06 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Sanjin Alagic, City Stars
Sanjin Alagic handling a past game for Nairobi City Stars

Sanjin takes in Bandari point

July 6, 2021

For the fourth time in eight premier league visits to Mombasa, Nairobi City Stars forced a point from host Bandari, after a 1-1 draw, during a round 24 tie played at Mbaraki on Sunday 4 Jul 2021.

Striker Erick Ombija bundled home a freekick from Peter Opiyo at the start of the second half to activate the scoresheet at Mbaraki.

The hosts however assembled all their resources to force a penalty three minutes after the hour mark. William Wadri scored to level matters.

While it was a second straight draw for Bandari, following a barren draw against Champions Gor Mahia, it was a step up for Simba wa Nairobi following a 1-0 loss to Wazito in the previous game.

Though there was no collection of full spoils, coach Sanjin more than appreciates the single coastal point, as well as the opposition

“When you know the circumstances, I’m satisfied with the point. It’s a big point,”

“Bandari is a very good team, especially when they play home it’s hard against them,”

“The game was good, we had our chances, especially Kip’s header where he missed from just one meter away from goal,” added Sanjin

With the latest point, both Bandari and City Stars improved to 33 points to sit sixth and seventh on the 17-team log, respectively.

Up next for City Stars is a game against Ulinzi Stars at the ASK Showground on Saturday 10 July 2021 starting 3 pm.

04 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
City Stars celebrate the opening goal against Banndari at Mbaraki on Sun 4 Jul 2021 in a round 24 premier league tie. The game ended 1-1

City Stars grab a point at Mbaraki

July 4, 2021

1-1 is how it ended when Nairobi City Stars took on home team Bandari at Mbaraki on Sunday 4 July 2021 in a round 24 Premier league tie.

Erick Ombija tapped a goalmouth melee for the opening goal within two minutes of the restart after a Peter Opiyo freekick ricochetted off the upright into the box.

Bandari however drew level three minutes after the hour mark through William Wadri who was sure with a penalty awarded after City Stars stopper Wycliffe Otieno was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Inside ten minutes, flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu was fouled outside the goal area but the resultant freekick was wasted.

Four minutes on, Bandari responded when Darius Msagha fired at goal testing the palms of Stephen Njunge in goal who punched the ball out for a wasted corner.

By the 20th minute, Erick Ombija fluffed a shot at goal, and had a header off a freekick by Bolton, straight at Bandari keeper Ndikumana.

Bandari mounted raids on raids after the water break as City Stars sat back but could not account for most of their chances, more so corners.

By the breather, City Stars threw away two more freekicks at the game ended level at 0-0.

Moments after the restart, Maloba was brought down from a good distance and Opiyo sent the dead ball goalward. Stopper Felly Mulumba failed to contain the ball and Ombija escorted the ball home for the opener at Mbaraki, his fourth goal of the season.

The subs then came on for City Stars; Nicholas Kipkirui and Davis Agesa for Okuse and Ombija, respectively, on 58 minutes as the visitors hope to up the ante.

But five minutes on, stopper Otieno, standing in for unavailable Salim Shitu Abdallah, was adjudged to have held the ball in the box gifting Bandari a penalty.

Wadri stepped up to beat Njunge and send the ball home for the leveler.

City Stars could have gone up once again in the game when, on 71 minutes, Kipkirui got to a Bolton freekick only to head downwards and out.

Bandari then opted to try out different options to get the killer goal as John Mwita and Hassan Abdallah came on for Benjamin Mosha and Swaleh Chacha in the 74th minute.

It was then end-to-end stuff to the very end as either side sought the winning goal that never came.

It was the fourth tie in eight premier league meetings in Mombasa that City Stars was walking away with a point from Bandari.

With a point each, both Bandari and City Stars improve to 33 points. The former maintains spot six due to superior goals scored as City Stars remains seventh.

Up next for City Stars is another away trip to face Ulinzi Stars on Saturday 10 July at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.

Lineups

Bandari: 1. Justin Ndikumana, 5. Siraj Mohammed, 15. Bernard Odhiambo (Captain), 25. Felly Mulumba, 19. Swaleh Chacha (29. Abdallah Hassan-74), 12. Dennis Magige,, 31. Keegan Ndemi, 24. Wiliam Wadri, 20. Benjamin Mosha (39. Johanna Mwita-74), 11. Darius Msagha, 14. Umaru Kasumba

Unused subs: 16. Michael Wanyika, 8. Dan Guya, 22. Collins Agade, 17. Danson Namasaka, 21. Wilberforce Lugogo, 13. Atariza Amai, 4. Brian Otieno

Coach: Cassa Mbungo

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-81), 7. Rodgers Okumu (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-58), 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera-85), 24. Erick Ombija (11. Davis Agesa-58)

Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 3. Charles Otieno, 8. Calvin Masawa,12. Edwin Buliba

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Yellow cards

Bandari: None
City Stars: Kevin Okumu (90)

04 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Kevin Okumu of City Stars fending off Western Stima skipper Patrick Otieno during a roud 20 clash played at Ruaraka on Tue 15 Jun 2021. City Stars won 2-0

Chumsy, Chale in for Bandari

July 4, 2021

There are two changes to the Nairobi City Stars squad, from the one that faced Wazito in mid-week, for the next game against Bandari at Mbaraki on Sunday 4 July 2021 starting 3  pm.

