Calvin Masawa
Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa in action on Sat 3 June 2023 against Nzoia Sugar during a matchday 32 tie in Kasarani Annex

Three changes against Gor Mahia

The return of skipper Calvin Masawa is one of three major changes made to the Simba wa Nairobi squad set to face champions Gor Mahia on Saturday 17 February 2024 in Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos starting from 4 p.m.

Masawa is back for the matchday 22 tie after serving a two-match suspension following a straight red card in a recent game against AFC Leopards in Bukhungu, Kakamega.

Masawa will be joined in the squad by newcomers Byron Owino and defensive midfielder Shem Odinga who both joined the club in the ended mid-window from Kibera Black Stars and Kibera Angels, respectively.

Falling off the squad that saw off Bandari 1-0 in Mombasa in the immediate past league game are goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe and midfielder Elvis Noor due to caution suspensions, as well as flyer Pius Omachi who takes a rest.

Abuyeka Kubasu and Gilbert Abala who made the Bandari trip retain their places in the team, as well as recent signing Rogers Obusu who makes the cut for a third straight match.

Squad to face Gor Mahia

Goalkeepers: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 23. Byron Owino

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 24. Rogers Obusu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 6. Shem Odinga, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino,  31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 22. Samuel Kapen, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 27. Gilbert Abala

Out: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 2. Elvis Noor, 5. Newton Ochieng, 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 12. Edwin Buliba, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 25. Brian Mzee

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Centreback Kenedy Vidic Onyango up against City Stars forward Mohammed Bajaber in Kasarani on 17 Sep 2023 during a matchday 3 tie. Gor won it 4-1
Centreback Kenedy Vidic Onyango up against City Stars forward Mohammed Bajaber in Kasarani on 17 Sep 2023 during a matchday 3 tie. Gor won it 4-1

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Gor Mahia (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

Nairobi City Stars will host Champions Gor Mahia at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, on Saturday 17 February 2024 starting at 4 pm during a matchday 22 top-of-the-table 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie.

This will be the first time Simba wa Nairobi, now placed second, will be hosting the current league leaders Gor Mahia since the 2022-23 FKF season-ender in June 2023 in Kasarani.

Then, Gor Mahia came from behind to win it 4-1 to scoop the league title.

Gor Mahia went on to register a similar scoreline in the first leg game of the current season played in September last year.

The upcoming game will be match number 30 in the Kenyan top-flight between the two since the 2005/6 premier league season, and the 15th game for City Stars as the home team.

From the previous 14 home games, City Stars has a single win over Gor Mahia.

In June 2006, then known as World Hope, the team ‘beat’ Gor – who never turned up for a 36th round tie in Nyayo Stadium. It was a walkover.

From the other 13 games, City Stars has managed six draws and lost the other seven.

In the 14 home games, Gor Mahia has outscored Simba wa Nairobi 26 goals to twelve.

Ahead to the upcoming game, City Stars parades a historic 1-0 away win over Bandari in Mombasa from last weekend, as Gor Mahia comes to the party with a 0-0 home draw over Ulinzi Stars.

Simba wa Nairobi coach Nicholas Muyoti will once again be up against Johnathan McKinstry who has been behind the double win last season, and in the first leg of the current season.

City Stars currently trails Gor Mahia by seven points while sitting second with 37 points from 21 rounds of play.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars home games vs Gor: 14–Wins (1), Draws (6), Loses (7)

11-Jun-06; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 2-0 (W-walkover)
17-Nov-07; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 2-2 (D)
22-Nov-08; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 1-1 (D)
16-Aug-09; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-1 (L)
14-Nov-10; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-0 (D)
2-Nov-11; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-1 (L)
21-Jul-12; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-4 (L)
4-Aug-13; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-0 (D)
4-Oct-14; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 1-4 (L)
15-Apr-15; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-3 (L)
12-Mar-16; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 2-2 (D)
17-Jul-21; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 1-1 (D)
29-May-22; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 2-3 (L)
25-Jun-23; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 1-4 (L)
17-Feb-23; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, ??

Kelvin Etemesi
Kelvin Etemesi against Muranga SEAL in Muranga on Wed 1 Nov 2023

Kelvin Etemesi resumes training

For the first time in seven weeks, dependable forward Kelvin Etemesi is back in training after shaking off an illness.

Etemesi last featured for City Stars in December in Kakamega during the historic 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz.

Unfortunately, during the festive season, he fell sick and has been out till the current week when he resumed training.

Record win against Talanta dedicated to Kelvin Etemesi

 

“I have been out for a while but it has been my wish to link up with my teammates. I am now back and keen to catch up and return to the field once again,” said Etemesi

“I want to score goals so that I can reduce the gap with the current top scorer. The league is tough but I believe with the current form of City Stars, it’s a matter of time before I get to the top,” added Etemesi

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti is excited by Etemesi’s return to training though he intimates he needs more time;

“It’s good to have him back after that illness that took a heavy toll on him. Now he can slowly start his journey back. We will lend him our hand and give him ample time to get back to full fitness,”

“It’s a good idea to have him back in training. Psychologically it’s a big boost when he is around his bigger family – his teammates,” added Muyoti

Etemesi top scored for Simba wa Nairobi last season with 12 goals, ten of them coming from a record five braces.

