Blog | Page 154 | Nairobi City Stars

23 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

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

One change for Western Stima

Patrick February 23, 2021

In comes overall captain Calvin Masawa and out goes midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo.

That’s the only change from the squad that met Zoo FC on Saturday 20 February 2021 at Kasarani, and won 2-1.

Save for that change, the rest of the squad remains as is.

Wesley Onguso who had a cameo show against Zoo – in his maiden Premier League game in City Stars colors – retains his place in the team.

And so is Kevin Chumsy Okumu who on his debut for Simba wa Nairobi clocked a full 90 minutes.

Pocket rocket Rodgers Okumu who’s assist to Erick Ombija led to the winner against Zoo is part of the Kisumu trip as well as left back Balton Omwenga who will be seeking his first full game.

Regulars Steve Njunge, Wycliffe Otieno, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Davis Agesa, Oliver Maloba, Ezekiel Odera, Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani and Sven Yidah are all in the team

20-man squad to face Western Stima

19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 26. Balton Omwenga

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, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

Elvis Noor Ojiambo in a past game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-1

22 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Ombija yearning for more

Patrick February 22, 2021

Nairobi City Stars beat Zoo FC 2-1 on Saturday 20 February 2021 at Kasarani to end an eight game winless streak in the Premier League.

Off season signing Erick Jibaba Ombija, coming on as a substitute, connected to a cross from his former Coast Stima team mate Rodgers Okuse Okumu to send in the winner ten minutes from time.

Ombija’s strike was beyond a winner, it was a special one – his maiden Premier League goal.

And naturally, it was an exciting fete that not only brought smiles to him, but to the entire Simba wa Nairobi family.

“I had been searching for that scoring touch and goal. Finally I found it when it was really needed,” said Ombija who top scored in the second tier NSL last season with 17 goals while at Coast Stima

“It brought happy moments and we are all grateful. I hope it shall be that way in upcoming matches. That is what we are focusing on.” he added

Ombija’s golden goal came while playing his tenth game for City Stars this season.

His winner added onto the opening strike by Kevin Chumsy Okumu who like Ombija, celebrated his first ever Premiership goal while making his debut for Simba wa Nairobi.

Striker Erick Ombija has eyes on the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Tigers on Sat 13 Feb 2021 at Kitui Stadium. City Stars won 4-1

City Stars striker Erick Ombija goes for the ball in a 7th round Premier League tie against Posta Rangers at Kasarani on Fri 8 Jan 2021. The game ended 1-1

Erick Ombija at Dagoretti High against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020. He scored once. The game ended 1-1

20 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Ombija returns City Stars to winning ways

Patrick February 20, 2021

Nairobi City Stars ended an eight game winless run with a 2-1 win over basement side Zoo FC at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday 20 February 2021.

Offseason signing Erick Jibaba Ombija combined with his former Coast Stima team mate Rodgers Okuse Okumu to net the winner in the 80th minute.

Ombija’s strike added on to a 33rd minute opener by right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu who made his debut for Simba wa Nairobi in the top flight. Both had never scored in the Premier League.

The goal sandwiched a marvelous freekick strike by Mathew Tayo Odongo in the 50th minute that eventually turned out to be a consolation.

Though beaten in the historic game against City Stars, it is Zoo that set the tone early on when Newton Ondati narrowly missed the target in the fourth minute.

Nine minutes later Zoo striker Collins Neto’s attempt to round City Stars keeper Steve Njunge was thwarted by the shot stopper.

City Stars response then came in the 19th minute when recent signing Bolton Omwenga, in his first premier league start for Simba wa Nairobi, failed to find the net off a corner.

Five minutes later Oliver Maloba shockingly sent the ball wide with an open net at his disposal as Zoo goal tender Brian Lumumba had gone down with a heavy thud while contesting a high ball with City Stars striker Davis Agesa.

Then came the moment when, in the 33rd minute, a long ball from keeper Njunge found Chumsy who, with a few steps into the box, sent the ball home at the far post when it looked like he had miscued a floated pass.

It could have been a different tale at the break had Njunge not punched out two separate freekicks from outside the box by Sammy Ggolola and Benard Odhiambo in the final minutes of the first half.

City Stars would then be punished for giving away fouls at the edge of the box five minutes into the second half. Odongo, who came on for Ondati right after the break, fired home a delicious ball to the far top corner to level the matters.

The pace of the game was to slow down but in the 80th minute, substitute Ombija who came on for Agesa in the 57th minute connected to an Okumu cross to fire a low shot off his left foot in what turned out to be the three point earner.

To find Ombija, fleetfooted Okumu made a mad dash on the right wing to arrest a ball near the corner then cut in at the edge of the box to feed Ombija to find his maiden premier league goal.

