26 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ombija
Striker Erick Ombija on the ball against Ulinzi Stars during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

Nairobi City Stars 2020/21 Premier League season in numbers

August 26, 2021

Nairobi City Stars returned to the Kenyan Premier, for the first time in four years, to feature in the 2020/21 topflight season.

Summed up, here’s Simba wa Nairobi’s season in numbers:

0 (zero)

  • Points collected from Wazito and KCB all season.
  • Number of goals scored from corners, and conceded

1

  • Number of goals scored by stopper Salim Shitu Abdallah during the first game of the second leg as City Stars whipped Sofapaka 3-0
  • Times Shitu was named Player of the Week; after round 18 game against Sofapaka. He was the only City Stars player to be named Player of the Week this season.
  • Points earned from Bidco United and outgoing champions Gor Mahia
  • Times Sven Yidah made it to the team of the week (round 5)

2

  • Goals scored by fullbacks Bolton Omwenga and Kevin Chumsy Okumu, as well as roving forwards Oliver Maloba and Rodgers Okuse Okumu
  • Penalties saved by keeper Stephen Njunge; against Nzoia Sugar in season opener and Kakamega Homeboyz in the second leg
  • Number of games Jimmy Bageya featured in during his sixth stint with the club. He exited in January
  • Points earned against Posta Rangers and Vihiga United

3

  • Number of MVP accolades earned by Kennedy Vidic Onyango
  • Starts by utility back Edwin Buliba. He completed two games on his debut Premier League season
  • Direct freekicks scored; by Peter Pinchez Opiyo (vs Ulinzi Stars) field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani (vs Tusker), Botlon Omwenga (vs Ulinzi Stars)
  • Times head coach Sanjin Alagic was named the coach of the week; after match days 18, 21 and 25
  • Points gathered from Kariobangi Sharks, AFC Leopards, Zoo FC, Mathare United, Kakamega Homeboyz and Sofapaka.
  • Most straight losses; match days 9-11 against Sofapaka (1-0), Kariobangi Sharks (2-1), Kakamega Homeboyz (2-0)

4

  • Goals scored by three of our strikers; Nicholas Kipkirui, Erick Ombija and Ezekiel Odera, as well as Muki
  • Number of MVP accolades earned by Muki, Shitu and Sven Yidah across the season. The second highest
  • Assists by Muki. Second highest
  • Times left-back Bolton Omwenga (rounds 18,20,25,29) and keeper Stephen Njunge (rounds 3, 13, 21, 28) made it to the team of the week
  • points scooped from eventual champions Tusker, Ulinzi Stars and Bandari

5

  • Times Peter Pinchez Opiyo was named MVP. The highest
  • Number of yellows collected by Pinchez, Shitu, Vidic, Chumsy and Muki
  • Number of 2-0 margin wins; vs Nzoia Sugar (H), Bandari (H), Mathare United (H), Ulinzi Stars (A)
  • Straight wins achieved at the start of the second leg. Was a new record never achieved in 12 previous premier league seasons between 2004 and, 2016.
  • Number of players who made their second premier league debut for City Stars; Maloba, Odera, overall team captain Calvin Masawa and Bageya – all of whom were part of the relegated team in 2016, as well as Muki who was returning to City Stars since 2009

6

  • Number of assists by bullish forward Davis Beast Agesa; one more than last season. The highest
  • Points collected in home and away games against Western Stima and Nzoia United
  • Teams City Stars met for the first time ever in the Premier League: Nzoia Sugar, Bidco United, Vihiga United, Zoo FC, Kariobangi Sharks and, Wazito.

