03 Sep 2023
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Newton Ochieng
Newton Ochieng in action against Bidco United during an 18th round 2022-23 FKF Premier League tie in Feb 2023

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

September 3, 2023

For the fourth time in the Kenyan top-flight league, Bidco United will host Nairobi City Stars in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 3 Sep 2023 during the second match of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League starting at 3 pm.

Bidco United last hosted Simba wa Nairobi at the same venue on 7 March 2023 during an 18th-round league tie last season. It ended 0-0.

That 0-0 stalemate was the second between the two teams in the last three years. The other game hosted by Bidco United, in March 2022, ended in a 2-0 win for the hosts.

For a third time home game, Bidco United coach Anthony Akhulia will come against his counterpart Nicholas Muyoti on the Simba wa Nairobi side.

Both teams are going into the encounter on the back of 0-0 draws from their opening games last weekend. Both teams are in search of maiden season goals, and maximum points. They are both in mid-table.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars away games to Bidco United: 3; Bidco win (1), City Stars win (0), Draw (2)

City Stars away (premier) games vs Bidco United

17-Dec-20; Bidco United vs Nairobi City Stars, 0-0 (D)
05-Mar-22; Bidco United vs Nairobi City Stars, 2-0 (W)
07-Mar-23; Bidco United vs Nairobi City Stars, 0-0 (D)
03-Sep-23; Bidco United vs Nairobi City Stars, ??

03 Sep 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Mohammed Bajaber
Forward Mohammed Bajaber in a past encounter for City Stars against Kenya Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on Wed 12 Apr 2023. Police won the tie 4-2

Two changes against Bidco United

September 3, 2023

Forward Mohammed Bajaber and midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu have been included in Nairobi City Stars 20-man squad for the upcoming match day 2 FKF Premier League tie against Bidco United in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 3 Sept 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

Bajaber takes up the place of defender Edwin Buliba who suffered a knock in training on Friday while Abuyeka – the only City Stars player not fielded last season – replaces flyer Gilbert Abala.

On Wednesday, Bajaber grabbed a brace and came off with an assist leading Simba wa Nairobi to a 4-0 win over Kaayole South Ward FC during a friendly match.

Save for the two changes, all the other 18 players who were part of the season opener against Muhoroni Youth, which ended 0-0, maintained their places in the squad.

Squad to face Bidco United

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, 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

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

01 Sep 2023
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Yuto Kusaba
Yuto Kusaba dring his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars offices on Wed 23 Aug 2023

Club Statement: Yuto Kusaba

September 1, 2023

Nairobi City Stars wishes to announce that, regrettably, our recent signing – Japanese striker Yuto Kusaba – will be unavailable for the first part of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

Yuto transferred to Nairobi City Stars in the past week from Embu-based FC Zenshin, a fourth-tier side featuring in FKF Division Two (Northern Zone), in time for the new season.

Notwithstanding, it emerged thereafter that international guidelines of the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) had not been met prior to his move to Simba wa Nairobi.

That position can only be rectified in the next international transfer window that reopens on 1st January 2024.

Based on the foregoing, Yuto, a former player with St. Andrews University, and Basara Hyogo in Japan before coming to Kenya as a volunteer with an Embu-based NGO, where he got the opportunity to feature for FC Zenshin, will have to wait beyond the year 2023 to have a feel of the Kenyan topflight.

Patrick Korir

CEO

Nairobi City Stars

31 Aug 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 4 Kayole South Ward FC 0

August 31, 2023

A brace of goals from Mohammed Bajaber, and one each from Brian Mose, and Yuto Kusaba handed hosts Nairobi City Stars a 4-0 win over Kayole South Ward FC during a shape-up game at Ligi Ndogo Grounds on Wednesday 30 August 2023.

Bajaber headed home the opening goal on 13 minutes after connecting to a power throw-in from Brian Mose. He completed his brace just three minutes later off an assist from Yuto.

It was 3-0 after 32 minutes when Mose sent home a Clifford Ouma assist.

The tie ended at 4-0 on 53 minutes after Yuto fired home a cross from Bajaber.

The game handed play time to the set of players that did not feature – or grabbed a few minutes – in the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhooni Youth on Sunday 27 August 2023. It ended 0-0.

“The friendly game was aimed at handing all players in the squad match fitness before the next game. It playing a competitive friendly against a very good Kayole side, all the players are now at par with those that played on Sunday and can now fight for selection in the next league game against Bidco United on Sunday,” said assistant coach Peter Opiyo

Nairobi City Stars Lineup

1. Edwin Mukolwe (23. Julius Ombacho-46), 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sostehenes Idah, 6. Ronney Kola, 8. Calvin Masawa, 18. Clifford Ouma (25. Brian Mzee-46), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 21. Yuto Kusaba, Robinson Asenwa (27. Gilbert Abala-46), 17. Brian Mose (11. Andrew Kisilu-46)

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

30 Aug 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

What four City Stars debutants had to say

August 30, 2023

Nairobi City Stars kicked off the new 2023-24 FKF Premier League season on Sunday 27 August 2023 by posting a 0-0 draw against visiting Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex.

Named for the game were six new faces in the Simba wa Nairobi 20-man squad, four of whom went on to clock premiership minutes.

While center-back Wycliffe Awiko Omondi nailed a full game on his debut, striker Brian Mose Nymabane, flyer Gilbert Abala, and defensive midfielder Brian Omondi Mzee all came on as second-half substitutes.

This is what they said on their step into the Kenyan topflight:

“My debut went very well, I liked it. It’s now to build up on it and push the team to wins. I look forward to many more games at this level,” said Brian Omondi Mzee formerly of Kibera Black Stars

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

“It’s a whole new level but it came with no pressure at all. I felt comfortable though it was my first premier league game,” said Wycliffe Omondi who was roped in from Migori Youth

City Stars

Wycliffe Omondi 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

“I wouldn’t say much of it because I came as a very late substitute. I didn’t get enough minutes to showcase what I could do but even then, I am hoping for more playtime in the games to come,” said Gilbert Abala signed from Busia Sugar FC

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

“I enjoyed that first game in the few minutes that I received. Too bad we did not pick a win. I hope to get more games and minutes as we go along as we go for wins,” said Brian Mose formerly of Narok Division 2 side Total Spurs.

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

While the four got minutes, center-back Sosthenes Idah as well as goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe, signed from Polisi Tanzania and Bidco United, respectively, were unused substitutes.

Other than the six newcomers, three others: Robinson Asenwa from Vapor Sports, Yuto Kusaba from Embu-based FC Zenshin, and goalkeeper Julius Ombacho all had a rest day.

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