On loan right-back, Kevin Chumsy Okumu, who was dropped at the last hour on Wednesday on a technicality to avoid facing his parent club Wazito, returns to the squad.

Against Wazito he was replaced by overall team captain Calvin Masawa.

Chumsy will take up the place of Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh who dropped out due to an ankle injury picked from the Wednesday game.

Other than Chumsy, the other addition to the squad is defensive mid Charles Chale Otieno who takes up the place of regular center back Salim Shitu Abdalla.

Shitu is out due to a slight knock suffered against Wazito.

From the squad that faced Bandari in December 2020 during the first leg at Kasarani, there is a total of six changes.

Jimmy Bageya who provided an assist for the first goal, in the game City Stars won 2-0, is no longer at the club.

Winger Azizi Okaka, striker Vincent Otieno Okoth, attacking mid Timothy Ouma, reserve keeper Elvis Ochoro and the injured Shitu are the other players missing out on the reverse game.

The new faces include reserve keeper Jacob Osano, fullbacks Bolton Omwenga and Chumsy, strikers Ezekiel Odera, Erick Ombija, and Nicholas Kipkirui.

20-man squad to face Bandari

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge

Defenders: 25. Kenedy Onyango, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 19. Kevin Okumu, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa,

Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 3. Charles Otieno,

Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

Nairobi City Stars

Charles ‘Chale’ Otieno getting closer to full recuperation after months of rehab

03 Jul 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0
City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0

Head to Head: Bandari (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

July 3, 2021

For only the eighth time since 2008, Nairobi City Stars will face off with Bandari in Mombasa – in the premier league – on Sunday 4 July 2021, at Mbaraki Sports Club, starting 3 pm in a round 24 tie.

The reverse tie in the current season will be the first between the two in Mombasa since September 2016, the year City Stars earned their relegation after 12 seasons in the top flight.

In the previous seven games in Mombasa, the stats point to close games as each has won two games apiece, and the other three have ended up in draws.

In spite of being relegation bound in 2016, City Stars won their last game at Bandari 3-1 with goals from Jimmy Bageya, Benson Iregi, and Oliver Maloba. Omar Boraafya scored the consolation for the home team.

That win added onto one other; a 2-1 triumph back in Jul 2009.

From the seven home games, Bandari has outscored City Stars 11 to ten goals.

Ahead of the game, Bandari sits seventh with 32 points, the same number of points as City Stars who sit behind at seventh due to a lesser count of goals scored.

During the first leg tie played at Kasarani in December 2020, City Stars hit the coastal lads, then coached by Ken Odhiambo, 2-0.

It’s a result that Bandari, now with Rwandese tactician Cassa Mbungo, will look to overwrite on Sunday.

Coach Sanjin Alagic, the mastermind of that win at Kasarani Annex, is still with Simba wa Nairobi and will be seeking a double at the coast.

Bandari heads to the game on the back of a 0-0 draw against Champions Gor Mahia in Nairobi while City Stars is reeling from a 1-0 loss to Wazito on Wednesday that ended a record five-game winning streak.

Summary

KPL games hosted by Bandari: Total-7; Bandari wins (2), City Stars wins (2), Draws – 3

1-Nov-08, Bandari vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)
26-Jul-09, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
20-Mar-11, Bandari vs City Stars, 4-1 (L)
10-Mar-13, Bandari vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)
23-Aug-14, Bandari vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
3-Oct-15, Bandari vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
24-Sep-16, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-3 (W)
04-Jul-21, Bandari vs City Stars, ?

Azizi Okaka at Kasarani during a 3rd round FKF Premier League game against Bandari on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0

Skipper Anthony Kimani shields the ball from a Bandari player as the two faced off on Fri 11 Dec 2020 during a third round Premiership tie at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0

Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0

30 Jun 2021
NCS, Team News Permalink
Wazito, City Stars
Nairobi City Stars vs Wazito in a Premier League round 23 game on Wed 30 June 2021 at Ruaraka. Wazito won it 1-0

City Stars goes down to Wazito

June 30, 2021

Wazito ended Nairobi City Stars fine five-game winning streak with a 1-0 win at Ruaraka on Wednesday 30 June 2021 during a Premier league matchday 23 tie. 

