On Saturday 14 August 2021, Posta Rangers will, for only the fifth time in the premier league, visit Nairobi City Stars in a matchday 32 tie to be held at Ruaraka starting 1 pm.

It will be Simba wa Nairobi’s penultimate match of the season, one in which they will be seeking a first-ever win over a rugged Rangers who have held them to four previous home draws in the last encounters in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016.

While the first and last of those games were held at City Stadium and Nyayo Stadium, the 2011 and 2012 games were hosted at Hope Centre. But for the first time ever, the two will face off at Ruaraka.

The first two games ended in 1-1 draws and the last two in barren draws meaning that both sides walk into the Saturday on equal footing.

In overall premier league games – eight in total – Rangers has two wins to City Stars one win, with the other five games ending in draws.

During the first leg tie this season, City Stars came from behind with a goal from Peter Opiyo to cancel out Jackson Dwang’s first half strike for a 1-1 draw.

Changes from the game then and now is in touchline personnel; Rangers was handled by Sammy Omolo and his understudy Pascal Ochieng while City Stars had Coach Sanjin Alagic.

That has since changed and Stanley Okumbi is the man in charge of Rangers while John Amboko is the one handling Simba wa Nairobi.

From the last set of games, City Stars is reeling from a 2-0 loss to Mathare United as Posta Rangers comes to the game with a point from a barren draw with Western Stima.

Table wise, City Stars is up fourth on the log with 44 points, as Rangers is 13-points adrift in 12th spot.

Who comes out tops in this one?

Summary

KPL Home games vs Rangers – 4; Wins (0), Draws (4), Loses (0)

28-Mar-10; City Stars vs Posta Rangers, 1-1 (D)

30-Jul-11; City Stars vs Posta Rangers, 1-1 (D)

19-Feb-12; City Stars vs Posta Rangers, 0-0 (D)

22-May-16; City Stars vs Posta Rangers, 0-0 (D)

Kenedy ”Vidic’ Onyango takes on a Posta Rangers player during a 7th round Premier League game on Fri 8 Jan 2021 at Kasarani. The game ended 1-1

Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdalla keeps tabs on Posta Rangers winger Eliud Lokuwam during a 7th round Premier League game on Fri 8th Jan 2021 at Kasarani. The game ended 1-1

City Stars striker Erick Ombija goes for the ball in a 7th round Premier League tie against Posta Rangers at Kasarani on Fri 8 Jan 2021. The game ended 1-1

Nairobi City Stars head coach John Amboko has trained his sights on the last but one fixture of the season against Posta Rangers set for Ruaraka on Saturday 14 August 2021 starting 1 pm.

The Rangers’ fight shows up on his menu a week after he had a 2-0 fall to Mathare United at the same venue last Saturday, a result that ended his two-game winning streak over big wigs Tusker (1-0) and AFC Leopards (2-1) at the same venue.

Against Mathare, Amboko was very thin on squad numbers due to injuries and suspensions and had to call on the rest of the lot for the game. Amboko was without seven regular starting players.

Field captain Anthony Muki Kimani, right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu and stopper Salim Shitu Abdallah were out suspended while Peter Pinchez Opiyo, winger Rodgers Okuse Okumu, forward bully Davis Beast Agesa and flamboyant Oliver Maloba were all out injured.

In their absence, Amboko had to hand left-footer John Kamau only his first start of the season and utility back Edwin Buliba his second season start.

Buliba started at right-back but mid-way through the first half had to move and partner Kenedy Vidic Onyango at center back following the untimely exit of Wycliffe Otieno due to an ankle dislocation.

That led to the introduction of overall team captain Calvin Masawa as right back to clock only his third game of the season.

“We as a team were disappointed with the result we got against Mathare United. We did not play well enough to harvest the three points,” said Amboko

“Lack of player numbers, as well as unfamiliar combinations, had a bearing in the outcome of that game,”

“For the next match against Rangers we are working hard to continue improving.” He added

For the Rangers’ game, Amboko will be boosted by the return of five key players: Muki, Chumsy, Shitu, Maloba and Agesa.