31 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Edwin Mukolwe in action against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on 13 Jan 2024. City stars won the game 1-0

Edwin Mukolwe excited by chances

January 31, 2024

Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe is all smiles as, game by game, the Nairobi City Stars front row persistently prods the opposition goal zone.

From the attempts upfront, he says, a breach is inevitable and the goals will come more than often.

19 games down the line into the 2023/24 FKF Premier League season, City Stars leads the scorers’ log with 26 goals. Simba wa Nairobi has scored in 16 of the 19 games having failed to score against Muhoroni Youth, Kenya Police in the first leg, and AFC Leopards in the second leg.

“We are creating chances in almost all the league games play in. This is exciting because with chances, the goals do come,”

“When you complement that with a backline that does it’s job of keeping it tight, it then becomes easier to win games from the goals, albeit few, that come from the chances created,”

“This are the reasons we are the best scrong team in the league. This excites me about the team,”

Mukolwe, signed in the offseason from Bidco United, has been a regular feature for Simba wa Nairobi claiming 14 of the 19 games clocking 1,170 regular game minutes, and keeping five clean sheets.

He has made it to the team of the week on two occasions after games against Posta Rangers and Bandari. He was named MVP against the latter.

Team of the Week for Matchweek 13.

Mnaonaje hizo Selections?#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/WmIbMGnfte

— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) December 5, 2023

Mnaonaje hii selection?#FkfPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/j35FpipRwk

— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) December 12, 2023

28 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Samuel Kapen in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League opener against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex
Samuel Kapen in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League opener against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex

Samue Kapen in golden bracket

January 28, 2024

Flyer Samuel Kapen was named in the best eleven at the end of the 17 first leg 2023/24 FKF Premier League games.

Kapen is the only Simba wa Nairobi player in the rare list that has six players from Gor Mahia, and ne each from KCB, Tusker, Posta Rangers, and Kariobangi Sharks.

“I am really happy to see myself in team of half season. It is exciting to be listed among the best and I wish to use that to as an encouragement to chase for more goals and assists to help my team fight for the title.” said an elated Kapen

So far, Kapen has scored four goals, and has as many assists and key passes after 19 rounds of play. He has featured in all the games for City Stars so far this season, clocking 1,332 minutes.

Prior to being named in the team of season midway through this term, Kapen earned three MVP awards in matches against, Posta Rangers, Ulinzi Stars, and FC Talanta.

He appeared in the team of the week three times in games against AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars, and FC Talanta.

He was named the Simba wa Nairobi December 2023 player of the month.

26 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Vincent Owino vs Muranga SEAL on Wed 1 Nov 2023 in Muranga
Vincent Owino vs Muranga SEAL on Wed 1 Nov 2023 in Muranga

Vincent Owino re-ups contract

January 26, 2024

Midfielder Vincent Owino Otieno will stay on at Nairobi City Stars for a further two seasons till the close of the 2025/26 season.

This is after he extended his contract with Simba wa Nairobi for a further two and a half years.

Owino landed at City Stars during last season’s mid transfer window on a one-year deal from FC Talanta – with Dennis Oalo – at a time when the team was in the relegation red zone.

“We are more than happy that Vincent has chosen to extend his stay at City Stars. He is one of our best performers and very key to our setup. He made the right descision,” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

On his part, the player said;

“City Stars is my home and the best place for my career growth. That made the decision to extend the contract an easy one,”

“I can now focus on improving my performance and that of the team,” added Owino

Owino scored three times, had two assists and six key passes in 14 second leg games played last term as he clocked 1,123 minutes.

This season, Owino is the current top scorer with six goals. He has three assists to his name and four key passes. He has featured in all 19 games played so far clocking 1,477 minutes.

Vincent Owino vs Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex

Vincent Owino vs Muranga SEAL on Wed 1 Nov 2023 in Muranga

Vincent Owino vs Muhoroni Youth on Sun 26 Aug 2023 in ?Kasarani Annex

25 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars captain
Nairobi City Stars captain

The caution that blemished Masawa’s career

January 25, 2024

Matchday 20 in the 2023/24 FKF Premier in Bukhungu ended in a 2-0 defeat for visiting Nairobi City Stars at the hands of AFC Leopards on Sunday 22 January 2024.

Two second half goals by Leopards on that day ended Simba wa Nairobi’s seven-game winning streak.

Worse still, City Stars ended the game a man less after skipper Calvin Masawa was slapped with a straight red card for a last man challenge on an AFC Leopards breakaway forward.

It was his first such card since landing at City Stars in the year 2011.

“I had a clean bill since joining the premier league. Never before did I receive a red card. Now this has flawed my record,”

“It’s happened, and there’s nothing much I can do about it though I didn’t feel the incident deserve that kind of punishment,”

With the card, Masawa will sit out the next two games against Shabana and Bandari in the next two weekends.

Nairobi City Stars captain Calvin Masawa

24 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ronney Kola
Nairobi City Stars defender Ronney Kola keeps his eye on AFC Leopards forward Ojo Olaniyi during a Premier League game on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Main Stadium.

Ronney Kola departs

January 24, 2024

Nairobi City Stars can confirm that, after three and a half seasons, utility Ronney Kola has left the club.

Kola, predominantly a defensive midfielder, but adept as a centre-back, right full back, and in the mid of the pack, was signed from Kenya School of Government (KGS) back in the year 2020 on a long term deal.

“Our No. 6 has asked for a move from City Stars to search for more play time, and we chose not to stand in his way”

“He is a good lad, versatile, and very skilled. You won’t find many Kolas around. But his search for more playtime, and a new challenge is what has informed his departure. We wish him the very best.” said City Stars CEO Patrick Korir  

On his part, Kola had this to say as he exited the Simba wa Nairobi den;

“I have been at Nairobi City Stars for four years and it stopped being just a club, it became my family,”

“I grew my game here and leaving breaks my heart. I know one day I will come back home, to City Stars,”

“I thank all the Simba wa Nairobi players from the past and present, and the entire staff for all the support they gave me. City Stars will forever be in my heart.” added Kola

Kola spent his first season – 2020/21 – on loan at second tier side Nairobi Stim, and went on to miss the next one due to injury.

He returned in time for the 2022/23 season and made his premier league debut in the season opener against Bidco United in Nyayo Stadium on 19 Nov 2022.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nairobi City Stars FC (@nrbcitystars)

He went on to feature in 16 games that season, and added one more – a cameo against AFC Leopards – in the 2023/24 Premier league season to make it 17 top flight games.

Kola, City Stars

Ronney Kola up against Duke Abuya of Kenya Police during FKF Premier League match day 15 in KAsarani Annex on Wed 8 Feb 2023. Police won 2-1

Ronney Kola

Nairobi City Stars defender Ronney Kola (no. 6) in action against AFC Leopards on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Main Stadium.

 

→←