A lone strike by Musa Masika at the hour mark is what separated the two teams for Wazito to complete a double over Simba wa Narobi. They won the first leg 2-1 at Utalii in early January.

Wazito forced the first set-piece of the game in the seventh minute, a corner, but nothing much came out of it.

The next minute, a good flow by City Stars saw pocket rocket Rodgers Okuse Okumu break into the Wazito box only to be caught offside.

Okuse’s speed led to the bookings of Wazito’s Vincent Oburu and right back Ronney Onyango on either half.

In the eleventh minute, Musa Masika fired a freekick from the edge of the box straight to his former keeper Steve Njunge City Stars goal.

A minute after the hour mark, Wazito forced a second corner. As was the case with the first, it was wasted.

Inside five minutes after the half-hour mark City Stars had three half chances; a Sven Yidah’s belter – off a Nicholas Kipkirui knockdown – went just wide, a Bolton Omwenga freekick went straight to the keeper Frederick, then skipper Anthony Muki Kimani failed to pick out Davis Agesa in the box.

As the first half wore on, it is Wazito that looked most dangerous as Wyvonne Isuza, coming from deep, ran unchecked into the box, only for Njunge in City Star’s goal to force a fruitless corner.

The next minute Elli Asiche attempted a drive on goal. It flew wide.

Six minutes into the second half, City Stars wasted a corner and freekick.

The action then moved to the other end when, in the 55th minute, Masika’s low drive ended straight at Njunge.

At the hour mark City Stars striker Davis Agesa could have open the scores only to miss placing a Muki freekick.

And three minutes later it was Wazito 1-0 up when Masika met a pass across the top of the box to place the ball on his left foot before firing past Njunge.

The goal brought in immediate changes as Wazito introduced Eric Otieno for Oburu, and City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic responded by bringing on Oliver Maloba for Okuse.

At the 70th minute, Kipkirui just failed to trigger the ball home from a Maloba cross and moments later a Muki attempt on goal, from just yards out, off a Kipkirui bicycle kick, earned a corner instead of a leveler.

With 13 minutes left, Wazito opted to defend their solo goal with a triple sub that saw the arrival of Fidel Origa, Dennis Sikhayi, and Kevin Kimani in places of Brian Musa, Rooney Onyango, and Eli Asieche, in that order.

For City Stars, Ezekiel Odera came on for Kipkirui, as Calvin Masawa took up the place of Edwin Buliba at right back.

Into the last ten minutes, City Stars had near misses that could have changed the game but an Agesa attempt and Muki freekick, all in the box, failed to cross the line.

Even an extra two strikers in the dying minutes; Erick Ombija and Ebrima Sanneh for Sven and Agesa, could not change the course of the game.

But as City Stars chased the game, one move by Wazito could have ended the game at 2-0, but luckily a Masika drive ricochetted off the woodwork.

From the loss, City Stars, on 32 points, dropped to seventh following other Wednesday results, as Wazito moved up two places to eighth with 30 points.

Next up for City Stars is a Mombasa game against Bandari at Mbaraki on Sunday 4 July 2021 starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 12. Edwin Buliba (8. Calvin Masawa-77), 18. Sven Yidah (24. Erick Ombija-83), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani , 7. Rodgers Okumu (21. Oliver Maloba-67), 11. Davis Agesa (29. Ebrima Sanneh-83), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (32. Ezekiel Odera-77)

Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 22. Wycliffe Otieno

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 3. Charles Otieno, 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 19. Kevin Okumu (could not play against parent club Wazito)

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Wazito: 1, Frederick Odhiambo, 33. Joseph Odhiambo, 24. Maurice Ojuang, 44. Jonstone Omurwa, 88. Ronney Onyango (15. Dennis Shikayi-77), 50. Brian Musa (12. Fidel Origa-77), 11. Wyvonne Isuza, 16. Eli Asieche (36. Kevin Kimani-77), 7.Vincent Oburu (29. Eric Otieno-64), 25. Musa Masika, 9. Michael Owino (2. David Otieno-88)

Unused subs: 77. Bixente Otieno (GK), 39. John Odhiambo, Roland Ashimoto, 10. Boniface Omondi,

Coach: Francis Kimanzi

Yellow cards

City Stars: 18. Sven Yidah (58)
Wazito: 7. Vincent Oburu (15), 88. Ronney Onyango (55)

Wazito, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars vs Wazito in a Premier League round 23 game on Wed 30 June 2021 at Ruaraka. Wazito won it 1-0

Wazito, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars vs Wazito in a Premier League round 23 game on Wed 30 June 2021 at Ruaraka. Wazito won it 1-0

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