14 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink

MD2: Nairobi City Stars 1 Bidco United 1

September 14, 2024

For a third straight time, Bidco United clawed back from a first half deficit against Nairobi City Stars, to grab a point, this time in a 2024-25 matchday two premier league tie played at Dandora on Saturday 14 September 2024.

Yuto Kusaba rammed home a pass from Mohammed Bajaber in just the second minute for the opener for Simba wa Nairobi. Eugene Ikutwa bundled home an unattended freekick in the 84th minute to deny City Stars all spoils as the game ended 1-1.

Bidco had a chance to grab a late win but were denied a goal at the death by teenager Rogers Wasega who cleared off the line a chipped ball.

With a point from the opening game of the season, City Stars sits ninth in the log as Bidco moved to seventh spot with two points.

Next up for City Stars is an away trip against promoted Mara Sugar in Awendo, Migori, on Saturday 21 September 2024 starting at 3pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 12. Edwin Buliba (8. Calvin Masawa- – Captain 2), 4. Timothy Muganda, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 3. Sven Yidah, 25. Brian Mzee, 19. Vincent Owino (26. *James Ssemambo-66), 21. *Rogers Wasega, 30. Rowland Makati (27. Gilbert Abala-83), 9. Yuto Kusaba (10. Dennis Oalo-66), 11. Mohammed Bajaber (16. Elvis Noor-83)

Unused subs: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 22. Stephen Bulugu, 28. Andre Kalama

Out: 6. Brian Opinde, 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 18. Clifford Ouma, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Byron Owino

*Kenyan premier league debut

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

13 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Mzee
Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Brian Mzee taking on Bidco United forward Ezekiel Okare during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Sun 3 Sep 2023. It ended 1-1

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

September 13, 2024

For the fifth time in as many seasons, Simba wa Nairobi will host Bidco United in the Kenyan topflight on Saturday 14 September 2024 in Dandora Stadium starting at 1 pm.

Overall, it will be the ninth meeting at that level. Notwithstanding, it will be the first meeting between the two sides at the Dandora Stadium.

City Stars last hosted Bidco United in Machakos on 9 March 2024. The game ended 1-1.

From the previous four home games, Bidco United topples City Stars with two wins, the other two ending in draws, and have scored five goals as opposed to four.

Interestingly, as is the case now, the two faced off in matchday two last season, in Kasarani Annex in early September 2023. It ended in a 1-1 draw.

Once again, City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against Bidco’s Anthony Akhulia for the sixth time in the top league. For Akhulia, it will be his ninth premier league game against Simba wa Nairobi.

While the upcoming game will be the first of the season for City Stars this season, Bidco are in their second one. As City Stars sat out the opening weekend as their opponents Kenya Police had an international assignment, Bidco clawed back to tie Shabana 1-1 at the Thika Stadium.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars Home games vs Bidco United-3: City Stars win (1), Bidco win (2), Draws (0)

25-Jul-21; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 1-2
24-Oct-21; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 2-0
20-Nov-22; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 0-2
09-Mar-24; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, 1-1
14-Sep-24; Nairobi City Stars vs Bidco United, ??

13 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Buliba
Edwin Buliba up against Titus Wainaina as Nairobi City Stars took on Bidco United on Tue 7 Mar 2023 in KAsarani Annex during matchday 18. It ended 0-0

MD2: Four newcomers in squad to face Bidco United

September 13, 2024

Save for defender Brian Opinde, all new entrants to the Nairobi City Stars fold this season have made the cut for the 2024-25 FKF Premier league clash with Bidco United set for Dandora Stadium on Saturday 14 September 2024 starting at 1 p.m. 

Defender Stephen Bulugu signed from Muhoroni Youth, returning defensive midfielder Sven Yidah from South Africa’s Marumo Gallants, Andre Kalama from Sofapaka, and James Ssemambo from Burundi’s Bumamuru, are all part of the squad for the Bidco tie.

While Bulugu and Kalama will be seeking their City Stars debut, Ssemambo, a former Kyetume player in the Ugandan premier league, and a Burundi league winner with Bumamuru in 2023, will chasing a Kenyan premier league debut.

