02 Apr 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Newton, Cliff
Newton Ochieng celebrates his maiden premier league goal - and third for City Stars - in a 3-0 win over Mathare United on Wed 29 March 2023

Newton Ochieng inspired by debut goal

April 2, 2023

Midfielder Newton Ochieng is on the search for more goals after breaking his duck in the Kenyan top flight in the 3-0 win over Mathare United on Wednesday 29 March 2023 in Kasarani Annex.

On as a substitute, Newton raced down the middle in the 86th minute to slum home a well-weighted pass from debutant James Mazembe finishing off a counterattack.

His goal topped up on Kelvin Etemesi’s brace – debut goals in the Kenyan premier league – that handed City Stars a 2-0 cushion.

“It has been my daily dream to have a goal in the top flight. When I got subbed in, I knew we were going to have more goals because of the two-goal advantage we had,” said Ochieng

“The urge to score was on me, especially when after (Kelvin) Etemesi broke his league silence with a brace. It inspired me to put the ball back in the net even though at that stage we were playing without two players,”

“It feels good to score and hopefully in the coming next matches I will go in with the same urgency.”

Newton, an offseason signing from third-tier side Vapor Sports, was playing his 15th game of the season. He has so far amassed 607 minutes.

In the previous game against Wazito, Newton provided an assist that Mohammed Bajaber headed home for Simba wa Nairobi to claim all spoils right at the death with a 2-1 win.

Newton Ochieng

Newton Ochieng in action against Bidco United during an 18th round 2022-23 FKF Premier League tie in Feb 2023

Newton, City Stars

Newton Ochieng up against Ulinzi’s Bernard Ongoma in KAsarani Annex during an FKF matchday 17 tie on 26 Feb 2023. Ulinzi won 2-0

01 Apr 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kenedy Onyango
Kenedy Vidic Onyango during an FKF Premier League match day 21 game against Mathare United in Kasarani Annex on Wed 29 Mar 2023. It ended 3-0 in favor of Nairobi City Stars

Kenedy Onyango drops his comments after Mathare win

April 1, 2023

Centre back Kenedy Onyango aka Vidic is optimistic following the recent 3-0 win over Mathare United in Kasarani during FKF Premier League match day 21 on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

Vidic, who skippered the side during the game, is confident Simba wa Nairobi will have a strong finish to compensate for the poor stretch during the first leg.

His comments are in relation to City Stars’ stagnation in the relegation red zone for the better part of the current season.

“It was a survival decider. We were fighting for our teams survival,” he said of the win against Mathare

“Where we are is embarrassing. But how we finish the race is more important than how we began. We still have a chance to fight and correct our previous mistakes,”

“The only thing we can promise is to give our best and once the consistency is there, we can beat any team on a good day.” he added

Onyango has featured in all league games for Simba wa Nairobi this season but one and has gone on to complete 19 of them. He is the most used player with a record 1,767 minutes of playtime.

Kenedy Onyango

Kenedy Vidic Onyango during an FKF Premier League match day 18 game against Bidco United in Kasarani Annex on Wed 8 Mar 2023. It ended 0-0

31 Mar 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Opiyo, City Stars
Peter Opiyo consulting during City Stars - Mathare United tie in Kasarani on Wed 29 Mar 2021 at halftime

Peter Opiyo takes up bench duties while on recovery path

March 31, 2023

Midfielder Peter Opiyo aka Pinchez is has taken up light duties on the side of the Nairobi City Stars technical bench as he awaits full recover from an injury.

Opiyo was forced out of training days before a road trip to Kakamega Homeboyz in mid-February,  and as he bides time to return to the pitch, as a player, he has opted to sample things on the other side – the technical bench.

“Opiyo’s injury was a blow but we chose to look at the opportunities that came around his period of his inactivity,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

“It was the opportune time for him to go to class for coaching lessons. He has since acquired his CAF ‘D’ Diploma license,”

“With that in hand, it was best that he temporarily jumps over to the technical bench to start his coaching apprenticeship under the guidance and instructions of coach Nicholas Muyoti. Once fully recovered, he can return to the field to contest a position before season end,” added Otieno

Opiyo, who last featured against Kenya Police in the first week of February, talked up the rare chance that has presented itself.

