15 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Buliba
Edwin Buliba in a past league game in Kasarani Annex

Edwin Buliba: My meeting made me better

September 15, 2023

Defender Edwin Buliba has revealed what made him a dependable player for Nairobi City Stars in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season.

Buliba, a natural center-back clocked a record 23 games last term in his newfound position as a right-back and only failed to complete one owing to a red card against Mathare United in the first leg.

It was the first time in his five years with Nairobi City Stars that he featured in more than ten games in a season.

He recorded 2,051 regular time minutes last season which was a vast improvement to the 766 minutes earned in the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season from nine games.

“After that (2021-22) season I called myself to a meeting for a review that is after searching for answers. The outcome was very positive as I realized where I had been going wrong,”

“It dawned on me that I wasn’t investing in myself at all. I wasn’t eating well and right, and was not doing anything extra to improve my conditioning which left me on the injury list time and again,”

“I improved my nutrition, and with the advice of Sven (Yidah), I hit the gym for guided training to improve my conditioning. That combination made me a much better player and it explains why I had an injury-free season.” added Buliba

Buliba was only one of four Simba wa Nairobi players to have clocked over 2,000 minutes last season. He registered three assists, and one second assist.

Edwin Buliba

Edwin Buliba against Muhoroni Youth on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex

Edwin Buliba, City Stars

Edwin Buliba, City Stars

12 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Mose
Brian Mose 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 Mose: Starting eleven on my radar

September 12, 2023

Soon after making the big leap from Kenyan fourth-tier side Total Spurs (Narok) to Nairobi City Stars, forward Brian Mose Nyambane has now trained his sights on being a regular starter for the club in the Premier League.

Mose joined Simba wa Nairobi on a season-long contract in the offseason from the Narok-based FKF Division Two side and has already featured in the opening two games of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League.

He earned his debut against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex as a second-half substitute and almost came off with an assist after his long and sharp throw in the dying minutes – that earned a penalty – failed to count as the spot kick was spurned.

Move and debut aside, he’s now on to something else;

“I’m fighting to be in the starting eleven,” he said candidly

“Currently, I am catching up with the system of play. I have given myself a target of four games after which I know I’ll be somewhere. By then I will have settled and I know the coach will appreciate what I can offer and hopefully, he’ll consider me as a starter,”

“I now have the opportunity and I want to make it happen for me as well as the club. As long as I get the time (to play) I will make it count,” he added

Against Muhoroni, Mose came off for flyer Samuel Kapen deep in the second half for his maiden top-flight bow. His second game was against Bidco United at the same venue.

“The debut was amazing. It gave me a starting point,”

“What I have seen so far in the two premier league games is the structure and style of play, as well as the organization, are very different from the previous leagues I have played in,” he added

Other than being a typical number nine, the left-footed Mose drifts to either flank and also plugs in as a number 10. Power throw-ins are his added advantage.

Brian Mose

Nairobi City Stars forward Brian Mose

Brian Mose

Nairobi City Stars forward Brian Mose in Kasarani Annex

08 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
Action between Nairobi City Stars and Nbi United at ABSA Grounds, Nairobi on Fri 8 Sept 2023. City Stars lifted two friendly games by identical 1-0 wins

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 1 Nairobi United 0

September 8, 2023

Simba wa Nairobi registered identical 1-0 wins over second-tier side Nairobi United at the ABSA grounds on Friday 8 September 2023.

During the first tie played from 8 a.m., skipper of the day Newton Tony Ochieng, playing on the left flank, fired at the far post from atop the box in the final ten minutes of the game after receiving a well-weighted lob from Kelvin Etemesi from the right.

In the second clash, Yuto Kusaba posted yet another good return when he slammed home a penalty in the fifth minute for the winning goal in the second game. Brian Mose earned the spot kick after being felled in the box.

The two friendly games followed up on one on Thursday where Simba wa Nairobi came from a goal down to tie another second-tier side Kibera Black Stars 1-1 at the Ligi Ndogo grounds.

“Those were two Friday good games and very good tests. The two wins against a very well-structured Nairobi United were hard-fought,”

“We tried out different combinations in the two games as we also concentrated on endurance levels of the players as everyone who was fielded clocked full games.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

City Stars’ next league game is against Champions Gor Mahia on Sunday 17 Sept. On the same day, Nairobi United will be up against Kibera Black Stars in their National Super League opener.

