07 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Sanneh
Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh during a Betway Cup Round 64 game against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He scored a brace to lead City Stars to a 4-1 win

Striker Sanneh bereaved

September 7, 2021

A cloud of sadness has engulfed Nairobi City Stars following the demise of the mother to Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh. 

Club CEO Patrick Korir issued a statement on the same;

“On behalf of Nairobi City Stars community, I wish to relay our heartfelt condolences to Ebrima Sanneh, his immediate family, and relatives, on the passing on of his beloved mother,”

“As a family, we stand by him and will support him in any way during this hard time.”

Sanneh arrived at City Stars in mid-2014 and went on to feature for the club to the end of the 2015 season. He returned to the club in April 2019 for his second stint and is now looking forward to his sixth season with Simba wa Nairobi.

07 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Amboko, City Stars
Nairobi City Stars coach John Amboko during the opening of CAF B course at KISE on Mon 6 Sept 2021

Amboko heads to class

September 7, 2021

Nairobi City Stars legend and coach John Amboko has returned to class, this time to pursue a Confederation of African Football (CAF) ‘B’ license Diploma.

The course, to be overseen by Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) instructors, as sanctioned by CAF, will be held at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE).

Amboko, at Nairobi City Stars since 2002 – save for 2013 when did a season at AFC Leopards – had this to say on the course;

“I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Nairobi city Stars for sponsoring my CAF B Course,”

“Without your generous contribution, I don’t know how I would have managed it. This means the world to me,”

“This has really eased my financial concerns regarding obtaining the CAF B License. By attending this course I am among the lucky few who were chosen from a list of more than 500 coaches who had wished to attend it,”

“With the knowledge acquired after the 4 months, I believe I will be well equipped to help my team to even perform much better as compared to last season,”

“Once again I really appreciate our chairman Jonathan for touching the hearts of many Nairobians.” added Amboko

Nairobi City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno added his voice to the latest development;

“Adding capacity to our staff is part of our objective and we are happy to step up Amboko’s coaching credentials by facilitating his entry for a CAF ‘B’ course,”

“In 2019 Amboko, as well as Tiellen (Oguta), was sponsored by the club to pursue CAF ‘C’ Diploma which they completed successfully,” added Otieno

The course will span four months; from 6 September to 15 December 2021 and will be conducted in ten (10) modules.

06 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Betway Cup
Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno chase the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Rangers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars won 4-1

Onguso, Okaka leave upon contract expiry

September 6, 2021

Left-back Wesley Onguso and winger Azizi Okaka have left Nairobi City Stars after running down their contracts.

The exit of the two at the end of the season brings the total number of departures to four adding on to left-back Bolton Omwenga who has since been released to join Tanzania’s Kagera Sugar, and defender Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa who left on mutual consent.

Onguso joined City Stars in July 2019 while in the second-tier National Super League (NSL) and was critical to the team promotion to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) at the end of the 2019/20 season.

He renewed his contract for one more season after promotion running it down to the end.

Okaka joined the City Stars stable in January 2020 for half and a full season. He arrived for the second leg of the 2019/20 NSL and is now leaving after a full Premier League season.

Lubowa arrived in September 2020 on a two-year deal but has now returned home to Uganda after reaching an agreement with the club.

“We thank Onguso, Azizi and Lubowa for the services rendered to the Nairobi City Stars for their commitment to the club in the ended year that had great challenges of its own,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“I cannot thank Onguso and Okaka enough for all their professionalism and dedication that led the club to promotion back to the top tier after four seasons, and Lubowa who added punch to the squad after that elevation,”

“Onguso, Okaka, and Lubowa are all great people and I wish them all the very best in their future ventures. Once a Simba wa Nairobi always a Simba wa Nairobi.” concluded Korir

Onguso who was readily available for comment said;

“It has been a superb two seasons that have been with the family of Nairobi city Stars, sometimes it’s not easy to say goodbye to my teammates who are part of my family,”

“But since it’s the end of my contract, we’re parting ways as a family where a father gives a son a leeway to start his family,”

“As for me, it was great working with City Stars hopefully to meet some other time. City Stars will be my home ever. I wish Simba wa Nairobi a great season ahead.” added Onguso

Replacements for the departing players have since been sought and will be announced in due course upon completion of formalities.

Nairobi City Stars

Azizi Okaka in past game at Camp Toyoyo

Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa joins Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal
Photo – Courtesy

03 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Makati, Kola
Ronney Kola (10) and Rawland Makati (14) walking off Jamhuri Park back in May 2021. The two lads are at Nairobi Stima on a season-long loan

City Stars back in training

September 3, 2021

Simba wa Nairobi resumed training on Wednesday 1 September 2021 ahead of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season set to start, as earlier communicated by the Federation, on 25/26 September 2021.

The return to training ends nine days of rest granted to the players after the close of last season soon after the season-ender against KCB on Sunday 22 August 2021.

“We are now back in training after a much-needed rest. The player numbers are good as almost all players are back in town and raring to go,” said coach Amboko

“We will pick it up gradually then up the tempo of the training as the days go by and as we prepare for the season kick-off in under four weeks time.” he added

After light training to the end of the week, the team will take a weekend break before resuming next week for more sessions.

02 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Babu, City Stars
Timothy Ouma of Nairobi City Stars in a game against Mathare United on Tue 2 March 2021 at KAsarani Annex. City Stars won 2-0

Timothy Ouma extends City Stars stay

September 2, 2021

Attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu has extended his Nairobi City Stars stay by another two years following talks with the club management.

The extensions will see Babu remain in Simba wa Nairobi books till June 2025.

The youngster joined City Stars from July 2020 on an initial three-year deal till the end of June 2023.

Chapa Dimba MVP confirmed at City Stars

“We have had successful talks and are glad that Timothy has agreed to stay on for a further two years till mid-2025,”

“He signed an initial three-year deal last year and had a stellar first season in the premier league featuring in 24 of 33 games. He is maturing well and finding a place in the main team,”

“With an improved and extended contract, Ouma can now settle and focus better on his game.” said club CEO Patrick Korir

Ouma is a former Laiser Hill star and the 2020 Chapa Dimba Rift Valley MVP.

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