Blog | Page 159 | Nairobi City Stars

01 Feb 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

Maloba called up to Harambee Stars

Patrick February 1, 2021

Attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba has been called up to the provisional National team Harambee Stars squad that will face Egypt and Togo in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers towards the close of March 2021.

The National team currently coached by Jacob Ghost Mulee will train twice each week from the second week of February for four weeks before upping the tempo in the month of March towards the two games.

“The Kenya National Senior Men’s Team (Harambee Stars) is scheduled to play Egypt and Togo in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers on March 25,2021, and March 28 ,2021 respectively.

“The above-mentioned player (Maloba) who is a member of your club has been invited in the provisional squad by the technical team in preparation for the aforementioned matches.” said a communique from the Federation to City Stars

The pacey ball player led City Stars to promotion with a personal contribution of five goals, six assists and six MVP awards. Thus far he has clocked all ten games into the 2020/21 Premier League season.

City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic commented on his callup stating; “I am proud that his hard work has finally paid off as the National team scouts have now spotted him. We wish him all the best.”

Maloba becomes the latest player from City Stars to be considered for National team duty after keeper Elvis Ochieng Ochoro, midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma and striker Vincent Otieno Okoth who were called up to the provisional U20 team in November 2020 before the final squad was named for the CECECAFA U20 held in Tanzania.

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

Oliver Maloba training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020

Oliver Maloba celebrates his goal, the second for City Stars in the season opening 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar FC at Narok Stadium on Sun 29 Nov 2020

30 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars goes down to Sharks

Patrick January 30, 2021

Nairobi City Stars suffered a second straight defeat after going down 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks in a tenth round Premier League tie at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 30 January 2021.

Julius Masaba sent Sharks 1-0 at the quarter hour mark with a cheeky lob and the response from City Stars came 20 minutes later when striker Davis Agesa sent home the ball off a flick from Wycliffe Otieno into the box from a throw in from skipper Peter Opiyo.

It was Agesa’s maiden Premier League goal in the game that saw City Stars and Sharks face off for the first time ever in the Premier League.

Sharks however had the last laugh when a long ball in the 81st minute found lead stiker Erick Kapaito who slammed home the ball with a low drive for maximum points.

While Sharks recovered from two straight losses against Tusker (4-2) and AFC Leopards (2-0), City Stars will be left to rue missed chances.

Agesa had no less than three chances inside the first 16 minutes. But he fired once just above bar, straight at Sharks keeper Brian Bwire, and a follow up shot just wide.

Four minutes after the hour mark saw stopper Kenedy Onyango sneak at the blind to meet Opiyo’s freekick only for the ball to whisk wide from his bullet header.

With five minutes to the break, Sharks midfielder Omoto met a perfect cross in the box only to sky the ball when it seemed easier to score.

Two minutes into the second half, Erick Ombija, the 2019/20 National Super League top scorer (17 goals) disposesed stopper Geoffrey Lemu to advance at goal. But within meters of the posts, he dilly dallied to allow Bwire steal the ball off his feet to waste yet another glorious chance for City Stars.

Eight minutes later it was the turn of Kapaito to shoot at goal but instead got a fruitless corner.

Daniel Sakari who came on for skipper Eric Juma tilted proceedings Sharks way and one of his crosses found Oyugi in the 61st minute. His shot ended up on the side netting.

The next few minutes saw Sakari cut in on the left flank only to sky his effort from close range and on the other end Ombija had a response. But once in the box he failed to place the ball home.

Then came the moment that won it for Sharks; a long ball from Tom Teka found Kapaito who wasted no time in delivering all spoils with the winning goal at the far post past keeper Steve Njunge.

With the latest loss City Stars drops to tenth with ten points as Sharks stays put at fifth with 18 points, four off the top.

Next up for City Stars is an away game to Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday 6 February 2021 at the Bukhungu Stadium starting 3pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba (3. Charles Otieno-86), 18. Sven Yidah, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (27. Azizi Okaka-86), 24. Erick Ombija (29. Ebrima Sanneh-69), 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu [20. Timothy Ouma-62 (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-86)]

Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 5. Wesley Onguso, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury)

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brian Bwire (GK), 2. Tom Teka, 26. Bonface Onyango, 6. Geoffrey Lemu (25. Samuel Olwande,-53), 5. Eric Juma-Captain (24. Daniel Sakari-53), 8. Patillah Omoto, 17. Shaphan Oyugi, 22. Julius Masaba , 10. Peter Lwasa (14. John Omondi-72), 20. Eric Kapaito (4. Alphonse Omija-90), 21. James Mazembe

Unused subs: 16. Brandon Obiero (GK), 13. Bonface Mwangemi, 29. Peter Oudu, 18. Reagan Adede,

