20 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
Nairobi City Stars players celebrate one of 3 goals scoted against AFC Leopards in Kasarani on Sat 4 Nov 2023 during a matchday ten 2023/24 FKF Premier League clash. City STars won it 3-2

Head-to-head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

January 20, 2024

On Sunday 21 January 2024, AFC Leopards will host Nairobi City Stars in a 19th-round 2023/24 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, starting at 3 p.m.

It will be the first game away game for Simba wa Nairobi against Leopards since Monday 29 May 2023,  in Nyayo Stadium. Then, Kelvin Etemesi scored a second-half brace to cancel out Victor Omune’s first-half strike to win the game 2-1, and ultimately survive relegation from the top tier.

The upcoming duel will be the 26th top-flight tie between the two since the year 2005. From the previous 25 games, Leopards has registered ten to nine wins over City Stars, while the other six games have ended in draws.

Narrowed to 12 away games against Leopards, City Stars has drawn six, lost four times, and registered two wins – back in January 2006, and in May 2023.

From those 12 home games, hosts Leopards has outscored City Stars eleven to nine goals.

Simba wa Nairobi carries seven straight wins to the game, while the hosts Leopards bring on back-to-back wins over Ulinzi Stars and Muhoroni Youth.

City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti will come up against his counterpart Tomas Trucha for only the second time. The two first met during the first leg in early November 2023 in Nyayo Stadium, with City Stars winning it 3-2.

Table-wise, Simba wa Nairobi sits 2nd with 33 points, as Leopards is placed 13th with 20 points.

Who wins this one?

KPL Games: 25 (Leopards wins -10, City Stars wins – 9, Draws – 6)

City Stars vs AFC Leopards (12 Away games)

22-Jan-06: AFC Leopards vs World Hope, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (W)
22-Aug-09: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
18-Apr-10: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
21-Aug-11: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
13-Jul-12: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-0 (L)
18-Aug-13: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-1 (D)
12-Apr-14: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Mumias Complex, 1-1 (D)
19-Jul-15: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
21-Aug-16: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Afraha Stadium, 0-0 (D)
06-Mar-21: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Kasarani Annex, 1-0 (L)
06-Jun-22: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Thika Stadium, 1-1 (D)
29-May-23: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2
21-Jan-24: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, ??

20 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Mose
Nairobi City Stars forward Brian Mose

Brian Mose returns for Leopards clash

January 20, 2024

Flyer Brian Mose Nyambane is the only inclusion, and change, in the named 20-man squad called up to face AFC Leopards in a matchday 19 tie in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, on Sunday 21 January 2024 starting at 3 p.m.

Mose, who last made the squad on matchday 14 in Ruaraka against Bandari, takes up the place of Newton Ochieng who takes a rest.

Save for that change, the rest of the lot that delivered a 1-0 win over Posta Rangers in the last league game all maintained their slots.

Squad to face AFC Leopards

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor,11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, , 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 22. Samuel Kapen

Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

19 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Yuto Kusaba
Yuto Kusaba dring his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars offices on Wed 23 Aug 2023

Yuto Kusaba registered, ready for Kenyan Premier League

January 19, 2024

Japanese forward Yuto Kusaba is now eligible to feature in the Kenyan Premier League after completing his registration with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Yuto was locked out in the last transfer window after it emerged that international guidelines of the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) had not been met before his move to Simba wa Nairobi.

This is after he had joined the club from Embu-based FC Zenshin, a fourth-tier side.

“That is behind us as the due process has been followed on both international and local transfer platforms. He is now fully registered,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“Following the earlier complication, Yuto traveled back to Japan in late September (2023), and returned in early December. He’s been training with the team ever since,” added Otieno

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti commented on the new development stating;

“Yuto’s availability gives us a good problem to deal with as he adds on to a very active forward line. He brings competitiveness and gives us options to consider.”

On his part, Yuto talked up his registration;

“It’s been a long wait to get the clearance to play in the Premier League. Expect my goals.”

Yuto will don jersey no. 21.

18 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Clifford Ouma
Clifford Ouma against Muranga SEALS in Muranga on 1 Nov 2024 during FKF Premier League matchday 9

Clifford Ouma: We are a better team now

January 18, 2024

Defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma Otieno’s reflection of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season is a simple one; Nairobi City Stars has punched well above its weight compared to last term.

While he acknowledges his early struggles and his ambitions, Cliff also shares a hint of why the team has since turned the corner.

Cliff made a cameo appearance in game one against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex, then went on to become an unused substitute in the next seven games before returning to the starting lineup in game nine against Muranga SEALS. He has gone on to start all games thereafter, completing all save for two against AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks.

“My season started on a low note. That forced me to work tirelessly to regain my place in the first team,”

“It was not been easy because I also had tough and determined teammates who were also eager to own the same position that I play in,”

“My target this season is to fight so hard to get a national team call-up and get some reasonable offers outside the Country.” added the former Migori Youth skipper

In retrospect, Cliff believes Simba wa Nairobi’s current crop of players is a lot more promising than last season.

“So far I can say we have a better team compared to the last season. Simba wa Nairobi is now made up of a young and energetic group who are working together as a unit. It’s a group that’s ready to learn and demand more from each other,”

Further, Cliff also relates the team’s upward mobility to coaching;

“We are giving out positive results due to our able technical bench led by (Nicholas) Muyoti who has been demanding a lot from us as a team,”

“That push has brought about massive difference results-wise compared to last season,” he added

Cliff has so far featured in 11 games this season clocking 870 minutes. Overall, his premier league games have now improved to 39.

 

15 Jan 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Mohammed Bajaber in action against Muranga SEALS on 1 Nov, 2023 during an FKF Premier League matchday 8 tie
Mohammed Bajaber in action against Muranga SEALS on 1 Nov, 2023 during an FKF Premier League matchday 8 tie

Bajaber in MD18 TOTW

January 15, 2024

Following his heroics against Posta Rangers on Sunday 14 January 2024, where he scored the lone goal to deliver a back-to-back 1-0 win over Posta Rangers, forward Mohammed Bajaber was included in the best eleven team at the end of matchday 18.

Bajaber finished off a Vincent Owino delivery in the second minute for the all-important winning goal. It was his second straight goal in contiguous league games, and third overall in the season.

At the close of the game, Mohammed was named the match MVP and went on to earn a nomination for the player of the week.

It is the second time that Bajaber made to the team of the week following his first appearance after a 1-0 win over Bandari in Ruaraka in matchday 14 on 9 December, 2023 together with stopper Wycliffe Awiko Omondi. Then. he provided an assist for Robin Asenwa to score the winning goal.

Further, Simba wa Nairobi was nominated for the team of the week, and tactician Nicholas Muyoti was nominated for the Coach of the Week.

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