23 Oct 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink

Fans allowed back to Stadia

October 23, 2021

After close to a year out, fans will now be allowed into stadia to support their favorite sports teams.

The good news was revealed officially via a statement from the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary (CS) Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohammed on Saturday 23 October 2021.

“Following the H.E the President’s announcement on revising the Covid-19 protocols and subsequent discussions between the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed and the CS for Health Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, spectators will now be allowed into stadiums. Event organizers are expected to ensure they utilize upto 2/3rds capacity of the stadia,’ read part of the statement from the Sports Ministry

The news was received well by Nairobi City Stars and, speaking on behalf of the team, coordinator Samson Otieno said;

“We last had fans at our games in March 2020 at Camp Toyoyo. But from mid that month, the novel coronavirus pandemic brought a halt to sporting activities,”

“When the games resumed in late November of the same year, we were under strict instructions not to allow any fans to our games,”

“For an entire year we got used to playing in empty stadia but now that that has since been lifted, we welcome all our fans back to watch and cheer the team on. It’s now their time to reactivate a connection with the team and to push them to better performance this season,” added Samson

The announcement, of open doors to fans, comes a day before Nairobi City Stars ‘hosts’ Thika-based Bidco United at the Thika Stadium on Sunday 24 October 2021 starting at 1 pm.

Fans cheering City Stars at Hope Centre in a past game. They have been called on for a game at Camp Toyoyo

22 Oct 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kenedy Vidic Onyango, City Stars
City Stars stopper Kenedy 'Vidic' Onyango clebrates his maiden league goal during a 3-1 win over Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium

Onyango excited after maiden City Stars goal

October 22, 2021

After completing the 2020/21 Premier League season at Nairobi City Stars goal-less, center-half Kenedy Vidic Onyango was a worried man.

But that changed in the third game of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season when he opened the scores to lead Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-1 beating of Wazito at the Thika Stadium.

Vidic, donning the armband from the 67th minute following the substitution of field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, powered in a header in the 76th minute, off a freekick from new signing Dennis Decha Wanjala, to activate the scoresheet.

Two minutes later Timothy Babu Ouma doubled matters before Rodgers Okuse Okumu rounded the scores a minute to time.

Wazito’s consolation came between the second and third goals via Michael Owino who had a touch to Amos Asembeka’s long shot in the 81st minute.

“Thanks be to God. I was actually worried for not scoring in the previous campaign even after playing 32 of 33 games,” said Onyango

“It feels nice scoring again. Expect more.” he added

Onyango was the highest-scoring stopper in the 2019/20 Premier league season while at Kakamega Homeboyz.

He then switched stations at the close of that season to land at promoted Simba wa Nairobi.

22 Oct 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
City Stars players celebrate one of three goals scored against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium during a 3rd round 2021/22 FKF Premier League tie. City Stars won 3-1

‘First scorer was to win’ – Muki on Wazito clash

October 22, 2021

On Thursday 21 October 2021, Nairobi City Stars put aside six straight losses to Wazito FC, to register a 3-1 win at Thika Stadium during a match day three tie in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League.

All four goals were scored within a 13-minute blitz towards the end of the game.

“This was a game where the first team to score would go on to win it,’ added field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani

“That explains why we had an early purpose and were in their box severally within the opening minutes of the game. But their keeper (Lazarazu Bixente) did very well saving most of our attempts and keeping them in the game,”

“After the early misses, we had to regroup to score that first goal that eventually got us to the first-ever win,”

“Last season Wazito did a double on us and this time we were more than determined to stop that trend from the seasons before.” added Muki

Stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango scored the opening goal on 76 minutes – his maiden goal at City Stars – with a power header off Dennis Wanjala’s freekick.

That opened the floor for Timothy Babu Ouma to double matters just two minutes later in what was his third goal in as many matches.

Rodgers Okuse Okumu added the final one a minute to time. Eric Ombija provided assists for the last two goals.

Wazito’s consolation came between the second and third goals via Michael Owino who had a touch to Amos Asembeka’s long shot in the 81st minute.

Muki clocked the first 67 minutes in the game. He handed over the armband to Onyango after Charles Chale Otieno took up his place on the pitch.

22 Oct 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Wanjala, Decha, Lennox, Wazito, City Stars
City Stars defenders Dennis Wanjala (26) and LEnnox Ogutu (27) eyeing the ball in a game against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021. City Stars won it 3-1 at Thika Stadium

Lennox on his City Stars debut

October 22, 2021

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.

21 Oct 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Timothy Babu Ouma, City Stars
Timothy Ouma in action against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium. He scored once as Nairobi City Stars hit their visitors 3-1

City Stars knock out Wazito

October 21, 2021

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.

— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 21, 2021

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.

Lineups

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

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Wazito: 77. Lazarazu Bixente, 44. Johnstone Omurwa, 24. Maurice Ojuang, 33. Levian Odhiambo (17. Tyson Otieno-86), 4. Amos Ekhalie (12. Fidel Origa-46), 21. Amos Asembeka, 11. Cliff Nyakeya (Vincent Oburu-72), 8. James Kinyanjui, 16. Ellie Asieche-captain (30. Erickson Mulu-90+), 28. Eric Gichimu (9. Michael Owino-72)

Unused subs: 40. Zamu Adisa, 18. Levis Aet, 3. Swaleh Pamba, 15. Dennis Sikhayi

Coach: Francis Kimanzi

Match Officials

Yellow cards

86′-3.Charles Otieno (City Stars)

84′-7. Vincent Oburu (Wazito)

63′-19. Kevin Okumu (City Stars)

60′ – 11. Cliff Nyakeya (Wazito)

33′ – 33. Levian Odhiambo (Wazito)

22′- 30. Anthony Kimani (City Stars)

20′-88.Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito)

Goals

76′-25. Kenedy Onyango (City Stars)

78′-20. Timothy Noor Ouma (City Stars)

80′-9. Michael Owino (Wazito)

89′-7.Rodgers Okumu (City Stars

Man of the match: 20. Timothy Noor Babu Ouma (Nairobi City Stars)

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