Lineups

Nairobi United 1: Ernest Muhammed, Isaac Andrew, Daniel Bichoik, Benard Ouma, Jim Ouma, Markmilan Mukami, Isaac Omweri, Brian Ongutu, Brian Lusamukha, Majaliwa Charo, Elson Wangamati, Rodgers Angal, Adams Nyambane

Coach: Paul Okwatwa

Nairobi City Stars 1: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Timothy Muganda, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 30. Rowland Makati, 25. Brian Mzee, 19. Vincent Owino, 5. Newton Ochieng-Captain, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 22. Samuel Kapen, 20. Kelvin Etemesi

Nairobi United 2: Chacha Maneno, Daniel Bichoik, Isaac Andrew, Boaz Maeri, Steven Duol, Godwin Silvester, Jumba, Ian Motanda, Brian Sifa, Adrian Oloo, Majaliwa Charo, Omollo, Denies Waweru

Nairobi City Stars 2: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 6. Ronney Kola, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu-captain, 18. Clifford Ouma, 16. Elvis Noor, 17. Brian Mose, 27. Gilbert Abala, 3. Robinson Asenwa, 21. Yuto Kusaba

Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 23. Julius Ombacho

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

07 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

Friendly Fire: Kibera Black Stars 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

September 7, 2023

Dennis Oalo scored in the 83rd minute for Nairobi City Stars to tie Kibera Black Stars 1-1 in a friendly match played in Ligi Ndogo grounds on Thursday 7 Sept 2023. 

Oalo headed home a flicked ball by defender Wycliffe Omondi, who had connected to an Abuyeka Kubasu corner, for the leveler.

Black Stars had scored a 30th-minute opener through Javan Mukoya.

Simba wa Nairobi will play yet another friendly against Nairobi United on Friday 8 September 2023 in Stima Club.

Lineups

Kibera Black Stars: 1.Boniface Barasa, 2. Brian Oyenga, 3. Costah Anjeo, 4. Asaba Arafat, 5. Donald Omwanda, 6. Dennis Ochieng, 7. Javan Mukoya, 8. Dennis Issac, 9. Micheal Owen, 10. John Njoroge, 11. Enoch Ouma

Subs: Peter Abiola, Richdonald Bolo, Elly Osotsi, Walter Juma, Joel Mutual, Kevin Kamau, Bryan Aruda, Clement Masakidi, Festus Oduor, Starlon Odhiambo, Byron Otieno, Eugene Ochieng, Victor Ligingo, Micheal Favour, Boniface Maundu

Coach: Sammy Njuguna

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Julius Ombacho (Edwin Mukolwe), 6. Ronney Kola, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 18. Clifford Ouma (25. Elvis Noor), 5. Newton Ochieng, 27. Gilbert Abala, 9. Mohammed Bajaber (Yuto Kusaba), 3. Robinson Asenwa (Dennis Oalo), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu,

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

04 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

MD2: Bidco United 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

September 4, 2023

Home team Bidco United came from behind to force Nairobi City Stars to a 1-1 draw during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match played in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 3 September 2023.

*Video courtesy of FKF & Azam TV

Andrew Kisilu slammed home a rebound eleven minutes into the second half for Simba wa Nairobi to take the lead. But the hosts rallied to level matters eleven minutes later through substitute Samuel Ndungu who fired from within the box.

Kisilu’s goal was his second in the top flight, and the opening goal for City Stars this term.

Brian Mzee, on his first premier league start, and full 90 minutes in the top flight, was picked out as the man of the match.

With a share of the spoils in the only Sunday game, both teams remain in mid-table.

Simba wa Nairobi’s next assignment is against champions Gor Mahia on Sunday 17 September in Kasarani Main Stadium.

Lineups

Bidco United: 35. Daniel Odiwuor, 4. David Kalama, 3. Thomas Wainaina, 18. Francis Oduor, 31. Peter Nzuki, 14. Said Tsuma, 11. EricMichubu, 44. Jacob Onyango, 39. Ezekiel Okare, 20. Douglas Mokaya, 19. John Kelwishi

Subs: 1. Melvin Nderitu, 8. Lameck Oloo, 15. Gabriel Wandera, 30. Martin Mbugua, 7. Sharif Musa, 32. Chris Opondo, 22. Clinton Osiago, 9. Samuel Ndungu, 2. Michael Bodo

Coach: Anthony Akhulia

Nairobi City Stars: 13. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 26. Dennis Wanjala, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 4. Timothy Muganda, 30. Rowland Makati, 16. Elvis Noor (19. Vincent Owino-26), 11. Andrew Kisilu (15. Newton Ochieng-78), 25. **Brian Mzee, 10. Dennis Oalo-Captain, 22. Samuel Kapen (17. Brian Mose-78), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (9. Mohammed Bajaber-88)

**First full premier league game

Unused subs: 1. Edwin Mukolwe (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 18. Clifford Ouma, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Sostehenes Idah

Out: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 12. Edwin Buliba, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Cautions
Bidco United:
Nairobi City Stars: 15. Wycliffe Omondi (8), 25. Brian Mzee (51)

Goals
Bidco United: 9. Samuel Ndungu (67)
Nairobi City Stars: 11. Andrew Kisilu (56)

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