City Stars assistant coaches successfully complete CAF C Diploma courses
City Stars assistant coaches successfully complete CAF C Diploma courses

Amboko, Oguta earn CAF C Diploma

After a month of classes, two Nairobi City Stars coaches John Amboko and Tiellen Oguta graduated with CAF (Confederation of African Football) C Diploma licences.

The two coaches put in the ultimate sacrifice in juggling a busy month of league National Super League (NSL) games with the classes to attain the important certification conducted by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the overseer of the African game CAF.

Commenting on the recent achievement, Oguta, a former Kenyan international and Gor Mahia left back said;

“It gives me joy to have attained this rare certification. The course matter was extensive and an eye opener and the content of the training will certainly improve my handling of games and aspects of the game going forward,”

“I thank the City Stars management for facilitating the same as this goes a long way in improving my credentials as a coach.” said Oguta

Amboko, a long serving player and skipper at City Stars who turned to coaching, albeit in caretaker capacities since 2017, also added his tone of voice to the recently acquired papers.

“This is a dream come true and I am more than excited at the achievement. I truly appreciate the resources and support put in by City Stars to make this a possibility,” said Amboko

“Working under Sanjin (UEFA Pro Coach at City Stars) made it easier to absorb the classes as everything he has been implementing on the field were part of the course work. With this training my understanding and view of the game is a lot better now.” Added Amboko

In fronting the two coaches for the certification, City Stars sponsors Jonathan Jackson Foundation CEO Mwenesi Musalia had this to say;

“It is in line with the foundation’s Economic Empowerment pillars and the development of the community, I believe this is worthwhile.”

At City Stars Amboko and Oguta, as assistant and first assistant coaches, are current understudies to Sanjin from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Late Abich penalty nails Fortune Sacco

A penalty at the death by Noah Abich handed a determined Nairobi City Stars a hard fought 2-1 win over visiting Fortune Sacco in a National Super League (NSL) round 10 clash at the Hope Centre Kawangware on Monday 21 October 2019.

Abich stepped up to slam the penalty home in the dying minutes of the game – his maiden goal this term and first from the spot from City Stars this season – minutes after Fortune Sacco had vehemently disputed a call by the referee to award the spot kick earned after striker Ebrima Sanneh, while breaking to the box, had forced one of the visiting defenders to handle the ball.

The game ended in a 0-0 draw at the close of first half but eight minutes into the second half David Gateri raced into space to slam home a long ball from defender Salim Abdalla.

That lead was however cut shot 15 minutes from time after substitute Babu Kisaji raced from mid pitch and while at the edge of the box, ahead of Abdalla and Wycliffe Otieno, hammered an unstoppable shot past he reach of substitute keeper Ronny Kagunzi.

A bizarre incident in the first half saw starting keeper Lewis Opiyo rushed to Hospital after hitting the upright while diving to clear a dangerous shot. A forced substitution saw the entry of Kagunzi for his first game this season.

It was all City Stars in the first half but missed chances seemed to have dominated the script. Davis Agesa perhaps had the most reasonable of all chances when, in the 28th minute, he beat the offside trap and got to within six yards of goal. But with just the keeper to beat, he saw the ball stolen right at his feet by a daring Fortune keeper to the awe of a reasonable crowd that had come to watch the game.

Abich’s late winner handed City Stars a seventh straight win that confirms the team stays top of the 20-team pile with 28 points, six clear of the chasing pack.

Lineups:

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo (1. Ronny Kagunzi), 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 17. Noah Abich (28. Kevin Okumu), 13. Eric Ochieng (3. Charles Otieno), 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 25. David Gateri, 17. Davis Agesa (18. Jimmy Bageya), 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 6. Augustine Ochieng, 10. Nahashon Thiongo, 8. Calvins Masawa

Fortune Sacco: 1. Melvin Nderitu, 40. Brian Solomon, 30. Dismas Odhiambo, 26. Ziyadi Kiwanuka, 29. Tedian Atuto, 23. Jesse Ngei, 21. Brian Odhiambo, 18. Kazeem Adekunie, 22. Dennis Karima, 28. Reuben Mwangi, 38. Godwin Irungu

Subs: 55. Patrick Kinyua, 36. Kenneth Otieno, 24. Peter Kilan , 31. Robert Mutua, 25. Babu Kisayi, 20. Vincent Wino, 34. Tyrone Owino

Coach: Julius Kariuki

Quick fire goals blackout Nairobi Stima

Two goals in a span of five second half minutes handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-1 win over title challengers Nairobi Stima at the Karuturi grounds during a National Super League (NSL) round nine tie on Wednesday 16 Oct 2019.

