Blog | Page 160 | Nairobi City Stars

27 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars, Sanjin Alagic — Head coach Sanjin Alagic leaves City Stars after two years at the expiry of his contract

Sanjin speaks after Sofapaka tie

Patrick January 27, 2021

On Saturday 23 January 2021 Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to host Sofapaka at the Wundanyi Stadium in a round nine Premier League game.

Ambrose Sifuna’s goal in the 73rd minute off a diagonal ball from Michael Kibwage was the separator in the game.

Speaking to our news desk, Simba wa Nairobi head Coach Sanjin Alagic talked of some of the factors the led to the fall in Wundanyi.

“The pitch surface was very poor which did not allow us to play our game and develop our playing style. The players did not adapt well to the ground especially in first half and that was reason for many simple mistakes and nervousness in the team,”

“After making some subs in the second half by bringing on Oliver (Maloba), Elvis (Noor), (Ebrima) Sanneh and Charles (Otieno) it brought us stability and improved our performance,”

“After Sofapaka scored, we managed to create 3-4 amazing chances to score but we missed all those chances in front of goal which is not possible to miss,”

“A few minutes before the end I was surprised that referee didn’t award us a clear penalty when Maloba was brought down in the box,”

“We will now focus on our next match with Sharks and hopefully we start to win games because we deserve to have more than 10 points with the very good performance what we showed this year.” summed the Bosnian

City Stars takes on Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 30 January at Kasarani (outer) starting 3pm.

The technical bench during a match day 9 premier league tie against Sofapaka in Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021

Coach Sanjin Alagic and his City Stars players at Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021 during a match day 9 against Sofapaka. The hosts won the game 1-0

23 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Defeat in Wundanyi

Patrick January 23, 2021

Home team Sofapaka handed visiting Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 defeat in a round nine Premier League game played at Wundanyi Stadium on Saturday 23 January 2021.

Ambrose Sifuna came off the bench to volley home a cross ball in the 73rd minute on the left for the lone goal of the game as Sofapaka registered a ninth win over City Stars in 17 encounters since year 2009.

As early as the second minute Isaac Mitima’s smacked a long ranger that City Stars keeper Steve Njunge forced out for a fruitless corner.

That duly informed the visitors the intent of the hosts who had loads of chances in the first half to take the lead.

Six minutes later stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla was called upon to clear a dangerous header from Sofapaka skipper Elli Asieche.

On 17 minutes City Stars striker Erick Ombija saw his aim for goal off an assist by Sven Yidah fall on the safe hands of custodian Simon Masika.

Despite the chances created for the rest of the half it ended barren at the break.

At the hour mark, Mitima had his header from Nixon Omondi’s cross fly just wide. But 13 minutes later all changed when a Sifuna met a long diagonal ball delivered by stopper Michael Kibwage to one-time it home from a tight angle.

City Stars had the ball at the back of the net in the 83rd minute when substitute Oliver Maloba fed Davis Agesa to tap home. It was however called for offside to the dismay of the visiting team who also felt they should have been awarded a late penalty.

With that overturn, Sifuna’s goal for Sofapaka turned out to be the separator in the game.

With the win Batoto ba Mungu moved up to eighth on the 18-team log with ten points to sit just behind City Stars on goal difference.

Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 30 January 2021 starting 3pm.

Lineups

Sofapaka: 99. Simon Masika, 22. Michael Bodo, 28. Nixon Omondi (11. Ambrose Sifuna – 65), 23. Isaac Mitima, 12. Michael Kibwage, 3. Willis Obayi, 14. Brian Nyakhan, 66. Sunday Ikekhai, 50. Kepha Aswani (55. Paul Kiongera-54), 17. Elli Asieche-Captain (4. Mohammed Kilume-85), 20. Titus Achesa

Unused subs: 35. Kevin Omondi, 2. Brian Maganya, 25.Sammy Imbuye, 19. Michael Kramor, 27. Stephen Okala, 10. Roy Okal

Coach: Ken Odhiambo

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, , 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera (29. Ebrima Sanneh-80), 18. Sven Yidah (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-77), 20. Timothy Ouma (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (3. Charles Otieno-77), 11. Davis Agesa,

Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 27. Azizi Okaka

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 5. Wesley Onguso, , 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (muscle tear), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Yellow cards: Salim Abdallah – 53, Erick Ombija -71 (Nairobi City Stars)

Goals: 11. Ambrose Sifuna-73 (Sofapaka)

Match Officials: David Kakunyi (Match Comm), Broke Fide (Centre Ref), Aden Tichicha (AR1), Churchil Omondi (AR2), Dancan Ogosi (Reserve Ref)

22 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Sanneh heads to Wundanyi, Pinchez to claim armband

Patrick January 22, 2021

Six changes have been made to the squad that took on Ulinzi Stars in the last premier league game as Nairobi City Stars travels to face host Sofapaka at Wundanyi on Saturday 23 January 2021 in a round nine tie starting 3pm.

Due to injury, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani was forced out of the team, alongside striker Vincent Otieno aka Jamaica who misses out for the first time this season. Also out are left footers Wesley Onguso and John Kamau.

Hitman from The Gambia Ebrima Sanneh joined the 18-man lot to Wundanyi as he seeks his first game of the season after recovering from offseason injuries. Due to his lengthy stay out, he is expected to start off the bench in the upcoming game.

