13 Mar 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Corona Virus; BSL games postponed from Mon 15 Mar 2020

March 13, 2020

Nairobi City Stars, as well as all other clubs in the country, will have to sit out all manner of games from Mon 15 March 2020 following a release by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

This is after the Ministry of Health confirmed on Friday 13 March 2020 the country’s first Corona Virus (COVID-19) case.

As a result, all sporting activities across the country have been brought to a halt following a Government statement earlier in the day. Football was not an exception.

Notwithstanding, selected games will be played across the weekend till Sunday meaning a round 28 Betika Super League (BSL) between Nairobi City Stars and Nairobi Stima will proceed as planned at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday starting 3pm.

May it be noted the game will be played behind closed doors with no fans allowed to watch as per the guidelines provided by FKF. Relating to this clubs have been directed to advise their fans to desist from going to the stadium.

Further, FKF wants the following to be observed in full;

-No pre-match and post-match handshakes between the players and officials

-Handshakes between the coaches and the match officials are also scrapped

– Clubs are advised to carry with them adequate hand sanitizers

Commenting on the developments club CEO Patrick Korir had this to say;

“We were a bit lost when the Government announced postponement of major event including sports. Obviously we had been shaping up for our game at the weekend and we can now finalize on the planning,”

“As City Stars we will observe all the guidelines provided by FKF to the letter. Thereafter we will await further directions on what will happen to subsequent games.”

About Corona Virus

According to World Health Organization (WHO) Corona virus is a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. The recently discovered corona virus causes an infectious disease called COVID-19 . 

Common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

12 Mar 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

It’s first vs fourth when City Stars hosts Nairobi Stima

March 12, 2020

In mid October 2019, goals from Wesley Onguso – a free kick – and one more from close range by Davis Agesa handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-1 win over ten-man Nairobi Stima at Karuturi grounds in Naivasha.

The triumph was historic as it was the only time that City Stars had seen off Nairobi Stima in seven second tier league games across four seasons.

On Saturday 14 March 2020 the two will face off once again in a Betika Super League (BSL) match day 28 clash at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho from 3pm.

Into the highly profiled game Nairobi City Stars tops the BSL charts with 61 points and has a 13-point buffer over their rivals Nairobi Stima who sit fourth with 48 points.

Gap aside, the truth of the matter is City Stars has never beaten Nairobi Stima in three past home encounters.

In 2017 and 2018 City Stars lost by identical 2-0 margins while in 2019, a 10-man Simba wa Nairobi was diminished to second best after going down 1-0 at Hope Centre.

Both teams come to the game on the high of wins from their immediate past encounters; City Stars with a 2-1 away win over AP Bomet in Kericho and Nairobi Stima with a 1-0 win over FC Talanta out in Naivasha.

For the upcoming Nairobi derby will it be Stima’s history that will lighten up the day or will it be City Stars current form that will darken their counterparts? Only the Toyoyo turf will tell the tale of who finds the switch first come Saturday.

Head to Head; Nairobi City Stars vs Nairobi Stima

Sat, 14/03/20, Nairobi City Stars Vs Nairobi Stima
Wed, 16/10/19; Nairobi Stima 1 – 2 Nairobi City Stars
Sat, 11/05/19, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 1 Nairobi Stima
Sat, 09/02/19, Nairobi Stima 1 – 1 Nairobi City Stars
Sat, 16/06/18, Nairobi Stima 1 – 1 Nairobi City Stars
Sun, 11/02/18, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 2 Nairobi Stima
Sun, 26/11/17, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 2 Nairobi Stima
Sat, 22/07/17, Nairobi Stima 0 – 0 Nairobi City Stars

11 Mar 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Oliver Maloba (21) with team mates Vincent Otieno (9) and Kevin Okumu (28) when he returned to training on Tue 10 Mar 2020 after a month out

Maloba returns

March 11, 2020

After weeks out, Nairobi City Stars offensive midfielder Oliver Maloba is back at the club.

Maloba, whose trail had gone cold on the club since the second week of February, met the club honchos on Monday and after lengthy discussions was allowed back in training starting on Tuesday.

