23 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Samuel Kapen against Muoroni Youth in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League opener in Kasarani Annex on Sun 26 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0
Samuel Kapen against Muoroni Youth in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League opener in Kasarani Annex on Sun 26 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0

Samuel Kapen: It was tough, but we achieved

January 23, 2024

Nairobi City Stars flyer Samuel Kapen has dropped his comments on the first leg of the 2023-24 FKF Kenyan Premier League that saw the team hit a new high compared to last season.

After 17 rounds of games, Simba wa Nairobi settled on 30 points, an improvement of 18 points compared to the same stage last season.

“It wasn’t an easy first leg but we all made it possible,”

“The league is tough but as a team, we reached our target at the end of the first part. God willing we hope to achieve the set targets for the second leg too,”

After the first leg, Kapen has so far matched the four goals he scored last term at the same stage, and has since doubled his assists and key passes to make them four apiece compared to two each last season.

During the ended first leg, Kapen had a self high after earning three MVP awards after matches against, Posta Rangers, Ulinzi Stars, and FC Talanta.

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

“I am giving my best to Simba wa Nairobi and hope to help the team to win more games and get more points,” he added, modestly

Kapen has so far featured in all games for City Stars this season clocking 1,332 minutes.

Samuel Kapen against FC Talanta in Ruaraka on 6 Jan 2024

City Stars, Kapen

Samuel Kapen scored as City Stars was held 1-1 by Sofapaka on Sat 11 March 2023 in Ruaraka in an FKF Math day 19 tie

Samuel Kapen in action against Muranga SEAL on 1 Nov 2024 in Muranga

21 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Vincent Owino vs AC Leopards on Sun 21 Jan 2024 in Bukhungu Stadium during a matchday 19 FKF Premier League match. Leopards won 2-0
Vincent Owino vs AC Leopards on Sun 21 Jan 2024 in Bukhungu Stadium during a matchday 19 FKF Premier League match. Leopards won 2-0

MD19: AFC Leopards 2 Nairobi City Stars 0

January 21, 2024

Nairobi City Stars ‘ game-winning streak came to an end after going down 2-0 to home team AFC Leopards during a matchday 19 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu, Kakamega on Saturday 22 January 2024.

Leopards scored both goals in the second half through Maxwell Otieno and substitute Kevin Kimani in the 48th and 72nd minutes to register a fifth home win over City Stars who had won the first-leg tie 3-2 in Kasarani.

Leopards became only the third team this season to restrict Simba wa Nairobi from scoring after Muhoroni Youth (0-0) and Kenya Police (0-1) in matchdays one and six. Till the Leopards game, City Stars had scored in 12 straight games from matchdays seven to 18.

City Stars ended the game a man less after skipper Calvin Masawa received a straight red card – his first ever in his Kenyan Premier League career since the year 2011 – after a last-man tackle on a Leopards player.

Despite the loss, City Stars maintained the second spot on the log with 33 points as Leopards moved up three places to tenth with 24 points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 November, 2024.

Lineups

AFC Leopards: 32. Levis Opiyo, 34. Azizi Okaka, 29. Vincent Mahiga, 4. Randy Bakari, 12. Kayci Odhiambo, 6. Musa Oundo (8. Brian Wanyama-88), 7. Jafari Owiti, 18. Boniface Kweyu, 21. Maxwell Otieno (10. Cliff Nyakeya-60), 23. Cliffton Miheso (36. Kevin Kimani-64), 80. Hassan Beja (33. Victor Omune-60)

Unused subs: 22. Humphrey Katasi, 11. Luke Namamnda, 13. Washington Munene, 9. Brian Yakhama, 50. Otieno,

Coach: Tomas Trucha

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 12. Edwin Buliba (26. Dennis Wanjala-82), 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 4. Timothy Muganda-Captain 1, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain, 18. Clifford Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Dennis Oalo-66-Captain 2), 22. Samuel Kapen, 19. Vincent Owino, 3. Robinson Asenwa (11. Andrew Kisilu-82), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (17. Brian Mose-66)

Unused subs: 7. Pius Omachi, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 25. Brian Mzee, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Cautions
AFC Leopards:
Nairobi City Stars: 12. Edwin Buliba (47), 8. Calvin Masawa-90+4-Red Card)

