A total of nine new players have joined Nairobi City Stars ahead of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.
The nine include two goalkeepers: Julius Ombacho from Luanda Villa, and Edwin Mukolwe from Bidco United.
Also joining Simba wa Nairobi are centreback Wycliffe Omondi and defensive midfielder Brian Omondi Mzee from National Super League sides Migori Youth and Kibera Black Stars, respectively.
Experienced center-back Sosthenes Idah has also joined Nairobi City Stars. His last workstation was Polisi Tanzania.
Two wingers: Robinson Asenwa from third-tier side Vapor Sports, and teenager Gilbert Abala from lower-tier side Busia Sugar FC, are also in for the season.
Strikers Brian Mose Nyambane and Japan National Yuto Kusaba from Division Two sides Total Spurs (Narok), and FC Zenshin (Embu), correspondingly, complete the singings for the season.
Save for Abala and Wycliffe who are in on two-year deals, the new signings have been engaged for a season.
The new arrivals take up the slots vacated by keepers Jacob Osano and Stephen Njunge, defenders Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, and Herit Mungai, as well as midfielders Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani, and forward Ezekiel Odera.
The departures also include James Mazembe and Levis Okello who have since returned to their parent clubs KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz, respectively, following the expiry of short-term loan spells.
Contract renewals
Aside from the new signings, Nairobi City Stars confirms that twelve of the players who featured last season renewed their contracts.
Defender Timothy Muganda has extended his stay for two more seasons, while midfielders Andrew Kisilu, Clifford Ouma, Newton Ochieng, and Abuyeka Kubasu have stretched their stay for a season each.
The same applies to long-serving fullback Calvin Masawa who is now in for his 14th straight season at City Stars, and defender Edwin Buliba.
Forwards Mohammed Bajaber, Kelvin Etemesi, Pius Omachi, and Dennis Oalo, as well as flyer Samuel Kapen, all committed their stay for the new season.
Running contracts
Away from the new arrivals and renewals, keeper Elvis Ochoro, defenders Rowland Makati, and Dennis Wanjala, and midfielders: Ronney Kola, Vincent Owino, and Elvis Noor Ojiambo, all with running contracts, stayed on.
Comment from head coach Nicholas Muyoti
“We have carefully recruited this season and onboard we have a pool of promising and very exciting players,”
“They have had a good preseason and the new players are blending in very well with the rest of the lot and we are confident that we will have a vibrant season,”
City Stars squad (& new jersey numbers) for the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season
Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe (Bidco United), 13. Elvis Ochoro, 23. Julius Ombacho (Luanda Villa),
Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Rowland Makati, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 32. Sosthenes Idah (Polisi Tanzania), 15. Wycliffe Omondi (Migori Youth),
Midfielders: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Omondi Mzee (Kibera Black Stars), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu,
Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa (Vapor Sports), 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose (Total Spurs-Narok), 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba (FC Zenshin-Embu), 22. Samuel Kapen, 27. Gilbert Abala (Busia Sugar FC),
Technical bench: Nicholas Muyoti – Head coach, Peter Opiyo – Assistant coach, Abel Omuhaya – Goalkeeper trainer, Arthur Museve – Trainer & Security Officer, Ronny KAgunzi – Team Manager, Brian Odongo Otieno – Team Physio, Victor Rolex Onyango – Kit Manager