Speaking on the matter club CEO Patrick Korir said;

“We chose to take a pragmatic view of the matter. After productive talks we have accepted his apology and he is now back in training,”

Upon meeting his team-mates in Tuesday sessions a remorseful Maloba said;

“I apologies to the club and my fellow players for staying out without communicating. Let’s leave what happened behind. I am back and fully committed to give my all to keep the ship sailing.”

Maloba has now been challenged by head coach Sanjin Alagic to work his way back to the team as his position has already been grabbed by other deserving players.

“Staying out for a month means all work done since July last year is lost. He has another few weeks to work on basics then work his way up to the team.”

08 Mar 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ezekiel Odera
Ezekiel Odera vs AP Bomet in Kericho on Sun 8 Mar 2020

Odera wins it in Kericho

March 8, 2020

Striker Ezekiel Odera was the toast for Nairobi City Stars as his goal inside the first 15 minutes delivered a 2-1 win over AP Bomet in a round 27 Betika Super League game played at the Kericho Green on Sunday 8 March 2020.

Odera forced AP Bomet defender Japheth Ekuba into scoring an own goal in just the first minute then added a classic goal in the 15th minute to hand Simba wa Nairobi a 2-0 cushion heading to the break. Both goals were assisted by winger David Gateri.

AP Bomet pulled a consolation goal in the second half to half the scores but Odera’s goal stood out and proved the difference in the game.

Despite Odera’s heroics, he was to be ejected from the game late on after being given matching orders after earning a second bookable offence.

Score-wise, it could have been worse for the home team had a Salim Abdalla tap in from a free kick not have been ruled offside, and a Jimmy Bageya thunderous shot not ricocheted off the horizontal.

The win in Kericho ensured City Stars completed a double over AP Bomet having won the first leg tie at Toyoyo in October last year by the same scoreline.

Three added points lifted City Stars to the 61-point mark from 25 games as they maintained a seven-point gap atop the league

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars

16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (5. Wesley Onguso), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 25. David Gateri (19. Jimmy Bageya), 27. Azizi Okaka (15. John Kamau), 32. Ezekiel Odera,

Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich. 88. Tedian Esilaba, 3. Charles Otieno,

Yellow cards; 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani, 10. Peter Opiyo, Ezekiel Odera (x2)

MVP: 10. Peter Pinchez Opiyo

AP Bomet

31. Fredrick Otieno, 3. Dominic Kipkirui, 27. Paul Ndara, 25. Gideon Kibet, 30. Japheth Ekuba, 2 Eli John, 12. Vincent Lubembe,  10. Dickson Mwangi, 14. James Kaleha, 7. Philip Wasai, 20. Chris Wilunda

Subs: 19. Kevin Odongo, 18. Conrad Isigi, 2. Daniel Odhiambo, 5. Eric Chivatsi, 23. Brian Ngala, 21. Peter Juma, 11. Lawrence Kibet

Coach: Sebastian Owino

08 Mar 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Jacob Osano
Jacob Osano

Debut for Osano against AP Bomet

March 8, 2020

January signing Jacob Osano will stand between the sticks for the first time ever when Nairobi City Stars takes on AP Bomet at the Kericho Green Stadium on Sunday 8 March 2020 from 3pm.

Signed from Nairobi Stima, Osano takes up the place of regular keeper Levis Opiyo who sits out the game due to accumulation of five yellow cards.

As Osano steps up, reserve keeper Ronny Kagunzi made a return to the squad to start off the bench.

Also in for the AP Bomet is regular field skipper Anthony Kimani who was suspended for the last game against Kenya Police.

His return is a boost for head coach Sanjin Alagic who will be missing regular striker Davis Agesa who saw red from two yellow cards against Police.

One other change for the game is Edwin Buliba’s elevation from the bench to the right back spot to play in place of Kevin Oumu who was not passed fit for the Kericho trip.

Tedian Atuto, a January signing from Fortune Sacco, made the 18-man squad for the first time and will start off the bench as well as Charles Otieno who sat out injured in the last game.

Starting XI against AP Bomet: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani, 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 25. David Gateri, 27. Azizi Okaka, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

Subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich. 88. Tedian Esilaba, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 5. Wesley Onguso

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