The two goals came off left back Wesley Onguso who sent home a long range free kick in the 54th minute and Davis Agesa who raced from the half line after a miscued clearance by a Stima defender to burry home the second inside the near post.

The two were locked in a barren draw at the half but the tide changed into the second half after Stima’s centre back Shela Mandela was handed his marching orders following a second yellow card. Minutes later they were 2-0 down under the falling and continuous Naivasha rain.

The hosts however put some credibility on the score line after City Stars off season target Victor Omune Ochami grabbed one back with a minute to spare on the clock.

After collecting all spoils in the top of the table clash at Old Trafford, City Stars raced to the 25 points mark to stay top of the 20-team standings as Stima dropped to fourth with 17 points.

Lineup

Nairobi Stima: 30. Jacob Osano, 15. Brian Odhiambo, 23. Levian Ochieng, 5. Shela Mandela, 25. Joseph Shikokoti, 18. Frederick Ojwang, 14. Adam Said, 6. Moses Ouma, 19. Victor Ochami, 21. Douglas Mokaya, 13. Caleb Olilo

Subs: 1. Iddi Mohammad, 8. Shadrack Andale, 12. Francis Oduor, 36. Dennis Alwala, 4. Paul Kisige, 17. Victor Kamana, 24. Alvin Mangéni

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 17. Noah Abich (28. Kevin Okumu), 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 25. David Gateri, 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Coach: Leonard Odipo

Subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 24. Cornelius Mwangi, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 16. Vincent Otieno, 12. Eric Ochieng, 8. Jimmy Bageya, 8. Calvins Masawa

Coach: Sanjin Alagic

Ebrima Sanneh scored a late winner against AP Bomet on Sat 11 Oct 2019
Ebrima Sanneh scored a late winner against AP Bomet on Sat 11 Oct 2019

Sanneh the savior against AP Bomet

An injury time goal from Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh – his seventh of the season – is what Nairobi City Stars needed on Saturday 12 October to break down AP Bomet in a round 8 National Super League (NSL) duel at the Camp Toyoyo, Jericho.

Sanneh powered a header off an Anthony Kimani free kick four minutes into handed time to hand Simba wa Nairobi all on offer for the sixth straight time.

City Stars, handled by assistant coach John Amboko in the absence of travelling Sanjin Alagic, took the lead in the 20th minute via Jimmy Bageya off the spadework by Vincent ‘Jamaica’Otieno.

The lead almost lasted the whole stretch but two minutes to time a failed clearance saw the visiting AP Bomet level matters.

But when it seemed they had fished out a point off the leaders, Sanneh struck to send City Stars to the 22-point mark after eight games.

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, (25. David Gateri – 62′), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 16. Vincent Otieno (Davis Agesa – 62′), 18. Jimmy Bageya (Eric Ochieng – 84′)

Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 24. Cornelius Mwangi, 17. Noah Abich , 15. Peter Wainaina

Yellow cards: 5. Kevin Okumu

Goals & Assists: Jimmy Bageya – 20′  (Vincent Otieno), Ebrima Sanneh – 90+4 (Anthony Kimani free kick)

MVP; 29. Ebrima Sanneh

Coach: John Amboko

AP Bomet: 25. Fred Oyugi, 16. Chris Wilunda, 13. Michael Muhadia, 3. Dominic Kipkirui, 2. Daniel Odhiambo, 5. Brian Ngala, 10. Dickson Mwangi, 14. James Kaleha, 18. Conrad Isigi, 7. Philip Wasai, 15. Ramadhan Hamisi

Subs: 31. Wilson Kadinale, 17. Kevin Akhanya, 9. Bonface Mwanga, 11. Lawrence Kibet, 8. Chrispinus Adotor, 12. Simon Karanja, 19. Nelson Nyongesa

Coach: Sebastian Owino

Keeper Levis Opiyo voted by fan as player of the month of September 2019
Keeper Levis Opiyo voted by fan as player of the month of September 2019

Fans pick keeper ‘Lovae’ as Sept 2019 Player of the month

Goal keeper Levis ‘Lovae’ Opiyo has been picked by fans as the Nairobi City Stars player of September 2019.

Opiyo was the fans choice and was considered above Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdalla, Ebrima Sanneh and Oliver Maloba who had made the short list for the award.

Opiyo kept four clean sheets in the six games played in September from which City Stars went on to post five wins and a draw to top the 20-team standings with 16 points from a possible 18.

“Its exciting to be picked as the Player of the month especially by fans considering this is my first month at the club. It simply means a good performance on the pitch is being witnessed by the growing fans that are following the club with each match,”

“The award builds my confidence and spurs me to perform even better in games to come.” added the former Thika United, Western Stima, Posta Rangers, Mathare United, Vihiga United and German side Fortuna Babelsberg.

The poll was run on City Stars official FB page for a week.