07 Feb 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

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
NCS, Team News Permalink

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.

04 Feb 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Wazito and City Stars players after a firendly game on Fri 20 Dec 2019. City Stars won 1-0
Wazito and City Stars players after a firendly game on Fri 20 Dec 2019. City Stars won 1-0

Friendly fire; Stalemate against Gor

February 4, 2020

 Nairobi City Stars held Kenyan Premier League (KPL) top dogs Gor Mahia to a barren draw in friendly played at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Tuesday 4 February 2020.

The game was geared at giving a runout to players that did not make the squad against Bidco United on Sunday at the same venue as well as those that came on as substitutes.

“We organized a friendly match for the players who did not play the last league games. I agreed with the Gor Mahia coach (Steve Pollack) that we give the players the chance to play,” said City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic

“It was one good test for both coaches to see the level of the players who did not have enough minutes in the last league games,”

“It was a good test for the players from both teams and hopefully in the future we will try to organise such strong games.”

Both Gor Mahia and Nairobi City Stars top their respective Kenyan Premier and National Super Leagues.

Keeper Jacob Osano, Kevin Okumu, Jacob Osano, Azizi Okaka and striker Vincent Otieno who were unused subs against Bidco United featured in the game as well as those who were not factored in; Ebrimma Sanneh, Wesley Onguso, Noah Abich, Eric Ochieng as well as re-signed John Kamau and Tedian Atuto all featured in the game.

03 Feb 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Agesa scoops MVP award

February 3, 2020

After his heroics that masterminded a Nairobi City Stars 2-1 come-from-behind win over Bidco United on Sunday 2 February 2020, strike Davis Agesa was picked out as the Man of the match by the Simba wa Nairobi technical bench.

Agesa dummy-ed Bidco’s centre back Erick Odhiambo to race into the box in the 40th minute to square the ball into the path of skipper Anthony Kimani for the equalizing goal.

Four minutes into the second half he was at the right place at the right time to return a ball to Oliver Maloba in the box whose final ball landed on Jimmy Bageya for the winning goal.

“He had two assists and he did a really good job in this game. He has made huge progress and is looking very interesting for the future.” said head coach Sanjin Alagic.

Agesa’s latest MVP award is the fourth following on the similar accolades after first leg games against Coast Stima, Mt. Kenya United and Modern Coast Rangers.

Agesa currently activates City Stars leader board with six goals and as many assists and has become one of the most dependable players in City Stars lineup.

→←