31 Jan 2020
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The big one; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United

January 31, 2020

Starting 3pm on Sunday 2 February 2020, Nairobi City Stars will host Bidco United at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho in a National Super League (NSL) match 23.

It’s a top billed clash as it pits the first two sides in the second tier.  Hosts City Stars tops the charts with 52 points from 21 games, seven ahead of a consistent Bidco United.

It’s been mixed results when Simba wa Nairobi hosts the boys from Thika as in the last three home games, its been a loss, win and draw in that order.

The two last faced off at Toyoyo in late March 2019, the game ending in a barren draw.

City Stars was in the lower reaches of the NSL then but times have since changed and they are at the apex of the log.

Coming to the game, Bidco United is unbeaten in their last four away games and six overall.

That record will be paraded against City Stars three game winning run since the turn of the year

Bidco, coached by Japheth Akhulia, will be on a revenge mission as in mid-September 2019, City Stars hit them 1-0 in Thika during the first leg. That win ended their fine three game winning start to the season.

A win for City Stars will open a ten-point gap over Bidco United as win for the latter will reduce the gap to four points. It will be status quo if it’s even-stevens will

City Stars vs Bidco United head to head records

Sun, 09/02/20 Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United

Wed, 18/09/19 Bidco United 0 – 1 Nairobi City Stars

Thur, 28/03/19 Nairobi City Stars 0 – 0 Bidco United

Wed, 19/12/18 Bidco United 1 – 1 Nairobi City Stars

Sat, 01/09/18 Nairobi City Stars 1 – 0 Bidco United

Sun, 08/04/18 Bidco United 3 – 1 Nairobi City Stars

Wed, 01/11/17 Nairobi City Stars 0 – 2 Bidco United

Sat, 27/05/17 Bidco United 0 – 0 Nairobi City Stars

30 Jan 2020
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Bidco 0 Nairobi City Stars 1 @ Thika Stadium on Wed 18 Sept 2019
Bidco 0 Nairobi City Stars 1 @ Thika Stadium on Wed 18 Sept 2019

City Stars to host Bidco at Toyoyo

January 30, 2020

An upcoming duel between Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United will be played at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Sunday 2 February 2020 starting 3pm.

The match 23 tie in the National Super League (NSL) was originally planned for Hope Centre, Kawangware but the surface is still not available for use following closure of the facility for renovation from December 2019.

As communicated by the overseers of NSL Football Kenya Federation (FKF), game details are as follows;

Match No. 230 Nairobi City Stars FC vs Bidco United FC

Sunday, 2nd February 2020, 3:00 PM, Camp Toyoyo

28 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars keeper going up for a ball against Migori Youth on Sat 2 Nov 2019 at Camp Toyoyo. City Stars won the game 2-1
Nairobi City Stars keeper going up for a ball against Migori Youth on Sat 2 Nov 2019 at Camp Toyoyo. City Stars won the game 2-1

‘Lovae’ on penalty save in Mumias

January 28, 2020

It’s the 53rd minute in Mumias Complex and a City Stars player handles the ball in the box to concede a penalty. The referee on the day does not hesitate and only does what he should rightfully do; point to the spot!

It’s a mixed reaction to the occurrence as at that point, City Stars had a slim 1-0 lead over hosts Vihiga United in a match day 22 National Super League (NSL) clash.

Being a penalty, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Vihiga United would score and pull level.

But as their skipper Smith Ouko stepped up to take the spot kick, the man in City Stars goal Levis Lovae Opiyo was at ease as he knew his tricks all too well for he had been at Vihiga United for a short stint towards the end of the transitional 2018/19 NSL season.

“I was at the club and I knew how their captain always took penalties. I just went to the same direction that he always placed his spot kicks and that’s how I made the save,” said Lovae

Opiyo’s penalty save guaranteed City Stars a 1-0 win as it protected Davis Agesa’s 34th minute bullet shot that ricocheted off the woodwork and into goal past a hapless Joel Bataro in goal. It came off an assist by live wire Oliver Maloba.

On the whole Lovae reckons it wasn’t a walk in the park out in Mumias;

“The game was very tough, we got some early chances and utilized them but after that the game turned out to be very tough. Vihiga United were shooting closer to the goal that gave me more work to do and after lots of pressure they got that penalty.”

