Nairobi City Stars

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  • Robinson Asenwa talks up debut premier league season

    Robinson Asenwa talks up debut premier league season

    Coming straight out of third tier side Vapor Sports to the Kenya premier league, forward Robinson Asenwa never imagined he could find his footing almost immediately in the just ended 2024-25 FKF season with Nairobi City Stars.

    But he did, featuring in 29 of the 34 league games on his way to clocking 1,788 regular game minutes on his debut in the Kenyan topflight.

    “Thanks to God and the team for giving me the opportunity and trusting in me. Last season was a learning curve for me as a new player in the league,”

    “I also thank the team coaches for giving me the chance to feature for the team and I attribute the performance that I had to them as well as my teammates as a whole,”

    Asenwa scored four goals and had six assists, and three progressive passes. He made his debut on matchday three against Gor Mahia at Kasarani, and went on to score his maiden goal against Muranga SEALS on match day nine. He also scored against AFC Leopards, Bandari and FC Talanta.

    “Going by last season, I am more ambitious heading to next season because of the lessons I learnt. I have goals to achieve, mostly personal targets, but all geared towards elevating the team to it’s set objectives for the new season.”

    “I scored each of my four goals from four different positions upfront; playing out on either flank, as a point man, and as an attacking midfielder. I believe I can top up on that figure come because of my dynamism.” added Asenwa

    He was twice named as an MVP after games against Tusker in the first leg, and against Bidco United in the second leg.

    At the league level, Asenwa made it to the team of the week once during matchday 17 tie against FC Talanta in Ruaraka.

  • 2023-24 season: Kapen outshines all in goal contribution

    2023-24 season: Kapen outshines all in goal contribution

    Flyer Samuel Kapen, in his second season at Nairobi City Stars, emerged as the best goal contributor at the end of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season after posting a goal contribution of 13 – six goals and seven assists.

    Though his goals dropped from eight to six compared to last season, Kapen, named in the best eleven at the end of the 17 first leg 2023/24 FKF Premier League, had an improved campaign after upping his assists from two to seven. He scored against Shabana (2-2), AFC Leopards (3-2), Posta Rangers (1-0), FC Talanta (3-0), Kenya Police (1-2), and Tusker (2-2).

    Kapen outshined two former FC Talanta players: Dennis Oalo and Vincent Owino who both had a goal-assist contribution of 12 each.

    Owino top scored for City Stars this season with eight goals which was an improvement by five compared to last season. He added four assists. Oalo on his part scored six times and added as many assists.

    Owino scored against Sofapaka, Shabana (pen), AFC Leopards, Bandari once each against Ulinzi Stars in home and away games, and a brace of penalties against Kariobangi Sharks.

    Oalo’s goals came against Gor Mahia, Tusker, Ulinzi, Bidco United, Muranga SEAL, and his former side FC Talanta.

    Forward Robinson Asenwa, in only his debut premier league season, followed the trio with a contribution of ten; four goals and six assists. His debut goal was against Muranga SEAL on matchday seven and followed it up with another in the next game against AFC Leopards. He added two more with a winning goal against Posta Rangers, and FC Talanta.

    Mohammed Bajaber, in his second full season at Simba wa Nairobi, registered a contribution of nine; six goals and 3 assists from 25 games which was a sharp improvement from one assist in 12 games last season.

    Kelvin Etemesi, dogged by injuries for a better part of the season, turned in a contribution of seven from 24 games played; three goals and four assists. He top scored last season with 12 goals and added one assist.

    Summary of goal contribution in the 2023-24 season

    13 – Samuel Kapen (6G,7A)
    12 – Vincent Owino (8G,4A)
    12 – Dennis Oalo (6G,6A)
    10 – Robinson Asenwa (4G,6A)
    9 – Mohammed Bajaber (6G,3A)
    7 – Kelvin Etemesi (3G,4A)
    4 – Yuto Kusaba (3G,1A)

  • Dennis Oalo’s take on second leg

    Dennis Oalo’s take on second leg

    Forward Dennis Oalo superbly slammed home a beauty of a goal on Saturday 9 March 2024 as Nairobi City Stars hosted Bidco United in Machakos during a 24th round FKF Premier League match.

    The goal, his fourth this season, ended a three-month drought, as he topped up on his last one – a winner against Ulinzi Stars – in mid December 2023.

    Though it his goal was as good a game winner, it turned out to be a point earner as Bidco left it late to tie the game at 1-1.

