08 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Newton Ochieng
Newton Ochieng against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023

Caution leaves ‘Tony’ distraught

February 8, 2024

Newton Ochieng’s return to the Nairobi City Stars squad for a game against Shabana on Sunday 4 February 2024 in Machakos suffered a massive setback after he was slapped with a straight red card.

Tony, as he is popularly known, was handed his marching orders within seven minutes – alongside Shabana’s Prince Ayeko – after coming on as a substitute after being found in the thick of a scuffle.

“There was a bit of a push and pull and I went in to help contain the situation. Unfortunately, I was pointed out as the chief culprit. To my shock, the next thing I saw was a red card being flushed at me,”

“I will take the time out to focus on my training then return to contest the games that I will be eligible to play in,” he added

Tony has so far featured in ten of the 20 games played so far this season clocking 309 regular game minutes.

07 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
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Pius Omachi excited to be back after a year

February 7, 2024

After exactly a year, flyer Pius Omachi was back on the pitch for a Kenyan Premier League match after coming on as a substitute on Sunday 4 February 2024 in a matchday 20 tie against Shabana in Machakos.

Omachi was introduced in the final 13 minutes of play in place of Samuel Kapen for only his second top-flight game.

“The season has gone on well for the Nnairobi City Stars though it has been hard for me to get back to the squad due to stiff competition,”

“But I am happy that now things are flowing and I am back to the setup. I do believe that things will only get better from here,”

Omachi’s only other game – his debut – was on 4 February 2023 against Gor Mahia in Kasarani after swapping places with Ezekiel Odera in the 73rd minute.

Misfortune struck soon after and he was rendered unavailable for the rest of the season due to injury forcing him to undergo lengthy rehab.

He only just returned and his first game in the current season has come after being an unused substitute in games against Posta Rangers, and  AFC Leopards.

06 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Yuto Kusaba
Yuto Kusaba ahead of his FKF Premier League debut against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 Feb 2024 during a matchday 20 tie. It ended 0-0

Yuto Kusaba on Premier League debut

February 6, 2024

Forward Yuto Kusaba made his Kenyan Premier League on Sunday 4 February 2024 with a cameo show against Shabana at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos during a matchday 20 tie.

Yuto, a Japanese National, came on in the 77th minute for Dennis Oalo to have a feel of the Kenyan top flight.

“It felt nice to finally play at this level as I had been waiting for this opportunity,”

“The Shabana game was competitive and it gave me an idea of what I need to do to approach the upcoming games,”

“I hope to build upon this first game and get City Stars back to winning ways,”

Yuto joined City Stars in the offseason in August 2023 but was registered in the current mid-transfer that opened in January 2024.

Yuto becomes the seventh City Stars player to be introduced to the Kenyan top flight this season, and the 20th by coach Nicholas Muyoti in the past three seasons.

Wycliffe Omondi, Gilbert Abala, Brian Mose Nyambane and Brian Mzee made their debuts in matchday one against Muhoroni Youth, while the duo of Abuyeka Kubasu and Robinson Asenwa got their maiden games in matchday four against Gor Mahia.

Yuto Kusaba

Yuto Kusaba on his FKF Premier League debut against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 Feb 2024 during a matchday 20 tie. It ended 0-0

Yuto Kusaba

Yuto Kusaba on his FKF Premier League debut against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 Feb 2024 during a matchday 20 tie. It ended 0-0

04 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kisilu, City Stars
Andrew Kisilu takes on a Shabana player as City Stars hosted Shabana on Sun 4 Feb 2024 in Machakos during FKF Premier League matchday 20. It ended 0-0

MD20: Nairobi City Stars 0 Shabana 0

February 4, 2024

Home team Nairobi City Stars earned a seventh clean sheet of the season after eking out a 0-0 draw against visiting Shabana FC during a matchday 20 FKF Premier League match held in Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Sunday 4 February 2024.

The result meant that Simba wa Nairobi would have to wait another day to pick a win over Shabana whom they last hosted in a home game exactly 18 years ago – on 4 February 2006 – at the City Stadium. That game ended 1-1.

The first leg tie between the two sides played in Homa Bay in October 2023, ended in a 2-2 draw during matchday seven.

It was a game of few chances but City Stars will, largely, have to thank keeper Edwin Mukolwe for his heroics for protecting the lines on several occasions.