What happened in Mumias wasn’t a first but a repeat for keeper Opiyo. In mid-November 2019 Opiyo saved one of two penalties awarded to Nairobi Stima at Karuturi grounds to lead Simba wa Nairobi to an important 2-1 win. The other bounced off the upright.

Opiyo’s contribution in Mumias ultimately handed him the Man of the Match accolade.

City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic had this to say; “He was focused in Mumias, was good in aerial balls and he saved a penalty. He deserved to be the MVP.”

It was the second time he was being named MVP following up on his first in mid-September 2019 as City Stars ended Bidco United’s Cinderella run into the season in Thika with a 1-0 win.

26 Jan 2020
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Agesa, Opiyo deliver win in Mumias

January 26, 2020

A first half goal and penalty save by keeper Levis Lovae Opiyo in the second half handed Nairobi City Stars a hard fought 1-0 win over hosts Vihiga United in a National Super League (NSL) match 22 played at Mumias Complex on Sunday 26 January 2020.

Agesa, back in the lineup after missing games against Shabana and Vihiga Bullets, announced his return with the winning goal when he rammed home a cross from Oliver Maloba in the 34th minute past a stranded keeper Joel Bataro. It was Agesa’s sixth goal of the season.

Keeper Opiyo, standing between the sticks for the 21st time this season, pulled a massive save in the 54th minute when he parried a penalty by Smith Ouko for a fruitless corner. The spot kick was awarded after Elvis Ojiambo had handled in the box.

In early October Opiyo saved a penalty at Karuturi to ensure the team protected a 2-1 lead to scoop maximum spoils over hosts Nairobi Stima.

The win sent Simba wa Nairobi to the 52 point mark after 21 games to open a 16 point gap over their immediate victims who started the day sitting third.

Away from the three points earned, the latest win stretched City Stars unbeaten streak in away games to 17 games from as far back as April 2019. It was the tenth in 11 away games.

Lineups

Vihiga United

31. Joel Bataro, 6. Abisalim Odhiambo, 3. Dennis Ambeva, 13. Mophat Luva, 20. Smith Ouko, 33. Victor Ademba, 8. Patrick Okulo, 5. Wycliffe Nthata, 31. Junior Adeyefa, 7. Henry Juma, 40. Dennis Wafula

Subs: 50. Michael Matasio, 15. Mark Okola, 19. Michael Isabwa, 18. Tyrone Sisia, 16. Alex Imbusia, 17. Lawrence Luvanda, 23. David Simiyu

Coach: Sammy Okoth

Nairobi City Stars

23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvins Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo (3. Charles Otieno – 64′), 8. Jimmy Bageya (27. Azizi Okaka – 54′), 11. Davis Agesa (32. Ezekiel Odera – 75′),

Unused subs: 28. Kevin Okumu, 16. Jacob Osano, 25. David Gateri, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

Yellow cards: None

Goals & Assist: Davis Agesa – 34′ (Oliver Maloba)

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

26 Jan 2020
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A start for Buliba finally

January 26, 2020

After nine appearances on the bench, defender Edwin Buliba has earned his first start, finally, for Nairobi City Stars under head coach Sanjin Alagic.

The patient lad has been named to start ahead of Kevin Chumsy Okumu at right back as Simba wa Nairobi takes on host Vihiga United in a National Super League (NSL) round 22 tie at Mumias Complex on Sunday 26 January 2020.

Other than Buliba, there are three other changes to the last squad that faced off with Vihiga Bullets last weekend.

Peter Pinchez Opiyo who only received his clearance to feature for City Stars last Friday starts ahead of utility forward Azizi Okaka.

Tactical changes sees the returning Elvis Ojiambo, who was suspended for the last game, start ahead of Charles Chale Otieno.

Davis Agesa who missed the last two games due to a knee discomfort replaces Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh in the final change.

Save for the four changes, the rest of the squad remains as. Ezekiel Odera, David Gateri and keeper Jacob Osano are the options on the bench.

Starting lineup against Vihiga United

23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvins Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 17. Peter Opiyo,  21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 8. Jimmy Bageya, 11. Davis Agesa

Subs: 3. Charles Otieno,28. Kevin Okumu, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 25. David Gateri, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

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