    “I am happy to have found the back of the net once again,” said Oalo

    “We are onto the second leg where all games are always tough. When you earn a point during this period it’s a great achievement,”Β 

    “I’ll be actively seeking for more (goals) in the upcoming games to hep the team scale up the standings,” he added

    Oalo scored against Gor Mahia and Tusker during the first leg before coming off the bench to win for City Stars against Ulinzi Stars in December.

    Away from goals, he has two assists, and has been fielded 21 times this season and has clocked 1,210 regular time minutes.

  • MD24: Nairobi City Stars 1 Bidco United 1

    MD24: Nairobi City Stars 1 Bidco United 1

    A goal in added time by Jacob Onyango is what Bidco United needed to force Nairobi City Stars to a 1-1 draw in Machakos during a 24th round, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie on Saturday 9 March, 2024.

    Simba wa Nairobi had taken a 41st minute lead through Dennis Oalo – his fourth of the season – after being teed up by Robinson Asenwa.

    Asenwa who registered his sixth assist of the season, was later named man of the match.

    The weekend result matched the first leg score of 1-1 when the two sides faced off in matchday two in Kasarani Annex back in September 2023.

    With a point, City Stars improved to 39 points to temporarily move from sixth to fifth spot while Bidco moved up to 32 points and to the tenth spot.

    Next up for City Stars will be an away trip to Muhoroni Youth after a recess of three weeks, on Sunday 7 April 2024.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 30. Rowland Makati, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Shem Oluoch(18. Clifford Ouma-64), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu (2. Elvis Noor-76), 5. Newton Ochieng (19. Vincent Owino-64 ), 3. Robinson Asenwa, 10. Dennis Oalo (17. Brian Mose- 88), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (22. Samuel Kapen-76),

    Unused subs: 23. Byron OWino, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 24. Rogers Obusu, 27. Gilbert Abala

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Bidco United: 35. Daniel Odiwuor, 4. David Kalama, 8. Lameck Oloo, 15. Gabriel Wandera, 31. Peter Nzuki (33. Kelvin Mwaura-88), 21. Said Tsuma, 2. Jacob Onyango-captain, 10. Chris Opondo (19. Eric Michibu-57), 28. Douglas Mokaya (27. Ezekiel Okare-57), 22. Clinton Asiago (13. Emmanuel Mogaka-57), 38. Brian Mboya (11.John Kelwish-57)

    Unused subs: 1. Melvin Nderitu, 3. Thomas Wainaina, 6. Kassim Mwinyi, 14. Michael Omondi, 24. John Owira,

    Coach: Anthony Akhulia

    Cautions
    Nairobi City Stars: 8. Calvin Masawa (54), 15. Wycliffe Omondi (86), 19. Vincent Owino (90+)
    Bidco United: –

    Goals
    Nairobi City Stars: 10. Dennis Oalo (41)
    Bidco United: 2. Jacob Onyango (90+4)

     

  • Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Bidco United (A): 2023-24 FKF-PL season

    Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Bidco United (A): 2023-24 FKF-PL season

    Nairobi City Stars will host Thika-based Bidco United on Saturday 9 March 2024 in Machakos Stadium starting at 1 p.m. during a 24th round, 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie.Β 

    It will be the fourth home game for Simba wa Nairobi against Bidco United in the Kenyan topflight, and overall, the eighth meeting at that level.

    Yet, it will be the first meeting for the two out in Machakos. The last time City Stars hosted Bidco United was on 22 November 2022 in Nyayo Stadium during the season opener in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season. Bidco United won it 2-0.

    From the previous three home games, Bidco United topples City Stars with two wins to one, scoring four goals against three.

    Earlier this season, the two faced off in matchday two in Kasarani Annex in early September 2023. It ended in a 1-1 draw.

    Once again, City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against Bidco’s Anthony Akhulia for the fifth time in the top league.Β For Akhulia, it will be his eighth premier league game against City Stars.

    Heading to the match, both sides will parade draws from their previous round of games. While City Stars shows up with a 0-0 draw against Kariobangi Sharks, Bidco United will show up with a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka.

    Tablewise, Simba wa Nairobi sits sixth on the log with 38 points, seven better than tenth-placed Bidco United.

    Who wins this one?

    Summary

    City Stars Home games vs Bidco United-3: City Stars win (1), Bidco win (2), Draws (0)

    25-Jul-21;Β Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 1-2
    24-Oct-21;Β Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 2-0
    20-Nov-22; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 0-2
    09-Mar-24; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, ??

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