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)

26 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Sven Yidah takes on a Sofapaka player during a round 9 Premier League game played at Wundanyi Stadium on Sat 23 Jan 2021. Sofapaka won 1-0

Head-to-head: Sofapaka (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2021-22 FKF-PL season

September 26, 2021

On Sunday 26 September 2021, starting 3 pm, Nairobi City Stars will be away to Sofapaka for a tenth time in the Kenyan Premier League at Wundanyi in Taita Taveta.

The upcoming game will be played at the same venue where City Stars visited in January during a match day nine clash in the 2020-21 season.

Sofapaka won that game 1- 0 to make it a sixth win in nine games over visiting City Stars.

In the upcoming game head coach Nicholas Muyoti will be making his touchline debut for Simba wa Nairobi, as the club seeks only its third win away to Sofapaka. City Stars has won twice on the road against Sofapaka and drawn once.

City Stars two away wins are identical 2-1 wins in 2009 and 2014 at Nyayo Stadium and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The first win was in the first-ever premier league meeting between the two sides back on 27 September A brace from Ugandan hitman Jimmy Bageya, off two assists from Colins Tiego, handed City Stars a 2-1 win. John Baraza scored the consolation for Sofapaka.

In 2014, first-half goals by Dennis Ng’ang’a and Ugandan George Abege, off two assists from Kevin Master Ochieng, led to the win. Sofapaka responded in the second half through Anthony Ndolo.

“We know what we are coming up against, but we are ready. The team has prepared well and is raring to go in the upcoming season opener,” said coach Muyoti

Overall Sofapaka vs City Stars Premier League games: 18 (Sofapaka-9 Wins, City Stars-5 wins, Draws-4)

Sofapaka home games vs City Stars: 9 (Sofapaka-6 Wins, City Stars-2 wins, Draws-1)

* First score for Sofapaka, second for City Stars

27-Sep-09, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2 (W)
8-Jun-10, Sofapaka vs City Stars, City Stadium, 3-0 (L)
8-Aug-11, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
7-Apr-12, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (L)
30-Aug-13, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium 3-0 (L)
29-Mar-14, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 1-2 (W)
3-Aug-15, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 2-0 (L)
7-Aug-16, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 5-0 (L)

23-Jan-21, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Wundanyi 1-0 (L)

26-Sep-21, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Wundanyi ??

25 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Coach Sanjin Alagic and his City Stars players at Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021 during a match day 9 against Sofapaka. The hosts won the game 1-0

Eight changes as City Stars return to Wundanyi

September 25, 2021

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti has named his 20-man squad for the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season opener away to Wundayi against home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021.

Off-season signing Dennis Wanjala, a left-back, made the cut and is in line for his debut – just as coach Muyoti – for Nairobi City Stars.

Wanjala is one of many changes from the 18-man squad that faced off with Sofapaka at the same venue back in January.

Left-footed Herit Mungai, striker Ebrima Sanneh, forward Davis Agesa, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, attacking-mid Oliver Maloba, and winger Azizi Okaka, who has since left the club, are some of the players missing the trip.

In their place are, other than Wanjala, left-footed John Kamau, utility back Edwin Buliba, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, forward Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, overall captain Calvin Masawa, as well as striker Nicholas Kipkirui and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

The January visit had seen Buliba and Muki miss out due to a thigh and shoulder injury, respectively, as Masawa, Kamau and Jamaica stayed back for tactical reasons. Chumsy and Kipkirui were yet to join the team.

20-man squad to face Sofapaka on Sun 26 Sept 2021

Goalkeepers: 23. Stephen Njunge, 16. Jacob Osano

Defenders: 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau

Midfielders: 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno

Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth,

Not considered: 21. Oliver Maloba, 6. Ronney Kola & 22. Wycliffe Otieno (all injured), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai14. Rowland Makati, 5. Michael Madoya, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa, 1. Elvis Ochoro,

19 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Pinchez
Peter Opiyo of City Stars looking at available options against Western Stima during a round 20 clash played at Ruaraka on Tue 15 Jun 2021. City Stars won 2-0

Another season for Opiyo

September 19, 2021

After a stellar 2020/21 season, mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo has renewed his contract at Nairobi City Stars for yet another term.

Pinchez joined Simba wa Nairobi in January 2020 for a season and a half, then penned a new one-season deal after the club earned a promotion to the Kenyan Premier League.

And now, at the end of the first premier league season for City Stars in four years, Pinchez is staying on for yet another season.

“He was a key performer in the ended season. Other than top scorer with seven goals plus two assists, he picked up five MVP awards which was the most by any player,”

“Besides, his leadership and mentorship had a direct bearing on most of the young players in the team in terms of performance. All-round he is a great asset and a big plus to City Stars.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

At the end of that season where Opiyo emerged as one of the top performers, top-scoring with seven goals and earning five most valuable accolades, the former Kenyan international opted for yet another season.

In the just-ended season, Pinchez featured in 25 of 33 games clocking 2,249 minutes.

Nairobi City Stars

Peter Pinchez Opiyo celebrates his goal off a freekick against Ulinzi Stars in a round 8 Premier League tie at Utalii on Sat 16 Jan 2021

Nairobi City Stars

Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal by Peter Opiyo as Simba wa Nairobi beat Western Stima at Moi Stadium on Wed 23 Feb 2021 in a round 13 Premier League game

19 Sep 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Kevin 'Chumsy' Okumu in action during a round 64 Betway Cup clash against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He had an assist as City Stars won the duel 4-1

Chumsy makes it permanent

September 19, 2021

Right fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu is at Nairobi City Stars to stay after converting his half-season loan from Wazito FC to a permanent two-year deal.

Chumsy, 23, first joined Nairobi City Stars in July 2016 and exited the club after four seasons to join Wazito in August 2020 after the expiry of his contract.

Due to minimal playtime, he made a return to Simba wa Nairobi in mid-February 2021, on loan, and went on feature in all games – save for just two – from match days 12 to 33 clocking a total of 1,792 minutes.

“Along the way Chumsy realized the City Stars environment fitted him well and it is where he scaled and will continue to improve his game,”

“He made the right choice in staying on permanently to a family that understands him perfectly well and brings out the best in him,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

Chumsy scored on his debut for City Stars against Zoo FC and went on to add his second season goal against Gor Mahia in a reverse tie.

He was named the most valuable player twice and ended the season with two assists.

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