Kelvin Etemesi sets new Nairobi City Stars record

Till the point of his layoff, Etemesi had scored three times, and provided as many assists, with one key pass. He has so far featured in 14 games clocking 841 regular time minutes.

Kelvin Etemesi in the season opener against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex

Etemesi, City Stars

Kelvin Etemesi in action against FC Talanta’s Peter Mungai in a 33rd round FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Tue 20 June 2023. It ended 2-2

Kelvin Etemesi

Kelvin Etemesi celebrates a goal, his 12th of the season, against FC Talanta in a 33rd round FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Tue 20 June 2023. It ended 2-2

Etemesi

Forward Kelvin Etemesi celebrates one of two goals against Vihiga Bullets in Kasarani Annex on 16 April 2023 during a Premier League game. City Stars won the game 5-2

Kelvin Etemesi

Kelvin Etemesi up against Mathare United on Wed 29 Mar 2023 in Kasarani Annex. He scored a brace – his maiden premier league goals – as City stars won the game 2-0

Timothy Muganda after dealing with danger in the season opener against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex
Timothy Muganda after dealing with danger in the season opener against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex

Timothy Muganda in MD21 Team of the Week

Centreback Timothy Muganda made it to the best eleven after the 2023/24 FKF Premier League matchday 21 games concluded on Sunday 11 February 2024.

Muganda skippered Simba wa Nairobi to an away 1-0 win over Bandari in Mbaraki, Mombasa, on Saturday.

It was Muganda’s first appearance on the list this season, but becomes the second stopper to make it to the prestigious list after his defense partner Wycliffe Awiko Omondi who has featured in the same streets twice after matchday 14 against Bandari – alongside Mohammed Bajaber, and matchday 16 against Kakamega Homeboyz.

“It’s very encouraging to be recognized and to make an appearance in the team of the week,”

“This gives me an extra urge to work even harder for the best interest of the team,” said Muganda

In the latest Bandari game, forward Vincent Owino who slammed home the lone, and winning goal was named the Most Valuable Player.

Vincent Owino celebrates his winning goal against Bandri on Sat 10 Feb 2024 in Mbaraki
Vincent Owino celebrates his winning goal against Bandri on Sat 10 Feb 2024 in Mbaraki

MD21: Bandari 0 Nairobi City Stars 1

Vincent Owino’s pile-driver from the edge of the box in the 34th minute handed visiting Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 win over hosts Bandari during a matchday 21 topflight league game in Mbaraki on Saturday 10 February 2024.

Owino got to the end of a perfect layup from Robinson Asenwa on the left to slam home his seventh goal of the season for City Stars to complete a season double, having won the first leg tie 1-0 in Ruaraka in December 2023 during matchday 14.

Asenwa received a flicked header from Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba who earned his first start of the season in the game, then got the ball to Owino.

For his heroics, Owino was named the man of the match for the second time this season after his first against Kariobangi Sharks on matchday 12 in November 2023.

The win saw City Stars snap a two-game winless streak to return to winning ways that sent them up from fourth place back to second spot with 37 points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a clash with log leaders Gor Mahia in Machakos on Sunday 18 February 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Lineups

Bandari: 25. Joseph Ochuka, 2. Atariza Amai, 4. Brian Odera, 29. Andrew Juma-captain, 80. Swaleh Pamba (39. Michael Apudo-46), 12. Fidel Origa, 19. David Sakwa, 40. Shassiri Nahimana (, 14. Umaru Kasumba (28. Francis Kahiro-46), 24. William Wadri, 10. Abdalla Hassan (27. David Nsibambi-46)

Unused subs: 6. Robert Onyango, 21. Mohammed Barisa, 34. Mwinyi,

Coach: John Baraza

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 30. Rowland Makati, 4. Timothy Muganda-captain, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 16. Elvis Noor, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino (32. Sosthenes Idah-90+), 22. Samuel Kapen (11. Andrew Kisilu-82), 3. Robinson Asenwa, 21. **Yuto Kusaba (10. Dennis Oalo-60)

**First premier league start

Unused subs: 7. Pius Omachi, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 17. Brian Mose, 24. Rogers Obusu, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 8. Calvin Masawa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 12. Edwin Buliba, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 23. Julius Ombacho, 25. Brian Mzee,

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Goals
Bandari:
Nairobi City Stars: 19. Vincent Owino-34

Cautions
Bandari: 2. Atariza Amai (90+3)
Nairobi City Stars: 4. Timothy Muganda (18), 1. Edwin Mukolwe (82), 16. Elvis Noor (90+4)