Blog | Page 47 | Nairobi City Stars

24 May 2023

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Elvis Noor: We aim for a good finish

Patrick May 24, 2023

As the 2022/23 FKF Premier League bends a corner to its finish, midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo reflects on Nairobi City Stars’ season so far.

While admitting that there was little to write home about in the first leg, Elvis points out to an improved second leg and is optimistic the finish will be much better.

“My season has had ups and downs but I won’t complain because that is the nature of football,” said Elvis

“We have worked much better as a team to achieve better results compared to the frst leg where we were a little shaky,”

“Even then, the results we are posting are not exactly what we wanted, but we are giving our all. We hope to perform much better in the remaining fixtures.” he added

Elvis has featured in 23 of the 30 league games played this season clocking 1,269 minutes which is a great step-up from the 14 of 33 games and 635 minutes earned last season.

Elvis Noor during a warmup in Kasarani Annex

Nairobi City Stars midfielder Elvis Noor in a past Kenyan Premier League game in Ruaraka

Nairobi City Stars midfielder Elvis Noor in a past Kenyan Premier League game against Posta in Kasarani Annex

22 May 2023

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Kelvin Etemesi: I can do better

Patrick May 22, 2023

Forward Kelvin Etemesi believes there are more goals within his frame that should activate the Nairobi City Stars scoresheet before the end of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

Etemesi currently leads the Simba wa Nairobi scoreboard with seven goals and is tied with fellow forward Samuel Kapen.

“I first thank God for getting me this far in just my first season in the Kenyan topflight league,”

“It is every attacker’s dream to score for their club. I feel good being among the top scorers in the league and I feel I can do better and score more goals before the season comes to an end,” he said

The former Kangemi All-Stars striker has so far featured in 21 of 30 City Stars league games this season and has clocked a total of 1,404 minutes.

He scored six goals in five games – a pair of goals each in games against Mathare United, Posta Rangers, and Vihiga Bullets within a three-week span. He added a loner thereafter in a 2-1 win over Kariobangi Sharks in match day 26.

Kelvin Etemesi up against Ulinzi Stars in an FKF Premier League matchday 17 tie on 25 Feb 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-2 in favor of Ulinzi Stars

Kelvin Etemesi up against Bidco United in an FKF Premier League matchday 18tie on Wed 8 Feb 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

Kelvin Etemesi up against Mathare United on Wed 29 Mar 2023 in Kasarani Annex. He scored a brace – his maiden premier league goals – as City stars won the game 2-0

Kelvin Etemesi up against Marvin Nabwire of Kenya Police during FKF Premier League match day 15 in KAsarani Annex on Wed 8 Feb 2023. Police won 2-1

17 May 2023

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

James Mazembe: City Stars making me rise again

Patrick May 17, 2023

Nairobi City Stars flyer James Mazembe has come out to state that Simba wa Nairobi is making him scale the heights, again.

Mazembe, a mid-season signing, on loan from premiership side KCB, has seamlessly plugged into the City Stars setup since his arrival in March 2023.

“So far so good at Nairobi City Stars where I have the perfect chance to get back to my best,”

“The technical bench and the rest of the team have fully put their support behind me and I can only see myself rise,”

“With all the support and enabling environment expect to see more assists, and goals, from me before the season ends.”

Mazembe made an immediate impact on his Simba wa Nairobi debut against Mathare United in late March 2023 where he provided an assist for Newton Ochieng to score his maiden top-flight goal.

He has featured in nine games and clocked 260 minutes so far, with two starts and seven appearances off the bench. He has a total of three assists against Mathare, his former side Kariobangi Sharks, and Ulinzi Stars.

15 May 2023

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Kola, City Stars — Ronney Kola up against Marvin Nabwire of Kenya Police during FKF Premier League match day 15 in KAsarani Annex on Wed 8 Feb 2023. Police won 2-1

Ronney Kola: Topflight is a great experience

Patrick May 15, 2023

Defensive midfielder Ronney Kola has talked up his debut Kenyan Premier League season and is happy with what it has offered him so far.

Ruled out of the whole of last season due to injury, Kola recovered in time and claimed his place in the team starting with a full game against Bidco United in the season-opener in Nyayo where he emerged as the MVP albeit being fielded as a makeshift centre-back.

He went on to clock another full game in that position in the next game against Tusker. After two substitute appearances in the next five games against Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards, Kola was back to register eight full straight games as a stopper from match day 8 to 15.

“When I was playing as a centre back I believed that I had qualities that would give me an edge in the league. That was my feeling then, it’s still my feeling now,” said Kola

“The season has been a great experience. The Kenyan Premier League is a very good platform and I must say I appreciate coach (Nicholas Muyoti) for trusting me to play as a centre back especially after I had had a very long layoff due to injury,”

“I thank God for the opportunity granted and I am hopefull that I will get to play many more games.”

Kola has so far featured in 15 games this season clocking 997 minutes.

He registered ten full games in the first leg and has seen playtime reduce in the second leg after earning three substitute appearances in games against Sofapaka, Wazito, and Kakamega Homeboyz.

It’s in the last two games against Wazito and Kakamega Homeboyz that Kola played as a spoiler.

Nairobi City Stars defender Ronney Kola keeps his eye on AFC Leopards forward Ojo Olaniyi during a Premier League game on 4 Jan 2023 in Kasarani Main Stadium.

14 May 2023

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Vincent Otieno, City Stars — Vincent Otieno up against Bandari in a matchda 30 FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Sun 14 May 2023. It ended 1-1

MD30: Nairobi City Stars 1 Bandari 1

Patrick May 14, 2023

Levis Okello’s strike in the 59th minute canceled out Abdalla Hassan’s 47th-minute goal to earn Nairobi City Stars a vital point from a matchday 30 FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Sunday 14 May 2023.

Hassan sneaked to the far post to bundle home a cross ball from the right that was not attended to while Okello slammed home a rebound off the pole from an Edwin Buliba shot to salvage a point just as he had done in the last game against Ulinzi.

With an added point, Simba wa Nairobi improves to the 30-point mark to sit 15th as Bandari improved to the 48-point mark to stay sixth.

Next up for City Stars is an away game to AFC Leopards on Sunday 28 May 2023 in Nyayo Stadium starting at 3 p.m.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango-captain, 5. Timothy Muganda, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 22. Samuel Kapen, (21. James Mazembe-74), 9. Dennis Oalo (15. Newton Ochieng-74), 29. Levis Okello (20. Kelvin Etemesi-74)

Unused subs: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati, 16. Jacob Osano, 28. Herit Mungai

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

Bandari FC: 25. Joseph Ochuka, 2. Amai Atariza, 5. Siraj Mohammed, 4. Brian Odera, 29. Andrew Juma-captain, 17. Fidel Origa (12. Dennis Magige-), 10. Abdalla Hassan, 21. Sassiri Nahimana (18. Amos Asembeka-46), 22. Felix Oluoch (14. Umaru Kasumba-46), 24. William Wadri, 13. James Kinyanjui (35. Enock Machuka-84)

Unused subs: 16. Michael Wanyika, 26. Rodgers Aloro, 27. Douglus Mokaya, 47. Joseph Waithera, 39. Johana Mwita,

Coach: Twahir Muhidin

Cautions

Nairobi City Stars: 15. Newton Ochieng (90)

Bandari: 2. Amai Atariza (52)

Goals

Nairobi City Stars: 29. Levis Okello (62)

Bandari: 10. Abdallah Hassan (48)