The second half of the tie saw two red cards flashed; one to City Stars substitute Newton Ochieng who had barely been on the pitch for five minutes, and Shabana defender Prince Ayeko for an off-the-ball affray.

With a point earned City Stars moves to the 34-point mark but drops from the pre-weekend second spot to fourth following other matchday 20 results.

Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is an away trip to the Coast for a showdown against third-placed Bandari in Mbaraki on Saturday 10 February 2024.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 14. Rowland Makati, 4. Timothy Ouma-captain, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Clifford Ouma, 25. Brian Mzee (5. Newton Ochieng-58), 19. Vincent Owino, 22. Samuel Kapen (7. Pius Omachi-77 ), 11. Andrew Kisilu (3. Robinson Asenwa-58 ), 10. Dennis Oalo (*21. Yuto Kusaba-77 ),

*Kenyan Premier League debut

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Noor, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 17. Brian Mose, 24. Rogers Obusu, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Out: 8. Calvin Masawa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 12. Edwin Buliba, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Shabana: 31. Mustapha Oduor, 17. Brian Magare, 32. Price Ayeko, 26. George Onyango-captain, 5. Bernard Otieno, 15. Mark Okola (28. Eugene Mukangula-78), 20. Vincent Nyabuto (24. Alvin Ochieng-71), 16. Justine Omwando, 18. Enock Agwanda, 7. Japhet Lihanda (27. Wycliffe Nthatha-78), 10. Brian Michira (9. Mathew Tegisi-57)

Unused subs: Frederick Odhiambo, Lameck, Christopher Raila, 14. Maneno Lamela, 35. Rogers Aloro

Coach: Sammy Pamzo Omolo

Cautions
Nairobi City Stars: 25. Brian Mzee (54), 5. Newton Ochieng (65-Red card), 7. Pius Omachi (90+)
Shabana: 32. Price Ayeko (65-Red card)

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: –
Shabana: –

City Stars, Shabana

Striker Dennis Oalo up against Shabana keeper Mustapha Oduor as City Stars hosted Shabana on Sun 4 Feb 2024 during FKF Premier League matchday 20. It ended 0-0

03 Feb 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Vincent Owino
Vincent Owino celebrates his equalizing penalty when City Stars visited Shabana in Homa Bay Stadium on Sun 22 Oct 2023. It ended 2-2

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Shabana (A): 2023-24 FKF Premier League season

February 3, 2024

Nairobi City Stars will host Shabana FC in the Kenyan topflight for the first time in exactly 18 years, 6,575 calendar days apart, during a matchday 20, 2023/24 FKF Premier League tie in Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, on 4 February 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Simba wa Nairobi – then known as World Hope – last hosted Shabana on 4 February 2006 at the City Stadium during a matchday 16 tie in the 2005/6 Premier League season.

That match ended 1-1. Then, Shabana opened the scores through Joseph Motori in the 36th minute but the hosts rallied for a share of the spoils through Samuel Akolo in the 88 minute.

That result was however nullified after World Hope was accused of fielding an illegible player handing Shabana a 2-0 awarded win.

Though it’s ages since Simba wa Nairobi hosted Shabana in the topflight, the Sunday hosts had taken in their upcoming foes between December 2018 and January 2020 while in the second tier, the National Super League.

City Stars won both games played on 20 Mar 2019 in Camp Toyoyo, and 1 September 2019 in Hope Centre, 3-1 and 2-0, respectively.

Into the upcoming game, City Stars sits second on the log with 33 points while Shabana is in relegation spot 17 with as many points from 19 games played.

Both come to the game in the wake of losses, City Stars parading a 2-0 fall to AFC Leopards, while Shabana tags along with a 1-0 loss to Ulinzi Stars in the last round.

On the touchline, Simba wa Nairobi boss Nicholas Muyoti will come up against Sammy Pamzo Omollo who has since taken over the Shabana onus as coach.

During the first leg of the current season, City Stars rallied from a goal down to hold Shabana 2-2 on Sun 22 Oct 2023 during a matchday seven-game played in Homa Bay Stadium.

Who wins this one?

Premier League home Games vs Shabana: 1 – Nairobi City Stars Wins (0), Draw (1), Loss (0)

4-Feb-06: World Hope vs Shabana, 1-1 (D)* Awarded to Shabana 2-0
4-Feb-24: Nairobi City Stars vs Shabana, ??

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