13 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
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

Change in kickoff time against Rangers

August 13, 2021

Nairobi City Stars will host Posta Rangers at Ruaraka on Saturday 14 August 2021 from 1 pm and not 3 pm as had earlier been planned.

As communicated by the FKF Premier League secretariat, the changes were made in the course of the week to allow the same venue to accommodate one more game.

That second game, between defending champions Gor Mahia and Bidco United, will kick off at 3.15 pm.

“We note the changes in the match schedule, and we will adjust our planning accordingly ahead of matchday.” Said team coordinator Samson Otieno

The upcoming game is the penultimate this season for Nairobi City Stars. The season-ender will be against KCB in Ruaraka the Saturday after.

12 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars players send FIFA Best to Cup final

August 12, 2021

Buoyed by the contribution of Nairobi City Stars players, FIFA Best are through to the finals of the Dennis Oliech Cup after seeing off Dagoretti North HotStars 1-0 in the semis at the NIC grounds on Wednesday 11 August 2021.

The winning goal, scored six minutes after the restart, was scored by City Stars field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani (wearing jersey 15) to send FIFA Best to the final set for Sunday 15 August. Kshs 300,000 is up for grabs.

Other than Muki, other players City Stars players that featured in the semis included Timothy Babu Ouma and his sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Herit Mungai, striker Erick Ombija, midfielder Oliver Maloba and defenders Edwin Buliba and Wesley Wiseman Onguso.

The losing side had in their ranks another budding City Stars’ player Rowland Makati (pictured in yellow) who is on a season-long loan spell at second-tier side Nairobi Stima.

“The participating players had the blessings of the office to take part in the tournament and we are proud that they have now led FIFA Best to the finals,” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno

“Allowing them to participate is giving them the opportunity to give back, make an impact and motivate the community where they come from which is also the same space we share as we run our community activities. We wish them the very best in the upcoming finals. One more game and they will be champions.” added Otieno

The tournament aims at promoting behavior change as well as youth social-economic empowerment.

FIFA Best will face Bundes who edged out Mashimoni in the other second semifinal.

Photo courtesy of Mozzartbet

10 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Kola, Mungai
Ronney Kola and Herit Mungai sandwich as Dandora Youth player at the Public Service Club, Upperhill in a friendly on Tue 11 May 2021. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 4-1

Season over for City Stars quartet

August 10, 2021

There’s just about a week and a half to the wrap of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League season but already, the season is over for four City Stars players.

Flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo, defensive-mid Ronney Kola, and stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno are, due to injuries, forced to focus on recovery and rehab with a view of chasing fitness for next season.

According to the fixtures, Nairobi City Stars has two games on the cards against Posta Rangers and KCB on 14th and 21st August 2021, respectively, to conclude the season.

Given the recovery and rehabilitation plans for the quartet by team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, the season would have since lapsed before they achieve full fitness.

“Peter Opiyo suffered a sprained ankle of the ligament in the 90th minute during an away match against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground on 21st July 2021,”

“He was to return to full training on 1st August but upon review, it was necessary to hand him a further two to three weeks full rest to heal fully,” said Brian

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

“Okuse picked a chest/lung injury in the game against Wazito (30 June). He underwent immediate medical attention and featured in the next game against Bandari, Gor Mahia, and Vihiga United. He later complained of pain and difficulty in breathing during stress training and had to take total rest for a period of three weeks beginning August. A review will follow after that period,”

“Wiki landed awkwardly and had an ankle dislocation in the most recent game against Mathare United on 7 August at Ruaraka and had to exit the pitch around the 34th minute,”

“He was rushed to hospital and checked as that match went on and returned for a review three days later. He is expected to sit out for a month before returning to action,” added the team physio

Wiked, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars stopper Wycliffe ‘Wiked’ Otieno challenges Ulinzi Stars right back Brian Birgen to the ball during a Betking Premier League match day 25 on Sat 17 Jul 2021 at the ASK Showground. City Stars won 2-0

“Ronny Kola has got injured while turning out for Nairobi Stima where he is on a season-long loan. Upon checking it was revealed that he has torn ligaments on one of his knees. With the application of the right procedures, he is expected to be fully fit within three months’ time.”

Away from the quartet, there’s an opposite tale as some players who were out injured are returning to full fitness.

Striker Ebrima Sanneh who had been out with an ankle sprain is now back to full fitness. He was a second-half substitute in the recent loss to Mathare United.

Nairobi City Stars

Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals for Nairobi City Stars during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021

09 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
John Amboko, City Stars
John Amboko on the touchline. He took over coaching reigns at Nairobi City Stars from mid-July 2021 after the expiry of Sanjin Alagics contract at the end of June 2021

Amboko focuses on the penultimate Ranger’s clash

August 9, 2021

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.

07 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Mathare United
Nicholas Kipkirui in action for Nairobi City Stars against Mathare United on Sat 7 Aug 2021 at Ruaraka in a match-day 31 Premier League tie. Mathare United won it 2-0

City Stars falls to Mathare United

August 7, 2021

Mathare United saw off a makeshift Nairobi City Stars lot 2-0 in a round 31 FKF Premier League tie played at Ruaraka on Saturday 7 August 2021.

An early Clifford Alwanga goal in the tenth minute and freekick by Daniel Otieno in the s69th minute ended City Stars two-game winning streak as Mathare registered a third straight win to ease relegation worries.

It was Mathare’s eighth home win over City Stars in 13 games since 2004 as they avenged a 2-0 first-leg loss.

In spite of the loss, both sides retained their positions in the log; City Stars at third in the standings with 44 points and Mathare at 15th with an improved haul of 24 points.

Next up for City Stars is the penultimate game of the season against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on Saturday 14 August 2021.

Lineups

Mathare United: 1. David Okello, 18. Kenedy Ochieng, 25. Norman Ogola (23. Lennox Ogutu-19), 20. Martin Ongori, 19. Anthony Otieno, 8. Alphonse Ndonye, 10. James Kinyanjui (7. John Kago-60), 3. Khalid Jumaan, 21. Clifford Alwanga (29. Chrispin Oduor-60), 13. John Mwangi (24. Klinsman Omulanga-76), 27. Daniel Otieno

Unused subs: 30. Job Ochieng, 6. Dennis Ochieng, 16. Stephen Ochieng, 26. Said Musa, 11. Tyson Otieno,

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (8. Calvin Masawa-31), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (24. Erick Ombija-70), 20. Timothy Ouma, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 32. Ezekiel Odera-Captain (29. Ebrima Sanneh-81), 15. John Kamau (28. Herit Mungai-81)

Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 5. Wesley Onguso, 9. Vincent Otieno, 3. Charles Otieno, 27. Azizi Okaka

Yellow cards

Mathare United: 8. Alphonse Ndonye (56), 13. John Mwangi (75), 1. David Okelo (84)
Nairobi City Stars: 12. Edwin Buliba (15)

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