7

  • Goals scores by Pinchez to emerge as the top scorer this season
  • Positional finish at the close of the season in the 17-team table
  • Number of games handled by John Amboko – the last set of games to season-end – after the exit of Sanjin Alagic due to expiry of his contract
  • Games earned by former Hakati striker Vincent Jamaica Otieno

8

  • Number of one-goal margin wins; 5 ended 2-1 [vs Zoo FC (H), Kariobangi Sharks (A), Western Stima (H), AFC Leopards (H) another three ended in 1-0 wins (vs Homeboyz (H), Nzoia Sugar (A), Tusker (A)]
  • Wins registered in 16 second leg games

9

  • Starts by teenager Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu. He completed three games
  • Games completed by stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno and Davis Beast Agesa
  • Number of draws. Five ended as 1-1 [v Vihiga United (H), Posta Rangers (A), Ulinzi Stars (H), Bandari (A), Gor Mahia (H), and two each ended as 0-0 [vs Bidco United (A), Vihiga United (A)] and 2-2 [vs Tusker (H), Posta Rangers (H)]
  • Venues visited this season; Wundanyi-Taveta, Mbaraki-Mombasa, Moi Stadium-Kisumu, Bukhungu-Kakamega (once each), ASK Showground-Nakuru (twice), Narok Stadium (three times), Kasarani Annex and Utalii (seven times each) and Ruaraka (ten times)
  • Number of games City Stars failed to score; in five 1-0 losses to KCB (A), AFC Leopards (A), Sofapaka (A), Gor Mahia (A) and Wazito (A), and in 2-0 losses to Kakamega Homeboyz (A) & Mathare United (A), in 3-0 loss to KCB (H), 0-0 losses to Bidco United (A), Vihiga United (A)

11

  • Number of players that scored this season; Shitu, Omwenga, Chumsy (defenders), Sven, Maloba, Okuse, Pinchez, Muki (midfielders), Kipkirui, Ombija and Odera (strikers)
  • Clean sheets by keeper Stephen Njunge. The second best in the league
  • Starts earned by left back Herit Mungai. He completed nine
  • Games earned by striker Ebrima Sanneh who missed the first three months of the season due to ijury.

12

  • Number of players in the 30-man squad of the season that had no Premier League experience. 8 went on to make their bow
  • Wins amassed this season – two short of the tally of 14 – the highest ever in 13 premier league season achieved in the 2004/5.

15, 18 – number of times young keeper Elvis Ochoro and Jacob Osano, respectively, were named as reserves

22 – number of incomplete games by field skipper Muki. He started in 28 games but, as a tactic, exited in 21. He came on as a sub once.

24

  • Times Masawa stayed on the bench as a utility reserve. The most in the season
  • Times John Kamau was left out of the overall squad. he returned strongly to make the squad in the final six games of the season

25 – Average age of the squad that featured in the ended 2020/21 premier league season

29

  • Times Muki captained the team
  • Number of players used across the season

30 – Goals conceded this season: 3 freekicks (10%), 4 penalties (13.3%), 23 (76.7%) in open play

36 – Goals scored by 13 players. Distributed as follows; 1 own goal (2.8%), 3 freekicks (8.3%), 5 penalties (13.9%), 27 in open play (75%)

45 – Points amassed in the season from 12 wins and nine draws. Second best points haul since the 55 achieved over 38-games in the 2003-4 season

56 – Days apart from when City Stars played Tusker and Gor Mahia in match days 16 (20 Mar) and 17 (16 May). The long break was necessitated by coronavirus instigated lockdown

59 – number of bookings handed to players across the season; 56 yellow cards and 3 red cards

97% – Percentage of games earned by Vidic . He featured in 32 of 33 games only missing the one due to suspension. He clocked 2,868 minutes.

100% – Percentage of games earned by keeper Stephen Njunge. He featured in all 33 games – the only player to do so at City Stars – featuring in a record 2,970 minutes.

275 – Minutes clocked by defensive-mid Charles Chale Otieno across ten games on his debut season.

608 – Minutes clocked by roving winger Azizi Okaka in 12 games.

935 – Minutes clocked by teenager Timothy Noor Ouma, a Laiser Hill Alumnus, in 24 of 33 games on his debut season

1,012 – Minutes clocked by budding creative midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo across 25 games.

