15 Oct 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars in training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020
Nairobi City Stars in training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020

Bench role for Abich

October 15, 2020

It’s the end of an era as dead ball specialist Noah Abich (Noah Otieno Odhiambo) has called it a day as a footballer.

Abich Baba, as he is fondly referred to, has moved off from the pitch to take up a coaching role at Nairobi City Stars, his last duty station for the past two seasons.

His step-out from the pitch to the bench brings an end to an illustrious football career spanning close to 20 years.

His last league game for City Stars was a round 11 National Super League (NSL) game against Mt. Kenya United at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday 27 Oct 2019, a game that ended 1-1.

Abich arrived at Simba Wa Nairobi in April 2019 during the second leg of the transitional NSL 2018/19 season. He led from the front as the captain and scored eight times to top score for the club leading them to relegation survival.

In the 2019/20 season his mentorship and guidance saw the club promoted back to the Premier League to regain their premiership status lost at the end of the 2016 season.

“I wish to make it official that I have retired from football as a player. You can now refer to me as a coach as that is my new direction,”

“It’s been a long journey that has had highs and lows. I am now at a point where I want to give back by nurturing the next crop of players. I thank City Stars for allowing me to wind down my playing days and for ultimately giving me the opportunity at their technical bench to start my coaching journey at a high level.”

The transiting Abich has received adoration from City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno who said;

“He’s been a dedicated servant who gave his all on the pitch. We counted on him to survive relegation when the team needed an experienced hand in the 2018/19 season and he came through for us in a big way with important deliveries and goals. It is now our turn to hold his hand as he ventures into the other side of his career which is coaching.”

City Stars CEO Patrick Korir added his voice to Abich’s change-over;

“We thank him for his dedication and diligence to the team and will support him as he scales upward to coaching. He is part of a long term plan and we will endeavor to build his capacity as we go along.” he said

The former Thur Gem and Makokho Mixed Secondary School alumnus started his competitive football at Premiership side Nzoia Sugar before moving to Chemelil Sugar. He completed his sugar belt circuit with a move to Sony Sugar in 2006 for two seasons.

He arrived at Tusker thereafter and rested back-to-back Premiership titles in 2011 and 2012. Next was a short stint at Nakuru AllStars which led him to the ranks of AFC Leopards. Later on he sampled Kakamega Homeboyz, Mathare United, Sofapaka, Bandari and Nakumatt before making a bee-line for City Stars in 2019.

The former Kenya U20 and National team player bagged several individual awards in his playing career including being the best scoring Premiership defender at Sony Sugar in 2008 and at Mathare United in 2015. Not forgetting with City Stars at the end of the 2018/19 NSL season.

Abich who has lately been coaching youngsters at Zimmerman currently holds a ‘D’ license coaching Diploma and has a chance to learn from UEFA Pro coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia, the current head coach at City Stars.

Abich follows Arthur Museve to the City Stars bench. Museve ended his lengthy City Stars playing career at the close of the 2018/19 NSL season to take up a trainers’ role at the club.

Nairobi City Stars training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020. Noah Abich (front) has called it a day from playing

Nairobi City Stars training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020. Noah Abich (No. 17) is now retired

14 Oct 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Tentative KPL season dates, fixtures released

October 14, 2020

There’s almost a clear view to the next Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season after the league’s Governing Council issued tentative kick off dates for the 2020/21 season.

According to a communique, and barring any changes, the league will set off on Friday 20 November 2020.

According to the draft fixtures, Simba wa Nairobi will be ushered back to the KPL by five Western based teams that headline it’s first five fixtures.

City Stars will start off with a home game against Nzoia United before travelling to Zoo FC in Kericho for their second game.

A home match between Kisumu AllStars and Vihiga United – two teams fighting for one KPL slot -, an away fixture to Kakamega Homeboyz and a home game against Western Stima highlights the team’s first five games.

“With the tentative kickoff dates and draft fixtures out, we can now craft an elaborate pre-season plan and prepare accordingly,”

“The announcement by the league managers has brought lots of excitement to our camp. Looking at our first five fixtures we have five Western based teams to contend with. That area being a bed rock off football means we have our work cut out.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

18 Sep 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Davis Agesa (No. 11)
Davis Agesa in a past NSL game against Migori Youth at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Sat 2 November 2019

Davis Agesa top scores for City Stars in NSL

September 18, 2020

After tallying and verification, lanky striker Davis Agesa Amuyunzu emerged as Nairobi City Stars top scorer with 17 goals in four seasons the club featured in the second tier National Super League (NSL) from 2017 to 2019/20.

After 12 seasons in the top tier Kenyan Premier League (KPL), Nairobi City Stars was relegated at the end of the 2016 season.

In their first season in the NSL, in 2017, Agesa scored seven goals that included the only NSL hat trick by City Stars registered during a 4-1 blitzkrieg of FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo in September.

The hat trick followed his first ever brace in City Stars colors two weeks earlier that delivered a 2-1 win over Isibania FC at the same venue.

He added one more the next season before departing for a stint in Asia. Upon his return  months later he added three goals in the shortened and transitional 2018/19 season and another six that helped the team gain promotion in the Corona-disrupted 2019/20 season to tally up his NSL strikes to 17 .

With 17 NSL goals for City Stars, Agesa is ahead of Gambian Ebrima Sanneh and Ugandan Sande Katumba who both scored 15 goals over two NSL seasons.

