15 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kapen, City Stars
Nairobi City Stars forward Samuel Kapen during a league game against KCB on Wed 22 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Annex.

Samuel Kapen: Next season will be better

June 15, 2023

With 32 of 34 games in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season down and out, flyer Samuel Kapen is already looking forward to the next one that, according to the league managers, will kick off on Sat 26 August 2023.

Kapen, in his first full premiership season, has taken stock of his own performance and looking back, believes it could have been better.

Even then, the former Kibera Black Stars forward is now looking forward to a much improved 2023-24 season.

“It’s been a good season. We started off poorly but steadily worked our way up and peaked in the second leg,” he said

“Individually, it has been a good season for me even though I never attained my personal targets. I hope next season will be better than this season.” added the former Diguna, Liberty Sport, Posta Rangers, and Kibera Black Stars player.

Kapen has led Simba wa Nairobi’s lines this season and has gone on to score seven goals, provide two assists, and a further eight second assists. He has featured in 27 of 32 games clocking 2,199 minutes.

City Stars, Kapen

Samuel Kapen scored as City Stars was held 1-1 by Sofapaka on Sat 11 March 2023 in Ruaraka in an FKF Math day 19 tie

City Stars

Samuel Kapen, Ezekiel Odera, Anthony Kimani and Andrew Kisilu celebrate a goal during an FKF premier league matchday 19 tie against Sofapaka in Kasarani in Feb 2023. It ended 1-1

Samuel Kapen, Elite Pre-season Cup

City Stars flyer Samuel Kapen in action against Police stopper Harun Shakava during the final of the Elite Pre-season Cup played at Nyayo Stadium on Sat 1 Oct 2022. Police won 2-0
Photo Credit – Hassan Mandevu

Kapen, City Stars

Samuel Kapen up against AFC Leopards player Lewis Bandi during a league match on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani. Leopards won the game 1-0

12 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Steve Njunge
City Stars keeper Stephen Njunge in action against AFC Leopards in Kasarani on 4 Jan 2023. Leopards won the gaem 1-0

Steve Njunge: Hard work got me to game 50

June 12, 2023

Lead Nairobi City Stars keeper Steve Njunge grabbed his 50th Kenyan top-flight game on Saturday 3 June 2023 during a match day 32 FKF Premier League tie against Nzoia Sugar in Kasarani Annex.

Up until that game, Njunge had tended to goal 49 times for Simba wa Nairobi across the last three Premier League seasons.

In hitting the rare milestone, Njunge said;

“I give thanks for reaching the magical 50. It has not been easy and I attribute it all to hard work,”

“I also wish to thank my coaches for believing and giving me the chance to feature for the club across the last three seasons,”

“The milestone aside, I want to stay focused and post new highs with the club.” added Njunge

The Nzoia game was the 13th for Njunge this season who has so far clocked 1,095 minutes.

The current number of games is an improvement from the four he earned from an injury-hit last season.

In the 2020-21 premier league season, Njunge clocked all minutes available after featuring in all 33 games. He registered eleven clean sheets to be named the joint runners-up keeper of that season.

Steve Njunge

Steve Njunge in action for Nairobi City Stars during a past FKF Premier league game tie in Kasarani Annex in April 2023

Njunge, City Stars

Keeper Steve Njunge up against Kakamega Homeboyz in FKF Premier league match day 27 in Kasarani Annex on Wed 26 Apr 2023. I ended 0-0

Elite Pre-season Cup

Keeper Steve Njunge is congratulated after saving three penalties against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Thur 29 Sep 2022 to send City Stars to the final of the Elite Pre-Season Cup

08 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Calvin Masawa
Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa in action on Sat 3 June 2023 against Nzoia Sugar during a matchday 32 tie in Kasarani Annex

Calvin Masawa appreciates second leg turnaround

June 8, 2023

Overall Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa is encouraged by a switch in fortunes since the second leg of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League started in March.

Masawa, City Stars longest serving player, in the club ranks since the year 2011, has pointed out a combination of factors that has seen the club post more acceptable results compared to the first leg.

“We had a very bad first leg due to the massive changes in the playing unit. But being a transition season that was expected,”

“I am happy the group learned and gelled so fast that’s why we are having a near-perfect second leg. That, combined with hard work and determination, is why we registered a seven-game unbeaten streak before our last game,”

“We want that good run to continue as we want to finish the league stronger.”

At the close of the 17 games in the first leg, City Stars had only managed 12 points out of a possible 54 from three wins and as many draws. The team is now on 33 points with two games left to season end.

On his part, Masawa has featured in 11 of 32 games played thus far, clocking 863 minutes.

