City Stars
Muki in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at the Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0

Muki: League delay is causing anxiety

When will the League (2022-23) kick-off? This is a question Nairobi City Stars field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani posed to the team honchos and the response he received was ‘hopefully soon’.

According to Muki, an unknown kickoff to the league is mentally destabilizing players across different leagues.

“We have been in training for weeks now and all players are now in good shape. Friendly games have blended us with the new players and I can say almost all clubs have been ready for the long overdue kickoff,”

“Other than kickstarting the gelling process with newcomers, pre-season builds up through early days then climaxes after six to eight weeks. Normally, it’s at that point that leagues kick off with all teams at an optimal level,”

“But now we face a situation where some teams have trained for over three months which has led to immense anxiety,”

“Each time you play a friendly game it’s an anticipation of something bigger, a league game, which are unsure of. We hope that sooner than later wait will come to pass,” added Muki

The 2022/23 FKF Premier League was to kick off in the month of September but after several postponements, it was called off indefinitely. The 2021/22 season concluded on 12 June 2022.

Samuel Kapen, Elite Pre-season Cup
City Stars flyer Samuel Kapen in action against Police stopper Harun Shakava during the final of the Elite Pre-season Cup played at Nyayo Stadium on Sat 1 Oct 2022. Police won 2-0 Photo Credit - Hassan Mandevu

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 1 K-Sports 1

Nairobi City Stars came from behind to tie visiting K-Sport 1-1 in a friendly game played at Ngong Vapor on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

Forward Samuel Kapen connected to an Elvis Noor Ojiambo assist with ten minutes left to earn Simba wa Nairobi a share of the spoils.

The visitors had taken a 12th-minute lead through Nabil Hussein off an assist by Brian Tobiko.

The friendly game followed up one last Friday where City Stars tied Sofapaka 1-1 and went on to see off Nairobi United 2-1 at the same venue.

Lineups

City Stars 1 (first half): 23. Steve Njunge, 12. Edwin Buliba, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 14. Rowland Makati, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Clifford Ouma, 30. Anthony Kimani, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 17. Daniel Odhiambo, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 22. Samuel Kapen

City Stars 1 (second half): 1. Elvis Ochoro, 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati, 5. Timothy Oduor Muganda, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. Netwon Ochieng, 22. Samuel Kapen, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

K-Sports: Wandera, Jared Akwiri, Levian Ochieng, Lennox Owiti, Ezra Oketch, Castro Ogendo, Augustine Kuta, Robert Mutua, Nabil Hussein, Brian Tobiko, David Majak

Subs: Michael Chambers, Stephen Onyango, Francis Mwangi, Wellington Ochieng, Moses Kaoga, Curtis Wekesa, Ephraim Akasa, Mark Mulwa

Coach: Keke Roy

Peter Opiyo on for a challenge against a Sofapaka player during a friendly game at Ngong Vapor on Fri 28 Oct 2022. It ended 1-1

Photo credit - Sofapaka FC
Peter Opiyo on for a challenge against a Sofapaka player during a friendly game at Ngong Vapor on Fri 28 Oct 2022. It ended 1-1 Photo credit - Sofapaka FC

Friendly Fire: City Stars 1 Sofapaka 1, City Stars 2 Nairobi United 1

Nairobi City Stars was held to a 1-1 draw by Premiership side Sofapaka before going on to see off third-tier side Nairobi United 2-1 in friendly games played at Ngong Vapor on Friday 28 October 2022.

An early 12th-minute goal by Kelvin Etemesi, off a Newton Ochieng delivery, was canceled out by David Kasirye in the 88th minute for City Stars to draw 1-1 with visiting Sofapaka in the first game.

In the second game, stopper Edwin Buliba, playing as a right back, sent home the ball as early as the seventh minute off a cross from guest player Brian Sifa for Simba wa Nairobi to carry a 1-0 lead at the break.

Seven minutes into the second half, striker Vincent Jamaica Otieno converted a penalty earned after Mohammed Bajaber had been bundled in the box to double the lead.

Nairobi United however got a consolation after Charo Matauwa fired home an uncleared ball from long range with 15 minutes left to play.

The two games followed on the last one at the same venue last Friday when the team settled for a 1-1 draw with Olympic Patriots from Isolo.

Lineups

City Stars 1: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 14. Rowland Makati, 4. Elly Osotsi, 28. Herit Mungai, 10. Peter Opiyo, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. Newton Ochieng (31. Mohammed Bajaber-70), 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 22. Samuel Kapen, 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-70)

Sofapaka: Simon Masaka, Ambrose Sifuna, David Otieno, Samuel Olwande, David Nshirimana, Ben Stanley Omondi, Kepha Wayodi, Rapahel Asudi, Lucky Mweu, Joe Waithira, Jacob Onyango

Subs: Mathias Kigonya, David Obasanjo, Davies Kasirye, Ronack Otieno, Sammy Rono, Sunday Ikekhai, Baron Okech, Alex Imbusia, Titus Achesa, Roy Okal

City Stars 2: 16. Jacob Osano, 12. Edwin Buliba, 5. Timothy Muganda, 6. Rooney Kola, Gideon Were, 18. Clifford Ouma, 30. Anthony Kimani, Brian Sifa, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 31. Mohammed Bajaber (15. Newton Ochieng-70), 9. Vincent Otieno (32. Ezekiel Odera-70),