Ezekiel Odera and Peter Mwangi Wainaina are the next best NSL scorers for City Stars with 14 and 10 goals, respectively.

“Well I can say it’s a day to day progress that I challenge myself to be better than yesterday so hopefully I keep my name more on the score sheets and keep raising City Stars flag high,”

With City Stars now back for the 2020/21 Premier League season, Agesa will be seeking his maiden top-flight goal, and more;

“Yes I feel I am ready and more hungry for the KPL challenge.” he said

Agesa has ten premier league appearances all gained while on a short-term loan at Thika United in the 2018 season.

Agesa committed to two more years at City Stars and will be angling for more premiership games, and goals, in the upcoming season.

Summary – City Stars NSL (2017 – 2019/20 seasons) Top Scorers

  1. Davis Agesa (Kenya) – 17
  2. Ebrima Sanneh (Gambia) – 15
  3. Sande Katumba (Uganda) – 15
  4. Ezekiel Odera (Kenya) – 14
  5. Peter Wainaina (Kenya) – 10

Davis Agesa

Davis Agesa

Davis Agesa (No. 11)

Davis Agesa in a past NSL game against Migori Youth at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Sat 2 November 2019

Davis Agesa scored a race to lead City Stars to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over host Modern Coast Rangers on Sat 23 Nov 2019 at Serani Sports Club

09 Sep 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa joins Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal Photo - Courtesy
Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa joins Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal Photo - Courtesy

Mukisa joins Simba wa Nairobi

September 9, 2020

Ugandan defender Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa is the latest player to join Nairobi City Stars. He arrives from Uganda top tier side Proline on a two-year deal.

Mukisa returned to Simba wa Nairobi to actualize his signing in the current window after a move at the first time of asking in January 2020 failed to materialize.

“Mukisa is a utility back who is comfortable as a left, centre or right back. He is however coming in to fill the right back position vacated by Kevin Okumu,”

“We are certain his arrival will solidify our back line. I welcome him to Simba wa Nairobi.” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno

Mukisa, is a former Uganda U20 captain who also featured for SC Villa and Proline Academy. He won the Ugandan league title with Vipers in the 2015/16 season.

Back in the years he captained Proline Academy which toured England – courtesy of Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand – and returned with 2-0 and 3-2 wins over Manchester Academy and West Ham Academy, respectively.

He featured for Proline at the Cecafa Club Championship and CAF Confederations cup in 2019. He had the following sentiments after being confirmed a Nairobi City Stars player.

“I’m excited to join both the City Stars and Jonathan Jackson Foundation family,”

“We have been in contact for the past six months and I came over in January and trained with the team in Nairobi. I was impressed by the playing unit, coach,  structures and feel good atmosphere around the team,”

“Now we have managed to get the deal and I wish to thank the CEO Patrick Korir and Coordinator Samson Otieno for the efforts to get me over there,”

“City Stars has a great history and is known for grooming Ugandan talents such as Danny Sserunkuma, Bruno Sserunkuma and Jimmy Bageya, among others, and I am happy to be part of this group. With the performances from last season, I’m certain the team will have a good season in both the Kenyan Premier League and domestic cup.” said the 27 year-old

Mukisa becomes the third player to join the main team after striker Erick Ombija from Gor Mahia and defensive mid Sven Yidah from Kariobangi Sharks.

The trio join four developmental players Rowland Makati from Vapor Sports, Timothy Ouma from Laiser Hill Academy, Ronney Kola Oyaro from Kenya School of Government (KSG) and keeper Elvis Ochieng Ochoro from Hakati Sportiff all signed in recent weeks.

Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa and Proline team mates with Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester in 2008
Photo – courtesy

07 Sep 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Wesley Onguso explaining on best ways to use a hand washing station
Wesley Onguso explaining on best ways to use a hand washing station

Players complete distribution of hand washing stations

September 7, 2020

A select number of Nairobi City Stars players concluded distribution of 100 hand washing stations across several localities in and without Kawangware in the ended week.

The latest activity was borne out of a coalition with the Nairobi Business Compact on Corona Virus (NBCC) and geared towards helping realize grass root penetration of interventions on the pandemic.

The latest initiative saw the placement of hand washing stations around businesses and areas with high traffic around Gatina, Satellite, Kabiria, Waruku, Kawangware, Waithaka, Nduaru, Ng’ando and Riruta

NBCC’s aim in placing and managing of hand washing stations by community members, with it’s partners, is to amplify the hygiene and behavior change.

During the launch of the same back in August City Stars chairperson Jonathan Jackson said;

“This acceptance in this community is a priceless bonus as we are able to articulate NBCC’s narrative, have our hand washing stations manned and our staff accepted as being part of the positive change happening in this community.”

While patrolling the communities to actualize implementation and use of the stations, Nairobi City Stars left back Wesley Onguso, a true community servant said;

“As players from this community we will embrace anything that goes towards keeping the society safer from the pandemic,”

“We are taking charge of the implementation and we will keep tabs on them to ensure there is enough and regular water and soap for use within where they have been planted. That is the least that we can do as City Stars players as we are aware that clean hands do more than preventing spread of Covid-19.”

City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno and legend Arthur Museve spear head installation of hand washing station

Two City Stars players Elvis Ojiambo, Wesley Onguso testing a hand washing station

Charles Otieno confirming a hand washing station serves the community well

Elvis Ojiambo, Rowland Makati with a happy hand wash user

Rowland Makati observes use of a hand washing station set up in one of the communities

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