Calvin Masawa

Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa in action on Sat 3 June 2023 against Nzoia Sugar during a matchday 32 tie in Kasarani Annex

City Stars

Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa with the ball against KCB’s John Mwangi during a 22nd round FKF Premier League tie in Kasarani Annex on Wed 5 Apr 2023. KCB won it 1-0

Masawa, City Stars

An elated captain Calvin Masawa over the moon as City Celebrated one of two goals scored by Peter Opiyo in a 2-0 win over Mathare United in Ruaraka on Sat 11 Dec 2021

05 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Dennis Oalo
Dennis Oalo celebrrates his debut goal for Nairobi City Stars against Nzoia Sugar on Sat 3 June 2023 in Kasarani Annex during FKF Premier League matchday 32. Nzoia won it 3-2

Dennis Oalo talks up debut goal

June 5, 2023

After missing out on goals in his first 12 games at Nairobi City Stars, attacking midfielder Dennis Oalo broke the duck during the recent clash in Kasarani Annex against Nzoia Sugar during matchday 32 on Saturday 3 June 2023.

Oalo, signed in the mid-transfer window in March from FC Talanta, was on the scoresheet in just the third minute after getting to the end of a James Mazembe cross from the left.

“It was an amazing feeling for me,” said Oalo after the match

“I am working towards scoring more goals before the season is over. It’s never too late, besides, it’s not over till it’s over.” he added

Oalo joined Simba wa Nairobi to improve on its potency upfront and, until his maiden goal, had done just that after registering three assists and a second assist.

In 13 games played so far, Oalo has earned 12 starts and has clocked 978 minutes.

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

03 Jun 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

MD32: Nairobi City Stars 2 Nzoia Sugar 3

June 3, 2023

Nzoia Sugar posted their first-ever away win over Nairobi City Stars, winning a matchday 32 FKF Premier League tie 3-2 in Kasarani Annex on Saturday 3 June 2023.

The two teams tied 1-1 at halftime before Nzoia raced to a 3-1 lead in the second half leaving City Stars to chase the game.

Simba wa Nairobi opened the scores as early as the third minute when Dennis Oalo finished off a perfect cross from James Mazembe for his debut goal.

Nzoia Sugar drew level in the 36th minute after Hassan Beja finished off a freekick that landed in the box. He was at it again for his brace in the 52nd minute to hand Nzoia the lead.

In the 58th minute, City Stars were a man down after Vincent Owino was shown as second yellow for a foul on a Nzoia player earning his marching orders.

In the 73rd minute, Yasin Sije forced the City Stars’ backline into errors allowing the ball to bounce just over the line, and it was duly awarded for Nzoia to lead 3-1.

At the death, Kelvin Etemesi won a penalty after receiving a long ball from Edwin Buliba. He stepped up to score – his tenth goal of the season – to reduce the score to 3-2.

After the result, City Stars remains 15th on the log with 33 points as Nzoia improved to the 63-point mark.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game to FC Talanta on 21 June 2023 in Kasarani Annexx starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain, 12. Edwin Buliba, 5. Timothy Muganda, 14. Rowland Makati, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (30. Anthony Kimani-43), 19. Vincent Owino, 15. Newton Ochieng, 21. James Mazembe ((11. Andrew Kisilu-5 (31. Mohammed Bajaber-69)), 9. Dennis Oalo (29. Levis Okello-69), 20. Kelvin Etemesi

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 6. Ronney Kola, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu,

Out: 4. Salim Abdallah, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 22. Samuel Kapen, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Nzoia Sugar: 15. Humprey Katasi, 30. Moses Mwale, 29. Vincent Mahiga, 28. Randy Bakari, 5. Ian Karani, 13. Kevin Juma (8. Harun Thomas-82), 10. Hassan Beja (26. Steve Otieno-72), 6. Boniface Kweyu, 14. Yasin Sije (11. Barisa Mohammed-90+), 21. Joseph Mwangi, 18. James Kibande (24. Ian Simiyu-90+)

Unused subs: 23. Daniel Omuse, 3. Timothy Wanyanga, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 17. Emmanuel Esekon,

Coach: Salim Babu

Cautions
Nairobi City Stars: 19. Vincent Owino (35,58)-red, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (40),
Nzoia Sugar: 13. Kevin Juma (30), 14. Yasin Sije (58), 6. Boniface Kweyu (61)

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 9. Dennis Oalo (4), Kelvin Etemesi (89-pen)
Nzoia Sugar: 14. Yasin Sije (36,58), 10. Hassan Beja (73)

→←