Robinson Asenwa
Robinson Asenwa (no. 3) in training

Robinson Asenwa: City Stars my gateway

Forward Robinson Asenwa is overly optimistic that Nairobi City Stars is his conduit to greater things.

The flyer joined Simba wa Nairobi from Vapor Sports in the off-season and is at the point of establishing himself in the team.

He does believe that the exposure coming through will propel his sails further.

“I am glad to have joined Nairobi City Stars at the top level. So far it’s been a good journey. I have so far played two games against Gor Mahia and Shabana, said Robin

“My debut against Gor gave me very good exposure. I enjoyed it to the fullest and even fans told me I came in with good impact,”

“I hope City Stars will continue to give me that kind of exposure. Talent within the club is abundant which makes me appreciate the move to join this team which is from my hood even more,”

“I hope for the best, and I know from here I can make the right moves, from City Stars to the world,” he added

In the two games played, Asenwa has so far registered a collective 32 premiership minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute on both occasions.

Robinson Asenwa

Robinson Asenwa aainst Shabana on Sun 22 Oct 2023

Oalo
Dennis Oalo in Homa Bay Stadium vs Shabana on Sun 23 Oct 2023

Oalo in MD7 team of the week

Nairobi City Stars forward Dennis Oalo was listed in the first eleven at the close of matchday seven against Shabana in Homabay Stadium on Sunday 22 October 2023.

Oalo was introduced in the 41st minute of the game for injured Newton Ochieng at a time Simba wa Nairobi was trailing 2-1 to Shabana. He emerged as the MVP for City Stars.

He became the turning point after a quick switch in formation to 3-5-2 which later yielded the equalizing goal in the final ten minutes of the game.

In making it to the team of the week, Oalo becomes the third City Stars player this season to join that club after Rowland Makati and Kelvin Etemesi after matchdays four and five, respectively

Samuel Kapen  vs Shabana in Homa Bay stadium on un 22 Oct 2023 during a match day 7 tie
Samuel Kapen vs Shabana in Homa Bay stadium on un 22 Oct 2023 during a match day 7 tie

MD7: Shabana 2 Nairobi City Stars 2

A Vincent Owino penalty in the 84th minute saw Nairobi City Stars salvage a point, after tying a match day seven tie against Shabana in Homa Bay Stadium on Sunday 22 October 2023.

City Stars took the lead in the first minute through Samuel Kapen – his first goal of the season – only for Shabana to level 12 minutes later through a header by Eugene Mukangula. The home side doubled matters in the 42nd minute through Vincent Nyabuto.

Dennis Oalo, who came on for injured Newton Ochieng minutes to half time was picked out as the man of the match,

With a point, Simba wa Nairobi sits 11th with nine points, two positions, and places above Shabana in the 18-team log.

Lineups

Shabana: 29. Eric Ongiri, 17. Brian Magare, 4. Stephen Ochieng, 35. Rogers Aloro, 21. Abisalom Aduda, 23. George Onyango, 8. Peter Ogechi-Captain (7. Isaac Otieno-86), 16. Justine Omwando (32. Prince Ayieko-73), 27. Wycliffe Ntahtha, 28. Eugene Mukangula (11. Ezekiah Omuri-58), 20. Vincent Nyabuto (22. Dennis Simiyu-73)

Unused subs: 31. Mustapha Oduor, 10. Prince Michira, 2, Silas Shihemi, 24. Frank Ovya, 18. Enock Agwanda, 15. Mark Okola

Coach: Sammy Okoth

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain 1 (3. Robinson Asenwa-73), 25. Brian Mzee (16. Elvis Noor-73), 19. Vincent Owino, 5. Newton Ochieng (10. Dennis Oalo-41), 22. Samuel Kapen (30. Rowland Makati-73), 11. Andrew Kisilu (9. Mohammed Bajaber-73), 20. Kelvin Etemesi

Unused subs: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 17.  17. Brian Mose, 18. Clifford Ouma, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu,

Out:  4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi,  21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 25. Dennis Wanjala,  27. Gilbert Abala

Goals
Shabana: 28. Eugene Mukangula (18), 20. Vincent Nyabuto (42)
Nairobi City Stars: 22. Samuel Kapen (5), 19. Vincent Owino (84-pen)

Cautions
Shabana:4. Stephen Ochieng (48)
Nairobi City Stars: 32. Sothenes Idah (20)

Asenwa
Flyer Robinson Asenwa during his unveiling as a Nairobi City Stars player in August 2023

Three changes against Shabana

Flyer Robinson Asenwa is one of three inclusions made ahead of a seventh-round 2023-24 FKF Premier League clash away to Shabana in Homa Bay Stadium on Sunday 22 Oct 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

Asenwa, who made his top-flight debut against Gor Mahia in mid-September 2023, during match day three, returns after missing the last three games. He takes up the place of Gilbert Abala.

Also returning are defender Rowland Makati and goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro after skipping the last two and one game, respectively.

Makati takes up the place of fullback Dennis Wanjala who is out due to personal reasons, as Ochoro grabs the place of Julius Ombacho. The rest of the squad remains as was.

Squad to face Shabana

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor, 5. Newton Ochieng, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu.

Forwards: . 3. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber,  10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 22. Samuel Kapen,

Out:  4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi,  21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 25. Dennis Wanjala,  27. Gilbert Abala

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0
Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0

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

Shabana will host Nairobi City Stars during a seventh-round 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie in Homa Bay Stadium on Sunday 22 October 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

It will be a historic game at that as Nairobi City Stars has never set foot at the Homa Bay Stadium.

Shabana and City Stars have not met in the top flight since the year 2006 during a 26th-round tie during the 2005/6 Premier League season.

Shabana first played City Stars -then known as World Hope –  in the top flight on 4 Feb 2006, and last hosted the same side back on 23 April 2006 in Gusii Stadium. Then, under coach Robert Matano, City Stars won the game 3-1. Evans Moody opened the scores for Shabana in the 20th minute but City stars rallied from behind with a brace by Samuel Ouma and a Geoffrey Okoth goal.

On the time scale, the upcoming game comes 6,391 days from the last meeting between the two sides. Though it’s been over 17 years since the last premier league meeting, the two sides met four times between Dec 2018 and January 2020 while in the second tier, National Super League. City Stars won three of the four and lost once.

Heading to the Sunday game, Shabana is placed 13th on the log with six points, two points off Simba wa Nairobi who are tenth with eight points.

However, Shabana heads to the game on the high of a 1-0 win over Tusker – their first win of the season – in the last round of games. City Stars lost by a similar margin against Kenya Police.

City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against Sammy Okoth who got Shabana up to the big league at the end of last season after 17 seasons out.

Who wins this one?

Summary

KPL away games vs Shabana: 1 Nairobi City Stars Wins (0), Draw (1), Losses (1)

23-Apr-06: Shabana vs World Hope, Gusii Stadium 1-3 (W)
22-Oct-23: Shabana vs Nairobi City Stars, ??