13 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink
Vihiga Bullets vs City Stars back on Mon 9 Sept 2019 at Bukhungu Stadium. The two face off on Sat 18 Jan 2020 at Camp Toyoyo
Vihiga Bullets vs City Stars back on Mon 9 Sept 2019 at Bukhungu Stadium. The two face off on Sat 18 Jan 2020 at Camp Toyoyo

Bullets clash brought forward

January 13, 2020

Nairobi City Stars against Vihiga Bullets initially set for Sunday 19 January 2020 at Hope Centre, Kawangware has been forward by a day and will now be played on Saturday 18 January 2020 at the Camp Toyoyo, Jericho starting 3pm.

Shift of the round 21 National Super League (NSL) clash was necessitated by the unavailability of Hope Centre which was shut down for renovations in December 2019.

As per an official correspondence to all parties, the change of date and venue for the City Stars – Vihiga Bullets clash has since been ratified by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

“Kindly take note that the above-mentioned match has been rescheduled and the match shall now be played as follows; Match No. 207, Nairobi City Stars FC vs Vihiga Bullets FC – Saturday, 18th January 2020, 3:00 PM, Camp Toyoyo,”

Samson Otieno, the City Stars team coordinator said;

“We had been informed late last year that Hope Centre will be reopened in mid-January in time for the Bullets game. But we have now been informed the surface still needs more time to regenerate and it will only be ready in February.”

The two sides last faced off in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega in early September 2019. City Stars won it 2-1 thanks to a brace from Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh.

13 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

City Stars part ways with two

January 13, 2020

After six months, Nairobi City Stars has amicably parted ways with two players; winger Nahashon Thiongó and centre back Cornelius Mwangi.

The two were part of the nine key signings announced in July 2019 soon after the arrival of coach Sanjin Alagic.

While Mwangi was roped in from National Super League outfit Modern Coast Rangers, Thiong’o arrived from relegated Premiership side Mt. Kenya United.

Commenting on the exit of the two, club CEO Patrick Korir said;

“The two were good servants and we thank them for their services to the club. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

City Stars has since confirmed the arrival of midfeilder Peter Pinchez Opiyo and winger Azizi Odenyi Okaka.

11 Jan 2020
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Salim 'Shitu' Abdalla in a past game. He scored the lone goal as City Stars beat host Shabana 1-0 at Gusii Stadium on Sat 11 Jan 2020
Salim 'Shitu' Abdalla in a past game. He scored the lone goal as City Stars beat host Shabana 1-0 at Gusii Stadium on Sat 11 Jan 2020

‘Shitu’ goal downs host Shabana

January 11, 2020

Nairobi City Stars returned to winning ways after taking down home team Shabana 1-0 at the Gusii Stadium in a 20th round National Super League (NSL) tie played on Saturday 11 January 2020.

A tapped goal by centre back Salim Shitu Abdalla, off a rebound, was the separator in the game. The goal came off an assist from right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu seven minutes after the restart.

With the latest win, the ninth in ten away games this season, Simba Wa Nairobi reclaims their seven-point lead in the 19-team NSL as they hit the 46-point mark from 19 games.

The gap had reduced to four points after second Bidco United bamboozled Mt. Kenya United 5-2 at Camp Toyoyo in an earlier kick off.

It is the second time Shitu has won a game for City Stars as it follows on a header, the third goal in early October at Karuturi Grounds, that guaranteed a 3-2 win over hosts Kenya Police.

Pending other results, Shabana remains eleventh with 24 points following the home loss.

Newly signed Azizi Okaka made his debut in the game after coming on for striker Ebrima Sanneh in the second half.

City Stars went to the game on the back of a 1-0 loss Kibera Black Stars in the final round of first round games on 20 December 2019 as Shabana carried a memorable 3-2 win over form team Migori Youth the same day.

Next up for City Stars, now unbeaten in a record 16 straight away NSL games, is a home game against Vihiga Bullets on Sunday 19 January 2020 at Hope Centre, Kawangware.

