Betway Cup: City Stars advance

An Ezekiel Odera goal in the 23rd minute of the first half is all Nairobi City Stars needed to see off Fortune Sacco 1-0 at the Kianyaga Stadium to proceed past Betway Cup round of 32 on Tuesday 1 June 2021.

Odera scored when he got to the end of a bouncing ball that outwitted keeper Martin Nderitu who failed to contain Sven Yidah’s cross into the box. With ease, Odera controlled the ball before placing it to an empty net.

Betway Cup: Seven changes against Fortune Sacco

Inside ten minutes, Fortune Sacco had fired two freekicks the City Stars way. The second was more dangerous as former Sony Sugar midfielder Vincent Oti Owino headed it marginally wide.

In the 12th minute, Fortune Sacco target man Elijah Mwanzia was well-positioned outside the box but had a feeble shot on goal that failed to trouble keeper Jacob Osano in City Stars goal

Five minutes later his counterpart Jesse Ngei fired just wide as the hosts continued to set the tone of the game as cheered on by their fans.

Then it switched City Stars way and 19 minutes into the game, striker Erick Ombija headed skipper Calvin Masawa’s corner wide.

Minutes later the near-miss led to a no-miss as Odera cooly finished off what was initiated by Yidah for the lone goal of the game.

Minutes to the half hour mark, Fortune Sacco wasted two more freekicks as City Stars responded with two shots on goal, both blocked, by Elvis Noor Ojiambo.

Ebrima Sanneh, City Stars top scorer in domestic Cup competitions (6 goals), failed to narrow his header goalward in the 37th minute after being served up perfectly by an Ojiambo freekick.

Action in the first half ended when Mwanzia, while in the box, fired backward, instead of goalward, after being picked perfectly by a precise Nicodemus Okanga pass from the right.

Within the first quarter of the second half, Ombija had two promising chances to score but missed both.

To add fluidity upfront, Fortune Sacco coach Frank Kim brought in Babu Kisayi for Jacob Wangui at the hour mark.

Two minutes after the changes, Sanneh failed to connect to Edwin Buliba’s high cross from the right, and, in end-to-end action, Fortune Sacco had an immediate response on the other end when Mwanzia got to the end of a cross from Okanga only to fire across goal to the dismay of his coaches.

Minutes later, with a clear view of the goal, Fortune Sacco’s Shadrack Kawa skied a shot after another good cross from Okanga.

As the game wore on, City Stars had the chance to increase their lead but two attempts by Ojiambo and Ombija, and a header from stopper Wycliffe Otieno all went begging.

Fortune Sacco tweaked their game a little by bringing on homeboy Bonface Njeru for Kawa to great applause from the home fans.

City Stars then rolled down the clock with the arrival of Davis Beast Agesa and Nicholas Kikpkirui for Maloba and Ombija, respectively, in added time.

With the win, City Stars proceeds to the round of 16 to face either Sofapaka or Ulinzi Stars on Sunday 6 June 2021.

City Stars earned a date with Fortune Sacco in the round of 32 after seeing off Mutomo Tigers 4-1 during the starting game of the tournament back in mid-February 2021 at the Kitui Stadium.

Lineups

Fortune Sacco: 1. Melvin Nderitu (GK), 15. Nepot Mwangi, 11. Isaiah Ongwe, 14. Brian Mandela, 12. Henry Kinyua, 2. Shadrack Kawa (8. Bonface Njeru-74), 3. Jacob Wangui (10. Babu Kisayi-60), 6. Vincent Owino, 13.  Jesse Ngei, 16. Nicodemus Okanga, 17. Elijah Mwanzia

Unsused subs: 1. Quelen Awange, 5. Omar Sarai, 7. Ronald Mendo, 4. Ziyadi Kiwanuka,  9. Brian Omondi

Coach: Frank Kim, Team Manager: Julius Kariuki

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob OSano (GK), 12. Edwin Buliba, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvin Masawa, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 21. Oliver Maloba (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-90+2), 24. Erick Ombija (Davis Agesa-90+3), 32. Ezekiel Odera (Herit Mungai-79), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (7. Rodgers Okumu-69)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 25. Kenedy Onyango, 5. Wesley Onguso, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani

Coach: Sanjn Alagic, Team Manager: Noah Abich

Yellow cards: Fortune Sacco – 8. Bonface Njeru-89, 10. Babu Kisayi-90+5//Nairobi City Stars – 32. Ezekiel Odera-23, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-43, 16. Jacob Osano (67), 21. Oliver Maloba-88

Nairobi City Stars, Betway Cup
Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno chase the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Rangers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars won 4-1

Betway Cup: Seven changes against Fortune Sacco

Head coach Sanjin Alagic has tweaked his troops ahead of a Betway Cup round 32 trip to Kianyaga Stadium where City Stars will take on host Fortune Sacco on Tuesday 1 June 2021 starting 2pm.

There are several changes to the squad that hit Mutomo Tigers 4-1 in Kitui in Mid February to book Fortune Sacco, a team chasing promotion to the premier league from the National Super League.

Midfielders Sven Yidah, Oliver Maloba and Peter Opiyo, striker Nicholas Kipkirui, field skipper Anthony Kimani, stoppers Salim Abdalla, and Edwin Buliba, are the new additions to the lot that triumphed in Kitui.

The seven take up the places of Bolton Omwenga, Kevin Okumu, Timothy Noor Ouma, John Kamau, Vincent Otieno Okoth, Azizi Okaka, and Charles Otieno who received a straight red card against Mutomo Tigers.

Starting keeper Stephen Njunge, who has featured in all 19 premier league games so far, has been given a worthy rest leaving his understudies Jacob Osano who tended goal in Kitui, and Elvis Ochoro to contest a starting place in Kianyaga.

Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Rodgers Okumu, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh, and Erick Ombija who came on second-half substitutes in Kitui all make the trip as well as defenders Calvin Masawa, Herit Mungai Atariza, and Kenedy Onyango who were unused subs.

Wycliffe Otieno, Wesley Onguso, and Ezekiel Odera, who all started against Mutomo Tigers complete the squad.

Head-to-head

City Stars heads to the game on a high of two straight premier league wins over Sofapaka (3-0) and Kariobangi Sharks (2-1) and will hope to continue with that run on Tuesday.

Simba wa Nairobi has once been in Kianyaga to face Fortune Sacco; back on 20th January 2019 during a ninth-round National Super League tie in the shortened 2018/19 season. It ended 2-2. The reverse game later in April ended 4-4 at Camp Toyoyo.

During the 2019/20 NSL season, City Stars hit Fortune Sacco 2-1 at Hope Center but never traveled for the return game as the season was cut short due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Sanjin’s comments

As the tie nears, this is what head coach Sanjin had to say;

“The atmosphere is great after two big wins. We enter this match full of self-confidence,”

“The (Betway) Cup is a difficult competition and if you are not at your best level the other team can surprise you,”

“Fortune Sacco is currently going good in the National Super League (4th after 19 rounds). We play at their ground so they will be a tough opponent to beat,”

“But I’m confident that we will continue with our good performance and qualify for the next round.” summed the coach

20-man squad to face Fortune Sacco

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba

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

Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno (suspended), 27. Azizi Okaka, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

Nairobi City Stars

Azizi Okaka during a round 64 Betway Cup against Mutomo Tigers on Sat 13 Feb 2021 at Kitui Stadium. Simba wa Nairobi won it 4-1 to progress to round of 32

Nairobi City Stars

Kevin ‘Çhumsy’ Okumu of Nairobi City Stars against a Mutomo Tigers player during a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars came from behind to win 4-1

Nairobi City Stars

City Stars flyer Rodgers ‘Okuse’ Okumu in action against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021 during a round 64 Betway Cup. City Stars won 4-1

Nairobi City Stars
City Stars players in celebration mode after scoring one of 2 goals against Kariobangi Sharks at Utalii Grounds on Sat 29 May 2021

City Stars roar past Sharks

Simba wa Nairobi beat host Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 in a round 19 Kenyan Premier League tie played at the Utalii grounds on Saturday 29 May 2021.

A Peter Pinchez Opiyo penalty on 57 minutes and smasher from substitute Oliver Maloba in the 76th minutes had City Stars 2-0 up.

But at the death, Daniel Sakari’s rebound off a Patilla Omoto’s penalty that had been initially saved by Stephen Njunge served up Sharks’ consolation in the game.

