Blog | Page 153 | Nairobi City Stars

01 Mar 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars — City Stars midfielder Oliver Maloba on the ball in a 7th round Premier League tie against Posta Rangers at Kasarani on Fri 8 Jan 2021. The game ended 1-1

Tusker, Gor Mahia games pushed back

Patrick March 1, 2021

Three international friendly games for Kenya between 13 and 18 March 2021 has forced the shift of games in the FKF Premier League.

One such game is a round 16 Nairobi City Stars – Tusker clash that was originally earmarked for a 1pm (EAT) kickoff Saturday 13th March 2021 at Kasarani.

That game has since been pushed back by a week and will now be played on Saturday 20 March 2021 at the same venue.

The game now falls on the date that Simba wa Nairobi would have faced off with defending Champions Gor Mahia

The disrupt by the upcoming international games against South Sudan and two back-to-back games against Tanzania, all in preparations of Africa Cup of Nation games later in the month against Egypt and Togo, has now shifted the kick off for the second leg of the league.

City Stars was to kick off the second stanza with a Kasarani duel with Sofapaka on Sunday 4 April 2021. City Stars will now play Gor Mahia on that date as the Sofapaka game moves to a new day.

A communique from the Federation on the aforementioned states;

The Kenya Senior National Team is scheduled to play three friendly matches in Mid-March in preparation for the upcoming Qualifier matches against Egypt and Togo. As such, Round 16 Matches earlier scheduled to be played on 12th – 14th March 2021 have been pushed forward and shall now be played on 19th – 21st March 2021.

Consequently, the kick off for the Second leg has been pushed to the weekend of 10th – 11th April 2021 so as to allow the teams with matches in hand to catch up as we seek to have all teams level (in terms of matches played) before beginning of the Second leg.

City stars attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba is in the provisional National team – Harambee Stars – squad and will be angling for his international break in the upcoming friendly games.

Kenya friendly game schedule

International game schedule

Thu. 25th Mar. 2021 | Kenya vs Egypt | AFCON 2022 Qualifiers
Mon. 29th Mar. 2021 | Togo vs Kenya | AFCON 2022 Qualifiers

Changes to City Stars schedule

Nairobi City Stars vs Tusker, Kasarani (Match 137); Sat, 20 Mar (from Sat 13) 2021 13:00

Gor Mahia vs Nairobi City Stars, Kasarani (Match 146): Sun 04 Apr (from Sat 20 Mar) 2021, 15:00

26 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Mathare United clash shifts

Patrick February 26, 2021

Nairobi City Stars will host Mathare United on Tuesday 2 March 2021 in Kasarani at 3pm and NOT on Sunday 28 February 2021 as had been scheduled.

The game day change was necessitated due to unavailability of venues at the weekend as Kasarani will be hosting other games on the same Sunday.

“With no other venue available in Nairobi we had no choice but to request for a shift of play day and that has since been granted by the Federation,”

“Utalii which is the only alternate venue for games in Nairobi is also unavailable leaving Kasarani to soak in all the weekend pressure of hosting up to five Nairobi teams,”

“The only open window to host Mathare at Kasarani is on Tuesday hence the departure from the originally scheduled Sunday.” said club CEO Parick Korir

The Tuesday game follows on mid week games played on Wednesday where City Stars was away to Western Stima in Kisumu while Mathare was at Kasarani against Wazito.

The games ended 2-0 and 1-1, respectively.

25 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Four City Stars players make Week 13 TOTW

Patrick February 25, 2021

Four Nairobi City Stars players made it to the Team of the week (TOTW) at the close of round 13 games played on Wednesday 23 February 2021.

Keeper Steve Njunge and centre back Kenedy Onyango both made it to the first elven of the week while left back Balton Omwenga and striker Erick Ombija were added on to the reserve list.

In the Wednesday games, City Stars hit home team Western Stima 2-0 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu to earn a successive league triumph to move from 13th to tenth with 16 points in the 18-team log.

