17 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars right back Rowland Makati up against Rogers Mugisha of Gor Mahia during a 3rd round 2023-24 FKF Premier League game in Kasarani on Sun 17 Sept 2023
Nairobi City Stars right back Rowland Makati up against Rogers Mugisha of Gor Mahia during a 3rd round 2023-24 FKF Premier League game in Kasarani on Sun 17 Sept 2023

MD3: Gor Mahia 4 Nairobi City Stars 1

September 17, 2023

Nairobi City Stars went down 4-1 to Champions Gor Mahia in Kasarani on Sunday 17 September 2023 during a 2023-24 FKF Premier League matchday 3 league tie.

The home team led 3-0 at halftime with goals from Benson Omala’s brace, and Ronney Onyango.

In the second half, skipper Dennis Oalo slammed one home for City stars off a freekick by Dennis Wanjala but the game was to end 4-1 after Austin Odhiambo added one more for Gro Mahia.

In the game, City Stars handed premier league debuts to central midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu and flyer Robinson Asenwa, as well as a City Stars debut for stopper Sosthenes Idah.

Keeper Elvis Ochoro and center-back Wycliffe Omondi also got their first games against Gor Mahia.

Next up for City Stars is a home game against Nzoia Sugar on Saturday 23 September 2023, in Kasarani Annex starting at 3 p.m.

Lineups

Gor Mahia: 35. Kevin Omondi, 88. Ronney Onyango, 2. Geoffrey Ochieng, 4. Joshua Onyango, 14. Kenedy Onyango, 3. Kevin Simiyu (40. Christopher Ochieng-86), 5. Rogers Mugisha, 8. Alpha Onyango, 22. Benson Omala (20. Ernest Wendo-86), 10. Austin Odhiambo (11. John Macharia-75), 27. Patrick Sibomana

Unused subs: 29. Caleb Otieno, 50. Paul Ochuoga, 15. Sylvester Owino,  24. Lawrence Ochieng, 21. Sydney Wahongo, 7. Bonface Omondi,

Coach: John Mckinstry

Nairobi City Stars: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 4. Timothy Muganda (32. **Sosthenes Idah-46), 30. Rowland Makati, 25. Brian Mzee, 19. Vincent Owino (31. *Abuyeka Kubasu-75), 22. Samuel Kapen (5. Newton Ochieng-46), 10. Dennis Oalo-Captain, 9. Mohammed Bajaber (11. Andrew Kisilu-46), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (3. *Robinson Asenwa – 75)

Unused subs: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 8. Calvins Masawa, 16. Elvis Noor, 17. Brain Mose

*Kenyan Premier League debut
**Nairobi City Stars debut

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Goals
Gor Mahia:  22. Benson Omala (10, 30), 88. Ronney Onyango (45), 10. Austin Odhiambo (71)
Nairobi City Stars: 10. Dennis Oalo (66)

Cautions
Gor Mahia: 35. Kevin Omondi (88), 88. Ronney Onyango (90+)
Nairobi City Stars:

17 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Clifford Ouma, City Stars
Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma in action against Gor Mahia during match day 14 on Sat 4 Feb 2023 in Kasarani. Gor Mahia won 1-0

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

September 17, 2023

For the 15th time since the year 2005, champions Gor Mahia will host Nairobi City Stars, this time in Kasarani on Sunday 17 September 2023, during a 3rd round 2023-24 FKF Premier League tie starting at 3 p.m.

The last such game last season, hosted by Gor Mahia at the same venue in early February 2023, ended in a 1-0 defeat for Simba wa Nairobi.

The upcoming tie will be the 29th overall between the two sides in the Kenyan topflight, but the 15th away game to Gor Mahia for Nairobi City Stars.

From the previous 14 games, Gor has won eight and City Stars four and has outscored their counterparts 14 goals to eight. The other two games have ended in barren draws.

The upcoming tie will bring Gor’s coach Jonathan McKinstry face to face with his opposite Nicholas Muyoti for just the third time in the league. McKinstry was in charge of the two league games last season.

Table-wise, Gor sits fourth on the 18-team log with four points, with Simba wa Nairobi in 12th with two points.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars premier games away to Gor Mahia: 14– Gor (8 wins), City Stars (4 wins), Draws (2)

4-Dec-05, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 0-1 (W)
21-Apr-07, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 0-0 (D)
12-Jul-08, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
10-Apr-09, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
19-Mar-10, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
9-Apr-11, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
28-Apr-12, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
18-May-13, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
20-Feb-14, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-0 (L)
15-Aug-15, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 3-1 (L)
24-Jul-16, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
16-May-21, Gor vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
30-Dec-21, Gor vs City Stars, 0-2 (W)
03-Feb-23, Gor vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
17-Sep-23, Gor vs City Stars, ??

16 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Asenwa
Flyer Robinson Asenwa during his unveiling as a Nairobi City Stars player in August 2023

Robinson Asenwa in line for debut against Gor Mahia

September 16, 2023

Flyer Robinson Asenwa, signed up for the season from third-tier side Vapor Sports, is the only new face in the Nairobi City Stars squad paraded to face champions Gor Mahia on Sunday 17 September 2023 in Kasarani.

Asenwa takes up the place of defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma who has been rested.

It is the first time that Asenwa is making the squad for a premiership game having missed out on the opening games against Muhoroni Youth and Bidco United.

While Asenwa breaks into the squad, the goalkeeping and defense departments remain unchanged. Edwin Mukolwe and Elvis Ochoro were listed for the Sunday game as Julius Ombacho bides his time.

Defenders Timothy Muganda, skipper Calvin Masawa, Wycliffe Omondi, Dennis Wanjala,  Rowland Makati, and Sosthenes Idah will all be seeking playtime at the back.

Squad to face Gor Mahia

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 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, 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:  6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Clifford Ouma, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

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

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