01 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe prior to a game against Bandari in Mbaraki on Sat 9 March 2024

Four changes against Kariobangi Sharks

March 1, 2024

Midfielders Newton Ochieng and Elvis Noor, as well as keeper Edwin Mukolwe, are all back and in the bracket to face Kariobangi Sharks on matchday 23 at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday 2 Mar 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Mukolwe and Noor missed out on the last game against Gor Mahia due to an accumulation of cards, while Newton, aka Tony, missed that game and the previous one against Bandari due to a direct ejection in an earlier game against Shabana in Machakos.

The three are joined by Mohammed Bajaber who sat out the last three games against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia.

While Mukolwe comes on for newcomer Byron Owino, Tony is in for flyer Brian Mose Nyambane who was part of the squad in the last four games.

Bajaber comes on for Andrew Kisilu who takes a rest to miss out on selection for the first time this season, as Noor replaces youngster Rogers Obusu Wasega who was in the matchday squad in the last three games.

Squad to face Kariobangi Sharks

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor,  5. Newton Ochieng,  6. Shem Odinga, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino,  31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 22. Samuel Kapen, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 27. Gilbert Abala

Out:  7. Pius Omachi, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 23. Byron Owino, 24. Rogers Obusu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

27 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Dennis Wanjala
Dennis Wanjala against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season opener in Kasarani Annex on Sun 26 Aug 2023

Dennis Wanjala: We are on track

February 27, 2024

Fullback Dennis Wanjala aka Decha is of the view that Simba wa Nairobi started off the blocks slowly, then turned a corner, and is now back on track, fully.

The left-back reckons that talk of going for the league title is not outside the ranks of Nairobi City Stars.

“We were off to a relatively poor start but I have to thank my teammates for coming out set their targets, and collectively for the team,”

“Part of the challenge that we had earlier was low confidence, a bit of inexperience, and unfamiliarity,”

“Now we are a blended team and every player is putting in the right shift and constantly seeking to consolidate their position which has upped the fighting spirit and competition. That is keeping us on track for the title,”

Wanjala, now in his third term with City Stars, has featured in exactly half of the games this season – 17 – on his way to clocking 1,212 regular time minutes.

The former Nzoia Sugar player has now earned a record 124 premier league games making him the most experienced player – topflightwise – at City Stars.

Dennis Wanjala

Left-back Dennis ‘Decha’ Wanjala in action against Vihiga Bullets during a matchday 25 FKF Premier League tie in KAsarani Annex on Sunday 16 Apr 2023. He scored once – his debut goal – as City Stars won 5-2

24 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Makati
Rowland Makati during a match 9, 2023-24 FKF PRemier LEague tie against Muranga SEAL in Muranga on 1 Nov 2023

Rowland Makati: I have fully adapted

February 24, 2024

Converted right back Rowland Makati reckons his growth path as a fullback has finally hit peak.

The search for regular playtime necessitated a position change for the youngster from attacking midfielder to his current position since the start of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season.

A season and a half later, Makati has gone on to claim 27 premier league games as a right back, or up front on the right channel, numbers that now excite the former Escalators and Vapor Sports player.

Before that, Makati had only featured in two games for Simba wa Nairobi as an attacking mid in his first two seasons at the club.

“I first had to learn the dynamics and the ropes of the new position. That has been a continuous process throughout last season and this season,”

“But now I can say that, finally, I have fully mustered what is required to play in that zone and I now have to admit that I have fully matured and adapted to that role,”

“That said, I wish to step up my performance and make more contributions for City Stars in terms of assists and goals for the interest of the team.

Thus far, Makati has featured in half of the games in the current season – 17 of 34 – clocking 863 regular time minutes having earned ten starts and eight complete games.

It’s an improvement from the ten games he earned last season.

21 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Shem Odinga during his unveiling at the Nairobi City Stars boardroom in mid February 2024.
Shem Odinga during his unveiling at the Nairobi City Stars boardroom in mid February 2024.

Shem Odinga talks up topflight debut

February 21, 2024

Defensive midfielder Shem Odinga had a taste of the Kenyan topflight on Saturday 17 February 2024 after coming on in the later stages of a matchday 22, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie against Gor Mahia in Machakos.

Odinga made his way to the field of play in the 85th minute for Clifford Ouma for his maiden show in Kenya’s apex league.

“It’s exciting to have made my debut for Simba wa Nairobi on Saturday against Gor Mahia. I felt no pressure at all and I loved the experience, and the system of play,”

“After this first game, I am now looking forward to more minutes and games,” said Odinga

The spoiler joined Simba wa Nairobi from lower-tier side Kibera Angels during the month-long mid-transfer window that shut on 8 February 2024.

“Joining City Stars was easy for me because the system of play fits me. I did not think twice about joining the club especially after I was informed that they had scouted me and had made an inquiry about my services,”

“I had to grab it immediately, and I am am so happy to be with this amazing team, Simba wa Nairobi. I believe I will achieve a lot by the end of the season.” added Odinga

Odinga becomes the eighth City Stars player to be handed his top-flight debut this season, and the 21st by head coach Nicholas Muyoti since the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season.

Wycliffe Omondi, Gilbert Abala, Brian Mose Nyambane, and Brian Mzee made their debuts in matchday one against Muhoroni Youth, while the duo of Abuyeka Kubasu and Robinson Asenwa got their maiden games in matchday four against Gor Mahia.

Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba became the seventh debutant after his appearance in matchday 20 against Shabana in Machakos.

Shem Odinga

Shem Odinga doning Nairobi City Stars colors for the first time ever ahead of a matchday 22, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie against Gor Mahia in Machakos on Sat 17 Feb 2024 in Machakos

20 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Abuyeka Kubasu
Abuyeka Kubasu in Machakos after a matchday 22, 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Gor Mahia on Saturday 17 Feb 2024

Abuyeka Kubasu raring to go after Gor outing

February 20, 2024

For the second time in five months, midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu was on the field of play against Gor Mahia in the premier league.

Better still, in his second show, on Saturday 17 February 2024 during a matchday 22 FKF Premier League tie in Machakos, Abuyeka earned his most minutes in the topflight league after coming on early in the second half for Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba.

Back in September 2023, he earned his topflight debut – alongside former Vapor teammate Robinson Asenwa – against Gor Mahia in Kasarani during matchday three after earning 15 minutes of playtime.

“I had waited for long and I am happy to have finally returned to the field. I gave my all against and I will do the same when handed more playtime in the upcoming games,” said Kubasu

“It has not been easy for me because I had to return to the basics and improve on a few areas that I needed to upgrade and improve on during training sessions and friendly games,”

“Nothing comes easy. To get here, motivation from my coaches and teammates has been worth appreciating. I am now happy and raring to go,” he added

In between the two Gor Mahia games, Abuyeka had a cameo show against Kenya Police on matchday six at the Police Sacco Stadium and has had to wait for four-and-a-half months for what was only his third premier league game.

Abuyeka Kubasu at the Police Sacco Stadium for a matchday 6, 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Kenya Police in Oct 2023

Abuyeka

Abuyeka Kubasu in Machakos after a matchday 22, 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Gor Mahia on Saturday 17 Feb 2024

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