25 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars captain
Nairobi City Stars captain

The caution that blemished Masawa’s career

January 25, 2024

Matchday 20 in the 2023/24 FKF Premier in Bukhungu ended in a 2-0 defeat for visiting Nairobi City Stars at the hands of AFC Leopards on Sunday 22 January 2024.

Two second half goals by Leopards on that day ended Simba wa Nairobi’s seven-game winning streak.

Worse still, City Stars ended the game a man less after skipper Calvin Masawa was slapped with a straight red card for a last man challenge on an AFC Leopards breakaway forward.

It was his first such card since landing at City Stars in the year 2011.

“I had a clean bill since joining the premier league. Never before did I receive a red card. Now this has flawed my record,”

“It’s happened, and there’s nothing much I can do about it though I didn’t feel the incident deserve that kind of punishment,”

With the card, Masawa will sit out the next two games against Shabana and Bandari in the next two weekends.

Nairobi City Stars captain Calvin Masawa

24 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ronney Kola
Nairobi City Stars defender Ronney Kola keeps his eye on AFC Leopards forward Ojo Olaniyi during a Premier League game on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Main Stadium.

Ronney Kola departs

January 24, 2024

Nairobi City Stars can confirm that, after three and a half seasons, utility Ronney Kola has left the club.

Kola, predominantly a defensive midfielder, but adept as a centre-back, right full back, and in the mid of the pack, was signed from Kenya School of Government (KGS) back in the year 2020 on a long term deal.

“Our No. 6 has asked for a move from City Stars to search for more play time, and we chose not to stand in his way”

“He is a good lad, versatile, and very skilled. You won’t find many Kolas around. But his search for more playtime, and a new challenge is what has informed his departure. We wish him the very best.” said City Stars CEO Patrick Korir  

On his part, Kola had this to say as he exited the Simba wa Nairobi den;

“I have been at Nairobi City Stars for four years and it stopped being just a club, it became my family,”

“I grew my game here and leaving breaks my heart. I know one day I will come back home, to City Stars,”

“I thank all the Simba wa Nairobi players from the past and present, and the entire staff for all the support they gave me. City Stars will forever be in my heart.” added Kola

Kola spent his first season – 2020/21 – on loan at second tier side Nairobi Stim, and went on to miss the next one due to injury.

He returned in time for the 2022/23 season and made his premier league debut in the season opener against Bidco United in Nyayo Stadium on 19 Nov 2022.

 

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He went on to feature in 16 games that season, and added one more – a cameo against AFC Leopards – in the 2023/24 Premier league season to make it 17 top flight games.

Kola, City Stars

Ronney Kola up against Duke Abuya of Kenya Police during FKF Premier League match day 15 in KAsarani Annex on Wed 8 Feb 2023. Police won 2-1

Ronney Kola

Nairobi City Stars defender Ronney Kola (no. 6) in action against AFC Leopards on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Main Stadium.

 

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, ??

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