He is joined by big unit Salim Shitu Abdalla who was given a much needed rest against Ulinzi due to a knock picked in the previous game against Posta Rangers at Kasarani.

Save for those few changes, the rest of the squad remains the same.

In the absence of field skipper Muki and overall captain Calvin Masawa who is out with a quad’s tear, Peter Pinchez Opiyo will claim the armband.

Squad to face Sofapaka

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

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 5. Wesley Onguso, , 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (muscle tear), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury), 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

22 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Erick Ombija optimistic

Patrick January 22, 2021

After clocking two straight 90-minute games against Posta Rangers and Ulinzi Stars, striker Erick Ombija is optimistic his moment of glory is coming, all to the benefit of the club.

The 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) top scorer (17 goals) while at Coast Stima is still hunting for his first goals in City Stars colors.

“So far so good,” he started before adding; “The only thing left is to start scoring the goals,”

“We are doing everything right and as players we have vowed to step up a gear and turn results around,”

“We want the entire City Stars to start smiling once again as they did in the NSL with regular wins,”

Ombija started the season opener against Nzoia in Narok where he clocked 61 minutes.

He missed out on the next two games against KCB and Bandari then returned with a cameo appearance against Bidco United.

Sub appearances against Vihiga United and Wazito prepared him for the full games against Posta Rangers where he came out with an important assist to earn a man of the match accolade, then against Ulinzi Stars.

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

22 Jan 2021

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

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

Patrick January 22, 2021

For the first time ever, Sofapaka will host Nairobi City Stars at Wundanyi Stadium on Saturday 23 January 2021 starting 3pm in what will be the 17th Premiership matchup between the two since year 2009, but the first since the 2016 season.

The previous games

As City Stars seek Sofapaka from their newest hideout, there are 16 previous games to look at.

On 26th April 2009, the latest entrant to the Premier League Sofapaka forced City Stars to a 1-1 draw at City Stadium in their first ever meet in the premier league.

A late Ezekiel Akwana penalty two minutes to time cancelled out an earlier one by Arthur Museve at the half hour mark for a share of the spoils.

Then, City Stars was coached by German Oliver Page as Robert Matano was the man behind the Batoto ba Mungu.

Though the first one started on a shared note, the 16th and last game is one City Stars will never forget as they were bamboozled 5-0 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on 7th August 2016 in what stands out as their worst Premier league defeat in 328 games played in the top flight since their first season in 2004.

Samuel Okwi and Jaffer Gichuki scored in the first half before Noah Abich, now an assistant coach with City Stars, scored a penalty at the hour mark. Moses Odhiambo and Isaac Mutanga added more after Abich’s dead ball to complete the historic rout.

Overall, of the 16 games played, City Stars has won four duels, drawn as many and lost eight games to Sofapaka.

In games hosted by Sofapaka, City Stars has picked two wins, drawn once and lost the other five.

Last winning coach

For the upcoming game, Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will lead Simba wa Nairobi in Wundanyi where he’ll become the eleventh tactician to handle the team against Sofapaka.

While Oliver Page was the first in charge in 2009, Ken Odhiambo handled the next five from 2009 to 2011 where he delivered three wins and a draw.

Gideon Ochieng oversaw the two games in 2012 as Gambian Bai Malleh Wadda and Charles Korea Omondi took charge of the games in 2013.

Nigerian coach Robinson Ndubuisi led City Stars in the two games in 2014. He registered the fourth and last win (2-1) over Sofapaka on 29 March during the first leg.

Ugandan Paul Nkata, Gabriel Kingi Njoroge, John Bobby Ogola and Ugandan Richard Tamale Pinto each handled a leg of games played in 2015 and 2016, in that order.

Venues

Wundayi Stadium was only introduced to the Premier League this season and while it readies to host the 17th encounter between the two, the previous games were hosted at City Stadium (5), Nyayo Stadium (7), Kenyatta Stadium – Machakos (3) and Hope Centre (1)

Current form

Seventh placed City Stars heads to the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Ulinzi Stars while Sofapaka are returning home reeling from a 2-1 defeat to hosts Nzoia Sugar in a game that saw them end up with a red card to their captain Lawrence Juma.

Sofapaka sits 13th on the 18-team log with seven points.

Top scorers

The top scorers on either side will not be be a part of the Saturday party at Wundanyi.

With four goals, Jimmy Bageya is City Stars top scorer against Sofapaka. He has since left the club.

With five goals, legend John Baraza is top of the leaderboard for Sofapaka against the Kawangware boys. He has since retired from the game.

With two goals, Anthony Muki Kimani is Sofapaka’s second best scorer against City Stars. Incidentally he is the current City Stars skipper but will miss the upcoming game due to a shoulder injury.

Summary

KPL Games: 16 (Sofapaka-8 Wins, City Stars-4 wins, Draws-4)

List of Sofapaka’s home games vs City Stars

* First score for Sofapaka, second for City Stars

27-Sep-09, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2 (W)
8-Jun-10, Sofapaka vs City Stars, City Stadium, 3-0 (L)
8-Aug-11, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
7-Apr-12, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (L)
30-Aug-13, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium 3-0 (L)
29-Mar-14, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 1-2 (W)
3-Aug-15, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 2-0 (L)
7-Aug-16, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 5-0 (L)

Sofapaka top scorers vs City Stars

John Baraza – 5 goals

Anthony Kimani -2

City Stars top scorers vs Sofapaka

Jimmy Bageya – 4 goals