02 May 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Ted relishes Shitu partnership

May 2, 2020

“It will be a Berlin Wall when the day comes,” Those are the words of center back Tedian Atuto Esilaba who joined City Stars in the January transfer window from Super League side Fortune Sacco on the day he will get to play with Shitu (Salim Abdalla) in the City Stars defense.

The mean defender, a captain while at Fortune Sacco, is relishing that chance of playing alongside Shitu who has been at the heart of City Stars back line with his partner Wycliffe Otieno.

Despite being an unbreakable pairing, Teddy is looking forward to the day he will get his chance; “I am really looking forward to that day. The chemistry between me and Shitu is on another level. We really understand each other,”

“Then the qualities we share also says it all; we are both ball players on one v one situations, then we are both scoring defenders,”

“We played together back in the days when I was on trials at ingwe (AFC Leopards). We partnered in all friendly matches with him which is the case when we play games in the mtaa.” added Teddy

Prior to arriving at Fortune Sacco, Tedian was at Bidco United, a club he joined from Vihiga United.

01 May 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars promoted

May 1, 2020

After five seasons in the Kenyan second tier, since being relegated at the end of 2016, Nairobi City Stars has been promoted to feature in the 2020/2021 Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The announcement, of the team’s bold return to Kenya’s top flight, was made on 30 April 2020 by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) following their cancellation of all league’s countrywide due to the ongoing Corona virus pandemic that ended football activities in mid-March and has complicated return of games in the near future.

Upon receiving the news, an overly excited Nairobi City Stars Chairman Jonathan Jackson said;

“I am totally delighted with the result that having started in 14th position we have come 1st. I wish to immensely thank the CEO and coach for their very hard work and professional management, and of course I thank all members of the club, the technical bench and of course the players themselves. We only achieved this fabulous result as a great team and the senior management who held and drove the team together. Thank you Simba wa Nairobi City Stars team.”

The promotion comes amid the premature end of the league as 26 games had been played and there were ten more pending.

Parts of a statement from FKF on Thursday confirmed that, practically, leagues will not continue hence bringing all seasons in all tiers of leagues to a close

“Following the Covid -19 situation in Kenya and the recent public health regulations announced by the Government, including the extension of the ongoing curfew and cessation to May 16, 2020, banning of all public gatherings of more than 15 individuals and the indefinite closure of all stadiums has made it untenable to conclude the 2019/2020 league season in time for the kickoff of the 2020/2021 season,”

“The extra ordinary step has been reluctantly arrived at, in an effort aimed at safeguarding the well-being, safety and good health of the thousands of football players, Technical Bench members, fans and the general Kenyan public,”

“In light of the aforementioned and guided by Rule 2.6.1.2 of the Rules and Regulations Governing Kenyan Football “Where the league format due to circumstances of force majeure fails to be completed within the season, the league winner shall be determined as follows; Where all the Clubs in the league have completed the first round fixture but less than 75% league games have been played, the table standings at the end of the first round shall be considered as the final table standing of the league.”

At the close of the 18 games in the first leg that ended in December, City Stars had accumulated 43 points from 13 wins and four draws and had a seven-point buffer over second placed Bidco United who are also promoted. Vihiga United beat Nairobi Stima to playoff third place on goal difference and will go on to played team number 16 in the Kenyan Premier League (Kisumu AllStars) over two legs for a chance for a quick return to the Premier League.

With the first leg table in mind, it was confirmed thus; “FKF hereby declares Nairobi City Stars FC the Betika National Super League Champions for 2019/2020 Season,”

“Nairobi City Stars FC and Bidco United FC are automatically promoted to the Kenyan Premier League 2020/2021 Season. Vihiga United FC shall play Kisumu AllStars FC in the KPL/NSL Play-off Match depending on the Covid 19 situation in the country and lifting of government regulations towards the same.”

Admin Police, St. Joseph’s and already disbanded and expelled Northern Wanderers who occupied places 17 to 20 in the December 2019 standings, in that order, are all relegated to the third tier, the Division One next season.

As City Stars and Bidco exit the NSL, Mwatate and Silibwet, winners of respective zones in Division one both earn promotion. Playoff winner between MCF and Soy United will take up the third slot.

