Blog | Page 164 | Nairobi City Stars

23 Dec 2020

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

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

Patrick December 23, 2020

Nairobi City Stars takes on Vihiga United on Wednesday 23 December 2020 at the Utalii grounds starting 1pm in a fifth round FKF Premier League clash.

Just as was the case against Nzoia Sugar in the season opener in Narok and the fourth round game against Bidco United, the upcoming game is historic, as City Stars and Vihiga United have never faced off in the Premier League.

The two sides earned promotion at the close of last season – City Stars as champions while Vihiga United came through as playoff winners having ended the regular season placed third.

Though there are no top flights duels, the two sides have dueled four times in the second tier National Super League (NSL); twice in 2017 and as many times in the 2019/20 season.

The 2017 season saw Vihiga United top the NSL to earn promotion where they lasted a season before revisiting the same stage in 2018/19.

City Stars has hosted Vihiga United twice; in May 2017 and in September 2019 at Camp Toyoyo and Hope Centre. On both occasions it ended 0-0.

The other games; played at Mumias Complex in Nov 2017 and Jan 2019 ended in a 2-0 win for Vihiga and 1-0 win for City Stars, respectively.

Who wins the upcoming one that many have termed as an ‘NSL derby’? Keep tabs with our social media pages for live updates on the game.

Head to head summary

KPL: 0 games

NSL: 4 times

21-May-17: City Stars vs Vihiga United, Camp Toyoyo (0-0)
8-Nov-17: Vihiga United (W) vs City Stars, Mumias Complex (2-0 Bernard Ochieng, Patrick Okullo)
14-Sep-19; City Stars vs Vihiga United, Hope Centre (0-0)
26-Jan-20: Vihiga United vs City Stars (W), Mumias Complex (0-1 Davis Agesa)
23-Dec-20: City Stars vs Vihiga United, Utalii Grounds (?)

22 Dec 2020

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

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

Same lot up against Vihiga United

Patrick December 22, 2020

The same 20-man squad that was named to face Bidco United last week has been trusted once again for the next game against Vihiga United at the Utalii grounds on Wednesday 23 December 2020 starting 1pm.

Striker Erick Ombija, a late addition to the initial 19-man squad named for Bidco will be angling for more game time this time round having picked minimal minutes last week.

Regular starting striker Davis Agesa who missed the game against Bidco is still out due to sickness.

He scored the lone goal when City Stars took down Vihiga United at Mumias Complex in January 2020 during the last meeting between the two sides.

The squad

23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma,19. Jimmy Bageya, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija

Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (rehab), 11. Davis Agesa (sick), 3. Charles Otieno, 16. Jacob Osano, 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa

22 Dec 2020

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Anthony Muki Kimani is awarded by team coordinator Samson Otieno and CEO Patrick Korir on Mon 21 Dec 2020. He was named City Stars MVP for the ended 2019/20 that saw the team promoted back to the premier league

Muki named MVP in promotion season

Patrick December 22, 2020

Current field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2019/20 season during a promotion awards gala held on the evening of Monday 21 December 2020 at Ambo Gardens in Lavington.

Muki had a great contribution to the team’s elevation to the Premier league in 2020 in a season where he contributed with an individual ten assists, three goals and as many Match MVP awards. He captained the team in 21 of the 27 games played.

“It is quite hard to pick out one singe player because all those who were in the team last season put their best foot forward to get the team back to where it is,”

“They all must receive a pat on the back for a job well done. While we thank all for their contribution, Muki deserved the MVP award.” said head coach Sanjin Alagic

It was double joy for Muki who picked a plaque handed to all team members in the promotion season.

“It is a great honor to be recognized as the best in the season. Though a surprise, the award ties in with my earlier objective as I rejoined the team last year which was to lead them back to the premier league.”

Muki last played for City Stars in 2009 but returned mid last year from Bandari.

With 207 premier league games since year 2008, Muki is the most experienced top flight player in the ranks of Simba wa Nairobi.

