Jonathan Jackson, Nicholas Kipkirui
Nairobi City Stars Chair & owner Jonathan Jackson welcomes striker Nicholas Kipkirui to Nairobi City Stars soon after being signed as a free agent on Wed 17 March 2021

Kipkirui joins Nairobi City Stars

Striker Nicholas Kipkirui has joined Nairobi City Stars for a season and a half.

Kipkirui, a former Matrix, Zoo and Gor Mahia hitman, arrives at Simba wa Nairobi soon after being declared a free agent by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

His arrival has excited the club hierarchy more so club owner and Chair Jonathan Kiplimo Jackson.

“It was a struggle getting a quality striker but we are glad that finally Kipkirui has joined us. His goal scoring prowess is not in question and he will be a great boost to the City Stars frontline. I hereby welcome him to the Simba wa Nairobi family.” said Jonathan

Club CEO Patrick Korir further explained Kipkirui’s arrival off the transfer window;

“We were in search of a polished striker during the last transfer window. Having missed our targets locally, we went shopping in Uganda,”

“Kipkirui then came to us at a time he had issued notice of termination of contract to his former club,”

“We then entered a pre-agreement on the premise that, if his situation was not remedied within the term of the notice, we’d then sign him at the point he became a free agent,”

“We registered that pre-agreement with the Federation before the closure of the transfer window in accordance with FIFA regulations hence his eventual signing immediately he gained his free agent status.”

On his part Kipkirui had this to say; “I’m so excited to join Nairobi City Stars. I had several offers from teams within and outside Kenya but it is Simba wa Nairobi that appealed to me most,”

“I wish to thank the club owner Jonathan Jackson, management led by the Chief Executive Patrick Korir, and Team Coordinator Samson Otieno for offering me an opportunity to play for this ambitious club. I am ready to make the most of this chance,”

“I also want to sincerely extend my gratitude to the technical bench led by coach Sanjin Alagic for checking up and supporting me as went through due process to join the club,”

“Lastly, I thank Football Kenya Federation for assisting me to be able to play football and put a smile on my face again,”

“City Stars is one of the best-managed clubs in East Africa and I am looking forward to helping the team by assisting and scoring many goals, and most importantly winning titles,”

“This club is also part of the Jonathan Jackson Foundation and I am excited at the chance of assisting the needy in our society have a meal, achieve their dreams and goals.” concluded the sharp shooter

Kipkirui becomes the latest arrival at Simba wa Nairobi after left back Bolton Omwenga from Tanzania’s Biashara United Mara and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu who rejoined the club on loan from Wazito FC.

Kipkirui will don jersey no. 17 at City Stars.

Jonathan Jackson, Nicholas Kipkirui

Nairobi City Stars Chair & owner Jonathan Jackson welcomes striker Nicholas Kipkirui to Nairobi City Stars soon after being signed as a free agent on Wed 17 March 2021

Nicholas Kipkirui

Striker Nicholas Kipkirui completing his move to Nairobi City Stars at the club offices in Upperhill on Wed 17 March 2021

Jonathan Jackson, Nicholas Kipkirui

Nairobi City Stars Chair & owner Jonathan Jackson welcomes striker Nicholas Kipkirui to Nairobi City Stars soon after being signed as a free agent on Wed 17 March 2021

Nairobi City Stars vs Tusker
Nairobi City Stars to host Tusker FC in a match day 16 clash at Utalii grounds on Sat 20 March 2021 at 1pm

Venue change against Tusker

Due to unavailability of Kasarani, Nairobi City Stars will host Tusker FC in Match day 16 tie at Utalii grounds on Saturday 20 March 2021 starting 1pm.

The changes have since been communicated by league managers Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to the visiting Tusker FC, the current log leaders in the 18-team Premier League standings.

City Stars last played at the Utalii grounds in mid January while hosting Ulinzi Stars.

FKF, Patrick Korir, City Stars
Nairobi City Stars CEO at FKF Integrity workshop at Utalii Hotel on Sat 13 March 2021

CEO attends FKF integrity workshop

Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir attended an integrity workshop on Saturday 13 March 2021 called by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in conjunction with FIFA.

The workshop highlighted the growing cases of match fixing and match manipulation, reasons for its rise, how its evolving and ways to curb the vice.

According to FKF integrity officer Mike Kamure, the Federation is in constant communication with both CAF and FIFA on the same, and there are currently matches that have been flagged and are being investigated.

“This was an eye opener and the seminar can’t have come at a better time. As clubs, we can now keenly look for tit bits that we may have been oblivious to that could actually lead to match manipulation,” said Korir

“As clubs we now have our work cut out to ensure that integrity in our clubs, and by extension in our game, is preserved.”

In the workshop attended by Premier League clubs, FKF shared a road map to taming the vice in the form of an elaborate Action plan.

It headlines the pathway to arresting the vice that, away from the detection phase, it calls for a response, a media strategy around it, partnership with the right stakeholders through to investigations.

Separately, an means to report suspicious activity has also been put in place.