The dying minutes of the game could have seen City Stars extend their lead but Ebrima Sanneh, in his first start this season, was guilty of fluffing two clean deliveries from Wesley Onguso from the left channel.

Onguso had come on for Omwenga in the 83rd minute to earn his first premier league game in City Stars colors.

With the win City Stars moved to 13 points from 12 games but still maintained spot 13 in the standings due to other results on Saturday as Zoo stagnated at the bottom with two points from eight games.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a game against Western Stima in Kisumu on Wednesday 23rd February 2021.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga (5. Wesley Onguso-83), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (18. Sven Yidah-57), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (20. Timothy Ouma-83), 21. Oliver Maloba (7. Rodgers Okumu-73), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa (24. Erick Ombija-57)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 32. Ezekiel Odera, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 3. Charles Otieno

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Zoo FC: 8. Brian Lumumba, 15. Pascal Ogweno, 17. Murabwa Matini, 36. Dominic Ouma (29. Dennis Omondi-85), 31. Stanslaus Akiya, 18. Geoffrey Gichana – captain, 26. Kepha Ondati, 32. Summy Ggolola (35. Ernest Kipkoech-85), 6. Collins Neto, 5. Newton Ondari (25. Mathew Odongo-46), 10. Bernard Odhiambo

Unused subs: 9. Vincent Misikhu (GK), 39. Alex Onchwari, 22. Frederick Otiso, 16. Edwin Namasaka,

Coach: Herman Iswekha

Goals: 19. Kevin Okumu-33, 24. Erick Ombija-80 (Nairobi City Stars)//25. Mathew Odongo-50 (Zoo FC)

Yellow cards: 10. Bernard Odhiambo-90 (Zoo FC)

Match Officials: Maqulate Akorot (Match Comm), Meshack Omondi (CEntre Ref), Oliver Odhiambo (AR1), Jacklyne Barongo (AR2), Dennis Mimisa (Reserve Ref)

19 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Six changes against Zoo

Patrick February 19, 2021

Head coach Sanjin Alagic has made four changes and two additions to the squad that faced Kakamega Homeboyz last time round for the upcoming Premier League game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Saturday 20 February 2021 starting 1pm.

Returning right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu, Ebrima Sanneh and Wesley Onguso are all in for the round 12 match in place of Aziz Okaka, Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth and regular left back Herit Mungai Atariza who receives a much needed rest.

Chumsy re-signed for City Stars, albeit on loan from Wazito, and will be seeking his debut Premier league game for Simba wa Nairobi against Zoo.

Teenage keeper Elvis Ochoro who made the bench for the first six games makes a return to the squad to replace Jacob Osano who has been reserve keeper in the last five games.

Adding on to the list is field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani who has been out for the last one month due to a shoulder injury.

Sven Yidah, who got injured during a game against his former side Kariobangi Sharks, and forced to miss the Homeboyz trip, is also in for the Zoo game.

As explained by team physio, all players who were on the injury list returned to full fitness days to the Zoo game and were eligible to play.

Utility back Edwin Buliba and overall Calvin Masawa were however rested for the game alongside left footed John Kamau.

20-man squad to face Zoo FC

19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Ouma, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 26. Balton Omwenga

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals for Nairobi City Stars during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021

Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0

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

19 Feb 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Head to head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Zoo FC (A)

Patrick February 19, 2021

Battle of the unknowns. Is what can be used to describe the upcoming game between Nairobi City Stars and Zoo FC of Kericho at Kasarani on Saturday 20 February 2021 starting 1.30pm.

Just as was the case before the season opener against Nzoia United, Nairobi City Stars has never met Zoo FC in any competition thus making the upcoming clash historic.

Zoo joins a band of few club that City Stars have faced off for the first time in the Premier League which includes Bidco United, Vihiga United and Wazito FC, whom Simba wa Nairobi met in match days four to six, in that order, as well as Kariobangi Sharks in match day ten.

With no games to look at, the commons with the two is a rough patch in the league in recent weeks.

While City Stars parades a three game losing streak into the game, Zoo FC is counting five falls on the trot. Both will obviously be keen to rectify the downward spiral.

Bosnian Sanjin Alagic is keen to turn around City Stars bad run against the Herman Iswekha-coached Zoo who are in search of their first win of the season in attempt eighth.

“This is a very important match for us considering we have gone a long time without winning in the league,”

“We hope to build on the recent win in the cup game (4-1 against Mutomo Tigers) and get our first three points so that we can change the team’s position on the table.” said Sanjin

City Stars are currently 13th on the log with ten points while Zoo FC prop the 18-team log with two points from seven outings. They have four games in hand.