30 Apr 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Photo credit - Dan Ngulu
Beetika commercial head John Mbatiah hands dummy cheque to City Stars field skipper Anthony Kimani on Thur 30 Apr 2020

City Stars players receive, appreciate Betika’s Covid-19 token

April 30, 2020

All 25 Nairobi City players received Kshs. 5,000 each on Thursday 30 April 2020 from leading gaming firm Betika to cushion them against the economic effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has grossly affected football activities since mid-March.

The package was part of a collective KShs. 5.3 million distributed directly to up to 30 players in the 17 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and 19 National Super League (NSL) clubs.

City Stars field captain Anthony Muki Kimani who represented the club at the event said; “We feel appreciated. Never before has football been suspended to this extent and this token, though not enough, will go a long way in cushioning us against the economic effects of the global pandemic.”

And from the office, overall team City Stars team captain Noah Abich, on behalf of the other clubs members, said; “This is a good surprise and it comes in as a buffer to players who are finding it hard to survive due to the Corona virus pandemic that has stopped all football activities,”

“We thank Betika for being very considerate and sensitive to players countrywide. I also thank FKF for fronting the interest of players that Betika took up.” he added

While presenting the cheque to FKF President Nick Mwendwa to Muki, as well as Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna, Betika commercial Head John Mbatia reiterated the leading online gaming firm’s commitment to supporting Kenyan football.

“Football has been largely affected by this pandemic and it is for this reason that we opted to partner FKF in supporting our players,” he said.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa, meanwhile, thanked Betika for coming through for the players and called on other partners to consider extending support to players from lower-tier leagues, who have also been affected by the pandemic.

“I want to thank Betika for this kind gesture towards KPL and NSL clubs,” said Mr. Mwendwa.

“As a Federation, we remain committed to exploring measures that cushion our players, right from the grassroots to the top tier leagues, during this time when football has been largely affected,” he added.

17 Apr 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Levis Opiyo
City stars keeper Levis 'Lovae' Opiyo

One on one with keeper Levis Opiyo

April 17, 2020

They call him Levis Opiyo Omondi, aka Lovae, a lad schooled by Thika United back in the years at Tetu High. In 2015, in his third and last year at the club, he was handed his big break by Briton Tim Bryett to debut in the Kenyan Premier League.

Detours to Western Stima and Posta Rangers in 2016 matured him to become Mathare United’s lead goalkeeper in 2017, his best season yet, which earned him a nomination to the end-of-year awards after tending goal in 27 of 34 games.

He may have missed on a podium finish in the awards but that firmly squeezed his resume through to Kenya’s rated keepers’ list.

If he wore no gloves you wouldn’t identify him as a keeper, for he is your perfect server and passer of the ball; he’s one that dribbles – at the back!

In August 2019 he arrived at Nairobi City Stars – a club he picked ahead of AFC Leopards – laden with new experience from Germany and Vihiga United.

His role model is Peter Pinchez Opiyo, his elder sibling, and incidentally, a current teammate at Nairobi City Stars.

He is discrete on what he wants in the near-turn – a place in Harambee Stars. And he’s crystal clear on one thing; he can never be a coach!

City Stars: Share with us your football journey while in school (Pri, Sec) and how you arrived at club football

Levis: I schooled at the Kenyatta Primary School in Thika before moving to Kabuyefwe Friends High School. In form 2 I moved my schooling to Central Province soccer powerhouse Tetu High.

My football star started shining while at Kenyatta Primary School where I was the only one to reach the National ball games, twice. That made me an attraction to High Schools that all offered me scholarships.

At Tetu High, we emerged champions of Central region in 2010 and 2011 to qualify for the National school games.

City Stars: Your early years were at Thika United. How was that initiation for you into Premier League football and at what point dd you start looking beyond Thika for playtime?

While at Tetu High School there was this Safaricom Sakata Ball tournament that was played in 2010 and 2011. I featured in the two tournaments and emerged as the best goalkeeper on both occasions (with Shimanzi in 2010 and with AC Thika in 2011).

That convinced my home team Thika United, who had been watching me keenly, to snap me up. They offered me a full Scholarship. And that’s how I joined the Premier League.