MVP Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani flanked by Peter Opiyo ‘Pinchez’ (10) and Ezekiel Odera (32) on Mon 21 Dec 2020

2019/20 MVP Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani shows off his award to head coach Sanjin Alagic during a gala event on Mon 21 Dec 2020

22 Dec 2020

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars stopper Kenedy Onyango keeps vigil against two KCB opponents as the two faced off at Kasarani on Fri 4 Dec 2020 in a 2nd round premier league game. KCB won 1-0

Onyango named in match day 4 reserve team

Patrick December 22, 2020

At the close of match day four games in the Kenyan Premier League, Nairobi City Stars stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango was named to the reserves of the team of the week named by experts at the close of each round of games.

Onyango – signed from Kakamega Homeboyz in the offseason – was outstanding at the back in the game away to Bidco United at Utalii grounds as he partnered Salim Shitu Abdalla. The game ended 0-0.

In Week 3, where City Stars knocked out Bandari 2-0 at Kasarani, keeper Steve Njunge and center back Salim Shitu Abdalla were named to the team of the week.

In the same week Njunge was nominated as player of the year while head Coach Sanjin Alagic was nominated as coach of the week.

In week 1, skipper Anthony Kimani and Davis Agesa were in the team of the week as Oliver Maloba and keeper Steve Njunge made the bench.

21 Dec 2020

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Players, Technical bench receive promotion awards

Patrick December 21, 2020

On the evening of Monday 21 December 2020, Nairobi City Stars, in an event held at Ambo Gardens in Lavington, extended its appreciation to the lot of players and Technical bench that promoted the team back to the Premier League back in year 2020 after four seasons in the second tier.

Simba wa Nairobi topped the National Super League (NSL) last season to regain their top tier status.

According to team coordinator Samson Otieno, all 25 players and ten members of the technical bench who were in the club roster last season – including those that left at the end of the season – were all awarded.

“We called the gala to award our team members from last season for their stellar performance in getting the team promoted back to the Premier League.” said Samson

Adding his voice was club CEO Patrick Korir who said;

“A job well done must be rewarded. In our culture a good deed follows even those that left us for the role they played in getting the team back to where it is now.”

Diana Sifuna, the CEO at the Jonathan Jackson Foundation – owner and sponsor of Nairobi City Stars – said;

“We recognize all the effort put in by the players and technical bench in getting the team back to where it really belongs in the premier league. It’s an honor to be here and we pass our sincere gratitude to all of you for your dedicated effort from last season.” said Diana on behalf of chair Jonathan Jackson

Each player took home a monetary token as well as a commemorative plaque.

In a special part of the gala, the team’s departed team manager Neville Pudo, who was laid to rest on Saturday 19 December 2020 at his home in Nyanza, was awarded posthumously.

He was represented at the event by his son Neville Pudo Jnr (below).

Neville Pudo Jnr. picking being handed a plaque for his late father by Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) CEO Diana Sifuna on Mon 21 Dec 2020

Those awarded;

Goalkeepers: Levis Opiyo, Ronny Kagunzi (left the club), Jacob Osano

Defenders: Tedian Atuto, Kevin Okumu (left the club), Wycliffe Otieno, Salim Abdalla, Edwin Buliba, Noah Abich (retired), Wesley Onguso, Calvin Masawa, John Kamau

Midfielders: David Gateri, Eric Ochieng (left the club), Anthony Kimani, Azizi Okaka, Oliver Maloba, Charles Otieno, Elvis Ojiambo, Peter Opiyo,

Strikers: Jimmy Bageya, Ezekiel Odera, Vincent Otieno, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh

Technical Bench: Sanjin Alagic (head coach), John Amboko (assistant coach), Joseph Andere (kit manager), Arthur Museve (trainer), Zachary Onyango (goalkeeper trainer), Neville Pudo (Team Manager), Winnie Nyasiri (Team Media)

Others (all left the club): Tiellen Oguta (assistant coach), Grace Wang’ondu (Trainer/Nutritionist), Dennis Mugisha (Physio),

Management: Samson Otieno (team coordinator), Patrick Korir (CEO), Jonathan Jackson (Chairman)

Promotion plaques on parade on Mon 21 Dec 2020 from (L to R); Oliver Maloba (21), Wesley Onguso (5), Wycliffe Otieno (22), Elvis Noor Ojiambo (2), Charles Otieno (3), Jacob Osano (16)