Goals
AFC Leopards: 21. Maxwell Otieno (47), 36. Kevin Kimani (72)
Nairobi City Stars: –

20 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
Nairobi City Stars players celebrate one of 3 goals scoted against AFC Leopards in Kasarani on Sat 4 Nov 2023 during a matchday ten 2023/24 FKF Premier League clash. City STars won it 3-2

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

January 20, 2024

On Sunday 21 January 2024, AFC Leopards will host Nairobi City Stars in a 19th-round 2023/24 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, starting at 3 p.m.

It will be the first game away game for Simba wa Nairobi against Leopards since Monday 29 May 2023,  in Nyayo Stadium. Then, Kelvin Etemesi scored a second-half brace to cancel out Victor Omune’s first-half strike to win the game 2-1, and ultimately survive relegation from the top tier.

The upcoming duel will be the 26th top-flight tie between the two since the year 2005. From the previous 25 games, Leopards has registered ten to nine wins over City Stars, while the other six games have ended in draws.

Narrowed to 12 away games against Leopards, City Stars has drawn six, lost four times, and registered two wins – back in January 2006, and in May 2023.

From those 12 home games, hosts Leopards has outscored City Stars eleven to nine goals.

Simba wa Nairobi carries seven straight wins to the game, while the hosts Leopards bring on back-to-back wins over Ulinzi Stars and Muhoroni Youth.

City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti will come up against his counterpart Tomas Trucha for only the second time. The two first met during the first leg in early November 2023 in Nyayo Stadium, with City Stars winning it 3-2.

Table-wise, Simba wa Nairobi sits 2nd with 33 points, as Leopards is placed 13th with 20 points.

Who wins this one?

KPL Games: 25 (Leopards wins -10, City Stars wins – 9, Draws – 6)

City Stars vs AFC Leopards (12 Away games)

22-Jan-06: AFC Leopards vs World Hope, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (W)
22-Aug-09: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
18-Apr-10: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
21-Aug-11: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
13-Jul-12: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-0 (L)
18-Aug-13: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-1 (D)
12-Apr-14: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Mumias Complex, 1-1 (D)
19-Jul-15: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
21-Aug-16: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Afraha Stadium, 0-0 (D)
06-Mar-21: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Kasarani Annex, 1-0 (L)
06-Jun-22: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Thika Stadium, 1-1 (D)
29-May-23: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2
21-Jan-24: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, ??

20 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Mose
Nairobi City Stars forward Brian Mose

Brian Mose returns for Leopards clash

January 20, 2024

Flyer Brian Mose Nyambane is the only inclusion, and change, in the named 20-man squad called up to face AFC Leopards in a matchday 19 tie in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, on Sunday 21 January 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Mose, who last made the squad on matchday 14 in Ruaraka against Bandari, takes up the place of Newton Ochieng who takes a rest.

Save for that change, the rest of the lot that delivered a 1-0 win over Posta Rangers in the last league game all maintained their slots.

Squad to face AFC Leopards

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor,11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, , 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 22. Samuel Kapen

Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

19 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Yuto Kusaba
Yuto Kusaba dring his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars offices on Wed 23 Aug 2023

Yuto Kusaba registered, ready for Kenyan Premier League

January 19, 2024

Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba is now eligible to feature in the Kenyan Premier League after completing his registration with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Yuto was locked out in the last transfer window after it emerged that international guidelines of the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) had not been met before his move to Simba wa Nairobi.

This is after he had joined the club from Embu-based FC Zenshin, a fourth-tier side.

“That is behind us as the due process has been followed on both international and local transfer platforms. He is now fully registered,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“Following the earlier complication, Yuto traveled back to Japan in late September (2023), and returned in early December. He’s been training with the team ever since,” added Otieno

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti commented on the new development stating;

“Yuto’s availability gives us a good problem to deal with as he adds on to a very active forward line. He brings competitiveness and gives us options to consider.”

On his part, Yuto talked up his registration;

“It’s been a long wait to get the clearance to play in the Premier League. Expect my goals.”

Yuto will don jersey no. 21.

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