During those days the Kenyan Premier League was very tough. And for a lad straight out of High School it was even tougher.

Thika officially registered me for the Premier League in January 2013 and to help me grow, considering goal keepers Lukas Indeche, Zamu Adisa and Joel Bataro were in their ranks, they sent me to second tier side Mahakama FC (together with winger Francis Chege, midfielder Michael Bodo, striker Fahim Mohammed) on a six-month loan to gain experience.

At Mahakama it never took me time before I started featuring in games and by the end of my loan the team was firmly at the top of its league. But the loan was not renewed and I returned to Thika where I slowly began to make the bench in second leg games.

In my last season at Thika United (2015), British coach (Tim Bryett) was announced as head coach and it didn’t take him long to realize my capabilities. He handed me valuable games and I ended that season having featured in 13 games.

After that season I moved to Posta Rangers for six months then to Western Stima for the remainder of that season. In 2017 I graduated to become Mathare United’s lead keeper. I then returned to Rangers for the 2018 season onward.

City Stars: What has been your best season yet while in with the Premier League

Lovae: Definitely 2017 in one of the best-known club in Kenya – Mathare United.

While at the club I met the best coach in Kenya (Francis Kimanzi) who likes to play ball from back. That really made me happy because that is my strong point. He gave me confidence and encouraged me every time to play that way.

So game by game I grew my performance and ended up playing 27 of the 34 games that season and it was little wonder I got nominated for the season-ending goalkeeper of the year award. I emerged fourth.

City Stars: At some point you left the local scene to join a club in Germany. When was that and what was the experience like? Why did you return back to Kenya?

Yes, that was in 2018. I left Posta Rangers and headed out to Germany for trials and signed for a club known as Fortuna Babelsberg which was playing in the lower tier.

The experience was good; I learnt a lot but the league was not competitive enough because of the tier they were playing in. Due to funds, lack of, I decided to return home after the season to join Vihiga United on a short-term deal to the end of the 2018/19 season.

City Stars: Why a keeper? You look like you could slot into any position upfield

Ha ha. I started football as a midfielder at 10 years of age at Islamic Youth Academy (later named Fullchester). One day in a certain tournament our goalkeeper didn’t appear and my coach Beto asked around; “Who can play as keeper?”

“I can,” I said. And I found it so interesting. And that’s how I transformed from an upfield player to a goalkeeper.

City Stars: You arrived at City Stars weeks into their preseason in July 2019. Why the late arrival and what informed your decision to join them? What was the attraction in the NSL?

Yes. That time I was at AFC Leopards waiting to seal a deal but I heard about City Stars targets and how they were recruiting experienced players. I was made aware they had a good structure, a good set plan, and that’s when I decided to join.

Interestingly the coach (Sanjin Alagic) was convinced I was the kind he wanted during a friendly game against AFC Leopards at Hope Centre.

At City Stars I met many players whom I had worked with in different teams earlier, others that I had played against. That made it easy for me to settle.

City Stars: As a keeper, you are judged by your command from the back and a key indicator of your performance is clean sheets. Name some of the defenders that have helped you fail to concede goals

Levis: Yes as a keeper you must have a good understanding with your defenders so that they protect you well. I am happy I have heard a chance to play with top brave defenders in the league. They include Joash Onyango and Maurice Ojwang at Western Stima, George Wise Owino at Mathare United, Collins Okumu, Joakins Atudo, and Charles Odete at Posta Rangers, Bernard Ochieng at Vihiga United (now Wazito) and Salim Shitu Abdalla at City Stars.

City Stars: You are known to be a ‘dribbling’ keeper. Is that your style of play? Isn’t it risky to keep passing the ball at the back?

Levis: Hahahahaha. Yes that’s my style of play. Of course, it’s risky but again you have to believe in your capabilities, and for me that’s what I believe in; playing from back although you must be very keen.

Luckily, I have found coaches (Francis Kimanzi and Sanjin Alagic) who encourage their keepers to play like that.

City Stars: Share some of the objectives you aim to achieve while at City Stars

Levis: At the moment in City Stars we are doing good and topping the NSL. My aim is to see them maintain the top spot, win the league and earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League.

