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
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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

12 Nov 2019
NCS, Team News Permalink
FKF-Betika-NSL Partnership on Tue 11 Nov 2019
FKF-Betika-NSL Partnership on Tue 11 Nov 2019

City Stars to gain in FKF-Betika multi-million partnership

November 12, 2019

Nairobi City Stars, as well as all other teams in the second tier National Super League (NSL), are set to earn Kshs 750,000 each season for three seasons, as well as receive 20 quality footballs, after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) entered a partnership with leading betting firm Betika on Tuesday 11 November 2019.

According to the partnership deal, Betika will pump in Kshs 90 million to FKF to sponsor the NSL for three years starting with the ongoing 2019/2020 season that is almost half way through.

The sponsorship deal was announced through the recently launched ‘Betika Na Community Initiative’, which aims to invest in the youth by nurturing talent through Sports, Arts and Culture events.

Through the sponsorship, Betika will be the sole and official grassroots football partner for FKF with Ksh 45M going directly to financing grassroot football activities across the 47 counties.

At the Tuesday presser, Mr John Mbatiah, the firm’s Commercial Head said; “This partnership confirms our commitment to investing in the community through sports, arts and culture with football being a key focus. Through this, we aim to improve the standards of the game as we nurture talent both at the grassroot and national level. We also believe we can influence positive change among the youth through creating an atmosphere of talents and skills development in sports. These are the same players who will hopefully steer Kenya to qualify for the 2022 World Cup”

FKF President, Mr Nick Mwendwa, lauded Betika for coming on board at a crucial time by saying, “Today we mark yet another milestone by launching a partnership for our NSL clubs which we believe will go a long way towards not only easing the clubs’ financial obligations but also increasing the leagues’ monetary incentive.”

Away from the launch and adding his voice on the latest development was Mwenesi Musalia the current CEO of Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), the sponsor of Nairobi City Stars. He said;

“This partnership is most welcome. Any little steps towards bringing sponsors to the NSL is well received by City Stars. The incoming finances will help in easing off a burden of costs as we plan our games. We thank both FKF and Betika in striking this deal that will go a long way in adding the value as well as competitiveness of the NSL.”

Following the FKF-Betika marriage, the second tier will now be known as Betika National Super League.

It comes at a time the league has completed 13 rounds and on the eve of the next set of matches to be played on Wednesday 13 November 2019.

10 Nov 2019
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

City Stars carries six-point lead to Ushuru clash

November 10, 2019

The National Super League (NSL) will enter match day 14 on Wednesday with a total of nine games across various venues.

In one of the fixtures league leaders Nairobi City Stars will host sixth placed Ushuru at the Hope Centre starting 3pm EAT.

Heading to that game, City Stars aka Simba Wa Nairobi, with 35 points from 13 games, carries a six-point gap over the chasing pack, and massive 15 points over the visiting Ushuru FC.

From the last round of games, City Stars stretched their stay atop the league after a lone Ebrima Sanneh penalty in the 74th minute ensured all spoils against FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo.

Second placed Nairobi Stima will be at home to Kibera Black Stars at Karuturi grounds on Wednesday. The team consolidated second spot during the last round of games on Friday after seeing off Administration Police (AP) 2-1 at the same venue to hit the 29-point mark.

Third placed Bidco United will be away to Coast Stima at Mbaraki grounds in Mombasa as fourth placed Vihiga United will sit out the upcoming round following the suspension of games for troubled Northern Wanderers.

On Friday, Bidco hit Ushuru 2-0 at Camp Toyoyo as Vihiga United managed the same score line over Coast Stima in Mumias with goals from Alex Imbusia and Dennis Wafula in the sixth and 61st minutes, respectively. The results kept Bidco at third with 28 points and just ahead of Vihiga United on goal difference.

Fifth placed Migori Youth lost a bit of ground in their last fixtures after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by tenth placed Muranga SEAL. They are four points off the chasing pack with 24 points. They will be away to 17th placed Modern Coast Rangers on Wednesday.