The workshops will spread to other leagues and stakeholders in due course.

Nairobi City Stars
Oliver Maloba on the ball as Davis Agesa looks on during a friendly against Mt. Kenya United at Dagoretti High on Sat 14 Nov 2020. It ended 1-1

Kenya vs South Sudan: Maloba awaits his chance

Attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba was an unused substitute as Kenya saw off South Sudan 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday 13 March 2021.

Maloba was named to the provisional squad to the Kenyan squad back in February and went on to make the final 23-man squad for the game.

John Macharia of Gor Mahia started the game in his favorite position 10 and was later substituted by Wazito’s Musa Masika in the second half.

Debutant Elvis Rupia of AFC Leopards scored the lone goal in the 77th minute after connecting to a cross from the left by Bandari’s Danson Namasaka who was also making his first start for Kenya.

Squads

Kenya: 23. Zamu Adisa Omar (GK), 3.Bonface Onyango (17. Kevin Kimani-46), 2.Johnstone Omurwa (Captain), 5. Nahashon Alembi, 20. Baraka Badi (24. Daniel Sakari-70) , 11. Collins Shichenje (13. Kenneth Muguna-46), 8. Danson Namasaka, 22. Abdalla Hassan (21. James Mazembe-70), 6. John Macharia (19. Musa Masika-70), , 16. David Owino Ambulu, 10. Elvis Rupia (9. Henry Meja-78)

Unused subs: 18. Joseph Okoth (GK), 12. Mike Kibwage, 17. Kevin Juma Simiyu, 14. Oliver Maloba, 7. Reagan Otieno, 4. Harun Mwale

Coach: Jacob Mulee

South Sudan: 23. Majak Maling, 4. Peter Maker (Captain), 29.Mutwakil Labdelkarim, 14. Rehan Angier, 17. Omot Sebit (5. Godfrey Nyeko-60), 16. Jackson Obede (6. Dominic Angelo-30), 25. Stephen Pawaar, 8. Johnson Gibson (21. Emmanuel Thomas-60), 10. Tito Okello (9. David Majak-80), 11. Joseph Muyang (7. Wani Ivan-60), 22. Makueth Wol (28. Abdallad Asad-60)

Unused subs: 7. Ramadan John (GK), 13. Nassir Haidar, 3. Hassan James, 12. Mandela Malish, 19. David Mangar

Coach: Cyprian Besong Ashu

Yellow cards: None
Goals: Elvis Rupia-77 (Kenya)

Nairobi City Stars
Nairobi City Stars win 2 friendly games against Leeds and Kajiado North at PSC on Sat 13 March 2013

Wins over Leeds, Kajiado North

Nairobi city Stars registered 3-1 and 5-1 wins over Leeds United and Kajiado North FC on Saturday 13 March 2021 in friendly games hosted at Public Service Club, Upperhill.

The two games kept the team active during the weekend left open due to Kenya’s international friendly with South Sudan.

In the first afternoon game, Erick Ombija and skipper Anthony Muki Kimani scored for a 2-1 half time lead before Wycliffe Otieno added the third in the second half off a Bolton Omwenga assist.

City Stars ended a man short after a red card on stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla.

In the second clash Peter Opiyo scored a brace on either side of John Kamau’s second goal as Wesley Onguso and Vincent Otieno Okoth added a goal each.

Keeper Elvis Ochoro saved two penalties in what was one of the highlights of the evening. He let in one though that turned out to be a consolation for Kajiado North.

The two games were to hand players vital match time ahead of next weekend’s clash with log leaders Tusker.

They were last active last weekend in a round 15 Premier League game against AFC Leopards at Kasarani.

Squads

City Stars 1: Jacob Osano, Kevin Okumu, Salim Abdalla, Wycliffe Otieno, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Anthony Kimani, Timothy Noor Ouma, Erick Ombija, Rodgers Okumu

Leeds United: Michael Onyango, Bernard Odhiambo, Terence Ako, Ian Omondi, Juma Kevin, Walter Ouko, Kore Benito, Trance Stigard, Herman shikubali, Washington Vihembo, Calvince Ouma,

Subs: Henry Api, Frankline Abor, erick Ochieng, Calvince Odhiambo, Gordon Onyango, Lameck Onyango, Abubakar Matuge

City Stars 2: Elvis Ochoro, Calvin Masawa, Herit Mungai, Edwin Buliba, Wesley Onguso, Peter Opiyo, Ezekiel Odera, Vincent Otieno, John Kamau, plus 2 guest players

Kajiado North: Evans Juma, Vincent Mumya, James Kamau, Seve Okinyi, Jeff Njoroge, Mark Odali, Victor Odhiambo, Daniel Kamau, Ibrahim Juma, George Mathi, Samuel Wanjama

Subs: Francis Kamau, Anthony Munge

Unused by City Stars: Sven Yidah, Azizi Okaka (both sick), Kenedy Onyango (groin), Steve Njunge (leave), Ebrima Sanneh (injured)