05 Oct 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nicholas Muyoti
City Stars head coach at the Elite pre-season cup Photo credit - Hassan Mandevu

Muyoti: We are as good as ready for the league

October 5, 2022

After playing five games and making it all the way to the final of the inaugural Elite pre-season Cup, head coach Nicholas Muyoti now reckons Simba wa Nairobi is as good as ready for the upcoming 2022-23 FKF Premier League.

During the tournament, Muyoti tweaked his lineup and formations severally as the team rose from group ‘B’ as the runners-up to make the semis, then the final.

In sum, Muyoti tested 24 players in the two-weak tournament save for stopper Edwin Buliba and striker Pius Omachi who were both nursing injuries.

“Indeed we had so much to learn and picked very good pointers for the upcoming season. Now we have a very clear picture of the team apart from the few players who didn’t participate in the tournament,” he said

After the final played on Saturday 1 Oct, Muyoti handed his troops a three-day break to recuperate before the resumption of training.

“After the rest we will go back to the drawing board to fix a few issues and we will be ready before the season starts.” added the coach

In the tournament, City Stars drew 1-1 with Police, and beat MCF 4-1 before tying Ulinzi Stars 2-2.

In the semis, the team drew hosts Kariobangi Sharks 2-2 before carrying the day with a 3-2 win in post-match penalties. The team ended up with Silver after falling 2-0 to Police in the final.

Photo credit – Hassan Mandevu

03 Oct 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

Kapen: Elite Pre-season Cup the perfect platform

October 3, 2022

Nairobi City Stars flyer Samuel Kapen has come out to appreciate the Elite Pre-season Cup that concluded on Saturday 1 October 2022 at Nyayo Stadium.

Nairobi City Stars took home silver in the inaugural competition after going 2-0 to Kenya Police in the final on Saturday.

The tournament attracted four other Premier League teams; Kariobangi Sharks who were the host team, Bidco United, Sofapaka, Ulinzi Stars, as well as second-tier side MCF, and lower-tier side Rainbow FC.

“It was a very good tournament that came with new challenges. It gave me the opportunity to know how the team plays, and the system most preferred by the coach,”

“It also gave me the chance to understand the rest of my teammates as they played in a competitive environment,”

“I have learned so much that I didn’t know, and because of the tournament I can say I am now ready for the league,” concluded Kapen who joined City Stars for the season from Kibera Black Stars.

Kapen featured in three of the five games played by Simba wa Nairobi in the tournament: twice against Police – the group stage and in the final, and in the semi against tournament Kariobangi Sharks where he provided two assists.

Photo credit – Hassan Mandevu

01 Oct 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Elite Pre-season Cup
Mohammed Bajaber and Newton Ochieng go for the ball against Police' stopper Kevin Ouma during the Elite Pre-season Cup final at Nyayo Stadium on Sat 1 Oct 2022. Police won it 2-0

Elite Pre-season Cup Final: City Stars 0 Kenya Police 2

October 1, 2022

Nairobi City Stars settled for silver in the inaugural Elite Pre-season Cup after going down 2-0 to Kenya Police in the final staged at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 1 October 2022.

The two teams were tied 0-0 at half time but Police struck twice in the second half with goals from David Simiyu and Marvin Omondi in the 63rd and 74th minutes, respectively, to take home the crown.

With the win, Police took home the winner’s purse of Kshs 300,000 as Simba wa Nairobi settled for Kshs 200,000.

For a place in the final, Simba wa Nairobi edged out tournament host Kariobangi Sharks 3-2 on post-match penalties after a 2-2 regulation time draw as Police took down Bidco United 1-0.

Kenya Police and City Stars had faced off earlier in Pool ‘B’ of the same competition. It ended 1-1.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Njunge Steve (GK),8. Calvin Masawa – captain, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 5. Timothy Oduor Muganda, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Clifford Ouma (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-73), 10. Peter Opiyo (22. Kelvin Etemesi-80), 22. Samuel Kapeni, 9. Vincent Otieno (32. Ezekiel Odera-46), 15. Newton Ochieng (30. Anthony Kimani-25), 31. Mohammed Bajaber ((21. Oliver Maloba-46),

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Andrew Kisilu, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 14. Rowland Makati,6. Ronney Kola, 17. Daniel Otieno

Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 12. Edwin Buliba (all injured)

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Kenya Police: 35. Jacob Ochieng, 20. Mainge Yusuf, 30. Kevin Ouma, 26. David Owino, 8. Patila Omoto, 6. Marvin Nabwire, 40. Duke Abuya-Captain, 25. Francis Kahata (10. John Ndirangu-73), 19. Reagan Otieno (27. James Kibande-90), 18. Harun Shakava, 15. David Simiyu

Unused subs: 16. Bonphas Munyasa (GK), 4. Eric Juma, 13. Cornelius Lusaka, 3. Soita Silicho, 24. Lesley Otieno, 12. Charles Ouma, 11. Erick Kipkirui, 23. Cliffton Miheso, 21. Clinton Kinanga

Coach: Sammy Omolo

Goals:

Kenya Police: 15. David Simiyu (63), 6. Marvin Nabwire (74)

Yellow cards:

Kenya Police: 26. David Owino (70)

Photo credit – Hassan Mandevu

30 Sep 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Vincent Otieno
City Stars forward Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica celebrating one of his two goals against Kariobangi Sharks during the semis of Elite Pre-season Cup tie at Kasarani Annex on Thur 29 Sep 2022. He score a brace

Vincent Otieno: Elite Pre-season Cup brace stirs striker

September 30, 2022

Lanky forward Vincent Otieno aka Jamaica ended a ten-month goal drought at City Stars with a brace as Simba wa Nairobi took on Kariobangi Sharks in the semis of the Elite Pre-season Cup in Kasarani Annex on Thur 29 Sep 2022.

