08 Feb 2020
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Coast Stima earn revenge over City Stars

February 8, 2020

Visiting Coast Stima hit hosts Nairobi City Stars 3-1 at Camp Toyoyo in an early round 24 Betika Super League kick off on Saturday 8 February 2020.

Two early goals inside the first 18 minutes handed the hosts a healthy cushion they protected to the breather.

A penalty by Kassim Mohammed Adzai eight minutes into the second half improved the scores to 3-0.

City Stars got their consolation in the dying minutes of the game when defender Salim Abdalla headed home off a free kick by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani that was headed his way by Coast Stima defender Kevin Washe.

Right winger Okumu, arguably the man of the match, was a thorn to the City Stars back line as he scored once and set up another two.

In the 12th minute, he cut in from the right channel and at the edge of the box, whacked in a left footer to the far post for the opening goal.

Six minutes later he was at it again as he raced down his flank, and after a one-two with a team mate, he sliced in a cross that Ombija clipped in with a riser for his 12th goal of the season.

Eight minutes into the second half it is Okumu that drove into the box after leaving behind his markers only to be clipped by City Stars keeper Levis Opiyo for a penalty that Kassim sent home.

The win for Coast Stima, who went down 2-1 to visiting City Stars at Mbaraki in the third week of September 2019 during the first leg, was an apt revenge.

Following the win, Coast Stima shoots to the 39-point mark and within three points of Nairobi Stima moving from fifth to fourth place and above Vihiga United on goal difference. Nairobi Stima are away to Fortune Sacco on Saturday evening.

City Stars still stays top with 55 points with a ten-point cover over Bidco United who have a game in hand against Muranga Seal on Sunday in Thika.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvins Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Edwin Buliba, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 8. Jimmy Bageya (11. Davis Agesa), 32. Ezekiel Odera (21. Oliver Maloba), 27. Azizi Okaka (3. Charles Otieno-25)

Subs: 28. Kevin Okumu, 16. Jacob Osano, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 16. Vincent Otieno

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Coast Stima: 29. Brandon Nathan, 5. Hawkins Ademba, 15. Kevin Washe, 21. Khamis Tole, 19. Hassan Iddi, 3. Kassim Mohammed Adzai, 7. Khamis Abudu, 12. Dennis Magige, 10. Dominic Waithaka, 24. Eric Ombija, 11. Rodgers Okumu

Subs: Godfrey Okongo, 14. Clinton Ochieng, 4. Davis Shikala, 2. Herit Atariza, 6. Jacob Mshiri, 9. Lucky Eme, 16. Lucky Kaingu

Coach: Paul Ogai

08 Feb 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars players in a past NSL game in the 2019/20 season
Nairobi City Stars players in a past NSL game in the 2019/20 season

Odera, Okaka start against Stima, Sanneh is back

February 8, 2020

Head coach Sanjin Alagic has made three changes to the starting lineup as Nairobi City Stars linesup against Coast Stima at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday 8 February, 2020 starting 11 am.

The three changes sees returning striker Ezekiel Odera and January signing Azizi Okaka start as Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh makes his way back after missing the last game against Bidco United.

While it will be the first start for Odera under Sanjin, its a return to the starting eleven for Azizi since the first game of the year away to Shabana.

The entry of the trio to the starting lineups means superstars Davis Agesa and Oliver Maloba, both of whom missed two days of training in the week due to varied illnesses, drop to the bench alongside defensive mid Elvis Noor Ojiambo.

They join keeper Jacob Osano, Charles Otieno Oduro, Kevin Okumu and Vicent Otieno on the bench.

David Gateri, a used sub against Bidco, falls off the squad due to illness that saw him miss training in the week.

The backline of keeper Levis Opiyo, Wycliffe Otieno, Salim Abdalla as well as wingbacks Calvins Masawa and Edwin Buliba remains as is.

Peter Opiyo and skipper Athony Kimani are expected to patrol the midfield as Ugandan Jimmy Bageya retains his place on the flanks.

Lineup against Coast Stima

23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvins Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Edwin Buliba, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 8. Jimmy Bageya, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 27. Azizi Okaka

Subs: 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 11. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 16. Jacob Osano, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 16. Vincent Otieno

Out: 5. Wesley Onguso, 17. Noah Abich, 25. David Gateri, 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 12. Eric Ochieng, 15. John Kamau, 80. Tedian Esilaba

07 Feb 2020
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When the best defense takes on the best offense

February 7, 2020

Fifth placed Coast Stima will test log leaders Nairobi City Stars on Saturday 8 February 2020 at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho from 11am in a Betika Super League (BSL) match day 24 game.

Coast Stima comes to town with 36 points, 19 points adrift the leaders and are within eight points of playoff spot three currently being occupied by Nairobi Stima.

The difference in points can only deceive as statistics clearly spells out that Coast Stima is the best offensive team in the league having plundered in 46 goals in 22 games, an average of two goals a game. None of the other 18-teams in the BSL has scored more than 40 goals.

