21 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Vihiga United
City Stars attempts a header during a round 27 Premier League tie against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Wed 21 July 2021. The tie ended 0-0

Another draw against Vihiga United

July 21, 2021

As was the case in the first leg, Vihiga United and Nairobi City Stars came out all square, this time 0-0, in a Premier League round 27 tie held at the ASK Showground, Nakuru on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

During the first-ever meeting in the Premier League between the two back in December 2020, the game ended 1-1 at Utalii College.

Vihiga United started the game on a high and ventured into the City Stars box on three occasions On one such occasion, in the 3rd minute, keeper Stephen Njunge, cut out a dangerous cross.

In the seventh minute, Davis Agesa powered his way to the Vihiga box to force the first corner of the game that was however wasted.

Within the next three minutes, City Stars had a freekick skied by Bolton Omwenga as skipper Anthony Muki Kimani had a feeble shot to Vihiga United keeper Morgan Ambuka.

In the 16th minute, another freekick, this time by Muki, eventually resulted in a fruitless corner.

Vihiga responded with one of their own the very next minute by Lawrence Luvanda got it wrong, firing wide.

In the 25th minute, a Bolton freekick from the right found Nicholas Kipkirui at the far post but he fired high to let Vihiga off the hook.

Four minutes later, Kipkirui should have put Simba wa Nairobi a goal up but after being teed up by Ezekiel Odera, he was a fraction too late to fire home as Michael Odongo tackled him in the nick of time to scale off the danger.

From then on it was a case of Vihiga United owning the midfield restricting City Stars whose best chance for a goal before the break is when Agesa had a stinger on Morgan just before the break. It ended up in an unaccounted corner.

City Stars, Vihiga United

City Stars players heading for half time during a round 27 Premier League clash against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground, Nakuru on Wed 21 July 2021. It ended 0-0

The second half started with immediate changes as Vihiga brought on Erick Opiyo and Kevin Omondi for Stewart Omondi and Patrick Onganya, respectively, as City Stars pulled out Odera and brought on Rodgers Okuse Okumu.

Minutes into the restart, Muki had a long lob for the far post but Morgan who had a good game all through rose high to contain it.

At the mark, stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, while at the far post, downed a header that bounced out with the goal at his mercy after connecting well to a Bolton freekick.

Rare chances continued to go begging as Morgan once again contained a shot from Kipkirui in the 67th minute.

Substitute Erick Opiyo should have sent the home team a goal up in the 77th minute when he burst into the box only to fire inches wide at the far post.

Many half chances by either side followed that miss as the game wound down to a barren draw.

With the latest point, City Stars moves a position up to sixth with 38 points from 26 games as Vihiga United remains 16the with 17 points.

Next up for City Stars is a home game against Bidco United on Monday 26th July at Ruaraka starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Vihiga United: 30. Morgan Ambuka, 3. Dennis Ombeva, 4. Michael Odongo, 6. Abisalom Onyango, 14. Sammy Sindani, 15. Mark Okola, 5. Wycliffe Nthatha (24. Lesley Owino-77), 16. Stewart Omondi (36. Erick Opiyo-46), 8. Patrick Onganya (35. Kevin Omondi-46), 20. Isaac Otieno (19. Michael Isabwa-58), 17. Lawrence Luvanda

Unused subs: Mustapha Oduor, 2. Prince Ayieko, 28. Johnson Kidambu, 27. Richard Igunza, 10. Hillary Otieno,

Coach: Mike Mururi

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (20. Timothy Ouma-64), 10. Peter Opiyo (9. Vincent Otieno-89), 30. Anthony Kimani (3. Charles Otieno-81) , 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 11. Davis Agesa (27. Azizi Okaka-81) , 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rodgers Okumu-46)

Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Wesley Onguso, 22. Wycliffe Otieno

Coach: John Amboko

Yellow cards:

Vihiga United: None
Nairobi City Stars: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (39), 25. Kenedy Onyango (47)

Nairobi City Stars, Vihiga United

City Stars forward Davis Agesa goes for the ball during a round 27 Premier League tie against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Wed 21 July 2021. The tie ended 0-0

20 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars shared spoils (1-1) with Vihiga United in a fifth round Premier League game on Wed 22 Dec 2020 at Utalii grounds. Pictured - goal scorer Sven Yidah (18)and Azizi Okaka (21)
Nairobi City Stars shared spoils (1-1) with Vihiga United in a fifth round Premier League game on Wed 22 Dec 2020 at Utalii grounds. Pictured - goal scorer Sven Yidah (18)and Azizi Okaka (21)

Head to head: Vihiga United (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

July 20, 2021

Vihiga United will host Nairobi City Stars in a matchday 27 clash at the ASK Nakuru grounds on Wednesday 21 July 2021 starting 1 pm.

The game should have, traditionally, been played at the Mumias Complex but due to a lockdown of the county within which the venue resides, due to the rise in coronavirus numbers, the match had to shift to Nakuru.

It will be the first time ever that Vihiga United will be hosting City Stars in a Premiership tie.

Vihiga United has hosted City Stars only twice before – but in the second-tier National Super League (NSL) where they have a win and loss to show.

Into the game, the key changes on either side are on the coaching department.

During the first leg tie played at Utalii grounds on 23rd December 2020, which ended 1-1, Sammy Okoth was on the Vihiga side and Sanjin Alagic on the opposite side.

Nairobi City Stars vs Vihiga United: It’s a draw

Mike Mururi has since stepped in to replace Okoth while John Amboko has been elevated to Sanjin’s role.

Form-wise, Vihiga United comes to the game with a three-game winless streak as City Stars carries two draws in between a win.

Simba wa Nairobi currently sits seventh on the 17-team log with 37 points, 19 clear of 16th placed Vihiga United.

