Blog | Page 152 | Nairobi City Stars

09 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars — Peter Pinchez Opiyo celebrates his goal off a freekick against Ulinzi Stars in a round 8 Premier League tie at Utalii on Sat 16 Jan 2021

Sanjin sweats over Pinchez suspension

Patrick March 9, 2021

Nairobi City Stars will take on log leaders Tusker on Saturday 20 March 2021 without dependable midfielder Peter Pinchez Opiyo due to suspension.

Opiyo, incidentally City Stars top scorer this season with four goals, was slapped with a fifth yellow card this season in the last game against AFC Leopards.

The card was earned in the 61st minute after a challenge on a Leopards’ player deep in the City Stars territory.

“That card really disturbed me. I didn’t expect to get one but hey, that’s the nature of the game. You have to be prepared to miss some matches.” said Opiyo

For head coach Sanjin Alagic, his absence is a big blow but there is no choice but to dive into the brewers game without his lynchpin.

“Absence of Pinchez in the match against Tusker, the leading team in table, it’s big blow for us, because he’s such a important player in our team. When you play against the best teams in the league definitely you need all your best players in the squad,”

“But I don’t want to whine about that, we will try to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and get ready for the match to achieve a positive result.” said Sanjin

Thus far, Pinchez had clocked the full 90 minutes in all the 15 games into the season and he emerged as City Stars most valuable Player in four games against Wazito, KCB, Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz.

He scored in three straight January games against Wazito, Posta Rangers and Ulinzi Stars, then added a fourth against Western Stima in March.

Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal by Peter Opiyo as Simba wa Nairobi beat Western Stima at Moi Stadium on Wed 23 Feb 2021 in a round 13 Premier League game

06 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars, Bolton — City Stars left back Bolton Omwenga mcontests the ball with AFC Leopards in a round 15 game played on Sat 6 March 2021. Leopards won 1-0

AFC Leopards snatch it at the death

Patrick March 6, 2021

Substitute Hansel Ochieng’s goal in the 90+4th minute led a ten-man AFC Leopards to a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in a 15th round Premier League game played at Kasarani on Saturday 6 March 2021.

Hansel powered in a cross from the right to the far post out of reach of City Stars keeper Steve Njunge who did all he could to stop the final ball of the game, but to no avail.

Leopards, facing City Stars for the first time in the Premier League since 2016, were reduced to ten-men four minutes into the second half after skipper Robinson Kamura was slapped with a straight red card when, as the last man, stopped a goal charging Oliver Maloba.

It is City Stars that had the first real chance of the game when, six minutes in, Bolton Omwenga whipped goalward a 40-yard freekick that received a spill from Leopards skipper Benjamin Ochan. The second ball seemed to have hit the hand of a Leopards player in the box but the referee waved play on.

In the 13th minute a conspicuous Maloba aimed for the far post but his shot went just off and two minutes later Eugene Mukangula had a response for Leopards but he skied an Elvis Rupia knockdown.

At the half hour mark Rupia attempted a shot from range but it fly wide. But two minutes on, in what was a chance for goal off a perfect Rupia layup, Mukangula sent the ball wide when it looked easier to score than miss.

Into the second half, a charging Maloba, connecting to a through ball from Davis Agesa, got to within inches of the box only to be tackled by the last man Kamura who saw red. The resultant freekick by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani went just wide.

Tactical changes from the red card a little later saw Bienvenue Shaka sacrificed for defender Washington Munene.

Ten minutes in, Bolton hammered a cross from the left but Erick Ombija, on for an injured Ebrimma Sanneh in the 28th minute.

Not too long after City Stars were forced to onboard stopper Wycliffe Otieno in place of Kenedy Onyango who could not continue with the game due to injury.

As the ball wore on, City Stars had the chances to finish off Leopards but a Timothy Ouma through ball and a freekick by Bolton all ended up with Ochan in goal. One other chance saw Maloba bullied off the ball after being put through on goal.

With 12 minutes to time, a long range shot saw Njunge spill it twice before Bolton showed up to clear out the danger.

The one final charge by Leopards saw the ball cross goal from the left to receive a lift from the right that sound Hansel’s head for the decider right at the death.

