10 Nov 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Muganda, City Stars
Timothy Muganda wore the armband for Nairobi City Stars against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023

No changes against Tusker

November 10, 2023

The 20-man squad that saw off AFC Leopards 3-2 in the last league encounter last weekend has been maintained ahead of matchday eleven in the 2023/24 FKF Premier League against Tusker FC on Saturday 11 November 2023 in Machakos starting at 3 p.m.

That squad, which ended a two-game losing streak, not only delivered all the spoils but also two players – Samuel Kapen and Brian Mzee to the matchday ten team of the week.

However, there are up to eleven changes from the team that last played away to Tusker 349 days back, on 27 Nov 2022, and lost 4-1, in Ruaraka.

Only seven players who made the 18-man squad then, return for another showdown with Tusker.

Clifford Ouma, who made his Kenyan Premier League debut in that game, Ronney Kola, Calvin Masawa, and Elvis Noor who clocked the full game, are still part of the squad.

Samuel Kapen who scored his maiden top-flight goal, as well as Edwin Buliba and Rowland Makati who were unused subs, complete the list.

Squad to face Tusker

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee

Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber,  10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 22. Samuel Kapen, 27. Gilbert Abala

Out:  5. Newton Ochieng,  7. Pius Omachi,  20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

10 Nov 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Etemesi, City Stars
City Stars forward Kelvin Etemesi in action against Michael Kibwage of Tusker during a matchday 28 FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Wed 3 May 2023. It ended 0-0

Head-to-head: Tusker (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

November 10, 2023

Tusker FC will host Nairobi City Stars in Machakos Stadium on Saturday 11 November 2023, starting 3 p.m., in matchday eleven of the 2023/24 FKF Premier League.

It is the first time in 349 days that Tusker will be hosting Simba wa Nairobi in the league.

The last meet was in Ruaraka on 27 November 2022 during matchday two of the past season. Then, Tusker came from a goal down to see off a disjointed City Stars 4-1.

The game had initially been planned for Ruaraka but due to the prevailing weather conditions, a soggy surface necessitated the shift in venue to Machakos, 64 km away from Nairobi.

Tusker has never hosted City Stars in Machakos before making the upcoming game a unique one.

Notwithstanding, the two sides met in that venue back on 27 Feb 2016 during a matchday three game in the 2016 Premier League season, but with City Stars as hosts. 2,814 days later, the two face off in Machakos in the top league but with Tusker as the hosts.

It will be game no. 31 in the top flight between the two since the year 2003, but game 16 with Tusker as the home team.

From the previous 15 games away to Tusker, Simba wa Nairobi has managed five wins, three draws, and lost the other seven.

In those 15 games, Tusker has outscored City Stars 19 goals to 15. Of the 15 games, City Stars has only failed to score against Tusker on three occasions and has scored, at least a goal, in the last nine straight away games.

The game will see City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti come up against his Tusker counterpart Robert Matano for the fifth time in the last three seasons.

Into the game, Tusker carries a 2-1 away loss to Muranga SEAL from the last round to the game as Simba wa Nairobi parades a 3-2 win over AFC Leopards.

Table-wise, City Stars sits eleventh on the 19-team log with 12 points, with a one-point buffer over Tusker currently sitting in the 13th spot.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars away games vs Tusker; Wins (5), Draws (3), Loses (7). Total – 15

17-Oct-04; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
2-Jul-06; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
21-Jul-07; Tusker vs World Hope, 3-1 (L)
20-Aug-08; Tusker vs World Hope, 0-2 (W)
4-Apr-09; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
9-May-10Tusker vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
17-Jul-11; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
11-Feb-12; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
20-Sep-13; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-3 (W)
19-Sep-14; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
21-Aug-15; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
23-Oct-16; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Jul-21; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
16-Jan-22; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
27-Nov-22; Tusker vs City Stars, 4-1 (L)
10-Nov-23; Tusker vs City Stars, ??

Kapen

City Stars forward Samuel Kapen in action against Humphrey Mieno of Tusker during a matchday 28 FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Wed 3 May 2023. It ended 0-0

09 Nov 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Pius Omachi
Pius Omachi

Pius Omachi nears full return

November 9, 2023

After sitting out game action for months, Simba wa Nairobi flyer Pius Omachi is now on the verge of making a full return.

