25 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Andre Kalama in action against Mara Sugar in Awendo, Migori, on Sat 21 Sep 2024. He made his debut for City Stars in the matchday 3 tie
Andre Kalama in action against Mara Sugar in Awendo, Migori, on Sat 21 Sep 2024. He made his debut for City Stars in the matchday 3 tie

Andre Kalama upbeat after debut

September 25, 2024

A place in the starting lineup and 69 minutes against Mara Sugar in Awendo on Saturday 21 September 2024 earned flyer Andre Kalama his Nairobi City Stars debut.

Kalama, and unused substitute against Bidco United in the season opener, talked up his first game for Simba wa Nairobi.

“First of all I want to thank God for the opportunity to get my first league game in City Stars colors under my belt,”

“It was a tough match away from home where as a team we encountered challenges even before the starting whistle. It was a team that made use their home advantage and in the end got the all important goal to see off the game,”

“On a personal level, it was a tough outing but I believe that I am integrating well with my teammates as well as the system of play and I will be able to do more in the upcoming matches when called upon,”

Kalama joined Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason following a succesfull debut premier league season with Sofapaka whom he helped to retain their premier league status with a goal during the post season playoff.

“My move to Nairobi City Stars has been like a breath of fresh air. After a tough season last season, fighting for survival in the premier league, I am happy to have secured a move to a team which finished well in the top half of the table,”

“In City Stars, I look to help the team achieve an even better place in the league table. I look to improve on my goal tally from last season, and to be able to get a National team Call-up,”

“I am thankful to the club CEO and all those involved in bringing me in and I look forward to having an outstanding season ahead.” added Kalama

Kalama dons jersey number 28.

23 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Brian Opinde in Awendo for a matchday 3 game against Mara Sugar on Sat 21 Sep 2024
Brian Opinde in Awendo for a matchday 3 game against Mara Sugar on Sat 21 Sep 2024

Brian Opinde awaits his turn

September 23, 2024

Newly acquired Nairobi City Stars center back Brian Opinde is raring to go following his arrival from Eldoret-bases Langas Super Stars, a team featuring in Division 2, the fourth tier of Kenyan football hierarchy.

Opinde was scouted while featuring for PASC Langa in Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, and joined Simba wa Nairobi in time for the upcoming season.

He talked of his entry to the City Stars and his early days at the club;

“One day I was a division 2 player and the next thing I was at City Stars signed for the season. This is a dream come true and I wish to make the most out of this rare opportunity,”

“I received a good welcome to the team and training has been good and through the guidance of the coaches I have quickly adapted to the team’s philosophy and approach,”

Opinde sat out the league opener against Bidco United but made the cut for the next game against Mara Sugar though he was an un used substitute.

He’s is overly optimistic of making it to the match day squad in upcoming games.

“The two games gave me a glimpse of the top light. The team played very well and I, as much as I did not play, picked lots of lessons,”

“When the time comes and it’s my turn (to play) I’ll be ready.” he said confidently

Opinde was one of four new players roped in for the season besides flyer Andre Kalama, midfielder James Ssemambo, and left back Stephen Bulugu.

Brian Opinde @Hope Centre on Wed 18 Sep 2024

21 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Rowland Makati vs Mara Sugar in Awendo, Migori, on Sat 21 Sep 2024
Rowland Makati vs Mara Sugar in Awendo, Migori, on Sat 21 Sep 2024

MD3: Mara Sugar 1 Nairobi City Stars 0

September 21, 2024

Promoted Mara Sugar scored a loner in the second half on Saturday 21 Sep 2024 in Awendo Green Stadium to hand Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 defeat during a 2024-25 matchday three tie.

The lone goal was scored by Dennis Cheruiyot at the hour mark.

With the loss, the sixth at the premier league in Awendo, City Stars dropped from eleventh to 13th on the log with a single point as Mara Sugar shot up three places to third with six points.

Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game against AFC Leopards on Sunday 30 Sep 2024 in Dandora starting at 3 p.m.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa -captain, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 30. Rowland Makati, 28. *Andre Kalama (27. Gilbert Abala-66), 3. Sven Yidah (16. Elvis Noor-66), 25. Brian Mzee (26. James Ssemambo-84), 5. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Yuto Kusaba (19. Vincent Owino-66), 10. Dennis Oalo

Unused subs: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 6. Brian Opinde, 12. Edwin Buliba, 11. Mohammed Bajaber, 18. Clifford Ouma

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Yellow cards: 3. Sven Yidah (33), 30. Rowland Makati (58)

*City Stars debut

20 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Clifford Ouma
Clifford Ouma against Muranga SEALS in Muranga on 1 Nov 2024 during FKF Premier League matchday 9

Ouma, Opinde considered for Mara Sugar test

September 20, 2024

There will be two notable changes from the squad that opened the season against Bidco United last weekend when City Stars takes on Mara Sugar in matchday three on Saturday 21 Sept 2024 in Awendo starting at 3 p.m.

Head-to-head: Mara Sugar (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A) vs: 2024-25 FKF-PL season

Two left backs Rogers Wasega who made a full debut against Bidco, and newcomer Stephen Bulugu are all out of the travelling squad and their places have been snapped up by new defender Brian Opinde and defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma.

Wasega recently earned a callup to the Kenya U20 team preparing for CECAFA duty in a fortnight and has been given time off to prepare for camp from Sunday.

A slight injury has kept Bulugu out therefore giving a chance to Ouma to make the trip.

Save for the two changes, the other 18 players all maintained their places in the squad.

Squad to face Mara Sugar

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Brian Opinde, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, , 30. Rowland Makati

Midfielders: 3. Sven Yidah , 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee, 26. James Ssemambo

Forwards: 5. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Yuto Kusaba, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Mohammed Bajaber,  27. Gilbert Abala, 28. Andre Kalama

Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Rogers Wasega, 22. Stephen Bulugu, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Byron Owino

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Brian Opinde @Hope Centre on Wed 18 Sep 2024

20 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars at the Hope center on Wed 18 Sept 2024
City Stars at the Hope center on Wed 18 Sept 2024

Head-to-head: Mara Sugar (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A) vs: 2024-25 FKF-PL season

September 20, 2024

Well, it will be a game of the unknowns when newly promoted Mara Sugar face off with Nairobi City Stars at the Awendo Green Stadium in Migori County on Saturday 21 September 2024 starting at 3 p.m. 

Just as was the case against Nzoia Sugar at the start of the 2020-21 season, Mara Sugar and City Stars have never met in any competition.

With no prior match connection, the upcoming match packs up unpredictability.

As it is, the little linkage between the two is one Timothy Muganda, a centre back, signed by Simba wa Nairobi from Mara Sugar at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Into the match, Mara Sugar are buoyed by their season debut where they blanked seasoned Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 at the same venue.

The team is returning for a home game after a 1-0 loss in Mombasa against Bandari in matchday two.

City Stars on their part head to the game with a 1-1 draw against Bidco United.

Though the Mara Sugar – City Stars tie at Awendo will be all new, City Stars has been at the same venue on eleven occasions between the year 2005 and 2016 for premier league games against another sugar side, Sony.

City Stars first landed in Awendo Stadium for a premier league game on 5 Mar 2005 and were last there on 25th May 2016. In all occasions it was to play the now defunct Sony Sugar FC.

Statistically, in those premier leagues at Awendo, City Stars registered two wins, four draws, and five losses.

The two wins were identical 1-0 results delivered by German coach Oliver Page on 1 Mar 2009 and Ugandan Paul Nkata on 6 Jun 2014.

Current coach Nicholas Muyoti will be hoping to follow in their foot steps as he seeks City Stars first season win.

Muyoti will be up against his counterpart George Midenyo, a former City Stars player and coach, who will also be chasing a win of his own.

Table-wise, Mara sits sixth on the log with three points, and two ahead of eleventh placed City Stars, from two outings.

Who wins this one?

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