Results from last round;

121 – 08 Nov 19, Mt. Kenya United 1-0 Modern Coast Rangers, Camp Toyoyo

123 – 08 Nov 19, Fortune Sacco 3-1 St. Joseph’s Youth, Kianyaga Stadium

124 – 08 Nov 19, Kibera Black Stars 1-1 APS Bomet, Camp Toyoyo

125 – 08 Nov 19, Nairobi Stima 2-1 Administration Police, Karuturi Sports Ground

126 – 08 Nov 19, Ushuru 0-2 Bidco United, Camp Toyoyo

127 – 08 Nov 19, Talanta 0-1 Nairobi City Stars, Camp Toyoyo

128 – 08 Nov 19, Vihiga United 2-0 Coast Stima, Mumias Complex

129 – 08 Nov 19, Migori Youth 2-2 Muranga Seal, Awendo Stadium

122 – 09 Nov 19, Shabana 1-2 Kenya Police, Gusii Stadium

Upcoming fixtures;

131 13 Nov 19 Wed Nairobi City Stars vs Ushuru Hope Center 15:00

132 13 Nov 19 Wed Coast Stima vs Bidco United, Mbaraki Sports Club 15:00

133 13 Nov 19 Wed Muranga Seal vs Talanta, Thika Stadium 15:00

135 13 Nov 19 Wed Modern Coast Rangers vs Migori Youth, Serani Sports Club 15:00

136 13 Nov 19 Wed Kenya Police vs Vihiga Bullets, Karuturi Sports Ground 13:00

137 13 Nov 19 Wed St. Joseph’s Youth vs Mt. Kenya United, Afraha Stadium 15:00

138 13 Nov 19 Wed APS Bomet vs Shabana Kericho, Green Stadium 15:00

139 13 Nov 19 Wed Administration Police vs Fortune Sacco, Camp Toyoyo 15:00

140 13 Nov 19 Wed Nairobi Stima vs Kibera Black Stars, Karuturi Sports Ground 15:00

08 Nov 2019
NCS, Team News Permalink
Talanta, City Stars
Ebrima Sanneh in a game against FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 8 Nov 2019. He scored a late penalty for a 1-0 win

Sanneh penalty downs Talanta

November 8, 2019

Nairobi City Stars beat hosts FC Talanta 1-0 in a round 13 National Super League (NSL) tie at the Camp Toyoyo on Friday 8 November, 2019 to consolidate their top spot in the 20-team log.

Gambian striker Ebrimma Sanneh secured all points for Nairobi City Stars when he won then converted a penalty in the 74th minute – his eighth goal of the season – that proved to be the difference in the close knit affair.

City Stars started the game on a high and looked dangerous in the first ten minutes but FC Talanta, beaten 4-0 in their last encounter against Ushuru, were a different lot all together as they took command of the midfield.

The best of chances presented itself in the eighth minute when sensational City Stars midfielder Oliver Maloba raced to the box to ram onto a pass that ricocheted off the crossbar.

Thereafter it is Talanta that were the more dangerous lot especially on the right channel. Mid way through the first half Talanta could have gone 1-0 up when Chris Opondo got to the edge of the box and drove home a pile driver but an alert keeper Levis Opiyo parried it skyward for a corner.

After a barren first half, the hosts could have activated the score sheet in the first ten minutes of the second half when left back Eric Shikono was given all the space and time to weave into the City Stars box after an inter-lay by Opondo.

He placed his left shot perfectly only for it to bounce off at the corner of the upright and the crossbar to the relief of City Stars.

Moments later it is City Stars that gained advantage when Talanta keeper Michael Kalemora clipped Sanneh who had raced to meet a through ball from Davis Agesa. It led to a penalty that the Gambian sent home to end his four-game goal drought for the winning goal.

With the triumph, unbeaten City Stars hit the 35 point mark after 13 games to open up a 19-point gap over Talanta who remain ninth in the standings.

Next up for City Stars is Ushuru FC at the Hope centre on Wednesday 13 November 2019 as FC Talanta travels to Muranga SEAL.

Lineups

FC Talanta

Starting XI: 25. Michael Kalemora, 20. Ronny Katumanga, 2. Erick Shikono, 6. Michael Kahagi (Captain), 5. Moses Otieno, 29. Phelix Ouma, 10. Anthony Gichu, 14. Chris Opondo, 7. Brian Juma, 28. Gideon Were, 17. Job Tinyo

Subs: Joel Mukabi, 13. Patrick Andrea, 9. Rodgers Omondi, 23. Michael Jano, 8. Patrick Muchiri, 30. Anthony Oginga, 22. Abdul Wahab

Nairobi City Stars

Starting XI: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla (Captain), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno (13. Eric Ochieng), 18. Jimmy Bageya (25. David Gateri), 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba (16. Vincent Otieno), 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

Unused subs:1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 12. Edwin Buliba 8. Calvin Masawa

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