Omachi has been undergoing rehab since March 2023 after an injury rendered his 2022-23 FKF Premier League season over.

According to team Physio Brian Otieno Odongo, Omachi is now good to go.

“All he now needs is match fitness. Otherwise, he has a clean bill of health,”

“It’s been a journey since his injury back in March. Progressively, he has come through to a point he will soon start contesting for a place in the team for competitive games,” said Brian

Brian’s sentiments were echoed by head coach Nicholas Muyoti;

“We have assessed him and he is now on the verge of returning to the squad. He has been part of our full training and we have tested him in friendly games,”

“Most recently he clocked a full half which goes to show he’s getting there. It’s now just a matter of time,” added Muyoti

Omachi on his part is optimistic that he’ll be picked up league games before the turn of the year.

“It’s indeed been a journey but finally I am back to full training and I have been topping up on minutes from one friendly game to the next,”

“The coach has told me that after featuring in another two friendly games or so I’ll be considered for league games. It is my desire to get there as soon as possible. I hope that will be before year’s end.” he added

Omachi made his Kenyan Premier League debut against Gor Mahia on Saturday 4 February in Kasarani during a match day 14 tie after coming on as a substitute in the second half. Till that big day, he had been named to the bench for three straight games.

As fate would have it, that was his first – and last league game – as the injury that kept him out for months on followed.

Pius Omachi

Pius Omachi

Pius Omachi

Pius Omachi

07 Nov 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kapen, Mzee
Brian Mzee and Samuel Kapen against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023

Kapen, Mzee in MD10 Team of the Week

November 7, 2023

Following a stellar show against AFC Leopards on Saturday 4 November 2023, Nairobi City Stars pair of forward Samuel Kapen and midfielder Brian Mzee made it to the FKF Premier League match day ten team of the week (TOTW).

Mzee was outstanding in the game, ultimately being named the Man of the Match while Kapen came out of the game with a goal, an assist, and a second assist.

Their contribution led to a 3-0 advantage, and eventually a 3-2 win over Leopards in Kasarani.

Kapen and Mzee become the fourth and fifth Simba wa Nairobi players to make it to the team of the week.

Rowland Makati and Kelvin Etemesi started it all in matchday four and five against Nzoia Sugar, and Sofapaka in match days four and five, respectively.

Dennis Oalo was next when he made it to the matchday seven TOTW against Shabana.

“It is very encouraging to see our players constantly being featured in the team of the week. It goes to show that with extra work and smartness, any player making a positive contribution from the roles they have been given will get recognized,”

“It works well for the team as such recognition spurs the rest of the lot to step up.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

Mzee

Brian Mzee against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023 in Kasarani

Kapen

Samuel Kapen in action against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023 in Kasarani

06 Nov 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Muganda
Muganda against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023 in KAsarani

Timothy Muganda: No pressure with armband

November 6, 2023

After close to seven weeks, big unit Timothy Muganda returned to the Nairobi City Stars starting lineup, with a difference.

Muganda last started a game against Gor Mahia on 17 September 2023, in Kasarani during match day three, and 48 days later, was back on the same scene as the team captain, for the first time while at City Stars. He led Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-2 win.

“Wearing the armband against AFC Leopards came with absolutely no pressure. I was easy with it,”

“Remember previously I was at Soy United where I was the regular captain. I got used to the responsibilities that come with captaincy,”

According to head coach Nicholas Muyoti, command was required at the back and that role fitted the very vocal Muganda.

“We needed command at the back and thought giving him the armband would inspire him. We hope that it motivated him in that game, and that it will do the same in the games to come,” said Muyoti

On the game itself, Muganda was excited with the triumph that ended a two-game losing streak.

“It was a very important win considering we had had a patch recently. We had a good game approach that worked for us that delivered the win though we had to endure a nervy ending,”

“The win gives us confidence and we can now go to the next set of games on a high.” he added

After matchday three against Gor Mahia in mid-September, Muganda went on to miss the next five games but returned for the Muranga SEAL tie on 1 November as a substitute.

He completed the Leopards match in what was only his 15th Kenyan Premier League appearance.

Muganda, City Stars

Timothy Muganda wore the armband for Nairobi City Stars against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023

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