From the win, Leopards shot to second place on the 18-team log with 28 points as City Stars stagnates at ninth with 19 points.

Lineups

AFC Leopards: 99. Benjamin Ochan, 25. Lewis Bandi, 12. Isaac Kipyegon, 28. Clyde Senaji, 17. Fabrice Mugheni, 19. Eugene Mukangula (23. Austin Odhiambo-46), 26. Marvin Omondi, 10. Elvis Rupia (11. Hansel Ochieng-78), 13. Shaka Bienvenue (3. Washington Munene-52), 14. Peter Thiong’o ( 77. Caleb Olilo-70)

Unused subs: John Oyemba (GK), 2. Yusuf Mainge, 6.Tsuma Said, 7. Harrison Mwendwa, 27. Jaffari Owiti,

Head Coach: Patrick Aussems

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango (22. Wycliffe Otieno-76), 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah (20. Timothy Ouma-76), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (7. Rodgers Okumu-64) 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh (24. Erick Ombija-28), 11. Davis Agesa

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 32. Ezekiel Odera, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Wesley Onguso, 3. Charles Otieno

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Red Card: 4. Robinson Kamura-50 (AFC Leopards)

Yellow cards: 23. Austin Odhiambo-65, 11. Hansel Ochieng-90+5 (AFC Leopards)//10. Peter Opiyo-61 (Nairobi City Stars)

Goals: 11. Hansel Ochieng-90+4 (AFC Leopards)

Salim Shitu Abdalla takes on AFC Leopards Isaac Kipyegon in a round 15 Premier League played at Kasarani on Sat 6 Mar 2021. Leopards won the game 1-0

Davis Agesa in a game against AFC Leopards on Sat 6 Mar 2021 during a round 15 Premier League tie. Leopards won 1-0

06 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

No change against AFC Leopards

Patrick March 6, 2021

It will be the same 20 players that faced Mathare United at Kasarani on Tuesday that will come up against AFC Leopards on Saturday 6 March 2021 at the same venue from 3pm.

It is the third straight game that head coach Sanjin Alagic has maintained the same 20 players.

They were all part of the past two league games that Simba wa Nairobi won with identical 2-0 margins over Western Stima and Mathare United.

20-man squad to face AFC Leopards

Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro (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: 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani,21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 3. Charles Otieno, 10. Peter Opiyo, 7. Rodgers Okumu,

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

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

05 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Head to Head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

Patrick March 5, 2021

On Saturday 6 March 2021, Nairobi City Stars will be away to AFC Leopards in a round 15 Premier League tie at Kasarani starting 3pm.

The two teams have met 18 times previously; twice in the 2005/6 season, and 16 times from the 2009 to 2016 seasons.

Overall, Leopards has registered seven wins, City Stars six wins and the other five games have ended in draws.

In nine away games, City Stars has managed one win over Leopards, drawn five and lost three times.

Leopards first hosted a Robert Matano-coached City Stars (then World Hope) on 22 January 2006 at Nyayo Stadium, a game they went on to lose 1-0. Steve Biko scored the lone goal.

It was double victory over Leopards that season as City Stars won the reverse game with another 1-0 win. Geoffrey Okoth’s goal at Ruraka was the difference.

The last City Stars-Leopards Premier League meeting was back on 21 August 2016 at Afraha Stadium which ended 0-0. City Stars then got relegated from the Premier League at the close of that season.

In between that game and the upcoming one, City Stars has met AFC Leopards just once during a preseason friendly game at Hope Centre on 10 August 2019. The latter won it 1-0 thanks to an opportunistic goal by Vincent Oburu in the second half.

Coaches

Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will lead City Stars on Saturday against Leopards.

He’ll be the 13th City Stars coach to face Leopards after Matano (2 games), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (2), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1), John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).

Sanjin joined City Stars prior to the 2019/20 season and led the side to promotion to the Premier League after four seasons out.

Sanjin will be up against Belgian Patrick Aussems who recently joined the club.

Recent form

The two teams come to the game on the high of recent back-to-back wins.

Leopards is basking from straight wins over Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani (1-0) and Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu (2-1) as City Stars are on three game wining streak over Zoo FC (2-1), Western Stima (2-0) and Mathare United (2-0).