It will be an epic duel in Nakuru as Vihiga hopes to end a collective six games with no win, as City Stars wish to romp to the top five of the league with all spoils.

Head to head summary (Home games for Vihiga United)

KPL : 0 games

NSL: 2 times

8-Nov-17: Vihiga United (W) vs City Stars, Mumias Complex (2-0 Bernard Ochieng, Patrick Okullo)
26-Jan-20: Vihiga United vs City Stars (W), Mumias Complex (0-1 Davis Agesa)
21-Jul-21: Vihiga United vs City Stars, ASK Nakuru (?)

20 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars, Jamaica
Nairobi City Stars winger Vincent 'Jamaica' Otieno in a game vs Nzoia United on Sun 29 Nov 2020 at Narok Stadium in the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season opener. City Stars won 2-0 with goals from Anthony Kimani and Oliver Maloba

One change against Vihiga United

July 20, 2021

Striker Erick Ombija out and Vincent Jamaica Otieno in for Vihiga United matchday 27 clash at the ASK Nakuru grounds on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

That’s the only change from the squad that faced Gor Mahia on Saturday and eked out a 1-1 draw. 

It’s the second time Jamaica is being considered for a game in ten days, to make a back-to-back trip to Nakuru. He was part of the squad that hit Ulinzi Stars 2-0 the Saturday before facing Gor.

Notwithstanding, from the squad that faced Vihiga United in the first leg back in December 2020, changes are seven.

Left-footed Herit Mungai, utility back Edwin Buliba, defensive-mid Sven Yidah, attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba, striker Jimmy Bageya and, keeper Elvis Ochoro are all missing.

While Yidah and Maloba are in Ethiopia for the U23 CECAFA Championship, Bageya since left the club while the rest are rested in the routine squad changes.

Their places are filled up by fullbacks Bolton Omwenga, Wesley Onguso and Kevin Okumu, Charles Otieno, Nicholas Kipkirui and Jacob Osano.

20-man squad to face Vihiga United

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 27. Azizi Okaka,

Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui , 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 18. Sven Yidah & 21. Oliver Maloba (out on U23 CECAFA duty), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 24. Erick Ombija, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 15. John Kamau, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 12. Edwin Buliba

Striker Erick Ombija on the ball against Ulinzi Stars during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

19 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Sanjin, Amboko
Arthur Museve, Sanjin Alagic, John Amboko preparing for team training in March 2020 at Camp Toyoyo

Onto John Amboko

July 19, 2021

Following the exit of coach Sanjin Alagic at the expiry of his contract, the coaching role at Nairobi City Stars now sits with club legend John Amboko.

Amboko, who has been part and parcel of City Stars since inception in 2003 as a player all through to 2017, save for 2013 when joined AFC Leopards, was officially handed the role during a farewell party for Sanjin on Sunday.

Speaking after taking over, Amboko had this to say;

“I want to let you know how much I appreciate this recent promotion to Head Coach. This is a viable opportunity; one that will give me a chance at considerable growth and advancement to move the team to the next higher level,”

“The confidence that the entire office has put in my abilities means a great deal to me. I highly value your trust and will work hard to keep it,”

“The direction and advice of our former Head coach Sanjin Alagic have been extremely beneficial to me. He has helped me to build upon my professional strengths, and to increase my efficiency in weaker areas. I am truly grateful for his support,”

“I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities for growth that this position will afford me. Thanks again, for your help and trust. I will do my very best to surpass your expectations of me.” added Amboko

Speaking at the function, exiting Sanjin had this to say of John;

“John is ready. He was a real good student for the last two years. He was the guy who was always ready to learn, always taking notes. He asked all the questions when no one else did,”

“I believe he has the quality to be a good head coach. I believe he will do a good job, I am sure about that.” added Sanjin

Club owner Jonathan Jackson, while echoing Sanjin’s sentiments, urged the entire City Stars setup to support Amboko.

“You have great accolades from Sanjin. And I expect all of you to follow him and be obedient to him and to follow his recommendations on what he asks you to do so that we maintain the family unity.”

Amboko is not new to the coaching role at City Stars. He handled five games in the 2017 season while in the second-tier National Super League after the then head coach Robert Matano moved to Bidco United. It was at a point he was transitioning from a player to the dugout.

He held forte for those few games before handing it over to Abdul Semadu in that season.

But in the 2018 season, Amboko was in charge of all 38 games leading City Stars to an incredible seventh-placed finish.

He continued his coaching into the transitional 2018 where he clocked the first ten games as coach before letting Ugandan Jimmy Kintu take charge. Following Kintu’s exist, Amboko added another six games to bring his tally of games coached at City Stars while in the NSL to 57.

Amboko’s first task as head coach is an away game against Vihiga United in a round 27 Premier League game on Wednesday 21 July 2021 starting at 1 pm at the ASK Nakuru showground.

19 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Chumsy , City Stars
Kevin Okumu goes for the ball with Ulinzi Stars' John Njuguna during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

‘Chumsy’ in TOTW 26

July 19, 2021

Nairobi City Stars right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu was named to the team of the week 26 after his stellar performance that saw the Simba wa Nairobi hold champions Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw at Ruaraka.

During the game, Chumsy ran up the channel and floated a ball to the far post that was fluffed into the goal by keeper Gad Mathews.

His damaging cross handed Simba wa Nairobi a 1-0 halftime lead.

However, Gor spoilt his party with a leveler on the other half through Jules Ulimwengu minutes into the second half to force a share of the spoils from the tensed affair.

It was the second such time that Chumsy had scored such a goal following up on his maiden premiership goal on his City debut against Zoo FC at Kasarani in March.

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