19 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Mzee
Brian Mzee getting set for a matchday 7, 2023-24 FKF Premier League season against Kenya Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on 25 Oct 2023

Brian Omondi Mzee says bye

February 19, 2024

Nairobi City Stars has officially released midfielder Brian Omondi Mzee to pursue other interests across the borders.

Mzee, who joined City Stars pre-2023-24 FKF Premier League season from second-tier side Kibera Black Stars, leaves at the midway point of his one-season deal.

“Mzee arrived and fitted in very well to our setup in the current season. Though he was firmly in the plans for the rest of the season, the club is fully aware that offers from outside are always rare, hence the nod by the club to let him leave,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“We thank him for his on-field returns as a midfielder, and his dedication to the team. We wish him the very best in his new endeavor.” added Samson

Brian Mzee: The Kenyan Premier League is very tactical

At his departure point, Mzee had featured in 16 out of 20 games into the season clocking 956 regular time minutes. His last game was a starting role against Shabana in Machakos on Sun 4 Feb 2024.

“From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank this great club for making my dream of featuring in the Kenyan Premier League come true. It was always my wish, and that of any local player, to feature in Kenya’s topmost league,”

“After years of trying, and falling off after trials with other clubs, City Stars came for me from Kibera Black Stars and turned my dream into a reality,”

“When I arrived here, I was very well received by the management, the technical bench, as well as the players,”

“The technical bench handed me my debut in the first game of the season against Muhoroni Youth, and handed me my first start and full game in the second game against Bidco United,”

“For the first part of the first leg, I was a regular. I will always appreciate those chances that have now greatly contributed to my move away from the club,”

“City stars will forever remain in my heart.” added the overly appreciative Mzee

In his first full game on matchday two against Bidco United, Mzee emerged as the most valuable player.

He repeated the same fete in matchday ten following City Stars’ 3-2 win over AFC Leopards and went a step further to earn a place in the team of the week.

City Stars

Brian Mzee on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

City Stars, Mzee

Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Brian Mzee taking on Bidco United forward Ezekiel Okare during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Sun 3 Sep 2023. It ended 1-1

17 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Timothy Muganda up against Benson Omala of Gor during a matchday 22 tie. Gor won it 1-0
Timothy Muganda up against Benson Omala of Gor during a matchday 22 tie. Gor won it 1-0

MD22: Nairobi City Stars 0 Gor Mahia 1

February 17, 2024

A fourth minute goal by Benson Omala is all Gor Mahia needed to stop Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in Machakos during a matchday 22, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie played on Saturday 17 Feb 2024.

Omala got to the end of a Shariff Musa assist sending the ball past Elvis Ochoro in goal for the winner.

From the result, and coupled with others, City Stars drops from second to fifth due to goal difference while still on 37 points as Gor consolidated their place at the helm of the 18-team standings with 48 points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is an away trip to Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 2 March 2024.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 30. Rowland Makati, 4. Timothy Muganda-captain 1, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala (46. Calvin Masawa-46-captain 2), 18. Clifford Ouma (6. *Shem Odinga-85), 19. Vincent Owino, 22. Samuel Kapen, 3. Robinson Asenwa (17. Brian Mose-90), 21. Yuto Kusaba (31. Abuyeka Kubasu-46), 10. Dennis Oalo (11. Andrew Kisilu-85)

*Premier league debut

Unused subs: 23. Byron Owino 24. Rogers Obusu, 27. Gilbert Abala, 32. Sosthenes Idah

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

Gor Mahia: 35. Kevin Omondi, 88. Rooney Onyango, 26. Philemon Otieno-captain 1, 14. Kenedy Onyango (6. Emery Bayisenge-46), 15. Sylvester Owino, 3. Kevin Juma (8. Alpha Onyango-70) , 24. Lawrence Juma (21. Sydney Ochieng-90) , 10. Austin Odhiambo, 22. Benson Omalla, 19. Sharif Musa (7. Boniface Omondi-78), 25. Bryson Wangai (40. Chris Ochieng-78)

Unused subs: 29. Caleb Otieno, 50. Paul Ochuoga, 11. John Macharia, 27. Patrick Sibomana

Coach: Jonathan McKinstry

Goals

Nairobi City Stars: –

Gor Mahia: Benson Omala (4)

Cautions

Nairobi City Stars: 4. Timothy Muganda (15), Ronny Kagunzi – TM (52), 18. Clifford Ouma (57), 15. Wycliffe Omondi (71)

Gor Mahia: 10. Austin Odhiambo (37), 26. Philemon Otieno (55),

City Stars keeper Elvis Ochoro initiating play against Gor Mahia in Machakos on Sat 17 Feb 2024 during a 2023-24 FKF Premier League matchday 22 tie. Gor won it 1-0

16 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

February 16, 2024

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

16 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

February 16, 2024

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, ??

14 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kelvin Etemesi
Kelvin Etemesi against Muranga SEAL in Muranga on Wed 1 Nov 2023

Kelvin Etemesi resumes training

February 14, 2024

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

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