Ombija scored once off a corner from Omwenga as Peter Opiyo added a penalty before half time to complete the win.

Onyango and Njunge worked tirelessly in the second half to ward off the hosts to the very end.

Beyond being named in the team of the Week, Njunge has been nominated in a short list of three players for consideration as Player of the Week.

In the last set of games, in round 12, Kevin Chumsy Okumu made the reserve list of the TOTW.

Chumsy scored on his debut for City Stars on Saturday as Simba wa Nairobi powered to a 2-1 win over Zoo FC at Kasarani to end an eight-game winless streak.

Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu made the Week 12 TOTW after scoring on his debut as Nairobi City Stars saw off Zoo FC 2-1 at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021

24 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars blackout Western Stima

Patrick February 24, 2021

Nairobi City Stars ended a nine year winless run against Western Stima after registering a 2- 0 win in a round 13 Premier league clash at Moi Stadium on Wednesday 23 February 2021.

Two first half goals by Erick Ombija – scorer of the winner against Zoo FC on Saturday – and a penalty by Peter Opiyo just before half time sealed the win over the powermen.

Ombija and Opiyo’s goals ended City Stars 11-game winless run over Western Stima for a first win since 21 May 2012 when the team registered a 1-0 during a Premier League game held at Bukhungu Stadium. Levy Muaka scored that lone goal.

Ombija had the first real chances of the game from deliveries by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani and Rodgers Okumu on six and ten minutes.

His efforts came after Vitalis Akumu had fired wide off City Stars goal after receiving a through ball from Michael Karamor.

Karamor fired a long ranger moments later only for Steve Njunge to dive the effort out for a fruitless corner.

A few minutes later Stima were punished the misses after Balton Omwenga floated a corner into the box. It landed on generously on Ombija who fired home off his traditional red boots for the opening goal.

With break time drawing closer, Muki went for a second ball and aimed for goal only to find the hands of a sliding Kennedy Owino for a penalty that Opiyo converted for the second on the day, his fourth goal this season.

A rainy second half literally belonged to the home team who had raid after raid but Njunge in goal for City Stars was at his best to thwart them all and aid Simba wa Nairobi to a second straight triumph.

With the latest win City Stars shoots up from 13th to tenth in the 18-team log with 16 points from 13 games. Western Stima on their part remain 17th with seven points.

Up next for City Stars is a home game against Mathare United on Sunday 28 February 2021 in Nairobi.

Lineups

Western Stima: 23. Stephen Otieno (GK), 6. Kennedy Owino, 3. Martin Mpuga, 19. Joseph Mukisa, 5. Clifford Omondi (13. Geoffrey Ojunga-54), 8. James Ogada (12. Mohammed Mbaruku-62), 14. Isaac Mweru (22. Ibrahim Ochieng-54), 10. Patrick Otieno-Captain, 7. Baron Oketch (11. Laban Otieno-60), 29. Michael Karamor,

Unused subs: 1. Ian Nagweya, 27. Leon Doso, 24. Rodgers Ouma, 25. Steve Brian, 15. Bravo Otieno, 2. Michael Luvutsi

Coach: Juma Abdalla

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (20. Timothy Ouma-70), 7. Rodgers Okumu (21. Oliver Maloba -65), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (11. Davis Agesa-70), 24. Erick Ombija (3. Charles Otieno-80)

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

Yellow cards: 5. Clifford Omondi-41 (Western Stima)//7. Rodgers Okumu-65 (Nairobi City Stars)

Goals: Erick Ombija-34, 10. Peter Opiyo-43 (penalty)

Match Officials: Maxim Itur (Match Comm), Brook Philip (Centre Ref), Emmanuel Barasa (AR1), Doreen Kendi (AR2), Josiah Awiti (Reserve Ref)

Spoiler Sven Yiday during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

Striker Erick Ombija, defender Salim Abdalla ‘Shitu’ and skipper Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani celebrate a goal against Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

Keeper Steve Njunge during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

24 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Head to head: Western Stima (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

Patrick February 24, 2021

It will be Premier League game number 19 since year 2008, and the first since 2016, when Western Stima hosts Nairobi City Stars at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 starting 3pm.