32,684-Cumulative minutes earned by 29 players in the season

500,000 (Kshs) – The bounty that was on the table had team finished in the top five

24 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Bolton Omwenga
Bolton Omwenga

Club statement: Bolton Omwenga

August 24, 2021

Nairobi City Stars has released left back Timothy Bolton Omwenga to join Tanzania Premiership side Kagera Sugar.

Bolton joined Simba wa Nairobi in February 2021 for a season and a half and was key to City Stars top ten premier league finish.

He featured in 22 games since onboarding City Stars completing 20 full games and a total of 2,000 minutes.

“We have reached an agreement with Kagera Sugar and therefore agreed to release him from his contract to allow him pursue a different challenge on the other side,”

“He was a very good servant and very key to our performance. Though we would have wished to keep him for longer, it was also important to allow him take up a good offer. He has our blessings to move on and we wish him the very best.” said club CEO Patrick Korir

On his part Bolton said;

“I have always said you don’t just join a football club, you join the family and long may that tradition continue,”

“My biggest thanks go to my family, The boss @jonathanjackson599, NSC staff, technical staff, teammates and the fans. We have had some fantastic times together,”

“Every single time I stepped out in that shirt I knew I was playing for the badge and for a very special club. My passion for this club will live on and I know you guys will go on to enjoy more success in the coming seasons. Focus remains,”.

“Goodbyes are hard to say. It was great working with each of you—you have truly made a lasting impact on me, and one that has changed me for the better in so many ways. I will miss you all very much.”

At City Stars, Bolton made his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 away loss to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu and went on to feature the rest of the games to the close of the season.

He scored twice with a long range shot against Mathare United, and freekick against Ulinzi Stars – in games where he eventually emerged the Most Valuable Player, and provided three assists in games against Sofapaka, AFC Leopards and Posta Rangers.

Beyond, the former Nzoia United, Kariobangi Sharks, KCB and Biashara United player (Tanzania), was named to the Premier League team of the week on four occasions at the close of rounds 18 (vs Sofapaka), 20 (vs Western Stima), 25 (vs Ulinzi Stars) and 29 (vs AFC Leopards).

Bolton, capped six times of Kenya, was recently recalled to the national team for 2022 World Cup qualifiers in September.

Bolton Omwenga

Bolton Omwenga vs Leopards’ Mugheni on 8 March 2021 at Kasarani Annex

Bolton Omwenga

Bolton Omwenga

Bolton Omwenga

Bolton Omwenga against Vihiga United on 21 July 2021 at the Nakuru ASK Showground

22 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Odera
Nairobi City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera sandwiched by KCB players during the 34th and final FKF Premier League game at Narok Stadium Sun 22 Aug 2021. KCB won it 3-0

City Stars falls at the end

August 22, 2021

Nairobi City Stars wrapped the 2021 FKF Premier League with a 3-0 loss to KCB in a 34th round clash held at Narok Stadium on Sunday 22 August 2021.

The Bankers scored once in the first half and added two more from substitutes more in the second half to hand City Stars their heaviest defeat in the last two seasons.

From a corner, Dennis Odhiambo headed KCB’s first in the 34th minute for a 1-0 halftime lead.

Substitute Curtis Wekesa scored the second in the 70th minute, four minutes after he had come on for Michael Oduor.

With a minute to time, Victor Omondi, a substitute for Reagan Otieno at the half-hour mark, fired a ball low to the far corner to seal the win.

With the loss, and coupled with other season-ending results, City Stars dropped a spot to end the season placed seventh with 45 points.

KCB on their part finished a strong second with 62 points, three off champions Tusker who confirmed their 12th title since 1971 with a 2-1 win over Bidco United.

