25 Nov 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
City Stars players celebrate Oliver Maloba's goal that delivered a 1-0 win over Tusker in Ruaraka on Sun 16 Jan 2022

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

November 25, 2022

On Sunday 27 November 2022 champions Tusker FC will host Nairobi City Stars in Ruaraka in a matchday two tie in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League starting at 3 pm.

It will be game no. 29 in the top flight between the two since the year 2003, but game 15 with Tusker as the home team.

From the previous 14 games away to Tusker, Simba wa Nairobi has managed five wins, three draws, and lost the other six.

It will be the seventh time that City Stars will be hosted in Ruaraka by Tusker after visits in 2004, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2021, and the last visit in mid-January 2022 where City Stars won 1-0 thanks to a late Oliver Maloba lob over Patrick Matasi.

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti will once again be in charge, and for a third straight time come up against his counterpart Robert Matano.

In between the upcoming game and the one in January, City Stars met Tusker at the same venue in May 2022. It ended 0-0.

Into the game, Tusker carries a 2-1 win over Kakamega Homeboyz as City Stars goes in with a 2-0 loss to Bidco United.

Summary

City Stars away games vs Tusker; Wins (5), Draws (3), Loses (6). Total – 14

17-Oct-04; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
2-Jul-06; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
21-Jul-07; Tusker vs World Hope, 3-1 (L)
20-Aug-08; Tusker vs World Hope, 0-2 (W)
4-Apr-09; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
9-May-10Tusker vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
17-Jul-11; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
11-Feb-12; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
20-Sep-13; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-3 (W)
19-Sep-14; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
21-Aug-15; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
23-Oct-16; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Jul-21; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
16-Jan-22; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
27-Nov-22; Tusker vs City Stars, ??

24 Nov 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Rowland Makati
Nairobi City Stars right-back Rowland Makati in action against MCF in Kasarani Annex during the Elite Cup tournament in Sep 2022 Photo Credit - Hassan Mandevu

New role for Rowland Makati

November 24, 2022

He came to Nairobi City Stars as a midfielder, as an option in the offensive or attacking positions, but two seasons later, Rowland Makati is now a fully-fledged right back.

In the three months preceding the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season, Makati, a former Escalators and Vapor Sports player, has meta morphed from a forward role to a full back, and he enjoys it;

“I used to play as a right back for my local team though I always preferred to play in midfield,”

“When the coach (Muyoti) told me he wanted to try me as a right back I quickly obliged. And with the help of my teammates, I am fitting into my new role gradually,” said Makati

Simba wa Nairobi head coach Nicholas Muyoti acknowledges his transition, though he points out some areas of improvement;

“Makati is growing in confidence. We have seen a lot of improvement since he started playing as a right back,”

“His tracking back is very good just needs to work on his crosses and covering. He is adapting well to the position and has a bright future.”

As a right back, Makati featured in 11 of 18 games in pre-season clocking 856 minutes.

He earned his maiden top-flight start as right back in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League clash against Bidco United in Nyayo Stadium on Sunday 20 November 2022, a game City Stars went on to lose 2-0.

He will be contesting the right-back position with his mentor, and City Stars longest serving player, Calvin Masawa.

Rowland Makati

Nairobi City Stars right-back Rowland Makati in action against Kariobangi Sharks in Kasarani Annex during the Elite Cup tournament in Sep 2022
Photo Credits – Hassan Mandevu

23 Nov 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Mohammed Bajaber
Mohammed Bajaber in action during the Elite Cup final against Kenya Police at Nyayo Stadium on Sat 1 Oct 2022 Photo credit - Hassan Mandevu

Bajaber, Kisilu back to full training

November 23, 2022

After missing out on the opening game of the season against Bidco United, midfielder Mohammed Bajaber and new recruit Andrew Kisilu are now up for consideration for the next game against champions Tusker.

The two players had been out injured in recent weeks, but have since returned to training.

According to team Physio Brian Odongo, both players are fully fit and up for selection.

“Mohammed and Ksiliu had been out with varied injuries but have since recovered and have rejoined the rest of the squad for full training,”

“With their recoveries, they improve on the pool of players that the coach can select from for the upcoming matches,” said Odongo

In the ended off-season, Mohammed top scored for City Stars with five goals, with Kisilu following close by with three goals.