Lineups

Shabana: 1. Dennis Ayusa, 11. Stephene Nyakoe, 12. Victor Matete, 16. Emmanuel Nwanko, 15. Abuga Nyangechi, 4. John Omondi, 7. Dennis Onyancha, 8. Peter Ogechi, 12. Joel Djolo, 3. Fred Nyakundi, 17. Mohammed Coulibaly

Subs: 30. Richard Wandera, 2. Kevin Onsongo, 24. Andrew Wafula, 5. Emmanuel Sogba, 10. Adams Simbili, 14. Ismael Musa, 9. Abon Traore

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 21. Oliver Maloba (3. Charles Otieno), 19. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Vincent Otieno (25. David Gateri), 26. Ebrima Sanneh (27. Aziz Okaka)

Unused Subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba

Goal & Assist; Salim Abdalla (Kevin Okumu)

MVP: 19. Jimmy Bageya

*Travelling Peter Opiyo was not included in the match squad as he is yet to receive his ITC from Turkmen Federation

10 Jan 2020
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Agesa, Abich to miss Shabana clash

January 10, 2020

Head coach Sanjin Alagic will be without two key players; Striker Davis Agesa and defender Noah Abich ahead of a 20th round National Super League (NSL) game against host Shabana at the Gusii Stadium on Saturday 11 January 2020.

Agesa limped off training on Wednesday with a knee discomfort and out of precaution was left out of the travelling party.

Abich recently interred his father and is yet to return to team duties. Both players featured in the season opener against the same side at Hope Centre.

Added to his list of absentees is left back Wesley Onguso who has been missing from game day squads since the third week of November due to an illness. Though training he is yet to return to full fitness.

Away from the two Sanjin has the rest of his regulars including plus his latest addition – striker Azizi Odenyi Okaka who was roped in during the week. He’s expected to make his debut at the game.

Another new signing Peter Pinchez Opiyo is part of the traveling party but will sit out the game as his International Transfer Certificate from the Turkmen Federation is yet to arrive.

Squad to Kisii

23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 21. Oliver Maloba, 25. David Gateri, 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Vincent Otieno, 26. Ebrima Sanneh, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Aziz Okaka, 10. Peter Opiyo

09 Jan 2020
NCS, Team News Permalink

Fact file; City Stars in search of first points at Gusii

January 9, 2020

19-points separates Shabana and Nairobi City Stars ahead of a 20th round National Super League (NSL) tie at the Gusii Stadium on Saturday 11 January 2019 starting 3pm EAT.

Into the duel, Shabana stands at the vantage point as, one, they are home, and two, they beat the same side last time round; 1-0 at the same venue.

Nonetheless City Stars carries their own bucket of advantages as they are unbeaten in eight away games this season – seven wins and a draw and are top of the table with 43 points from 18 games, way ahead of eleventh placed Shabana.

The Shabana – City Stars game is the one of eight lined up at the weekend and is the first league game for either side in the new year.

Shabana will have lots to prove as, during the first round of games on 11 September 2019, they went down 2-0 to City Stars at Hope Centre. Ebrima Sanneh and Jimmy Bageya scored on either half for that win. Both are in the contingent to Kisii.

The two head to the game in contrasting fashions; Shabana still on the high of a respectable 3-2 win over the season’s form team Migori Youth at the same venue during the final first round games on 20th December.

City Stars on their part are still wounded and will always recall a 1-0 loss to Kibera Black Stars on the same day that ended their 22-match unbeaten streak in the NSL that started in late May 2019.

That aside, reality on their table is, they are yet to score, or pick any points at Gusii Stadium.

Shabana vs Nairobi City Stars records

Sun, 01/09/19, Nairobi City Stars 2 – 0 Shabana

Wed, 20/03/19, Nairobi City Stars 3 – 1 Shabana

Sun, 09/12/18, Shabana 1 – 0 Nairobi City Stars

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