Edwin Buliba, City Stars
Edwin Buliba, City Stars

Three changes against Gor Mahia

Keeper Elvis Ochoro, stopper Edwin Buliba and attacking midfielder Mohammed Bajaber have been included in the 20-man squad to face Gor Mahia in FKF Premier League round 14 in Kasarani on Saturday 4 February 2023 starting 3 pm.

The three missed the trip to Mombasa last weekend when Simba wa Nairobi took on Bandari during match day 13.

Buliba ruled out for the last five games due to injury, returns to take up the place of lanky center-back Elly Kessy Osotsi.

Ochoro and Bajaber come on for Stephen Njunge and Daniel Odhiambo, respectively, after sitting out the last four games.

Save for the three new faces, the rest of the squad remains as is.

Squad to face Gor Mahia

Goal Keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano,

Defenders: 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola,  10. Peter Opiyo, 11. Andrew Kisilu,  15. Newton Ochieng,  18. Clifford Ouma, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Oliver Maloba, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Strikers: 7. Pius Omachi,  9. Vincent Otieno Okoth,  22. Samuel Kapen,  32. Ezekiel Odera

Out: 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 5. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa,  17. Daniel Odhiambo,  23. Stephen Njunge, 30. Anthony Kimani,

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

John Amboko, City Stars
John Amboko is sandwiched by former coach Sanjin Alagic whom he took over from in mid-July 2021. To the right is assistant coach Noah Abich

Club statement: Departure of assistant coaches

Nairobi City Stars wishes to announce the departure of first and second assistant coaches John Amboko and Noah Abich who have both left the club to pursue other interests.

Amboko had been in the ranks of City Stars since the year 2003 when the club was known as World Hope, and played on till the year 2017, save for the year 2011 when he was at AFC Leopards, before moving on to become a coach. He holds a CAF ‘B’ and CAF ‘A’ coaching Diplomas. 

Abich joined the club in 2019 and went on to skipper City Stars to promotion back to the toplight league the next season after four years out. He later joined the technical bench in the year 2020. He holds CAF ‘C’ coaching Diploma.

“We thank both Amboko and Abich for their dedicated service to Nairobi City Stars over the years. We appreciate their contribution on and off the pitch, and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.” 

Patrick Korir,

CEO, Nairobi City Stars

Club Statement: Match manipulation in Mbaraki on Sun 29th Jan 2023

Following events that transpired in Mbaraki on Sunday 29th January 2023 during a match day 13 Premier League tie against host Bandari, Nairobi City Stars wishes to highlight what we and no doubt many others consider as acts of match manipulation.

There were several incidents in the closing part of the match that led us to believe the same including the unjustified prolongation of the match, as well as a chain of events leading to a dubious award of a penalty.  Our views have been corroborated by many who watched the game, which was both attended, as well as being streamed live.

The match only came to an end after the penalty award, which can be seen as being awarded subsequent to simulation. Bandari scored from the spot kick to win the game 2-1.

Nairobi City Stars has officially filed an official complaint with Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and FIFA’s integrity office, with three key prayers:

  1. nullification of the Sunday match against Bandari,
  2. a replay ordered,
  3. expulsion of all involved in manipulating the match.

We await their response on the same in the soonest time possible.

In the meantime, City Stars will not relent when such individuals determine outcomes of games for reasons best known to themselves at the expense of clubs that have and continue to commit sizeable resources to support and provide a livelihood to the youth.

Match manipulation is something that has been endemic in Kenyan football for far too long, and as a club run in order to support and benefit our community, we will certainly not stand for it.  We are willing to fight for the change we want to see and will fight tirelessly for it.

Patrick Korir

CEO, Nairobi City Stars

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

MD13: Bandari 2 Nairobi City Stars 1

A forced penalty by William Wadri, awarded by referee Lucas Odhiambo, off a simulated fall way beyond the prescribed added time, handed Bandari an undeserved 2-1 win over Nairobi City Stars at Mbaraki, Mombasa during FKF match day 13 on Sunday 29 January 2023.

The tie was level at 1-1 at halftime after Ezekiel Odera’s penalty at the stroke of halftime canceled out the opening goal by Abdallah Hassan in the 38th minute.

From the result, City Stars remains on 11 points and sits 14th as Bandari rises to the 12th spot with 14 points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game against Gor Mahia on Saturday 4 February 2023 in Nyayo Stadium starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Bandari: 16. Moses Wanyika -Captain, 36. Somobwana, 26. Rodgers Aloro, 29. Andrew Juma, 17. Fidel Origa, 8. Keegan Ndemi (6. John Otieno-82), 10. Hassan Abdallah (11. Darius Msagha-82), 35. Enock Momanyi (40. Chris Ochieng-57), 13. James Kinyanjui, 22. Felix Oluoch (24. William Wadri-57)

Unused subs: 25. Joseph Ochuka, 15. Bernard Odhiambo, 34. Ronny, 27. Douglas Mokaya, 14. Omar Kasumba,

Coach: Anthony Kimani

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 14. Rowland Makati, 6. Ronney Kola, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Clifford Ouma ((10. Peter Opiyo-60-captain 2), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (11. Andrew Kisilu-73), 21. Oliver Maloba 22. Samuel Kapen (15. Newton Ochieng-60), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (26. Dennis Wanjala-73), 32. Ezekiel Odera-captain 1 (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-73),

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Daniel Odhiambo,

Out: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 5. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa,  12. Edwin Buliba,  30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Cautions (yellow)
Bandari: 35. Enock Momanyi (39), 5. Siraj Mohammed (45)
Nairobi City Stars: 18. Clifford Ouma (45+), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (72)

Goals
Bandari: 10. Hassan Abdallah (38), 24. William Wadri (101 – Pen)
Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (45-Pen)

Ezekiel Odera celebrating a goal - his 31st for City Stars - against Bandari in Ruaraka on 2 Apr 2022.
Ezekiel Odera celebrating a goal - his 31st for City Stars - against Bandari in Ruaraka on 2 Apr 2022.

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

For the tenth time since year 2008, Bandari will host Nairobi City Stars in the Kenyan topflight, this time in a matchday 13 tie in Mbaraki Sports grounds on Sunday 29 January 2023 starting 3 pm.

From the last nine games, Bandari has claimed all spoils in three games, including a 1-0 win the last home encounter in March 2022.

City Stars has registered two wins – the last back in 2016 – with the other four ending in draws.

Ahead of the upcoming game, Bandari comes wounded having lost their last three games including a 2-0 home loss to AFC Leopards.

City Stars carry a two-game winning streak – identical 1-0 wins over Mathare United and Wazito – to the game.

Table-wise, Bandari sits 13th with eleven points and are a position above the visting Simba wa Nairobi on goal difference.

Once again, coach Anthony Kimani who delivered the win in March last year will lead Bandari, and he will be up against his counterpart Nicholas Muyoti in yet another home game.

Who wins this one?

Summary

KPL games hosted by Bandari: Total-9; Bandari wins (3), City Stars wins (2), Draws (4)

1-Nov-08, Bandari vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)

26-Jul-09, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)

20-Mar-11, Bandari vs City Stars, 4-1 (L)

10-Mar-13, Bandari vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)

23-Aug-14, Bandari vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)

3-Oct-15, Bandari vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)

24-Sep-16, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-3 (W)

04-Jul-21, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)

17-Mar-22, Bandari vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)

29-Jan-23, Bandari vs City Stars, ??