Jamaica’s goals were however canceled out in the second half as Sharks rallied to tie the game 2-2, but City Stars went on to win the duel 3-2 on post-match penalties to make the final set for Saturday at Nyayo Stadium.

Jamaica got to the end of two deliveries from the right wing by Samuel Kapeni within a nine-minute blitz to grab his goals.

“First, God is always on the forefront of everything. I am happy about the brace. My eyes are now trained on my first hattrick for the club that I love so much. It has been my family for a while now,” said the elated striker

“I am happy that now I am playing in my natural position as a striker. It is very competitive but I am ready to beat the competition and I want to push the club to greater heights,”

“Nothing is impossible and I believe God is with me, and the young team that we have as a whole,” added Jamaica

Commenting on Jamaica’s fete was head coach Nicholas Muyoti who said;

“He had very good movements as well as positioning as a point-man. I am happy that it is now resulting in goals. He was very good and I hope he can continue like this.”

Prior to the Annex brace, Jamaica last scored for City Stars in November 2021 as Simba wa Nairobi took down Vihiga Bullets 4-0 in Ruaraka. It was his debut – and only – top-flight goal thus far.

29 Sep 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Elite Pre-season Cup
Keeper Steve Njunge is congratulated after saving three penalties against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Thur 29 Sep 2022 to send City Stars to the final of the Elite Pre-Season Cup

Elite Pre-season Cup semis: City Stars 2 (3) Kariobangi Sharks 2 (2)

September 29, 2022

Keeper Stephen Njunge saved three post-match penalties on Thur 29 September 2022 in Kasarani Annex as Nairobi City Stars edged out Elite Pre-season Cup hosts Karibangi Sharks 3-2 on post-match penalties to advance to the finals set for Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

The game ended 2-2 in regulation time forcing the post-game lottery kicks. City Stars had romped to a 2-0 lead inside nine minutes when Vincent Jamaica Otieno registered a quick-fire brace in the 16th and 26th minutes after getting to the end of Samuel Kapeni’s crosses from the right wing.

Kapeni picked Jamaica out when he pounced on a pinpoint delivery from skipper Elvis Noor Ojiambo to square the ball on the path of Jamaica who sneaked between skipper Kevin Luke Otiala and Dan Guya to tap home the first.

Three minutes later, Kapeni brought it high and Jamaica glanced it against the undersigned of the crossbar and into the goal. Newton Toni Ochieng, for safety purposes, made sure he rammed it against the net to confirm the goal.

Sharks however turned the game around in the second half capitalizing on non-effective substitutions by City Stars.

On 76 minutes they had a goal after skipper Otiala scored from the penalty spot. Tyson Otieno, who earned the penalty leading to the first goal, leveled matters six minutes later capitalizing on a spilled ball by Njunge.

In the penalties, Ezekiel Odera started it off well with a goal before Otiala saw his stopped by Njunge.

Anthony Kimani smacked his take against the woodwork as Sharks leveled with a clean one from Paul Odhiambo.

It stayed level at 2-2 in the next round when Mohammed Hamudi Bajaber’s conversion was canceled out by Geoffrey Onyango’s. Samuel Kapeni and Kevin Wanyanga failed to score in the next set and in the final one, big Kenedy Vidic Onyango scored for City Stars as Fortune Omoto had his saved by Njunge who fully atoned for his goof that led to the equalizing regular time goal for it to end 3-2.

Up next for City Stars will be a final tie against Kenya Police who edged out Bidco United 1-0 in the second semi-final. The tie will be played at Nyayo Stadium from 3 pm.

The two sides met during the opening Pool ‘B’ clash in the tournament and it ended all square at 1-1.

Lineups

Kariobangi Sharks: 1. John Otieno (GK), 3. Frederick Alushula, 11. Geoffrey Onyango, 2. Dan Guya (14. Timothy Ekhavi-65), 25. Kevin Luke Otiala, 4. Collins Obanda, 5. Isaac Wasambo (8. Kevin Wangaya-33), 6. Issa Lumumba (23. Keith Imbali-33), 10. Fortune Omoto, 22. Julius Masaba (19. Paul Odhiambo-59), 7. Shariff Musa (18. Tyson Otieno-65)

Unused subs: 16. Gedion Ogweno (GK),  11. LeonLevitt Otineo, 12. Tyson Omondi, 17. Ken Kyalo, 29. Franklin Kirono, 23. Moses Shikanda, 9. Titus Kapchanga,

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Njunge Steve (GK), 14. Rowland Makati, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 5. Timothy Oduor Muganda, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo (18. Clifford Ouma-82), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-Captain 1 (30. Anthony Kimani-62-captain 2), 22. Samuel Kapeni, 9. Vincent Otieno (32. Ezekiel Odera-70), 15. Newton Ochieng (21. Oliver Maloba-62), 22. Kelvin Etemesi (Mohammed Bajaber-62),

Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Andrew Kisilu, 4. Elly Kessy Osotsi, 28. Herit Mungai, 8. Calvin Masawa, 6. Ronney Kola, 17. Daniel Otieno

Goals

Nairobi City Stars: 9. Vincent Otieno (16, 26)
Karibangi Sharks: 25. Kevin Otiala (76-pen), 18. Tyson Otieno (82)

Yellow cards

Nairobi City Stars: 25. Kenedy Onyango (63)
Karibangi Sharks: 11. Geoffrey Onyango (65), 1. John Otieno (90+)

Photo Credit – Hassan Mandevu

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