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

07 Nov 2019
NCS, Team News Permalink

Buliba, Masawa in for match 13

November 7, 2019

Head coach Sanjin Alagic has brought in defenders Edwin Buliba and Calvin Masawa as Nairobi City Stars readies for National Super League match day 13 against FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo on Friday 8 November, 2019 starting 12 noon.

Buliba and Masawa’s entry are the only two changes to the squad of 18 that faced off with Migori Youth in match day 12 at the same venue on Saturday 2 November, 2019.

Buliba, last considered for a game against Mt. Kenya United in match day 11 at the end of October, is expected to start off the bench as cover for the centre backs and right fullback. He replaces Cornelius Mwangi.

Masawa, adept at left or right fullback, takes up the position of skipper Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani who was red carded in the last game against Migori Youth. He is also expected to start off the bench.

With Kimani out, the team will be under a new field captain who will be known on match day. His exit in the last game saw striker Ebrima Sanneh take the armband.

Squad of 18 for FC Talanta on Fri 8 Nov, 2019

23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 18. Jimmy Bageya, 25. David Gateri, 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 16. Vincent Otieno, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa

07 Nov 2019
NCS, Team News Permalink

FC Talanta vs Nairobi City Stars; Head to head records

November 7, 2019

On Friday 8 November 2019, FC Talanta will host Nairobi City Stars at the Camp Toyoyo, Jericho in a National Super League (NSL) round 13 tie starting at 12 noon EAT.

It will be the fourth time in four seasons that Talanta will be hosting City Stars in the Kenyan second tier Super League.

The past three encounters hosted by Talanta have had three varied results; 2-0 win in 2017, 3-1 loss in 2018 and a 1-1 draw in the transitional 2018/19 season.

In the last game that ended 1-1 at Camp Toyoyo, City Stars had to rally from a goal down to salvage a point with a late penalty from skipper Noah Abich earned after striker Paul Okatwa Odhiambo had been hacked down in the box.  It was the first draw for the two sides in six encounters.

Times have changed since Talanta last hosted the boys from Kawangware and when they face off on Friday for only the seventh time in the NSL; different tacticians will be in charge.

Talanta was then led by coach Juma Abdallah but he has since joined Ushuru from the start of November 2019. City Stars on their part was in the hands of John Amboko under the watchful eyes of Technical Director Vladimir from Serbia.

Ayub Hungai is currently holding forte at Talanta while City Stars, the Simba wa Nairobi, is under the eyes of Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sanjin Alagic. Amboko is his assistant.

The two teams come to the game with contrasting streaks; while City Stars carries a 12-game unbeaten run into the season, FC Talanta is six games on the trot without a win.

In the immediate past encounters during match day 12, City Stars beat Migori Youth 2-1 while Talanta lost to Ushuru FC 4-0.

City Stars currently tops the 20-team NSL with 32 points while Talanta is ninth with half that tally.

FC Talanta vs Nairobi City Stars Head to head records

Fri, 08/11/19 Talanta 12 : 00 Nairobi City Stars, Camp Toyoyo

Sat, 18/05/19 Talanta 1 – 1 Nairobi City Stars, Camp Toyoyo

Wed, 13/02/19 Nairobi City Stars 1 – 2 Talanta, Camp Toyoyo

Fri, 29/06/18 Nairobi City Stars 2 – 1 Talanta, Camp Toyoyo

Sun, 18/02/18 Talanta 1 – 3 Nairobi City Stars, Camp Toyoyo

Sat, 30/09/17 Nairobi City Stars 4 – 1 Talanta, Camp Toyoyo

Wed, 19/04/17 Talanta 2 – 0 Nairobi City Stars, Camp Toyoyo

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