Blog | Page 208 | Nairobi City Stars

Like the proverbial pigeon that never forgets home, key players have returned to Nairobi City Stars ahead of the upcoming season.

Anthony Kimani ‘Muki’ who left back in 20o0 for Sofapaka. He makes a comeback, not only to the team, but after a two year layoff having moved off from Bandari to office work.

Joining Kimani back at City Stars is Ugandan winger Jimmy Bageya who is in for yet another stint at the club. He left mid last year for Kakamega Homeboyz for a year. He first appeared at the club He first signed up in 2009 and was part of the club till 2011 before moving to AFC Leopards. He was back for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

The two join David GAteri who returned to the club in March 2019 for the first time since year 2011. All three have been handed one year contracts by the club that spans the 2019/2020 season.

Nairobi City Stars have signed nine new players and welcomed back another three ahead of the 2019 National Super League season which officially kicks off next month.

The players joining the Kawangware based side includes former Thika United and Mathare United goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, left back Wesley Onguso from Posta Rangers, centre back Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdala from AFC Leopards, defender Cornelius Mwangi from Modern Coast Rangers, winger Nashon Thiong’o from Mt. Kenya United, Defensive midfielder Elvis Ojiambo from Kibera Black Stars and Erick Ochieng from Wazito.

Others include budding teenage striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno from Hakati Sportiff, Wycliffe Otieno who once featured for Kariobangi Sharks as well as the trio of Stephen Mueni from Modern Coast Rangers, Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani and Jimmy Bageya who are all returning to the club.

The players, a mix of fresh talent and seasoned players are expected to give a new lease of life to the team as the new season starts in September this year.

The newcomers join the 15 retained from last season who include; keepers Ronny Kagunzi and Vincent Khatili, defenders Edwin Buliba, Kevin Okumu, Calvins Masawa, Noah Abich, Victor Okulu and Augustine Ochieng, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Peter Wainaina, Charles Otieno, David Gateri and Heritier Luvualu, strikers Ebrima Sanneh from Gambia and Davis Agesa.

The club, acquired by the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) earlier in the year, is now focusing on a top finish in the second tier to enable them earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League next season for a return to the top tier since being relegated at the close of the 2016 season.

“The new players are expected to bring renewed energy and inertia to the team to enable them finish in a good position. With the new players, we are confident we will greatly improve our performance from last season as we eye a return to the Premier League next season,” said the club’s Chair Jonathan Jackson during a team meet-up.

Adding his voice during a team’s luncheon, the club’s CEO Patrick Korir said;

“Most of the new and returning players have had weeks to join- in with the players retained from last season during the last six weeks of preseason. We expect that lessons picked along the way and during friendly games played will give the team the right momentum into the season.”

Nairobi City Stars will host powerhouse Shabana at the Hope Centre on Sunday 1 September, 2019 starting 3pm in their 2019/2020 season opener.

Homing instincts sees the return of key players

Nairobi City Stars sign twelve new players ahead of the 2019 season