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)

02 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Muki
Nairobi City Stars skipper Anthony 'Muki' Kimani skipping away from Nzoia Sugar leftback Vincent Mahiga during an 8th round FKF Premier League match on Wed 8 Dec 2021 in Ruaraka. It ended 0-0

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Nzoia Sugar (A): 2022/23 FKF Premier League season

June 2, 2023

For just the third time in the Kenyan Premier League, Nairobi City Stars will host Nzoia Sugar, this time in a 32nd-round tie on Saturday 3 June 2023 in Kasarani Annex starting at 3.15 pm.

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

During the first-ever meeting between the two in any competition, on 29 November 2020, in the opening game of the 2020/21 season, Simba wa Nairobi hosted Nzoia Sugar in Narok and won 2-0.

In the next game, an eighth-round clash in the 2021/22 season played on 8 December 2021, City Stars hosted Nzoia in Ruaraka, a game that ended 0-0.

City Stars heads to the game on the high of a 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in the last game played in Nyayo Stadium on Monday while title-chasing Nzoia Sugar is smarting from a 1-0 home loss to bogey team Kariobangi Sharks.

Even then, tablewise, City Stars sits 15th on the 18-team log with 33 points, 27 points behind the third-placed Nzoia Sugar.

Coaching-wise, Simba wa Nairobi’s Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against his counterpart Salim Babu who masterminded a 1-0 win in Sudi Stadium during the first leg.

Who will win this one?

Summary

KPL home games vs Nzoia Sugar-2: Nairobi City Stars wins (1), Draws (1), Loses (0)

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, ??

02 Jun 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Abuyeka Kubasu
Midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu during a past City Stars training session

Abuyeka Kubasu named for Nzoia tie, set for debut

June 2, 2023

Midfielder Abuyeka Kubasu is the freshest Nairobi City Stars player to be named for a league game, this time for a 32nd-round FKF Premier League tie against Nzoia Sugar in Kasarani Annex on Saturday 3 June 2023 starting at 3.15 pm.

Abuyeka, signed from Vapor Sports in the mid-March transfer window, is the 33rd – and last – Simba wa Nairobi player to be named for a league game this season.

In being named to the matchday squad, Abuyeka, a Dagoretti High School alumnus, moves ever so close to making his Kenyan topflight debut.

Other than Abuyeka, the other changes in the 19-man squad includes Ronney Kola and keeper Jacob Osano who both missed out on the last tie against AFC Leopards in Nyayo Stadium on Monday.

City Stars heads to the Nzoia game with the leanest of squads following the absence of four players who featured in the Monday game.

Centre-back Kenedy Vidic Onyango and flyer Samuel Kapen have been left out due to yellow card suspension (five each), while left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala and defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma are out due a collision that left them in stitches.

Squad to face Nzoia Sugar

Goal Keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders:  5. Timothy Muganda,  8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati,

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola,  11. Andrew Kisilu, 15. Newton Ochieng, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 21. James Mazembe,  19. Vincent Owino, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Strikers: 9. Dennis Oalo, 29. Levis Okello

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

→←