A second round Vihiga Bullets – Nairobi City Stars clash at the Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday 8 September 2019 ended prematurely in the 75th minute after the skies bust open flooding the playing surface. At that point City Stars led 1-0 courtesy of an Ebrima Sanneh goal. 

Efforts by the visitors to drain off the surface to allow the game continue – that lasted over an hour – came to naught as the game match officials called off the game leaving the fate of the game to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) the rule book. 

The meaning of Force Majeure came to play: it states;

Any circumstance beyond the reasonable control or management of any person that prevents or impedes the execution of certain actions subject of these rules including bad weather, earthquakes, tragedy accident

Based on the above, and in reference to article 3.2.5 of the rule book, it was confirmed that the game would be played afresh the next day on Monday 9 September starting 10am. 

The rules states;

If a match on account of Force Majeure cannot restart and/or cannot be played in full, the match shall be played on the next day, for that purpose, the host clubs must conclude all the necessary agreements with to ensure that the required facilities are available and can be operated.

City Stars starting XI: Levis Opiyo, Calvins Masawa, Salim Abdalla, Cornelius Mwangi, Kevin Okumu, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Anthony Muki Kimani, Jimmy Bageya, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh

Subs: Noah Abich, Ronny Kagunzi, Oliver Maloba, Vincent Otieno, Peter Wainaina, Nahashon Thiongo, Wycliffe Otieno

Ahead of the clash against Vihiga Bullets set for Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega on Sunday 8 September, 2019 starting 3pm, head coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia has released his starting lineup. 

In the first eleven is Charles Chale Otieno who made the final cut for the trip having missed the previous game against Shabana. He starts as defensive midfieler to play a deeper role than Elvis Ojiambo who also starts the game. The previous weekend against Shabana, Elvis came on in the second half for an injured Nahashon Thiong’o to stabilize the midfield. 

Save for the two starting changes the rest of the players maintained their places. 

Levis Opiyo will safeguard the posts and will be shielded by Salim Shitu Abdalla, Cornelius Mwangi, skipper Calvins Masawa out on the left and Kevin Chumsy Okumu as right full back. 

Jimmy Bageya and Davis Agesa will start on either wing as Anthony Muki Kimani stays behind Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh. 

Starting XI: Levis Opiyo, Calvins Masawa, Salim Abdalla, Cornelius Mwangi, Kevin Okumu, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Anthony Muki Kimani, Jimmy Bageya, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh

Subs: Noah Abich, Ronny Kagunzi, Oliver Maloba, Vincent Otieno, Peter Wainaina, Nahashon Thiongo, Wycliffe Otieno

Head coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia has made named his pride for the second round National Super League (NSL) clash of the season – the first away game – set for Sunday 8 September, 2019 at Bukhungu Stadium against newly promoted Vihiga Bullets.
Oliver Maloba who was ruled out of the season opener against Shabana at Hope centre claims a place in the 18-team squad after recovering from a knock. He is expected to start off the bench.
Newly acquired teenager Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica from Hakati Sportiff also makes the squad after being cleared by the Federation following his transfer from the lower tier side. The 16 and a half year old will give Sanjin an option in attack and is expected to make his debut, albeit late in the game.
Defensive midfielder Charles Chale Otieno also breaks in to the team to take up the place of Eric Cantona Ochieng who go a knock in training.
Also in is big unit Wycliffe Wiki Otieno as a centre back cover. He was picked ahead of Augustine Agusto Ochieng for this game.
Peter Wine Wainaina, a utility midfielder, added to the new list to bring options to the mid of the pack.
Left back Wesley Onguso, wingers Heritier Luvualu and Stephen Mweni – who made his debut last weekend – are the other players who named for the Shabana game that will miss out on the trip. 13 others including skipper Calvins Masawa were retained.
The team departs early Saturday morning from Nairobi heading to Western Kenya.

Travelling party

Levis Opiyo, Ronny Kagunzi (goal keepers), Wycliffe Otieno, Salim Abdalla, Calvins Masawa (captain), Noah Abich, Kevin Okumu, Cornelius Mwangi (defenders), Charles Otieno, Peter Wainaina, Oliver Maloba, Jimmy Bageya, Nahashon Thiongo, Anthony Muki Kimani, Elvis Ojiambo, (midfielders), Vincent Otieno, Ebrima Sanneh, Davis Agesa (strikers)

Technical bench

Sanjin Alagic (Head coach), Tiellen Oguta, John Amboko (assistant coaches), Dennis Mugisha (Physio), Winnie Nyasiri (Photographer), Samson Otieno (team coordinator), Neville Pudo (team manager), Arthur Museve (trainer)