15 Nov 2019
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Muki, Jamaica assists rule the NSL

November 15, 2019

For a second straight month, Nairobi City Stars midfield kingpin Anthony Muki Kimani was named as the best goal provider in the second tier National Super League (NSL). This is as captured by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a report for the month ended October released on Thursday 14 November 2019.

Muki had five assists in October across the five games played that month and had one more than prodigy Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno who was acquired by City Stars in the off season from Hakati Sportiff. With four assists Otieno tied with Bidco’s Anthony Gichu.

In the month of September, Muki was best with four assists to lead the table (tied with Nairobi Stima’s Moses Ouma). Jamaica was joint second with three assists.

Away from assists, Nairobi City Stars FC were the best attacking team in October scoring 10 goals in 5 matches played, an average of 2 goals every game.

The team beat hosts Kenya Police 3-2 in Naivasha then followed it up with identical 2-1 wins over AP Bomet, Nairobi Stima, Fortune Sacco before settling for a 1-1 draw with Mt. Kenya United in the final game of October.

Nairobi City Stars FC lead the Top Scoring Team Chart in NSL 2019/20 by the close of 11 games played by the end of October with 23 goals, two ahead of Nairobi Stima and two over Bidco United FC, Migori Youth FC & Vihiga United FC each with 18 Goals.

Into matches in November, City Stars rolled over with the best streak having gone 11 matches unblemished; nine wins and 2 draws.

The team, named the best at the end of September 2019, was beaten to the October award by Migori Youth who kept five clean sheets in posting four wins and a draw.

Their striker Clinton Okoth with seven goals at the end of October just as Ebrima Sanneh of City Stars was named the player of the month while their coach Robert Ojienda was named the tactician of the month taking over from City Star’s coach Sanjin Alagic.

14 Nov 2019
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Friendly fire: Big test from Wazito

November 14, 2019

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Wazito saw off Nairobi City Stars 4-1 in a friendly game played in the afternoon of  Thursday 14 November 2019 at Camp Toyoyo.

The Premiership side coached by Melis Medo carried a 2-0 lead to the breather and finished it off with another two in the second half as City Stars managed a consolation from Anthony Muki Kimani who converted from the spot, a penalty earned by speeding Stephen Mweni.

While Wazito were using the tie to shape up for their upcoming Premier league game away to Kisumu AllStars next Wednesday, City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic used it as an opportunity to field players who are keen to break into the main squad after missing out on starting berths against Ushuru on Wednesday.

Strikers Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno, Jimmy Bageya and winger Heritier Luvualu who made second half appearances against Ushuru, a round 14 NSL tie played at Hope Centre yesterday, were among the lot that lined up against Wazito.

Ronny Kagunzi stood tall in goal as Edwin Buliba and Augustine Ochieng were paraded as centre backs while Noah Abich and Calvin Masawa were on either side as fullbacks. Eric Ochieng played deep six against his former employers as Kimani had the play maker’s role.

Luvualu and Nahashon Thiongo were on either wings as Bageya played behind striker Jamaica. In the second half Cornelius Mwangi plugged in at centre back as Buliba moved to right fullback to rest Abich.

Peter Wainaina came in for Nahashon as Mweni took Bageya’s place in the second half. Victor Okulu came on for Eric.

According to coach Sanjin it was a run out game for players angling to break to the main team and it was never really about getting a result but to see the zeal from his players against a worthy opponent.

“The target was to give chance and minutes for players who didn’t play against Ushuru in our recent NSL game against Ushuru,”

“My wish was to play against strong Premier league team Waizito and it was good challenge because we played with our second team while they played with their first 11,”

“A result was not in the first plan, I wanted to see how the players from bench will react in a strong and demanding match,”

“Transfer window is in front of us so we need to bring right decision about which players can help us to achieve promotion to Premier league and also play in that higher level.” Concluded Sanjin

There was a scare midway through the first half when Wazito’s Waithira concussed after a head knock on a high ball with Jamaica. He was dashed to hospital for further checks.

City Stars will be up against Muranga Seal on Monday 18 November in an NSL round 15 fixture at the Camp Toyoyo starting 4pm

Lineups  

City Stars: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba (24. Cornelius Mwangi), 6. Augustine Ochieng, 13. Eric Ochieng (Victor Okulu), 17. Noah Abich, 10. Nahashon Thiongo (15. Peter Wainaina), 30. Anthony Kimani, 7. Heritier Luvualu, 19. Jimmy Bageya (19. Stephen Mweni), 9. Vincent Otieno

Subs: 27. Vincent Khatili

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Wazito: Kevin Omondi, Bernard Ochieng, Lloyd Wahome, Karim Nziyigimana, Ali Abondo, Musa Masika, Paul Acqua, Joe Waithira, David Oswe, Derick Otanga, Pistone Mutamba

Coach: Melis Medo

13 Nov 2019
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Ushuru holds City Stars at Hope

November 13, 2019

Home team Nairobi City Stars was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Ushuru FC in a National Super League (NSL) round 14 tie at the Hope Centre on Wednesday 13 November, 2019.

The point earned sent league leaders Simba Wa Nairobi to the 36-point mark to maintain their six point gap over the chasing pack as Ushuru moved to the 21-point mark but still held on to sixth spot.

Watched by a capacity crowd, City Stars could have activated the score sheet within seconds of kick off when winger David Gateri whipped in a cross from the left that Oliver Maloba one-time goal ward but a keen Nashon Nanyendo in the Ushuru back line cleared it for an abortive corner.

As the game wore on such chances were rare on either end till City Stars winger Davis Agesa whacked a short from distance wide midway through the first half.