More to follow

21 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars stopper Kenedy Onyango keeps vigil against two KCB opponents as the two faced off at Kasarani on Fri 4 Dec 2020 in a 2nd round premier league game. KCB won 1-0
City Stars stopper Kenedy Onyango keeps vigil against two KCB opponents as the two faced off at Kasarani on Fri 4 Dec 2020 in a 2nd round premier league game. KCB won 1-0

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs KCB (A)

August 21, 2021

For the 22nd time since the year 2005, Nairobi City Stars and KCB will faceoff in the Kenyan top-flight league, this time in a season-ender in Narok on Sunday 22 August 2021 starting 3 pm.

The upcoming round 34 tie is a historic one as City Stars and KCB have never met in the premier league beyond five Nairobi venues Nyayo Stadium, Kasarani, Ruaraka, Hope Centre, and City Stadium.

What has traditionally been a Nairobi affair by two Simbas fighting for territory has now been taken to the Savanah out in Narok County.

From the previous 21 games, City Stars has seven wins to KCB’s ten, the other three games ending in draws.

But narrowed down to home games, City Stars has won five of ten games it’s hosted KCB. The registered three draws have been in City Stars home games. KCB has managed two away wins over Simba wa Nairobi.

In the ten home games, City Stars has outscored KCB 12 goals to nine.

Into the Sunday game, one major change is on coaching where City Stars will be led by John Amboko.

During the first leg, Amboko was assistant to Sanjin Alagic who has since left the club following the expiry of his contract.

On the other side will be Zedekiah Zico Otieno who masterminded KCB’s 1-0 win in the first leg.

KCB sits second on the log with 59-points, three off-leaders Tusker, while City Stars is sixth with 45 points.

Mathematically, KCB has a chance to go for the title while City Stars wants a high finish of closing it in the top five.

Either must therefore win and of course be supported by other results from the final season results.

Who wins this one?

Summary

KPL Home games vs KCB – 10; Wins (5), Draws (3), Loses (2)

21-May-06; World Hope vs KCB, 2-2 (D)

9-Jun-07; World Hope vs KCB, 2-0 (W)

4-May-08; World Hope vs KCB, 0-0 (D)

9-May-09; City Stars vs KCB, 2-1 (W)

29-May-10; City Stars vs KCB, 1-1 (D)

10-Sep-11; City Stars vs KCB, 3-1 (W)

17-Oct-12; City Stars vs KCB, 1-0 (W)

13-Sep-13; City Stars vs KCB, 0-2 (L)

1-Aug-14; City Stars vs KCB, 0-2 (L)

18-Oct-15; City Stars vs KCB, 1-0 (W)

22-Aug-21: City Stars vs KCB, ??

21 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
KCB, Agesa
Davis Agesa in Nairobi City Stars' second Premier League game against KCB at Kasarani on Fri 4 Dec 2020. KCB won it 1-0

Two changes for KCB season-ender

August 21, 2021

Out goes strikers Davis Agesa and Ebrima Sanneh, and in comes forward Vincent Otieno aka Jamaica and defender Wesley Onguso, for the season-ending clash against title-chasing KCB at Narok Stadium on Sunday 22 August 2021 starting 3 pm.

Those are the only changes from the squad that faced Posta Rangers – and forced a late 2-2 draw – in the penultimate game of the season last Saturday in Ruaraka.

From the squad that faced KCB in the second game of the season at Kasarani in December, and went on to lose 1-0, the changes are five.

Other than Onguso, defensive-mid Charles Otieno, left-footed John Kamau, and striker Erick Ombija are in for the game in places of Peter Opiyo, Oliver Maloba and Agesa who are all injured, and Aziz Okaka.

Nicholas Kipkirui who was not part of the Simba wa Nairobi setup then is the final addition to the first leg squad.

20-man squad to face KCB

Goalkeepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

Defenders: 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 12. Edwin Buliba, 4. Salim Abdalla, 19. Kevin Okumu, 5. Wesley Onguso

Midfielders:  3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani

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

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 21. Oliver Maloba, 10. Peter Opiyo (all 4 injured), 27. Azizi Okaka, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa

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