26 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Unbeaten away streak on parade at Mumias

January 26, 2020

Starting 2pm on Sunday 26 January 2020, City Stars will face off with hosts Vihiga United in a round 22 National Super League (NSL) match. 

Stakes are at an ultimate high as NSL leaders City Stars wish to solidify top status in the 19-team log while Vihiga United, sitting third with 36 points, and 13 off the top, will want to cut down the huge deficit in front of their home fans.

In their only visit to Vihiga United in November 2017, City Stars went down 2-0 and its that kind of history the hosts will be banking on for points.

It is at the end of that season that Vihiga United earned promotion – alongside Wazito – to the Kenyan Premiership.

But the City Stars of 2017 and now are worlds apart.

During this season’s first leg tie, Vihiga United ran City Stars uncomfortably close to eke out a respectable 0-0 draw at Hope Centre.

In spite of being visitors, Vihiga United smacked the woodwork twice in that game and left the scene certain that the hosts barely survived their might. They will be keen to bury the near misses then at Mumias.

Ahead of the top-billed clash, City Stars has an enviable record that Vihiga United may want to take note of; they have registered nine away wins this season from ten games. The other one was drawn.

Adding on to games from last season, City Stars is unbeaten in 16 straight away games that started with a 2-1 win over Green Commandoes on 27 April 2019 at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega.

City Stars on their part cannot ignore Vihiga’s solid home record in Mumias.

They have won eight out of ten games only and have only failed to pick all spoils against two sides FC Talanta and Nairobi Stima.

In their season opener on 1st September 2019 Vihiga United,  in their first NSL game following relegation from the Premiership, was held to a barren draw by FC Talanta.

Exactly three months later, on 1 December 2019,  they lost 2-1 to Nairobi Stima for their only home defeat so far.

In which way will the Sunday duel at Mumias between the teams placed first and third end?

Head to head records; Vihiga United vs Nairobi City Stars

Sun 26/01/29, Vihiga United vs Nairobi City Stars

Fri, 13/09/19, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 0 Vihiga United

Wed, 08/11/17, Vihiga United 2 – 0 Nairobi City Stars

Sun, 21/05/17, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 0 Vihiga United

25 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Elvis Ojiambo taking on a Migori Youth player in the NSL on 2 Nov 2019
Elvis Ojiambo taking on a Migori Youth player in the NSL on 2 Nov 2019

Ojiambo, Agesa return for Vihiga trip

January 25, 2020

Two key players Elvis Ojiambo and Davis Agesa are aback in head coach Sanjin Alagic’s squad that heads out to Mumias for a round 22 National Super League (NSL) clash against Vihiga United on Sunday 26 January 2020 starting 3pm.

Ojiambo was forced out of the last game against Vihiga Bullets at Camp Toyoyo due to suspension following accumulation of five yellow cards.

Agesa missed out on the Bullets game and an earlier one away to Shabana following a knee discomfort.

Three new signings; midfielder Peter Opiyo, now cleared to feature for City Stars, keeper Jacob Osano, utility forward Azizi Okaka and the returning hit man Ezekiel Odera are all in the party to Mumias.

The above four, as well as the addition of defender Edwin Buliba, are the five changes from the squad that drew Vihiga United 0-0 at Hope Centre in September 2019.

Noah Abich, astarter in the first leg game against Vihiga United, as well as late substitute Vincent Otieno and unused keeper Ronny Kagunzi are some of the players that missed the trip. The rest include left back Wesley Onguso and defensive cover Eric Ochieng.

Squad to Mumias

23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 25. David Gateri, 11. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 8. Jimmy Bageya, 8. Calvins Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 7. Peter Opiyo, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 8. Edwin Buliba

Out: 5. Wesley Onguso, 17. Noah Abich, 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 16. Vincent Otieno, 12. Eric Ochieng

24 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

All clear for Pinchez

January 24, 2020

Peter Opiyo aka Pinchez is in line for his debut for Nairobi City Stars on Sunday 26 January 2020 against Vihiga United in Mumias following clearance by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

The mid marshal, capped 34 times for Kenya between 2010 and 2014, was issued with a provisional International Transfer Certificate (ITC) on Friday.

Pinchez, an immediate former player with Turkmen Premiership winner Altyn Asyr, was tied in by Simba Wa Nairobi earlier in the month for a year and a half.

Notwithstanding an ITC by the Turkmen Federation to authenticate his transfer failed to arrive within two weeks of application.

That window expired on Thur 23 Jan 2020 and FKF stepped in and issued a provisional one in accordance to FIFA laws.

“It is exciting to on board him for the Vihiga United game as he will add a professional dimension to our game plan.” said head coach Sanjin Alagic

Pinchez has so far missed two games into the second leg against Shabana and Vihiga Bullets that City Stars won 1-0 and 2-0, respectively.

23 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Defender Mwangi (with keeper Levis Opiyo) has parted ways with the club after six months
Defender Mwangi (with keeper Levis Opiyo) has parted ways with the club after six months

Three on the move

January 23, 2020

Former Nairobi City Stars players have found new homes in the past week during the ongoing January-long transfer window.

Defender Cornelius Mwangi who joined City Stars  has moved over to promotion chasing Division one side Mwatate FC. He joined City Stars from Modern Coast Rangers in July and left at the turn of the year.

His decamp follows on that of midfielder Boaz Maeri who has been enlisted by lower tier side Kahawa United.

Maeri was part of the squad that kept City Stars afloat in the National Super League (NSL) in the 2018/2019 season. He left at the expiry of his contract in June last year.

Budding keeper Vincent ‘DC’ Khatili now in the books of second tier outfit Kibera Black Stars started the movements last week. The move assured him of first team football.

21 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Davis Agesa (No. 11)
Davis Agesa in a past NSL game against Migori Youth at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Sat 2 November 2019

Agesa back in training

January 21, 2020

Forward Davis Amuyunzu Agesa has returned to the pitch for light training after sitting out any excercise in the last 7 days due to a knee injury.

The powerful forward had to miss the trip to Shabana on Saturday 11 January 2020 for medical attention after irritation on his knee left him with a limp.

Upon checking by medical experts it was noted that Agesa had an osteochondral defect of the lateral femoral condyle that led to a moderate joint effusion.

Commenting on his return, Grace Wang’ondu, the club’s trainer said; “He is back in training and we have now kicked off his rehabilitation,”

“We will start with about 15 to 20 minutes of personalized training before he can join the rest for collective training. We exect him to be back playing in due course.”

Agesa has been key to the team setup scorin five crucial goals.

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