The upcoming game, the thirteenth round in the 2020/21 is a crucial one as both sides hope to pile up the points and move off the lower reaches of the 18-team standings.

History books

The archives confirms the two sides have played 18 times in the Premier League between 2008 and 2016.

Western Stima has registered seven wins, Nairobi City Stars three wins with the other eight duels ending in even Stevens.

Though the two last met in the Premier League back on 21 September 2016 at Nyayo Stadium, in a game Western Stima won 2-1, the two sides met twice again in the 2018 season while in the second tier, the National Super League (NSL).

In that year the two shared spoils after a 1-1 deadlock at Camp Toyoyo in April but Western Stima went on to finish off City Stars with a 1-0 win later in September in the reverse tie at Moi Stadium. John Oruko scored the lone goal.

In eight previous premier league home games against City Stars, Western Stima has managed two wins and as many losses, and four draws.

Up ahead of the afternoon clash, Western Stima will be buoyed by the fact that they beat City Stars in their last five premier league games from the second leg of the 2014 season all through to 2016. Four games just before the five wins all ended in draws.

Coaches

Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will be on City Stars touchline to change the dismal tide against Western Stima who are under experienced Juma Abdalla.

Sanjin will be the 12th coach to handle a City Stars game against Western Stima since 2008 after John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (3 games – 2 in 2008 and 1 in 2016), Oliver Page (1 game), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (3), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).

Past win

Sanjin will be seeking to break a run of nine straight premier league games without a win over Western Stima.

City Stars last win over the bogey Western Stima was on 21 May 2012 at Bukhungu Stadium. Levy Muaka scored at the stroke of half time to hand City Stars a 1-0 win.

Current form

Into the highlight game on Wednesday afternoon, Western Stima, with seven points, are 17th on the log as Nairobi City Stars are 13th with six points on their hosts.

The hosts come to the game wounded having let go a 2-1 lead in their last game to lose 3-2 to Homeboyz in Kisumu while City Stars carries a 2-1 win over Zoo FC in Nairobi.

Top scorers

Into the game, both clubs still have scorers from past matches available.

With three goals, Arthur Museve is City Stars top scorer against Western Stima. He has since retired and is now the team’s trainer.

Anthony Muki Kimani who scored against Western Stima at Bukhungu in July 2009, in a 1-1 draw, will captain the the side.

Ebrima Sanneh who scored once in a 2-1 loss at Nyayo Stadium in August 2015 is still in City Stars ranks.

Baron Oketch who scored the winner in that game after adding on to Wesley Kemboi’s goal will be leading Western Stima against City Stars once again.

Kemboi who is no longer part of Western Stima is the leading scorer against City Stars. He has scored a goal more than Baron, Francis Ochola and Job Omuse

Who will carry the day?

Summary

KPL Games: 18 (2008-2016)

Western Stima Home games vs City Stars

15-Mar-08, Western Stima vs World Hope 1-2 (W)
4-Jul-09, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Oct-10, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
17-Sep-11, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
12-May-12, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
11-May-13, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)
9-Aug-14, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
25-Mar-15, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
21-Feb-16, Western Stima vs City Stars 2-0 (L)
16-Sep-18, Western Stima vs City Stars 1-0 (L) *NSL

Top scorers

Western Stima vs City Stars

Wesley Kemboi – 3 goals

Job Omuse, Baron Oketch, Hedmond Mauda, Francis Ochola – 2 goals

City Stars vs Western Stima

Arthur Museve – 3 goals

Anthony Muki Kimani celebrate his opening goal against Nzoia Sugar at Narok Stadium on Sun 29 Nov 2020. City Stars won 2-0