muyoti has already been introduced to the entire Nairobi City Stars setup from the players to the rest of the technical bench, as well as the entire management including the Foundation.

Steve Njunge has joined Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal
Steve Njunge has joined Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal

Njunge, Abich feted at Gala night

Stephen Njunge and Noah Abich were, on the evening of Tuesday 14 September 2021, were recognized as the joint runners-up goalkeeper and runners-up team manager of the year during the FKF Premier league gala-night.

Njunge, who had a stellar season with Nairobi City Stars in the ended 2020-21 season after clocking the full 33 games and amassing a total of 2,970 minutes, took home Kshs 300,000 for his achievement.

Abich, who led Simba wa Nairobi to promotion in the 2019/20 season before taking up a role on the technical bench, took home Kshs 200,000 and a trophy.

“The recognition I received challenges me to work even harder,” said the soft-spoken Steve who managed 11 clean sheets, one short of winner James Saruni of Ulinzi who took home Kshs 500,000

“It’s exciting and I wish to thank all my team members for making it happen,” added Njunge

Abich, who interestingly always referred to himself across the season as the ‘Team Manager of the year’, said;

“This is a good surprise that was only made possible by the contribution of everyone in the team. I appreciate it but I wish to thank all in the team for making it possible.” he said from Kisumu where he is attending a CAF ‘C’ course

Full list of awards

MVP

Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)- Sh 1,000,000

MVP Nominees: Eugene Asike, Henry Meja (both Tusker), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)

Midfielder of the year:

1.       Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)- Sh 300,000

2.       Kevin Kimani (Wazito)- Sh 200,000

3.       Jackson Macharia (Tusker)- Sh 100,000

Defender of the year: 

1.       Eugene Asike (Tusker)– Sh 300,000

2.       Nashon Alembi (KCB)- Sh 200,000

3.       David Kalama (Bidco)- Sh 100,000

Coach of the year:

1.       Robert Matano (Tusker) – Sh 500,000

2.       Zedekiah Otieno (KCB)– Sh 300,000

3.       Andre Casambungo (Bandari)– Sh 150,000

Assistant referee of the year

  1. Margaret Muthoni- Sh 300,000
  2. Gilbert Cheruyoit- Sh 200,000
  3. Samuel Kuria- Sh 100,000

Referee of the year

  1. Peter Waweru- Sh 300,000
  2. Anthony Ogwayo- Sh 200,000
  3. Davis Omweno – Sh 100,000

Digital Team of the Year

  1. Tusker FC (Timothy Olobulu)- Sh 200,000
  2. Bandari FC- Sh 150,000
  3. Kariobangi Sharks- Sh 100,000

Fair play award

  1. Kariobangi Sharks- Sh 300,000
  2. Tusker FC-Sh 200,000
  3. KCB FC-Sh 100,000

Team Manager of the Year

  1. George Opondo (Tusker)– Sh 300,000
  2. Noah Abich (Nairobi City Stars)Sh 200,000
  3. Moses Jobita (Western Stima)– Sh 100,000

Young Player of the year

  1. Henry Meja (Tusker)– Sh 300,000
  2. Lawrence Luvanda (Vihiga United)– Sh 200,000
  3. Sylvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz)- Sh 100,000

Golden Boot 

  1. Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)-24 goals – Sh 500,000
  2. Elvis Rupia (AFC LEopards)-17 goals– Sh 300,000
  3. Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)-16 goals– Sh 150,000

Golden Glove (Best keeper)

  1. James Saruni  (Ulinzi Stars) – Sh 500,000
  2.  Steve Njunge (Nairobi City Stars)/Joseph Okoth (KCB FC) – Sh 300,000

President’s Award: Rosemary Aluoch Kadondi (deceased) – Sh 500,000

Noah Abich
An attentive Noah Abich during a month-long CAF 'C' Diploma course that kicked off in Kisumu on Mon 13 Sep 2021

Abich, Zachary the latest to attend CAF ‘C’ course

Noah Otieno Abich and Zachary Onyango are the latest Nairobi City Stars coaches’ to head to class to attend a Confederation of African Football (CAF) ‘C’ coaching course.

Abich and Onyango, assistant and goal-keeping coaches at Simba wa Nairobi, respectively, follow in the footsteps of John Amboko and Tiellen Oguta who attended the same CAF ‘C’ back in October 2019.

Amboko has since stepped up his search for vital paperwork to attend an ongoing CAF ‘B’ course.

“We are happy to see our coaches build their capacity by attending such courses,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“The two are the latest to be sponsored by Jonathan Jackson Foundation which is in line with their training and education pillar,”

“While I thank the foundation for coming forward to support the coaching staff, I urge all of them to be attentive and take up such rare opportunities to learn the most that they can to become better coaches now and in future.” added Sam

Abich and Onyango kicked off their month-long course in Kisumu on Monday 13 September 2021 and will be off duty for the entirety of the program.

City Stars, Kimbo FC
Nairobi City Stars in a friendly game against Kimbo FC at Githurai 44 on Sat 11 Sept 2021. City Stars won 5-0

Friendly fire: City Stars overcome Kimbo FC

Nairobi City Stars took out Kimbo FC 5-0 in the first preseason friendly played at Giturai 44 on Saturday 11 September 2021.

Three first-half goals by John Kamau, Vincent Otieno Okoth, and Ezekiel Odera in the fourth, 16th, and 33rd minutes, off assists by Timothy Ouma (corner), Odera, and Herit Mungai (passes), saw Simba wa Nairobi lead 3-0 at halftime.

Two more goals by Rowland Makati and Nicholas Kipkirui in the 79th and 87th minutes, off assists by Kevin Okumu (freekick) and Edwin Buliba (header), ended the contest.

The game handed incoming coach Nicholas Muyoti his first glimpse of the team ahead of the new season that sets off on Saturday 25 September 2021.

City Stars 1st half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno, 9. Vincent Otieno, 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

City Stars 2nd half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 19. Kevin Okumu, 27. Lennox Ogutu, Boniface Mwangemi (guest), 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 29. Ebrima Sanneh