26 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Makati
Rowland Makati celebrates his maiden league goal for City stars on Sun 24 Sep 2023. It turned out to be the winner against Nzoia Sugar. City Stars won it 2-1

Rowland Makati: I had been looking for that debut goal

September 26, 2023

Converted right back Rowland Makati is still all smiles after his maiden premier league goal handed Nairobi City Stars a much-needed 2-1 win against Nzoia Sugar on Sunday 24 September 2023 in Ruaraka.

Makati pounced on a spilled ball after the Nzoia keeper had tamed a Samuel Kapen penalty to score the second and winning goal 17 minutes into the second half.

“I had been waiting for that debut goal from my new position as a right back. I am happy it came, finally. But most importantly, I am super happy it brought us the first win of the season,” he said

“We needed those points and I am glad that the entire team put in 100% to contribute to the win,”

Makati, a former attacking midfielder, was only playing his 15th premier league game on Sunday. He reckons he has more to offer;

“I believe there’s more to come from where that debut goal came from as the coach has been urging me to attack from my channel,” added Makati

In scoring the winner on Sunday, Makati was named the MVP in the game and went on to earn a place in the team of the week after matchday four.

Makati

Rowland Makati celebrates his maiden league goal for City Stars on Sun 24 Sep 2023. It turned out to be the winner against Nzoia Sugar. City Stars won it 2-1

25 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Keeper Edwin Mukolwe made a full debut for Nairobi City Stars against Nzoia Sugar on Sun 24 Sept 2023 in Ruaraka

Edwin Mukolwe: It’s a game at a time!

September 25, 2023

After sitting out the opening three games into the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season, keeper Edwin Mukolwe finally earned his Nairobi City Stars debut in the fourth game against Nzoia Sugar on Sunday 24 September 2023.

His full debut came with good tidings as Simba wa Nairobi came from behind to see off the sugarmen 2-1 in Ruaraka to register the first win of the season.

“Great team effort. Glad to get the first maximum points of the season. The work continues, a game at a time!” said Mukolwe who joined City Stars in the offseason from Bidco United

In featuring against Nzoia Sugar, Mukolwe became the second player after center-back Sosthenes Idah to earn a City Stars debut this season, and eight overall adding to six premier league debutants Wycliffe Awiko Omondi Brian Mose Nymabane, Gilbert Abala, Brian Omondi Mzee, as well as Robinson Asenwa and midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu.

In the first three games of the season, Mukolwe was an understudy to Elvis Ochoro, the only keeper who stayed on after last season.

24 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Makati
Rowland Makati celebrates his maiden league goal for City stars on Sun 24 Sep 2023. It turned out to be the winner against Nzoia Sugar. City Stars won it 2-1

MD4: Nairobi City Stars 2 Nzoia Sugar 1

September 24, 2023

Two early second-half goals by Kelvin Etemesi and Rowland Makati saw Nairobi City Stars overturn a 1-0 first-half loss to see off Nzoia Sugar 2-1 in Ruaraka in a matchday four tie played in Ruaraka on Sunday 24 September 2023.

Against the run of play, Nzoia Sugar opened the scores in the eighth minute through Emmanuel Osoro who fired from atop the box off an Obed Khakina cross from the right wing.

Three minutes after the restart it was all square after Etemesi met Samuel Kapen’s quick throw ball to lob the Nzoia goalie from a tight angle.

A minute after added time it was 2-1 after Etemesi earned a penalty. Kapen took it but the keeper had a save to it but Makati was quick on the rebound to score his maiden topflight goal. It eventually earned him an MVP accolade.

That goal eventually earned Simba wa Nairobi the first season win which moved the team to five points, and tenth on on the 18-team log.

Next up for City Stars is an away game against Sofapaka on Saturday 30 September 2023.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. *Edwin Mukolwe, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 30. Rowland Makati, 25. Brian Mzee (16. Elvis Noor-85), 19. Vincent Owino, 10. Dennis Oalo-captain, 11. Andrew Kisilu, (5. Newton Ochieng-70), 22. Samuel Kapen (27. Gilbert Abala-70), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (17. Brian Mose-85)

Unused subs: 8. Calvin Masawa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 18. Clifford Ouma, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Nzoia Sugar: 15. Bernard Onunga, 7. Elisha Wekesa, 21. Dimples Omamo, 6. Salim Murunga,17. Emmanuel Esekon, 12. Daniel Wafula (27. Joseph Wafula-64), 32. Noah Wafula (20. Victor Maliachi-64), 8. Harun Thomas-Captain, 14. Obed Khakina (9. Joseph Oyugi-75), 24. Ian Simiyu (10. Victor Haki-64), 22. Emmanuel Osoro (11. Mohammed Barisa-75)

Unused subs: 39. Fred Shiundu, 3. Brian Wepo, 25. Aineah Ndete,

Coach: Godfrey Oduor

Cautions
Nairobi City Stars: 25. Brian Mzee (70), 1. Edwin Mukolwe (86), 16. Elvis Noor (89),
Nzoia Sugar: –

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 20. Kelvin Etemesi (48), 30. Rowland Makati (62)
Nzoia Sugar: 22. Emmanuel Osoro (8)

24 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
James Mazembe
James Mazembe in action against Nzoia Sugar in Kasarani Annex on Sat 3 June 2023 during an FKF Premier League matchday 32 tie. Nzoia won it 3-2

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

September 24, 2023

Nairobi City Stars will host Nzoia Sugar, for only a fourth time in the Kenyan Premier league, in Ruaraka during a match day four 2023-24 league match on Sunday 24 September 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

The two have never faced off in Kasarani Annex which becomes the third venue in as many matches.

It will be the first time since 8 December 2021 since City Stars hosted Nzoia in Ruaraka, a game that ended 0-0.

City Stars heads to the game on then acknowledge a 4-1 loss to Gor Mahia as Nzoia parades a 1-1 home draw against Bidco United.

Tablewise, City Stars sits 16th on the 18-team log with two points, three points behind the ninth-placed Nzoia Sugar.

Coaching-wise, Simba wa Nairobi’s Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against his counterpart Godfrey Oduor who took over from Salim Babu at the beginning of the season.

Who will win this one?

Summary

KPL home games vs Nzoia Sugar-3: Nairobi City Stars wins (1), Draws (1), Loses (1)

Home games hosted by City Stars

29 Nov 2020: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, 2-0 (W)
08 Dec 2021: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, 0-0 (D)
03 Jun 2023: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, 2-3 (L)

24 Sep 2023: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, ??

24 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Gilbert Abala 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
Gilbert Abala 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

Abala, Ouma back against Nzoia Sugar

September 24, 2023

Flyer Gilbert Abala and defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma are back to the 20-man squad as Nairobi City Stars steps forward to host Nzoia Sugar in matchday four in Ruaraka on Sunday 24 Sep 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

Abala, who made his debut in the season opener against Muhoroni Youth, returns after missing the last two games against Bidco United and Gor Mahia while Ouma is back after missing the latter.

Abala takes up the slot of league debutant Robinson Asenwa as Ouma is in for centreback Timothy Muganda.

Squad to face Nzoia Sugar

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 4. Timothy Mugand, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 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: 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, 12. Edwin Buliba, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

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