Coach: William Muluya

Yellow cards: Peter Opiyo-10, Wycliffe Otieno-73 //17. Shaphan Oyugi-43, 8. Patilla Omoto-52, 10. Peter Lwasa-69

Goals: 22. Davis Agesa-35 (City Stars)//Julius Masaba-15, Erick Kapaito-81 (Kariobangi Sharks)

Match Officials: Anthony Ogwayo (Center Ref), Caleb Amwayi (Match Comm), Caroline Kiles (AR1), Mike Maputi (AR2), Zachary Ashiraa (Reserve Ref)

Azizi Okaka fends the ball off James Mazembe of Kariobangi Sharks as the two met in a tenth round Premier League game on Sat 30 Jan 2021. Sharks won 2-1

City Stars stopper on Sharks dangerman Eric Kapaito at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Kapaito scored the winner as City Stars fell 2-1

City Stars striker Ebrima Sanneh takes on a Kariobangi Sharks player at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Sharks won 2-1

30 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Head to head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Kariobangi Sharks (A)

Patrick January 30, 2021

Nairobi City Stars will host Kariobangi Sharks in a tenth round Premier League tie at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 30 January 2021 starting 3pm.

Just as was the case against Nzoia United in the season opener, and against Bidco United, Vihiga United and Wazito in rounds four, five and six, the upcoming duel will be historic as City Stars and Sharks have never met in the top flight.

The two have bypassed each other on the league front over the years. Back in 2017 Sharks rose to the Premier League as City Stars dropped to the second tier following relegation.

Simba wa Nairobi only returned to the big boys league following promotion in 2020.

The only contest between the two was a preseason friendly exactly three months ago at the end of October 2020 at Utalii grounds where the spoils were shared 1-1.

In that friendly fire, speedy Rodgers Okumu Okuse scored an early goal for City Stars off a Davis Agesa cross from the right as Peter Lwasa leveled matters for Sharks before the break.

Once again, head coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia will be coming up against William Kanu Muluya who promoted the team at the close of the 2016 second tier and has been with the side since then.

Sharks currently sits fifth in the 18-team log with 15 points, five clear of ninth placed City Stars.

While City Stars comes into this clash with a draw against Ulinzi Stars (1-1) and defeat against Sofapaka (1-0), Sharks carry two straight defeats against Tusker (4-2) and AFC Leopards (2-0).

Part of what will juice up the upcoming encounter is the presence of three former Sharks players in the City Stars roster: defensive mid Sven Yidah, defenders Herit Mungai, Wycliffe Wiked Otieno and striker Ebrima Sanneh.

Timothy Ouma of City Stars challenging for the ball against a Sharks player during a friendly at Utalii on Sat 31 Oct 2020

Midfielder Charles Çhale’Otieno in a friendly game against Kariobangi Sharks at Utalii grounds on Sat 30 Oct 2020. It ended 1-1

Defensive mid Ronney Kola takes on a Kariobangi Sharks player during a friendly at Utalii grounds on Sat 30 Oct 2020. It ended 1-1

29 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Onguso, Jamaica in for Sharks fight

Patrick January 29, 2021

After missing the last assignment last weekend against Sofapaka in Wundanyi, defender Wesley Wiseman Onguso and winger Vincent Jamaica Otieno Okoth have been included in Nairobi City Stars 20-man squad to face Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 30 January 2021 starting 3pm.

The two add on to the 18-man squad that travelled to Wundanyi that remains unchanged.

For a second straight weekend skipper Anthony Muki Kimani stays out as he heels from a shoulder injury. In his absence Peter Pinchez Opiyo will once again claim the armband as was the case against Sofapaka.

Overall team captain Calvin Masawa as well as utility back Edwin Buliba are still out due to quad related strains.

Squad to face Kariobangi Sharks

16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 21. Oliver Maloba, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury)

28 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Chale samples the KPL, finally!

Patrick January 28, 2021

After clocking full minutes on the bench twice against Wazito and Ulinzi Stars, defensive mid Charles Otieno Oduro aka Chale, finally came off the dugout to earn his Premier League debut in Wundanyi as Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to Sofapaka in a round nine tie.

Chale clocked 13 minutes in his first ever top flight game after coming on for Sven Yidah.

He talked of the memorable game while in training during the week.

“I had waited for this day and game and it finally came. I got to the pitch at a moment when the tempo was very high but I fitted right into it,” said the soft spoken Chale

“It was a very exciting experience and I am looking forward to more games at this level.” he added

Chale joined Nairobi City Stars back in 2017 following relegation from the top flight.

He had been part of the club’s low and high tides – relegation survival at the end of the 2018/19 season and promotion the next season.

Charles ‘Chale’ Otieno getting closer to full recuperation after months of rehab

Charles Otieno at Wundayi during a match day 9 tie against Sofapaka on Sat 23 Jan 2021. He made his KPL debut as the hosts beat City Stars 1-0.