The introduction of Jimmy Bageya for David Gateri in the second half upped the tempo of the game but Ushuru countered the same by bringing on Michael Osundwa to juice up their frontline.

But it was to end even after ninety minutes as Ushuru, for a fourth straight NSL season, denied City Stars a home win.

Speaking after the game, City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic had this to say;

“It was a hard match in Hope Centre and a little difficult to play on that surface compared to Toyoyo. It wasn’t bad as Ushuru did not trouble us which means were good defensively,”

He then spoke of missed chances that could have changed the course of the game; “We missed last passes when we had some good situations as we did not react the right way.”|

Coming to the game, City Stars carried a 1-0 win over FC Talanta as Ushuru tagged along with a 2-0 Camp Toyoyo loss to Bidco United last Friday.

Next up for City Stars is a home game against Muranga Seal as Ushuru hosts Coast Stima at Ruaraka.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla (Captain), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 25. David Gateri (18. Jimmy Bageya), 17. Davis Agesa (8. Heritier Luvualu), 21. Oliver Maloba (16. Vincent Otieno), 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba

Yellow cards; None

MVP; Salim Abdalla

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Ushuru FC: 1. Bonface Baraza, 25. Jackton Opanda, 3. Evans Makari Maliachi, 15. Nashon Nanyendo , 24.George Odira, 17. Luis Masika, 7. Barrack Odhiambo, 6. Sebastian Osodo, 4. Brian Okeyo, 9. Brian Yakhama, 11. Alex Juma

Subs: 30. Charles Okeyo, 5. Frederick Kentile, 2. Victor Ochieng, 12. Jeremiah Wanjala, 8. Edwin Mwaura, 10. Oscar Mbugua, 14. Michael Osundwa

Coach: James ‘Odijo’ Omondi Otieno

13 Nov 2019
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City Stars vs Ushuru: Head to head records

November 13, 2019

Starting 3pm on Wednesday 13 November, 2019, Nairobi City Stars will host Ushuru FC at Hope Centre, Kawangware in a 14th round National Super League (NSL) tie.

The two teams have some commons; both got relegated from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) at the close of the 2016 season and, for a fourth straight season, are searching for their premiership tag.

The upcoming game, the seventh while in the second tier NSL, will be a historic one as the two have never met at the Hope Centre.

Since their drop down, the two have met six times; five times at Camp Toyoyo and just once at Ruaraka in their last meeting in May 2019.

Goals at the extreme end of the Ruaraka game by Brian Yakhama and Barrack Odhiambo on either side of Noah Abichs’s sublime free kicks from the edge of the box ensured even-stevens as the two ended drawn 2-2.

All the scorers from that last encounter are expected to be paraded at the Hope Centre where City Stars will be searching for their first home win over Ushuru. In the past three games, the best Simba wa Nairobi has achieved is one draw with Ushuru registering two wins.

Last time round, City Stars was coached by John Amboko as Ushuru was in the hands of Ken Kenyatta.

Times have changed and Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia and Herzegovina is now in charge at City Stars as Leonard Odipo has since assumed the top role at Ushuru.

Nairobi City Stars vs Ushuru head to head records

Wed 13/11/19, Nairobi City Stars 15 : 00 Ushuru – Hope Centre
Mon 27/05/19, Ushuru 2 – 2 Nairobi City Stars – Ruaraka
Sat 23/02/19, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 2 Ushuru – Camp Toyoyo
Fri 27/07/18, Ushuru 2 – 0 Nairobi City Stars – Camp Toyoyo
Wed 07/03/18, Nairobi City Stars 1 – 1 Ushuru – Camp Toyoyo
Sat 04/11/17, Ushuru 1 – 2 Nairobi City Stars – Camp Toyoyo
Wed 31/05/17, Nairobi City Stars 0 – 2 Ushuru – Camp Toyoyo

13 Nov 2019
NCS, Team News Permalink

Luvualu called in for Ushuru blockbuster

November 13, 2019

Congolese winger Heritier Luvualu is the only new inclusion to coach Sanjin Alagic’s 18 man squad to face Ushuru at the Hope Centre on Wednesday 13 November 2019 starting 3pm EAT as the National Super League (NSL) enters match day 14.

Luvualu has been sitting outside the 18-man squad in recent games and his consideration comes at the expense of overall team skipper Calvin Masawa who falls off from the squad that beat FC Talanta 1-0 last Friday.

Luvualu will start off the bench where he will be accompanied by Jimmy Bageya who lost his starting spot to winger David Gateri, as well as defensive cover Edwin Buliba, keeper Ronny Kagunzi, Noah Abich, Eric Ochieng and Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno.

Defense kingpin Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdalla will once again hold forte for suspended Anthony Kimani as skipper. His partnership as centre backs with Wycliffe ‘Wiki’ Otieno continues for an eighth straight game.

Defensive mid Charles ‘Chale’ Otieno, striker Davis Agesa and play maker Elvis Noor Ojiambo who all limped off the Talanta game have since been passed fit and will start the game alongside keeper Levis Opiyo, right back Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu, left back Wesley ‘Wiseman’ Onguso, sensational offensive mid Oliver Maloba and Gambian goal machine Ebrima Sanneh.

Starting XI vs Ushuru: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla (Captain), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 25. David Gateri, 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

Subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba, 7. Heritier Luvualu, 18. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Vincent Otieno

Out: Vincent Khatili, Victor Okullu, Augustine Ochieng, Calvin Masawa, Stephen Jeffa Mweni, Nahashon Thiong’o, Cornelius Mwangi, Anthony Kimani, Peter Mwangi Wainaina

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