Blog | Page 152 | Nairobi City Stars

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

02 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars roar past Mathare United

Patrick March 2, 2021

Nairobi City Stars took down Mathare United 2-0 at Kasarani Annex in a belated round 14 Premier League game played on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 March 2021.

Maiden goals by left back Bolton Omwenga and a final one by flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu on either half handed Simba wa Nairobi a third straight Premier League win.

Mathare United, who last payed City Stars back in 2016, will feel hard done by the loss as they pinned the hosts for long spells with dominant attacking and wide play.

Just before the half hour mark Bolton received a short pass from Peter Pinchez Opiyo and with a long range floater beat Mathare keeper Job Ochieng who fluffed the dinking ball to his own net for the opener.

And right at the death, bench power saw City Stars double their lead when Okuse sliced through the Mathare backline to meet a cross from teenage sub Timothy Noor Ouma to fire at the far post. A finger tip on the ball from Ochieng in goal failed to stop the ball from rolling home.

Two minutes into the game Oliver Maloba received a cross from the left by Omwenga but he miscued the ball towards the right corner while within meters of goal.

Within the next ten minutes City Stars backline went to over drive to clear Mathare raids starting with a Bolton halt on James Kinyanjui before Kenedy Vidic Onyango forced out for dangerous ball for a corner that yielded two more that Mathare wasted.

16 minutes in, Sven Yidah skied a short pass from Maloba as City Stars put in a response to Mathare runs.

Minutes later the ball was back in City Stars box when Mathare’s Tyson Otieno – with a man of the match performance all through – fed Kinyanjui who blasted wide.

Moments later Ebrima Sanneh had two near misses after he broke into the box only to fire a shot across goal before powering a Kevin Chumsy Okumu freekick above bar.

Then the turning point came in the 28th minute when Omwenga directed a long range shot goalward to beat Ochieng in goal for his first City Stars goal.

Then came nervy moments that could have seen Mathare in the game with goals before half time. A Kiyanjui cross found James Mavado Mwangi who hit the side netting and not too long after Kinyanjui himself had a shot fired wide and one other tipped away by City Stars keeper Njunge as the game rolled to half time.

Within the restart after the break, Maloba was bullied off the ball after making a solo run in the box. Not too long after he had a shot from range fly just wide.

Then came a real chance for Mathare on the other end when half time substitute Dani Lual, on for Alphonse Ndonye, received the ball in the box only to fire across goal only for Bolton to clear it out before it was tapped home.

The chances continued to present themselves for either side till the final minute when Okuse sneaked past both stoppers Martin Werunga and Lennox Ogutu to add a second for City Stars for his first ever Premiership goal.

With the latest win City Stars shoots to the 19-point mark after 14 games to move up four places from 12th to eighth in the 18-team log.

Mathare United on their part remain 16th with nine points from 11 games.

Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game against title chasing AFC Leopards on Saturday 6 March 2021 at Kasarani starting 3pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah (3. Charles Otieno-83), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (7. Rodgers Okumu-67) 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh (20. Timothy Ouma-83), 24. Erick Ombija (11. Davis Agesa-60)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 32. Ezekiel Odera, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Wesley Onguso

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

Mathare United: 30. Job Ochieng (GK), 20. Martin Ongori, 17. Martin Werunga, 23. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Norman Ogola, 29. Chris Oduor-Captain, 11. Tyson Otieno (15. Bonface Akenga-88), 8. Alphonse Ndonye (9. Dani Lual-46), 10. James Kinyajui, 13. John Mwangi (3. Khalid Jumaan-64), 27. Daniel Otieno (24. Klinsman Omulanga-79)

Unused subs: 1. David Okelo (GK), 7. Danson Kago, 19. Anthony Otieno, 12. David Simiyu, 6. Dennis Ochieng

Coach: Salim Ali

Yellow cards: 11. Tyson Otieno-37, 25. Norman Ogola-44 (Mathare United)//Bolton Omwenga-90 (Nairobi City Stars)

Goals: Bolton Omwenga-28, Rodgers Okumu-90 (Nairobi City Stars)

Match Officials: Maurice Matani (Match Comm), Davis Malungo (Centre Ref), Victor Shituku (AR1), George Mwangi (AR2), Wilson Otieno (4th Official)

Bolton Omwenga who scored his maiden goal for City Stars was named MVP after a mathc day 14 Premier League game against Mathare United. City Stars won 2-0

02 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

No change against Mathare United

Patrick March 2, 2021

The 20-man squad that travelled to Kisumu mid week to face Western Stima remains as is ahead of the upcoming game against Mathare United at Kasarani on Tuesday 2 March 2021 starting 3pm.

Head coach Sanjin Alagic has put faith in the same lot that delivered a 2-0 win over Western Stima on Wednesday for the upcoming round 14 Premier League tie.

The 20 will be contesting starting berths in the game that was pushed from Sunday to Tuesday to unavailability of a venue in Nairobi to host the game.

Utility Azizi Okaka, striker Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, left back Herit Mungai Atariza are some of the players that will all sit out the Mathare game.

20-man squad to face Mathare United

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

01 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Head to Head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Mathare United (A)

Patrick March 1, 2021

On Tuesday 2 March 2021, Nairobi City Stars will host Mathare United at Kasarani (outer) starting 3pm in a round 14 Premier League game.

It will be Premier league game number 25 between the two as, from 2004 to 2016, City Stars and Mathare United have met 24 times.

City Stars were relegated at the close of the 2016 and have never met Mathare while in the lower tier since.

From the previous 24 encounters, Mathare United has won 11 games, City Stars six and the other seven have ended in draws.

In 12 previous games hosted by City Stars, it’s equal stats as it’s been four wins and as many draws and losses.

When the two last faced off on 14 August 2016, Mathare carried the day with a 1-0 win at Nyayo Stadium. Robinson Kamura’s goal proved the difference.

That win brought City Stars two straight wins over Mathare at the same venue to an end.

New venue

Though the encounters have been numerous, City Stars has never hosted Mathare United outside Thika Stadium and City Stadium (1 game each), Hope centre (eight games) and Nyayo Stadium (twice).

The game will be played at the outer Kasarani (warm up) surface for the first time ever.

Recent form

Into the Tuesday affair, Mathare United carries a loss and draw against Bidco United and Wazito as City Stars trots with two wins over Zoo FC and Western Stima.

Simba wa Nairobi currently sits 12th in the 18-team standings with 16 points, seven ahead of Mathare United currently placed 16th.

Coaches

While Salim Ali will lead Mathare on Tuesday, City Stars will have Bosnian Sanjin Alagic on the touchline.

Sanjin will become coach no. 12 to lead City Stars against a Mathare outfit after Robert Matano (5 games), John Bobby Ogola (3), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (5), Gideon Ochieng (2), Charles Omondi (2), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1), Richard Tamale Pinto (1).

Who takes this one?

Summary

KPL Games: 24 games

Games hosted by City Stars

23-Apr-05; World Hope vs Mathare United, Thika Stadium, 1-2 (L)
7-Jan-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
15-Oct-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-2 (L)
2-Aug-08: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
30-Jul-09: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-2 (L)
21-Feb-10: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Center, 2-2 (D)
11-Jun-11: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 2-0 (W)
15-Sep-12: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-1 (D)
29-Jun-13: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
8-Nov-14: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-0 (D)
7-Aug-15: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (W)
14-Aug-16: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (L)
2-Mar-2021: City Stars vs Mathare United, Kasarani Annex, ?