Yidah will be after his 60th Kenyan topflight game in City Stars colors, and his 157th Kenyan premier league game. He last featured in the local league back in June 2022.

Greenhorn Rogers Wasega, the only player not to have been used last season, is also part of the squad. The teenager signed from Laiser Hill academy earlier in the year will also be seeking to change his status from amateur to a premier league player against Bidco.

Two goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards make up the 20-man Simba wa Nairobi squad.

Nairobi City Stars sat out the opening weekend on 24-25 August 2024 as their worthy opponents Kenya Police had a continental assignment.

Squad to face Bidco United

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

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 21. Rogers Wasega, 22. Stephen Bulugu , 30. Rowland Makati

Midfielders: 3. Sven Yidah , 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 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: 6. Brian Opinde, 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 18. Clifford Ouma, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Byron Owino

10 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars squad for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season

September 10, 2024

Nairobi City Stars will navigate the first leg of the 2024-25 premier league season with a total of 27 players. 

The 27 includes 16 who renewed their contracts, six who had running contracts, one returning player – Sven Yidah -, and four new signings.

Defender Brian Opinde joined from fourth tier side Langas Super Stars, as left back Stephen Bulugu arrived from relegated Muhoroni Youth.

Flyer Andre Kalama from Sofapaka and Ugandan national James Ssemambo from Burundi’s premiership side Bumamura FC complete the short list of incoming transfers.

“We concentrated more on retentions for continuity’s sake and only topped up with five players to replace those that left at the end of last term. The replacements are like-for-like, and will take up the slots vacated by departures at the end of last season,”

“We will start off with a lean squad of 27 players into the new season and will only scale it upwards if need be during the next window,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

City Stars squad (& new jersey numbers) for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 32. Byron Owino

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, *6. Brian Opinde (Langas Super Stars),8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 21. Rogers Wasega, 22. Stephen Bulugu (Muhoroni Youth), 30. Rowland Makati

Midfielders: **3. Sven Yidah (Marumo Gallants), 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee, *26. James Ssemambo (Bumumura, Burundi), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Forwards: 5. Robinson Asenwa, 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Yuto Kusaba, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Mohammed Bajaber, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 27. Gilbert Abala, *28. Andre Kalama (Sofapaka)

Released: Samuel Kapen, Dennis Wanjala, Sosthenes Idah, Newton Ochieng, Shem Odinga, and Andrew Kisilu

Technical bench: Nicholas Muyoti – Head coach, Peter Opiyo – Assistant coach, Abel Omuhaya – Goalkeeper trainer, Arthur Museve – Trainer & Security Officer, Obed Nyamweya – Game Analyst & Psychologist, Ronny Kagunzi – Team Manager, Brian Odongo Otieno – Team Physio, Dominic Mutiso – Kit Manager

*New players

**Returning player

09 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Sven Yidah
Sven Yidah

Sven Yidah returns

September 9, 2024

Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah has returned to the Simba wa Nairobi fold after two seasons out.

Sven rejoins to Nairobi City Stars for the upcoming season as a free agent.

“I am happy to be back ‘home’ after a few seasons out. I have found a number of changes from the squad I left behind and my immediate task is to blend in with the new team. Together, I look forward to a brilliant season,” said Sven

City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti is elated with  Sven’s return and had this to say;

“City Stars is elated to have Sven back. He left our stable on a good note for greener pastures and he is welcome back home,”

“He brings experience, leadership, and punch to our midfield. We do believe that he, and team, will have a good season,” added Muyoti

Sven arrived at Simba wa Nairobi at the start of the 2020/21 season from Kariobangi Sharks. He left after two seasons to join South Africa premiership side Marumo Gallants.

Club Statement: Sven Yidah

Across the 2020/21, and 2021-22 seasons, Sven featured in 59 of 68 games for City Stars, scored three times, registered five assists, and a total of eight progressive passes. He clocked a collective 4,952 minutes.

He will don jersey no. 3.

Sven Yidah in training at GEMS Cambridge, Rongai, during a training session on Tue 3 Sep 2024

Sven Yidah in action against FC Talanta at the NYS grounds, Thika Road on Sun 30 Aug 2024. City Stars won 2-0

→←