City Stars: As a keeper, some forwards just keep you on edge. Name some of the nightmarish strikers who have come up against you

Levis: Michael Olunga, Meddie Kagere, Jacques Tuyisenge, and Dan Sserunkuma are certainly on that list.

City Stars: Who do you look up to?

Levis: My brother, always my brother (Pinchez). Because he advises me all the time and he pushes me a lot. When I make mistakes, he corrects me. And when I make the right decisions, he applauds me.

City Stars: Your personal targets as a keeper?  

Levis: To play for the National team – Harambee Stars. I believe in myself and I know I have all it takes to be there.

When I was in Germany recently I couldn’t land a higher-tier team as I had no international caps. That kept me thinking and I promised myself I would shift extra gears to break into the national team.

In the last few international games, we have seen a regular interchange of goalkeepers at the National front which gives me hope that with improved performance I can also contest a position at Harambee Stars. That will crown my career as well as give me a better chance of breaking abroad.

City Stars: What do you do on your rest days?

Levis: I don’t particularly have off days as I always go to the gym and then later I relax at home.

City Stars: Favorite food?

Levis; Kuku, Chapati, Ugali, Rice and Goat meat. And fresh juice

City Stars: Which goalkeepers do you look upon and why?

Levis: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) and Ederson (Manchester City) – because we play the same style

City Stars: Football comes to an end one day. When that day comes what will you venture into and what initiatives have you made towards that course?

Levis: We have seen some players end their careers miserably, but I don’t want to end mine that way.

One thing is clear; I do not want to be a coach, but plan to be a manager in a team, or in a business. Soon I will head to school to pursue what will help me manage people.

12 Apr 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Davis Agesa
Davis Agesa

One on one with striker Davis Agesa

April 12, 2020

Call him an introvert, for so few words leave his mouth. You may never know what striker Davis Amuyunzu Agesa is thinking.

But on the field, the six-foot-three front rover is a bully, a bulldozer of back lines due to his speed and power that most people have asked him to relocate to Ngong road – to play rugby!

That’s a debrief of Kawangware Primary and Kaimosi Boys alumnus, a committed member of Nairobi City Stars front row over the last few years.

The graduate of Vapor Sports Academy in Kawangware, who was once in the ranks of Kenyan Premier League side Thika United in 2018, talks to us about his football journey, his professional stints in Seychelles and East India and the downside of a career threatening knee injury from Asia.

He’s a sure starter for City Stars this season with six goals, five assists and four MVPs awards to show for it in 23 games played.

In his words, he says he’s a ‘beast’, a Lion, and no defender has ever stood in his way . . .

City Stars: Share your background from Primary to High School

Agesa: I started my kindergarten at a private school (Emmanuel Academy) then moved on to a public school (Kawangware Primary School) for my primary education for eight successive years. Later on, I proceeded to Kaimosi Boys High School for my Secondary education.

City Stars: Share with us your football journey in high school and how far that took you (provincials, nationals)

Agesa: While in High school this is where my football career escalated because in Primary School, I played little football even though outside school I was an academy player at His-Majesty Foundation.

During year one in High School it was impossible to get through to the school team due to a great talent pool.

I had already joined Vapor Sports Academy in Kawangware as I went to High School but even then the minimal Academy experience I had acquired was not enough. But my breakthrough came in form 2 as I joined the school team.

Kaimosi High was dominant at the District and Regional levels but the Provincial level always proved tough due to the presence of big boys such as Chavakali High School and Vihiga High School.

In my last year in school – form 4 –I got offers to join Vihiga Allstars as well as Chavakali High School but I turned both down.

City Stars: Tell us how you arrived at City Stars and how your early years in club football was

Agesa:  I joined City Stars from Vapor FC under the guidance of Coach John Amboko who enhanced my development from the academy level. It was in the middle of the season just right at the start of second leg in June 2017.

I quickly adjusted to the competitiveness of the National Super League (NSL) and earned a spot in the first team right away and bagged a brace in my second match against Migori Youth leading City Stars to a 2-1 win.

Help from the coach and fellow teammates who supported me since my early days made me feel at home at City Stars.