Leopards is up fourth in the 18-team log with 25 points from 12 games as City Stars is ninth with 19 points from 14 games.

Venue

Rather interestingly, in all previous 18 Premier League meetings, Leopards and City Stars have never met at MISC Kasarani. The Saturday duel will be the first at the venue.

They two previously played at Nyayo Stadium (ten times), Hope Centre (once), Mumias Complex (Once), City Stadium (4), Ruaraka (once) and Afraha Stadium (once).

For City Stars, it will be their first visit to MISC Kasarani since 30th October 2016 where they lost to Homeboyz 3-1 to earn relegation after 12 seasons in the top flight.

Top scorers

In the previous 18 games, City Stars has outscored Leopards 16-15 goals and only just twice have there be no goals (0-0 draws).

The scorers have been diverse but a brace for Dan Sserunkuma in a 3-0 win at Nyayo Stadium in May 2012 makes him the top scorer for City Stars against ingwe.

Likewise, braces by Hugo Nzangu and Bernard Mang’oli in identical 2-1 wins over City Stars in Apr 2011 and Jul 2015, both at Nyayo, make them Ingwe’s top scorers against Simba wa Nairobi.

Player links

Across the two clubs, a list of players have been on the other side and will be up against their former employers.

Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, flyer Azizi Zizzou Okaka and mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo were at ingwe at different times before joining Simba wa Nairobi.

Recently acquired defenders Tedian Atuto Esilaba and Stephen Inganji, as well as Said Tsuma were a part of City Stars, but are now at ingwe.

Summary

KPL Games: 18 (Leopards wins -7, City Stars wins – 6, Draws – 5)

City Stars vs AFC Leopards (Away games)

22-Jan-06: AFC Leopards vs World Hope, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (W)
22-Aug-09: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
18-Apr-10: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
21-Aug-11: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
13-Jul-12: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-0 (L)
18-Aug-13: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-1 (D)
12-Apr-14: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Mumias Complex, 1-1 (D)
19-Jul-15: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
21-Aug-16: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Afraha Stadium, 0-0 (D)
06-Mar-21: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, MISC Kasarani, ??

Top scorers

vs City Stars: Bernard Mang’oli, Hugo Nzangu – 2 each
vs AFC Leopards: Dan Sserunkuma – 2 goals

04 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Sanjin: Chumsy, Bolton have improved City Stars flanks

Patrick March 4, 2021

In the ended mid transfer window, Nairobi City Stars roped in two fullbacks Bolton Omwenga and Kevin Chumsy Okumu on loan from Wazito.

Left back Bolton arrived from Tanzania’s Biashara United while right back Chumsy returned from Wazito whom he joined late last year after serving City Stars for four years.

Their arrival of the two versatile fullbacks has fixed City Stars vulnerability on either flanks to the delight of head coach Sanjin Alagic.

Bolton, a former Nzoia Suar, Kariobangi Sharks and KCB left back was a miss in the last transfer window as he went to Tanzania while Chumsy opted for something new hence his move to Wazito.

Months later, they were both a part of Simba wa Nairobi.

“We knew it from beginning of the season that we’ll suffer in those two positions if we didn’t bring in quality players. Unfortunately, even with a clear plan, we were not able to sign the players we wanted as our target Bolton left for Tanzania and Chumsy went to Wazito,”

“Now they are here and they have brought really positive impact on our flanks. They are quality players with the ability to play good both defensively and offensively with quality crosses,”

“They have adapted very well in our playing style in such a short time.” added Sanjin

Bolton came off the bench to make his debut in an away game against Kakemega Homeboyz while Chumsy earned his first Premier League game in City Stars colors against Zoo where he scored on his debut.

With both players on the pitch, City Stars has now registered four straight wins over Mutomo Tigers in the Domestic Club, Zoo FC, Western Stima and lately against Mathare United.

Bolton and Chumsy were the only additions to the squad in the mini transfer window that lasted the entirety of February 2021.

Bolton Omwenga in training with City Stars after his arrival from Tanzania’s Biashara United

Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu in action during a round 64 Betway Cup clash against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He had an assist as City Stars won the duel 4-1