In the ranks of Coast Stima is Eric Ombija who has scored 11 times and skipper Joshua Oyoo who is on eight goals – 6 of which are through penalties. Ombija is the third best scorer in the BSL.

Notwithstanding, Coast Stima will be away to a City Stars side that, statistically, is the best defensive team in the league having let in 13 goals in 22 games – 10 in open play and three via penalties.

It will be the third time City Stars will be hosting Coast Stima in Nairobi in the last three seasons. Looking back to the last two games, the hosts have picked straight wins; 3-2 in May 2018 and 2-1 in April last year. Then, returning Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh hit a brace at Camp Toyoyo to guarantee all spoils.

During the first leg of the current season, in September last year, City Stars scored two early goals via Oliver Maloba and Vincent Jamaica Otieno, to win it 2-1 at Mbaraki.

While City Stars will be seeking a double on Saturday morning, Coast Stima will be in to avenge the first leg loss.

Just which way will it be at Camp Toyoyo when the best offense comes up against the best defense?

Nairobi City Stars vs Coast Stima head to head records

Sun, 16/02/20, Nairobi City Stars vs Coast Stima

Mon, 23/09/19, Coast Stima 1 – 2 Nairobi City Stars

Sun, 07/04/19, Nairobi City Stars 2 – 1 Coast Stima

Sat, 05/01/19, Coast Stima 2 – 2 Nairobi City Stars

Sun, 07/10/18, Coast Stima 2 – 1 Nairobi City Stars

Sat, 26/05/18, Nairobi City Stars 3 – 2 Coast Stima

06 Feb 2020
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CEO joins NSL Governing Council

February 6, 2020

Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir was on Wednesday 5 February 2020 elected to deputise Nairobi Stima chair Johnstone Sakwa as the Vice Chair of the Betika National Super League (NSL).

This was during the first NSL Council Meeting of the year where the main agenda was election.

Sakwa was elected to take over a vacuum left by his predecessor Vincent Onyango. Bidco United secretary Geoffrey Misango maintained his position as the Council Secretary as Kibera Black Stars’ Daniel Magara was voted in to be his understudy.

“We had a fruitful consultative meeting for NSL clubs, the main agenda being elections for the new office bearers. We have also had discussions on how to improve our league, and make it better to attract even more partnerships,” said NSL Governing Council Vice Chairman Patrick Korir.

“I must thank the Federation for finding us the partner. We have had discussions on how we can find even more partnerships because the quality in our product is there for all to see,” said NSL Governing Council Assistant Secretary Daniel Magara.

To help improve the commercial appeal of the NSL, a Marketing committee was put in place. It will be headed by Korir and will have Ushuru FC Chair Stephen Mathenge as a member.

“The image of the league needs to improve and we will start will minimal steps such as activate what can otherwise be ignored – social media. We have asked clubs to do the bare minimum in this front and build it up going forward. This way the current sponsors, and would be sponsors, can see a value of their investment as the commercial appeal of the league exponentially grows.” he said

Relating to that front Branding issues were addressed and going forward NSL clubs were asked to upscale the image of the league by putting appropriate club banners and their associated sponsors, as well as that of the current sponsors Betika to separate the league from “local leagues”.

“This will be of utmost importance as the  league will face lift and have a professional outlook.” said Frank Ogola, the head of Leagues and Competitions at FKF.

Away from elections of new office bearers, other issues were tackled top most being level of officiating and playing surfaces.

“These issues have duly been noted and will be addressed in full by the appropriate committees.” said FKF CEO Barry Otieno who also attended the meeting

Joining the NSL Governing Council were the chair of Migori Youth Abdi Aziz and APS Bomet Secretary Rose Chemutai and long serving Modern Coast Rangers Secretary Ferdinand Ogot.

Summary

New NSL Governing Council

Chair; Johnstone Sakwa (Nairobi Stima)

Vice Chair; Patrick Korir (Nairobi City Stars)

Secretary; Geoffrey Misango (Bidco United)

Deputy Secretary; David Magara (Kibera BlackStars)

Members; Ferdinand Ogot (Modern Coast Rangers), Rose Chemutai (AP Bomet)

Marketing Committee; Patrick Korir (Nairobi Stima), Stephen Mathenge (Ushuru FC)

05 Feb 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Coast Stima game brought forward

February 5, 2020

The upcoming Nairobi City Stars vs Coast Stima round 24 National Super League (NSL) game has been moved from Sunday 9 February 2020 at 3pm to Saturday 8 February 2020 at 11 am. Venue for the game remains the same – Camp Toyoyo, Jericho.

Part of the reasons for the day change is the unavailability of Hope Centre in Kawangware that is undergoing final touch-ups on its renovation.

The early kick off at Camp Toyoyo has been necessitated by a packed schedule at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday where two other NSL games had been booked earlier.

The change has since been ratified by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and communicated to all stakeholders.

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