22 Nov 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Kelvin Etemesi
Kelvin Etemesi in action during the Elite Cup in September 2022 at Kasarani Annex Photo credit: Hassan Mandevu

Newbies delight in Premier League debuts

November 22, 2022

Nairobi City Stars kicked off the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season with a home game against Bidco United at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday 20 November 2022.

The visitors scored twice in the first half to carry the day with a 2-0 win.

Away from the result, Simba wa Nairobi introduced four new players to the top-flight league, while handing another his first full premier league game.

Kelvin Etemesi, Ronney Kola, Newton Ochieng, and Daniel Odhiambo all made their premier league bows, as Samuel Kapen, in his second stab in the top league, clocked his first 90 minutes.

The newbies spoke on their entry to Kenya’s apex league.

Daniel Odhiambo, signed from Kibera Black Stars, was introduced in the 69th minute in place of Elvis Noor Ojiambo. He had this to say;

“It was indeed a special moment being able to represent Nairobi City in my first topflight game even though the game ended in defeat,”

“We will bounce back and come off much better in upcoming games. I am looking forward to a great season ahead,”

 

Ronney Kola, a former Kenya School of Government defensive midfielder, was fielded as a stopper alongside Kenedy Onyango and went on to clock a full 90 minutes on his debut. He said;

“It was a very good experience as my dream to play in the Kenyan Premier League finally came true,”

“The atmosphere was great and I look forward to many more games,”

Samuel Kapen, in from Kibera Black Stars, landed his first full game. Previously, while at Rangers, he had only been handed cameo appearances at the same level in the 2020-21 season.

“It was a good game for me as it was my first (full) game in the top league,”

“I know I can do better and give Nairobi City Stars better results,” added the right winger

Kelvin Etemesi, formerly of Kangemi All-Stars, started the game before being replaced by Anthony Muki Kimani. He said;

“Thank God for the debut at the big stage. It’s one of the things every player would wish for,”

“It was not good for me and for the team, but we are going to come back stronger,”

Newton Tony Ochieng, formerly of Vapor Sports, was introduced at the start of the second half in place of Oliver Maloba for his debut.

“This is what I have always dreamt of, to play in the premier league, and it has come true,”

“It’s a memorable experience and I now look forward to featuring in many more games.” said Tony

All five debutants will be hoping to build on their first league game when City Stars travels to defending champions Tusker in the next game on Sunday 27 November 2022 in Kasarani Stadium. The game kicks off at 3 pm.

20 Nov 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Bidco United, City Stars
Vincent Otieno in action against Bidco United during the first ever premier league game between the two played at the Utalii grounds on Thur 7 Dec 2020. It ended 0-0

MD1: Nairobi City Stars 0 Bidco United 2

November 20, 2022

Nairobi City Stars had a false start to the 2022-23 FKF Premier League after going down 2-0 to Bidco United in a Matchday One (MD1)  tie at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday 20 November 2022.

Goals by former City Stars player David Gateri in the 24th minute and Henry Juma in the 36th minute handed Bidco United the win in what was only the fifth top-flight meeting between the two sides.

Gateri nodded home from an uncleared corner, as Juma tapped home Gateri’s cutback for the second goal.

City Stars were the more composed in the second half but were left to rue a series of missed chances.

Next up for City Stars is an away trip to defending Champions Tusker in Kasarani on Sunday 27 November 2022 starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 14. Rowland Makati (8. Calvin Masawa-42), 6. *Ronney Kola, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 28. Herit Mungai, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (17. *Daniel Odhiambo-69), 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba (15. *Newton Ochieng-46), 20. *Kelvin Etemesi (30. Anthony Kimani-42), 22. Samuel Kapen**, 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-69)

* Premier League debut, ** City Stars Premier League debut

Unused Subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 12. Edwin Buliba

Out: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 5. Timothy Muganda, 7. Pius Omachi, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Bidco United: 1. Edwin Omwabana, 4. David Kalama, 12. Lambert Oyuga, 31. Peter Nzuki, 18. Francis Oduor, 28. Said Tsuma, 7. Alex Juma (14. Ezekiel Okare-46), 5. Emmanuel Mogaka (30. Zacharia Gathu-44), 10. Eric Gichimu (23. Michael Bodo-46), 11. Henry Juma (22. Stephen Waruru-80), 25. David Gateri (40. Lameck Oloo-80)

Unused subs: 21. Lucas Indeche,2. Thomas Wainaina, 16. Geoffrey Gitau,

Coach: Anthony Akhulia

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