“I love being on the pitch, but with an injury there is so much that you can do till the day you heal. This is a great opportunity to learn the ropes of coaching and more so from my former team mate and captain at Thika United, Muyoti,”

“I now sit on the bench on game days which is a strange place to be considering I am still an active player. But it gives me a whole new view of the game. On training days I conduct sessions as instructed by Muyoti,”

“That said, I wish to make the most out of this chance to understand coaching which will be of great value to the team when I return to the pitch, and in the future when I will not be on the pitch.” added Opiyo

Muyoti added his voice to Opiyo’s new journey;

“This is exactly how my coaching journey started. After a few injuries’ here and there while at Leopards, coach (Jan) Koops initiated me to the bench with similar duties to what Opiyo has now,”

“It’s a primary and very important step towards the world of coaching. Opiyo has what it takes to excel in this area. He now has the time and I urge him to optimize his chance before he can return to the pitch.” added Muyoti

Opiyo has so far featured in 10 games clocking 689 minutes, scoring once.

Peter Opiyo

Peter Opiyo during a pre match tune-up as coach

Peter Opiyo

Peter Opiyo

Opiyo, City Stars

Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo graduated with a D License Coaching Diploma after a two-week course wrapped in Thika on Fri 24 Jan 2023

30 Mar 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kelvin Etemesi
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 opens up after maiden premiership goals

March 30, 2023

After 12 unsuccessful attempts in the Kenyan Premier League, forward Kelvin Etemesi Injili finally found his scoring boots that earned him his maiden goals – a brace – in the most recent game against Mathare United at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

Etemesi grabbed his first ever topflight goal in the 22nd minute and went on to complete his brace three minutes into the second half. Vincent Owino provided both assists.

“I thank God for all these; it feels good to be on the scoresheet today for my first Premier League goal(s). I have been working hard to get here,”

“I thank the team for pushing me and believing in me. There’s more to come.” added Etemesi

In the Mathare game, Etemesi, formerly of Kangemi All Stars till the start of the season, made his ninth start of the season, earning his 13th game.

He has so far clocked 828 premier league minutes. Due to his brace against Mathare United, Etemesi was named MVP.

Kelvin Etemesi

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

City Stars, Etemesi

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

Kelvin Etemesi

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

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

29 Mar 2023
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Newton, Cliff
Newton Ochieng celebrates his maiden premier league goal - and third for City Stars - in a 3-0 win over Mathare United on Wed 29 March 2023

MD21: Nairobi City Stars 3 Mathare United 0

March 29, 2023

Debut Kenyan Premier League goals by Kelvin Etemesi – a brace – and another by Newton Ochieng led Nairobi City Stars to a 3-0 win over Mathare United, and a season double, during a match day 21 league game played at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

Etemesi scored his maiden top flight goal in the 23rd minute then went on to complete his brace three minutes after the restart. Vincent Owino provided both assists.

Substitute Newton Ochieng slammed home his first ever premier league goal – and City Stars third – in the 86th minute after connecting well to a sure pass from newly acquired James Mazembe off a well worked counter attack. Mazembe, on loan from KCB, was making his debut for Simba wa Nairobi.

The win was the seventh for City Stars in 15 games across the last 19 years as host to Mathare United.

A blight in the game was when Owino and defender Edwin Buliba earned second yellow cards in the 71st and 73rd minutes, respectively, thereby given marching orders leaving City Stars with only nine men on the pitch.

With the win, City Stars swaps places with Mathare United to move a rank higher to the 15th spot with 20-points, one more than their Wednesday victims.

Next up is game 22 against KCB on Wednesday 5 April 2023 in Kasarani Annex starting 3 p.m.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 28. Herit Mungai, 25. Kenedy Onyango,4. Salim Abdallah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 11. Andrew Kisilu (21. *James Mazembe-62), 22. Samuel Kapen (15. Newton Ochieng-62), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (8. Calvin Masawa-74), 9. Dennis Oalo (2. Elvis Noor-81)

Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 5. Timothy Muganda, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Levis Okello

Out: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Anthony Kimani, 32. Ezekiel Odera

*City Stars debut

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Mathare United: 16. Brian Olang’o, 2. Fidel Otieno, 3. Norman Ogola, 26. Gideon Were, 28. John Kuol, 15. Derrick Ikholi (6.Godfrey Ochieng-62), 11. Daniel Otieno, 7. Curtis Wekesa, 10. Jumaan Khalid, 23. Elijah Mwanzia (14. Douglas Koech-62), 27. Baron Oketch (9. Adan Fuad-62)

Unused subs: 30. Bernard Jairo, 25. Tonny Odhiambo, 21. Saidi Musa, 12. Steve Kimari, 4. Geoffrey Shiveka, 5. Meshack Omukhulu,

Coach: Samuel Koko

Cautions (yellow cards)

Nairobi City Stars: Vincent Otieno (58,73-sendoff), 12. Edwin Buliba (29,71-sendoff), 4. Salim Abdallah (83)
Mathare United: –

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 20. Kelvin Etemesi (22,47), 15. Netwon Ochieng (86)
Mathare United: –

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