City Stars, Bandari
City Stars in Mbaraki for a game against Bandari on Sun 29 Jan 2023. Bandari won the controversial game 2-1

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

Nairobi City Stars will host Bandari in a matchday 30 FKF Premier League game in Ruaraka on Sunday 14 Ma 2023 starting at 3 pm.

From the records, it will be game number 18 between the two sides since the year 2009.

Narrowed down, it will be game number nine for City Stars as hosts to Bandari. From the previous nine, Simba wa Nairobi has registered four wins, a loss, with the other three ending in draws.

The two faced off in Ruaraka on 2 April 2022 last season, with City Stars posting a 2-1 win. 13 and a half months later, the two will meet once again at the same venue.

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The season before, City St ars took out the same side 2-0 in KAsarani Annex in a second-round game played in December 2021.

Nairobi City Stars head to the game on the back of identical 0-0 draws against Kakamega Homeboyz and champions Tusker and after a 1-1 draw against Ulinzi Stars in the most recent game.

On their part, Bandari is on the high of a 7-2 whacking of Vihiga Bullets, and a 3-0 win over Mathare United, all in Mombasa within the just-ended week. Prior to the two wins, Bandari had forced KCB to a 0-0 draw in Nairobi.

It will be yet another game for coach Nicholas Muyoti against Bandari who will be led at the touchline by Sheikh Twahir Muhidin holding forte since the exit of coach Anthony Kimani.

Table-wise, City Stars head to the game placed 15th with 29 points from as many games while Bandari is up sixth with 47 points.

Who wins this one?

Summary

KPL (home) games to Bandari: 8; City Stars wins (4), Bandari wins (1), Draws (3)

08-Mar-09; City Stars vs Bandari, 1-1 (D)
29-Oct-11; City Stars vs Bandari, 2-1 (W)
23-Oct-13; City Stars vs Bandari, 1-1 (D)
23-Feb-14; City Stars vs Bandari, 1-0 (W)
01-Apr-15; City Stars vs Bandari, 0-1 (L)
18-Feb-16; City Stars vs Bandari, 2-2 (D)
11-Dec-20; City Stars vs Bandari, 2-0 (W)
2-Apr-22; City Stars vs Bandari, 2-1 (W)

Osano
Jacob Osano in action against Bidco United in an FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex

Osano returns for Bandari clash

Lead keeper Jacob Osano is the only change to the 20-man squad named to face off with Bandari in matchday 30 FKF Premier League match set for Sunday 14 May 2023 starting 3 p.m in Ruaraka. 

Osano sat out the last tie against Ulinzi Stars but returns to challenge Stephen Njunge. He takes up the place of Elvis Ochoro.

Save for Osano, all the other 19 players kept their places in the team.

Squad to face Bandari

Goal Keepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders:  5. Timothy Muganda,  8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai,

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola,  11. Andrew Kisilu, 15. Newton Ochieng, 17. James Mazembe,  18. Clifford Ouma,  19. Vincent Owino, 20. Kelvin Etemesi,

Strikers: 9. Dennis Oalo, 22. Samuel Kapen, 29. Levis Okello

Out: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Salim Abdallah, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Levis Okello
Levis Okello celebrates his added time goal - his first for City Stars - against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, on Su 7 May 2023. The game ended 1-1

Debut goal spurs Levis Okello

Substitute Levis Okello struck at the death to earn Nairobi City Stars a share of the spoils during a 1-1 draw with Ulinzi Stars on Sunday 7 May 2023 in Ulinzi Complex, Langata, in a match day 29 Premier League tie.

Okello had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes after being thrown into action in place of Elvis Noor Ojiambo in the 88th minute.

He fired home a layup to the top of the roof after getting to the end of James Mazembe’s headed ball in the box.

“I went in and did what I was asked to do which was to get the goal(s),”

“I am happy to have opened my account at City Stars, and even happier that the goal made sure we left the field of play with an important point after missing many chances during the first half,”

“The goal inspires me to even work harder and to fetch more to help the team move further up the table.” added Okello

Okello arrived at Simba wa Nairobi in March during the mid-transfer window for the second leg, on loan from Kakamega Homeboyz.