Nairobi United: 1. Chacha Maneno, 26. Jimmy Ochieng, 99. Shadrack Andale, 9. Collins Oyugi, 5. Garnet Otieno, 13. Bernard Ouna, 66. Elson Wangati, 77. Isaac Omweri, 7. Brian Ogutu, 30. John Mungai, 4. Brian Osamukha

Subs: 19. Adams Nyambane, 9. Steve Biko, 21. Mark Mwaniki, 2. Boniface Ontere, 42. Derrick Ng’ang’a, 6. Gilbert Nyanumba, 15. Matauwa Charo, 29. Kamau Ohor, Collins Kimotho, 13. Kadiri Mohammed, 11. Brian Maina

Out for City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 7. Pius Omachi, 8. Calvin Masawa, 21. Oliver Maloba

Photo credit – Sofapaka FC

Herit
Left-back Herit Mungai in action against Ulinzi Stars on Sun 10 April 2021 in Ruaraka during a 25th round FKF Premier League tie. The game ended 0-0

Friendly Fire: City Stars 1 Olympic Patriots 1

Visiting Olympic Patriots of Isiolo rallied to hold Nairobi City Stars 1-1 in a friendly game played at Ngong Vapor on Friday 21 Oct 2022.

The hosts took an early 1-0 lead as early as the third minute via a Herit Mungai freekick awarded from a foul on Mohammed Bajaber.

Olympic Patriots leveled matters at the hour mark after Simba wa Nairobi failed to clear their lines, for the game to end in a 1-1 draw.

The game followed two games at the same venue last Friday that saw City Stars draw 0-0 with Posta Rangers, before seeing off AV Fitness FC 3-0.

Lineups

City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai (26. Dennis Wanjala-46), 12. Edwin Buliba (Gideon Were-46), 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi (5. Timothy Oduor Muganda-46), 14. Rowland Makati (17. Daniel Odhiambo-46), 18. Clifford Ouma (10. Peter Opiyo-46), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (6. Ronney Kola-46), 31. Mohammed Bajaber (15. Newton Ochieng-46), Brian Sifa (20. Kelvin Etemesi-46), (21. Oliver Maloba-46 ((30. Anthony Kimani-61)), 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-46),

Unused: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 25. Kenedy Onyango,

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Olympic Patriots: 95. Sora Hassan, 22. Ian Kipchumba, 9. Brian Kiplangat, 30. Henry Mango, 5. Albert Loban, 32. Felix Otieno, 17. Fabian Nzioki, 10. Mbola Lenai, 40. Michael Misalo, 11. Silus Mbabu, 14. Geofrey Mugambi

Subs: Mbapai Lepire, Alex Simiyu, Felix Naibero, Saika Romano, Gabriel Lebo, Joseph Muriuki, Lewis Etaan, Erick Wainaina, Evans Murithi, Peter Lolosoli

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

Friendly Fire: City Stars 0 Rangers 0, City Stars 3 AV Fitness FC 0

Nairobi City Stars played out to a 0-0 draw against Premiership side Posta Rangers and went on to register a 3-0 win over AV Fitness FC in friendly games played at the Ngong Vapor grounds on Friday 14 October 2022.

In the second game, Mohammed Bajaber was the toast after claiming a hattrick to shoot to the top of Simba wa Nairobi’s pre-season scorers’ list with five goals.

The Starfield Academy star converted his chances in the 51st,70th, and in added time, off assists from Calvin Masawa, Kelvin Etemesi, and guest winger Sifa, to complete his hat-trick.

He scored once in the 7-1 win over Ngong Hillside and in City Stars’ 1-1 draw in the first group game of the Elite Cup against Kenya Police.

The latest two games against Posta Rangers and AV Fitness FC were the first tests since the final of the Elite Cup against Kenya Police on Saturday 1 October in Nyayo Stadium.

Lineups

Vs Posta Rangers: 16. Jacob Osano, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 14. Rowland Makati, 10. Peter Opiyo, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (6. Ronney Kola-65), 28. Herit Mungai (11. Andrew Kisilu-46), 15. Newton Ochieng (20. Kelvin Eemesi-46), 31. Mohammed Bajaber (22. Samuel Kapen-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Posta Rangers 1st lot: Brandon Obiero, Elvis Osok, Michael Apudo, Hamisi Pamba, Dinken Mwema, Bernard Ondiek, Patrick Otieno, Vincent Wangombe, Timothy Otieno, Francis Nambute, Eliud Lokuwam

Posta Rangers 2nd lot: Brandon Obiero, Kenedy Odhiambo, Morris Sunga, Augustine Eshiwani, Caleb Olilo, Brian Musa, Brian Marita, Simon Omondi, Michael Owino, Jackson Dwang, Francis Nambute

Coach: John Kamau

Vs AV Fitness FC : 1. Elvis Ochoro (Guest keeper-70), 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 5. Timothy Muganda, Were (guest), 28. Herit Mungai (12. Edwin Buliba-46), 18. Clifford Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno (20. Kelvin Etemesi-46), 6. Ronney Kola (31. Mohammed Bajaber-46), Sifa (guest), 17. Daniel Odhiambo (22. Samuel Kapen-46)

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

AV Fitness FC: Ryan Hamisi, Wilson Anekeya, Nicodemus Malika, David Cheche Ochieng, Benjamin Oketch, John Onyancha, Khalid Juman, Alphonse Mariga, Chris Odhiambo, Augustine Kuta, Marcellus Ingotse

Subs: Kelvin Odhiambo, Jeff Oluchi, Ken Owino

Photo credit – Hassan Mandevu