City Stars
Brian Mzee on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

Brian Mzee: The Kenyan Premier League is very tactical

Defensive midfielder Brian Mzee Omondi aka Mzeles is on an adaptation path after stepping up a rank higher to feature in the Kenyan Premier League for the first time this season.

Mzee – whose signature is his love of tucking in his top – joined Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason from Kenyan second-tier side Kibera Black Stars and went on to make his top-flight bow after a cameo show in the opening game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on 26 September 2023.

He earned a full debut in the second game of the season against Bidco United where he went on to be named the Most Valuable Player in the match.

Mzee now talks up his early experiences in Kenya’s apex league:

“I am still adapting to it. But so far so good,” he started before adding; “The real big difference from the lower leagues I have played in is that there’s an abundance of experience in the premier league,”

“It’s a league that calls for a different approach. It is a very tactical league and I have realized that you get punished for that one mistake that you make in the game. More than often that becomes the difference.”

After his cameo appearance in game one, Mzee has become a regular starter and has gone on to register four full games in the last six rounds of games.

He previously featured for Ruiri Sportif in the third tier two years back before moving to Black Stars, then to City Stars.

City Stars, Mzee

Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Brian Mzee taking on Bidco United forward Ezekiel Okare during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Sun 3 Sep 2023. It ended 1-1

City Stars
Action between Nairobi City Stars and Kenya Police at Police Sacco Stadium on Sat 7 Oct 2023. Police won it 1-0

MD6: Nairobi City Stars 0 Kenya Police 1

Simba wa Nairobi lost 1-0 to Kenya Police during an FKF Premier League matchday six tie played in Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday 7 October 2023.

The lone goal was scored by Tito Okello from the penalty spot in added minutes of the first half after a City stars player was adjudged to have held the ball while attempting a clearance.

With the loss, Simba wa Nairobi, with eight points from the opening five games, dropped two places to ninth on the log as Police rose to fourth spot with nine points.

Next up for City Stars is an away game to Shabana in Homabay Stadium on Saturday 22 OCtober 2023.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Brian Mzee, 19. Vincent Owino (31. Abuyeka Kubasu-88), 10. Dennis Oalo-captain (17. Brian Mose-88), 11. Andrew Kisilu (22. Samuel Kapen), 27. Gilbert Abala (5. Newton Ochieng-46), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (9. Mohammed Bajaber-78)

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Noor, 8. Calvin Masawa, 18. Clifford Ouma, 23. Julius Ombacho,

Out: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 30. Rowland Makati

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Kenya Police: 34. Patrick Matasi, 5. Musa Mohammed-Captain, 22. Baraka Badi, 66. Abud Omar, 44. David Cheche Ochieng, 8. Patilah Omoto (Francis Kahata-46), 6. Charles Ouma (Rashid Toha -73), 9. David Okoth (17. Alvin Mang’eni-46), 10. Kenneth Muguna, 14. Tito Okello (26. David Owino-59), 21. Clinton Kinanga (Tyson Otieno-73)

Unused subs: Job Ochieng, Reuben Juma, Eric Juma, Kevin Ouma, David Simiyu

Coach: Zdravko Logarusic

Cautions
Nairobi City Stars:
32. Sosthenes Idah (90+)
Kenya Police: 8. Patilah Omoto (12), 21. Clinton Kinanga (39), 6. Charles Ouma (70)

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: –
Kenya Police:
14. Tito Okello (45+ – Pen)

 

City Stars

Andrew Kisilu up against Kenya Police fullback Abud Omar during a 2023-24 FKF Premier League matchday six on Sat 7 Oct 2023 in Police Sacco stadium. Police won 1-0

Julius Ombacho
Nairobi City Stars keeper Julius Ombacho

Ombacho, Buliba named for Police tie

Goalkeeper Julius Ombacho is in line for his Kenyan Premier League debut after being named to the 20-man squad to face Kenya Police in match day six on Saturday 7 October 2023 in Police Sacco starting at 3 p.m.

Ombacho, the immediate former Luanda Villa goal-tender, is one of two changes named from the previous squad that saw off Sofapaka 2-1 last weekend after taking up the place of Elvis Ochoro.

Other than Ombacho, the other change is that of defender Edwin Buliba who takes up the place of injured Rowland Makati.

Buliba featured in the first game of the season but went off due to an injury. Makati, whom he replaces, left the Sofapaka game last weekend after a quarter of an hour due to a knock.

Squad to face Kenya Police

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 23. Julius Ombacho

Defenders: 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 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: 9. Mohammed Bajaber,  10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 22. Samuel Kapen, 27. Gilbert Abala

Out:  3. Robinson Asenwa, 4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi,  13. Elvis Ochoro, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 30. Rowland Makati

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Dennis Oalo
Dennis Oalo in action for City Stars against Nzoia Sugar in Ruaraka on Sun 24 Sept 2023. Simba wa Nairobi won it 2-1

Dennis Oalo: City Stars taking shape

New Nairobi City Stars field captain Dennis Oalo reckons the team has turned a corner and has become better compared to last season.

According to the forward, Simba wa Nairobi is now a more competitive lot as can be seen from early results into the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

“We were at the rebuilding stage last season and with time most of the players have now matured and adapted well into the league,” said Oalo

“Then, we had areas of concern within the team but now all has been fixed and everyone is raring to go,”

“We were considered the underdogs last season but now things have changed for the better. There’s a reflection to that change as witnessed by the results in the first five games of this season,” added Oalo

Oalo joined Simba wa Nairobi in last season’s mid-transfer window in March from FC Talanta. He went on to feature in 16 games scoring once and providing three assists on his way to clocking 1,109 minutes.

Into the new season, Oalo has featured in all five games as captain.

Dennis Oalo

City Stars striker Dennis Oalo during an FKF Premier League matchday 21 tie against Mathare United in Kasarani on Wed 29 Mar 2023. City Stars won it 3-0

Dennis Oalo

Dennis Oalo up against Bidco United in Kasarani Annex in Sep 2023. The game ended 1-1

Kelvin Etemesi
Kelvin Etemesi up against Ulinzi Stars in an FKF Premier League matchday 17 tie on 25 Feb 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-2 in favor of Ulinzi Stars

Etemesi follows Makati to team of the Week

Nairobi City Stars top scorer Kelvin Etemesi was listed in the best eleven at the close of games in match day four in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League on Sunday 1 October 2023.

That followed his heroics on Saturday where he delivered a goal and assist to lead Simba wa Nairobi to a 2-1 win over Sofapaka in Kasarani Annex.

Inevitably, he was named the man of the match, before making it to the team of the week, as well as earned a nomination for the player of the week.

It was a repeat performance from Etemesi as he had a similar show the previous weekend where he came through for the team with a goal, then earned a penalty that was eventually buried home by Rowland Makati for City Stars to come from behind to see off Nzoia Sugar 2-1 in Ruaraka.

At the end of that game, Makati – after scoring his maiden top-flight goal that turned out to be the winner – was named the MVP. Ultimately, he made it to the team of the week at the end of match day four.

“It is very encouraging to see our young players making a statement and making a difference in the team,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“It’s no mean fete to be ranked amongst the best in the league after a match day. Only returns that earn a team points can get you there. Kudos to Makati and Etemesi.” he added