Levis Okello

Levis Okello celebrates with teammates his added time goal – his first for City Stars – against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, on Su 7 May 2023. The game ended 1-1

Levis Okello

Levis Okello celebrates his added time goal – his first for City Stars – against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, on Su 7 May 2023. The game ended 1-1

Andrew Kisilu
Andrew Kisilu up against Ulinzi Stars in Kasarani Annex on 25 Feb 2023 during a matchday 17 FKF Premier LEague game

Andrew Kisilu appreciates the support

As the 2022-23 FKF Premier League gets to its business end, forward Andrew Kisilu has admitted there have been challenges, but there too have been great openings.

Kisilu, a signing from second-tier side Dadora Love (now Kajiado FC), had a slow start but has since become a mainstay featuring in all matchday squads since mid-December 2022.

“So far the journey has been nothing short of challenges as well as breakthroughs,” said Andrew

“The support from fellow teammates and the Coaches has gone a long way,”

“I am looking forward to contributing more goals and assists for the team in the remaining matches.” added the diminutive left-footer

Kisilu made his debut as a second-half substitute against Posta Rangers on 11 December 2022 in Thika Stadium.

He scored his maiden top-flight goal – that handed City Stars its first season win in mid-January 2023 in Kasarani Stadium against Sofapaka on matchday nine.

Thus far, Kisilu has featured in 25 of 29 games in his debut premier league season and has clocked 1,095 minutes. Of the 25 games, Kisilu has earned 13 starts, and two full games.

Other than his winning goal against Sofapaka, Kisilu has registered two assists.

Andrew Kisilu

Andrew Kisilu up against Gor Mahia in Kasrani Main Stadium on 4 Feb 2023 during a matchday 16 FKF Premier League tie

Levis Okelo
Levis Okello celebrates equalizing goal and debut goal for City Stars during a FKF Premier League matchday 29 against Ulinzi Stars in Ulinzi Complex on Sun 7 May 2023

MD29: Ulinzi Stars 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

A debut goal for Levis Okello in Nairobi City Stars colors right at the death secured a memorable 1-1 draw against hosts Ulinzi Stars during a matchday 29 FKF Premier League tie played in Ulinzi Complex Langata on Sunday 7 May 2023.

Ulinzi went ahead in the game in the 77th minute through substitute Enosh Ochieng and looked on course for a win till Okello, on loan from Homeboyz, struck at the death for Simba wa Nairobi to get a share of the spoils. He had only been on the pitch for a few minutes after coming on for Elvis Noor.

The draw was the eighth between the two sides in the Kenyan top flight.

With a point, City Stars moves to the 29-point mark but still stay 14th in the 18-team log. Ulinzi Stars are seventh with 44 points.

Up next for City Stars is a home game against Bandari on Saturday 13 May 2023 starting at 3 pm.

Lineups

Ulinzi Stars: 30. Stephen Ochieng, 18. Salim Swaleh, 12. Bonventure Muchika, 44. Shannel Makwata, 21. Bernard Ongoma, 11. Stephen Etyang, 2. Issa Lumumba, 24. Staphod Odhiambo, 22. Masita Masuta (25. Enosh Ochieng-71), 14. Hillary Simiyu, 10. Boniface Muchiri

Unused subs: 1. James Saruni, 20. Ricks Omondi, 18. Peter Wafula, 6. Elvis Khasambili, 7. Clinton Omondi, 17. Elly Saenyi, 3. Kelvin Thairu, 2. Jacob Onyango, 39. Alex Masinde, 25. Enosh Ochieng, 32. Mark Bikokwa, 8. John Kago, 42. Lucas Maina

Coach: Bernard Mwalala

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango-captain, 5. Timothy Muganda, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (29. Levis Okello-88), 19. Vincent Owino, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 22. Samuel Kapen, 20. Kelvin Etemesi (21. James Mazembe-70), 9. Dennis Oalo (15. Newton Ochieng-70)

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati, 18. Clifford Ouma, 28. Herit Mungai

Out: 4. Salim Abdallah, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 16. Jacob Osano, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Goals
Ulinzi Stars: 25. Enosh Ochieng (77)
Nairobi City Stars: 29. Levis Okelo (90+)

Cautions
Ulinzi Stars: 33. Boniface Andayi (33)
Nairobi City Stars: 5. Timothy Muganda (62)