Opiyo was later named the man of the match for his outstanding contribution from the mid of the pack.

Inside ten minutes, City Stars had gone for goal three times but a Bolton freekick on four minutes went begging, a Kevin Okumu long lob soon after, and an Elvis Noor Ojiambo shot off a Rodgers Okuse Okumu delivery, both went straight to keeper Brian Bwire.

On 22 minutes, Davis Agesa who scored the consolation during a 2-1 loss to Sharks in the first leg, almost got City Stars 1-0 up but, after some neat footwork, he crushed his shot off the far post.

Three minutes later field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani drifted to the rightwing to send a weighted cross across goal. Ojiambo, filling in for suspended Sven Yidah, connected to it with a diving header only for the ball to weave marginally wide.

A minute after the hour mark an Okuse through ball found Nicholas Kipkirui inside the box only for his quick header to slightly sail wide.

The next minute, Sharks’ had their first real chance when Eric Juma, playing further up than usual, went for goal only to fire straight at Njunge.

The next set of minutes to halftime saw Sharks throw away close to three corners as City Stars also wasted a freekick and corner as the game settled at 0-0 at the breather.

At the start of the second half Sharks rested John Omondi who started the game ahead of the unavailable lead striker Eric Kapaito. His place was taken up by Julius Masaba to add punch upfront.

Two minutes after restart Sakari flew into the City Stars box only to fire across goal. It received no connection.

A few minutes later a more determined Sharks won back-to-back corners but, again, they were all wasted.

In the 55th minute, a back pass from Boniface Onyango to his keeper went wrong as a racing Kipkirui grabbed it, after Bwire miscued it, and in reaction, he tackled the fast striker and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty. Opiyo went for it to score the games’ opener; his sixth goal of the season.

 

Sharks could have leveled just three minutes later but after a great buildup, a ball around the penalty area just failed to get a quick placing by Alphonse Omija who was making his debut. Big stopper Kennedy Onyango scrambled the ball out of the area to save the day.

At the hour mark, City Stars’ most fouled player Okuse was taken off for Maloba and eight minutes later Sharks brought in midfielder Shaphan Oyugi and Robert Onyango for Mokaya and James Mazembe who had been locked out from making his traditional high energy runs on the left flank.

As Oyugi and Onyango walked in, Sharks forced back-to-back corners, but as had been the case from the first half, failed to turn either in.

In between Maloba’s arrival and the Sharks’ duo changes, Ojiambo had a fabulous cross to Kipkirui in the box only for his header to, once again, fly wide.

30 minutes into the second half, Sharks’ defender Alphonse Omija’s pass to skipper Patila Omoto, off a long byline pass from Boniface Onyango, went awry as he was disposed of the ball at the tip of the box by a charging Agesa who squared the ball into the box.

Kipkirui made a dummy run for it and skipped over the ball to allow it to generously fall on a racing Maloba who, with a one-time shot, whacked the ball to the underside of the crossbar. It bounced inwards for City Stars to double the lead with the classic goal.

Six minutes later, determined Sharks forced three back-to-back corners but they couldn’t account for any.

City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic then opted to bring on defensive-minded Charles Otieno for skipper Muki to protect the lead.

However, Sharks claimed a penalty when Kipkirui, in the wrong place at the wrong time, handled the ball in the box while helping to defend.

Njunge saved Omoto’s initial kick but before any further reaction from City Stars, Sakari was on the second ball in a flash to fire what turned out to be Sharks’ consolation.

The game then came to a close as Edwin Buliba and former Shark Ebrima Sanneh took up the places of Ojiambo and Kipkirui, respectively.

With the win, the first ever at Utalii grounds, City Stars improved one up in the 17-team log to sit ninth with 23 points ahead of Wazito on goal difference. Sharks are still fourth with 31 points.

Next up for City Stars in the premier league are two home games against Western Stima and Kakamega Homeboyz on 16 and 19 May 2021.

Till then, the club will be busy with domestic Cup games.

