14 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Timothy Ouma, City Stars, Posta Rangers
Timothy 'Babu' Ouma gets the ball ahead of Posta Rangers' Josephat Lopaga during a friendly at the Jamhuri Park on Fri 7 May 2021. It ended 1-1

Five changes for Posta Rangers duel

August 14, 2021

From the squad that faced off with Mathare United in the last league game, and lost 2-0, head coach John Amboko has made five key changes ahead of the next game against Posta Rangers on Saturday 14 August 2021 starting 1 pm at Ruaraka.

Keeper Elvis Ochoro returns to the fold for Jacob Osano as forward Davis Agesa who was sat out injured comes on for Vincent Otieno.

Three players suspended in the last game; field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, and defenders Kevin Chumsy Okumu and Salim Shitu Abdala are all back to take up the places of Azizi Okaka, Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno who dislocated his ankle in the last game.

From the squad that faced Rangers in the first leg, and drew 1-1, the changes are eight in total.

Wycliffe Otieno and Peter Opiyo both clocked 90 minutes in that game as Azizi Okaka and Oliver Maloba started and were later replaced by Vincent Otieno and Rodgers Okumu, respectively. All six will miss the upcoming game as well as Jacob Osano and Wesley Onguso who were unused subs then.

Other than Ochoro and Chumsy, the new faces for the reverse Posta tie includes strikers Ebrima Sanneh and Nicholas Kipkirui, left-footers Calvin Masawa, John Kamau and Bolton Omwenga, as well as defensive-mid Charles Chale Otieno.

20-man squad to face Posta Rangers

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

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, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), (injured), 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 21. Oliver Maloba, 10. Peter Opiyo (all 4 injured), 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

13 Aug 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
City Stars midfielder Oliver Maloba on the ball in a 7th round Premier League tie against Posta Rangers at Kasarani on Fri 8 Jan 2021. The game ended 1-1

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

August 13, 2021

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)

Nairobi City Stars

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

Nairobi City Stars

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

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

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

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