City Stars: We are made to understand you played outside the country in India and Seychelles for sometime. Please share your adventure with us. Do you aspire to return abroad?

Agesa: It was a whole new experience at the professional level in Seychelles. Different type of players, different type of mentality, but same football though on a very different environment which was tough due to high humidity.

This was in 2015 when I signed a one-year contract with Revengers FC. I stayed at the club for six-months but terminated the contract on mutual consent due to financial struggles at the club. I then returned to Vapor Sports.

I late 2018 I was to join Baridhara in East India (Bangaldesh) but that didn’t go well as I suffered an LCL knee injury while playing preseason tournaments. It was a my first major injury and a major setback and I struggled to recover from it. I never even got to sign a contract for Baridhara.

So I’d say yeah, with the experience I have now I aspire to return abroad at a professional level. From my past travel I learned and gained a lot which I believe got me to grow to a better player.

I believe I have the quality to deserve an opportunity abroad and when it arrives I’ll always be waiting at the dock, ready.

City Stars: Tell us your worst moments while at City Stars

Agesa: My worst moment at City Stars has to be a period which I traveled back from East India with that knee injury.

I had left the team on high (before joining Thika United in early 2018) but upon return I found a struggling lot and right at the bottom of the NSL table. It was heartbreaking and I felt helpless with my knee injury.

But as soon as I started feeling better (not fully recovered though) I did try to put in a fight for the team. We did well and at the end of the season we escaped the NSL red zone.

City Stars: Some fans have said your have too much power and speed and you should consider a place in the Kenya Rugby 7s squad. Your thoughts?

Agesa: Ha ha ha. If I am able to multitask then why not go for it? I would probably excel there  . . . . . . . . But then again maybe I’d be referred to boxing (ha ha ha) when am in rugby. Truth be told, I was made for football so I’d rather stick to my lane.

City Stars: What can you say of the current City Stars setup; new management, the quality in the team and would you say this is the year the team will go up to the KPL?

Agesa: I have to give all the appreciation to Mr. Jonathan Jackson & the co-team (Foundation) for the new set-up that has massively improved the welfare of the players and outlook of the club.

With a new international gaffer Sanjin Alagic and the assistance of technical bench we have improved immensely and without a doubt I can say we are a quality team in our tier.

With this managerial setup I feel we are cut out for better things in years to come. If I go by the results and the performance we’ve pulled in so far, then this has to be the year Nairobi City Stars will go to the KPL. The top guns there should expect us.

City Stars: You play as a striker, no. 10 and right winger. What is you preferred position?

Agesa: In High School I was a deep lying attacking midfielder featuring predominantly as a no. 10 position creating/assisting/scoring goals while in a pivotal role to the buildup.

Over the years I have been lucky to be managed by different type of coaches/trainees all of whom have had different tactics/approaches to the games.

That means I’ve been deployed at different positions of attacking as I have the quality to adjust to any of them. But the one position I feel at home with is as a striker.

City Stars: As a forward you have to contend with mean defenders. Who are some of those that cause you nightmares?

Agesa: I have faced tough opponents, but I can’t point out the mean one who stands out from the rest because I always beast my way around. So far no nightmares yet because I am a Lion.

City Stars: Who inspires you the most at City Stars

Agesa: I find every single player at City Stars as an inspiration in different ways because I look at each of them from a different perspective.

But I’d say the one who stands out the most in the team has to be our goalkeeper Levis Opiyo (Lovae) because of his winning mindset, professionalism and passion for the game.

The good thing is that he happens to be one of my closest friends in the team as we have good relationship; he pushes me to perform and I push him as well.

City Stars: Locally, which player(s) do you look up to?

Agesa: Has to be former national striker Allan Wanga and current striker Micheal Olunga

City Stars: When not training and playing football what else occupies your time?

Agesa: When I’m not in the field I’m at home resting as I spend time with my family, watching TV a lot & playing some FIFA games.

City Stars: Finally, when you hang your boots someday, what will you venture into? 

Agesa: When I finally wave goodbye to playing I wanna be in a position where I’ll be able to give back to the football society. Basically, I will still revolve around football because football is what I live, lived, for.

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