Lineups 

Kariobangi Sharks: 30. Brian Bwire, 26. Boniface Onyango, 2. Tom Teka, 24. Daniel Sakari, 12. Douglas Mokaya (17. Shaphan Oyugi-69), 8. Patila Omoto (Captain), 10. Peter Lwasa, 5. Eric Juma, 14. John Omondi (22. Julius Masaba-46), 21. James Mazembe (9. Robert Onyango-69)

Unused subs: 16. Brian Olang’o (GK), 6. Geoffrey Shiveka, 19. Joshua Maero, 27. Ibrahim Ochieng, 18. Reagan Odede,  29. Peter Oudu,

Coach: William Muluya

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 10. Peter Opiyo, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (12. Edwin Buliba-90), 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (3. Charles Otieno-85)), 7. Rodgers Okumu (21. Oliver Maloba-60), 11. Davis Agesa, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (29. Ebrima Sanneh-90)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 28. Herit Mungai, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,  32. Ezekiel Odera

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima),1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 5. Wesley Onguso, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija & 18. Sven Yidah (both suspended)

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Yellow cards: Kariobangi Sharks – 12. Douglas Mokaya (67), 26. Boniface Onyango (86)//Nairobi City Stars – None

Nairobi City Stars
Midfielder Charles Çhale'Otieno in a friendly game against KAribangi Sharks at Utalii grounds on Sat 30 Oct 2020. It ended 1-1

Head to head: Kariobangi Sharks (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

On Saturday 29 May 2021, Kariobangi Sharks will host Nairobi City Stars at the Utalii Grounds in a premier league matchday 19 clash starting 3pm.

It will only be the second meeting between the two at Utalii, but the first-ever in the premier league.

In late October 2019, Sharks hosted Simba wa Nairobi at Utalii in a pre-season friendly.

Historic premier game

Then, Peter Lwasa leveled a Rodgers Okumu early goal for the friendly fire to end 1-1.

Between then and now, the Sharks and City Stars have faced off one other time during a first-leg premier league tie played at Kasarani Annex.

It ended in a 2-1 win for Sharks after a late Eric Kapaito goal, off a long ball from Tom Teka, handed the Kariobangi boys all the points in the historic clash.

Julius Masaba scored first before Davis Agesa canceled it out with his first-ever premier league goal.

Form

Into the upcoming game, Sharks are reeling from a 2-0 loss to Ulinzi Stars in their last assignment.

It is the opposite for City Stars who ran over Sofapaka 3-0 on Monday.

Position

Sharks, in their fifth straight season in the top flight since promotion, are higher up fourth in the 17-team log with 31 points with an 11-point buffer over tenth-placed City Stars.

Which way will this one go?

Summary

KPL Games: 1 (Kariobangi Sharks win)

Nairobi City Stars

City Stars striker Davis Agesa takes on two Kariobangi Sharks players at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Sharks won 2-1

Nairobi City Stars

Kenedy Vidic Onyango in round 10 Premier League game against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 30 Jan 2021. Sharks won 2-1

Nairobi City Stars

Midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo in a friendly game against KAribangi Sharks at Utalii grounds on Sat 30 Oct 2020. It ended 1-1

Nairobi City Stars, Masawa
Calvin Masawa in a past game for Nairobi City Stars against Vihiga Bullets in Feb 2020 at Camp Toyoyo

Two changes for Kariobangi Sharks

Overall team captain Calvin Masawa and keeper Jacob Osano are the two new additions to the squad that faced – and beat Sofapaka 3-0 on Monday – as City Stars gear up for the next assignment against Kariobagi Sharks at Utalii grounds on Saturday 29 May 2021 starting 3pm.

Masawa takes up the slot vacated by former Sharks’ defensive-mid Sven Yidah who was ejected towards the end of the Sofapaka game after earning a second bookable offense.

The other change is that of shot-stopper Osano who comes on for youngster Elvis Ochoro who gets a rest.

Save for the two changes, the other 18 players led by field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani all maintained their places in the squad.

Former Sharks defenders Bolton Omwenga, Wycliffe Otieno and Herit Mungai, as well striker Ebrima Sanneh, are in to face their former employers.

20-man squad to face Kariobangi Sharks

Goal keepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge

Defenders: 26. Bolton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 8. Calvin Masawa

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

Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima),1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 5. Wesley Onguso, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija & 18. Sven Yidah (both suspended)