Newton Ochieng
Midfielder Newton 'Tony' Ochieng during his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars on 24 Aug 2022

Newton Ochieng joins City Stars from Vapor

Central midfielder Newton Ochieng has joined Nairobi City Stars from third-tier side Vapor Sports on a one-year deal.

The teenager, fondly known as Tony in the hood, arrives at Simba wa Nairobi after the conclusion of the Division One league recently.

He had been a regular at City Stars training during the past league season before making a permanent cross-over.

“We’ve been tracking Newton for a while, and over the last few months, he has been in and out of training with Nairobi City Stars for integration purposes. The coach identified him as a good prospect for the upcoming season and I wish to take the earliest opportunity to welcome him home to Simba wa Nairobi,” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno

Newton is an alumnus of Upper Hill school where he was a captain till his final year in 2021.

“I am happy to sign for Nairobi City Stars, a club that matches my ambitions. A club with the potential to win and play attractive football for its passionate fans,” said Newton

“In addition to goals and assists, I will bring dedication to training, on matchdays and I will do my best to represent the club positively off the pitch. I can’t wait to get started and learn from an experienced technical bench, my teammates, and our fans.” he added

Newton will don jersey No. 15 which was vacated by John Kamau.

Newton Ochieng

Midfielder Newton ‘Tony’ Ochieng during his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars on 24 Aug 2022

Newton Ochieng

Midfielder Newton ‘Tony’ Ochieng was officially unveiled by Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir on 24 Aug 2022 He signed from third-tier side Vapor Sports

Timothy Babu Ouma, City Stars
Timothy Ouma in action against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium. He scored once as Nairobi City Stars hit their visitors 3-1

Club Statement: Timothy Noor Ouma

Nairobi City Stars and Swedish top-tier side IF Elsborg have reached an agreement for the immediate transfer of teenage attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma.

Timothy, best known as Babu, leaves Simba wa Nairobi two seasons into his five-year deal.

“Nairobi City Stars can confirm that after successful negotiations, Timothy’s move from Simba wa Nairobi to Swedish top-tier side IF Elsborg has been arrived at,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“Babu was a standout at Nairobi City Stars in the just ended season and we thank him for his on-field returns that made him a great attraction, his commitment and dedication to the team,”

“He has our full blessings, and on behalf of Nairobi City Stars and supporters, we wish him the very best in his new endeavor at IF Elfsborg.” added Korir

Babu left the country on the wee hours of Monday 22 August 2022, and arrived at his new club the following day. He has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at IF Elfbrog.

He joined Nairobi City Stars in mid-2020 on an initial three-year contract but after his debut top-flight season, he extended his stay for a further two seasons till mid-2025.

In the ended 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, Babu topped up on his season-opening debut goal with six more to tally up seven in addition to nine assists and as many second assists to end the season with a contribution of 25 of the total 45 goals scored.

Opiyo
Peter Opiyo in action in the Premier League in Jan 2021

Eleven players re-up their contracts for the new season

Eleven players have renewed their contracts and will stay on at Nairobi City Stars for the upcoming 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.

Goalkeepers Jacob Osano and Steve Njunge, stoppers Kenedy Vidic Onyango and Edwin Buliba, fullbacks Calvin Masawa and Herit Mungai, are some of the players who re-upped their contracts.

Midfielders Peter Pinchez Opiyo, Anthony Muki Kimani, and Oliver Maloba are also staying on for another season.

Forwards Mohammed Bajaber who was on loan in the last half of last season from Starfield Academy is in for another season, as well as record-chasing scorer Ezekiel Odera.

“All the eleven players had run down their contracts at the close of last season but we are happy that they agreed to stay on for yet another season as per the coaches’ plan,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

The eleven add on to another six players who had rolling contracts. They include forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno and Rowland Makati, midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Ronney Kola, left-back Dennis Wanjala, and keeper Elvis Ochoro.

“With a core team still in place, the culture of the team remains as we restructure for the upcoming season. It is exciting to keep a majority of players as we tune ourselves for next season.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

Thirteen other players left the club at the wrap of last season: two by mutual consent, and the other eleven after running down their contracts.

Nairobi City Stars
Spoiler Sven Yiday during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

Club Statement: Sven Yidah

Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah has officially completed his move to South African top-tier side Marumo Gallants on a free transfer.

Sven moved to the club at the close of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, and at the expiry of this contract with Nairobi City Stars.

His transfer was completed at the close of the ended week after the release of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Issuance of a player’s card by the South African Football Association (SAFA) thereafter makes him available for official Marumo Gallants games.

“Sven was a hard worker, committed, and very dependable while in our books. He deserved his move to South Africa as he always gave an unmatched and consistent performance all through under coach Sanjin Alagic in his first year at City Stars, and Nicholas Muyoti in the second year. We wish him the very best at his new work station.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

Muyoti, the head coach at Simba wa Nairobi said: “Sven gave always had the right shift across last season and always put in a man of the match performance in every game he featured in. He would have loved to keep him for longer, but his discipline and commitment to his tasks opened bigger doors for him. He has our blessings following his move to Marumo Gallants.”

Sven joined Nairobi City Stars at the onset of the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season from Kariobangi Sharks on a two-year deal and went on to feature in 59 of 67 topflight games scoring three goals.

City Stars, FC Talanta
Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a goal against FC Talanta in the 34th and final game of the 2021/22 Premier League at Kasarani Annex on Sun 12 Jun 2022

Club Statement: Free agents after the 2021/22 season

Nairobi City Stars wishes to announce that, following the expiry of contracts, a number of key players who did duty for the club up until the close of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, are now free agents.

The list includescentral defenders Salim Shitu Abdalla and Wycliffe Otieno, who both joined the club at the start of the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) season.

Defensive midfielder Charles Otieno Oduro and forward Davis Agesa who both joined the club in the year 2017 have also run down their contracts.

The list also includes striker Erick Ombija and flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu who joined the club at the start of the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season.

Striker Nicholas Kipkirui who joined in March 2021, and Michael Madoya who arrived at the start of the 2021/22 season, are also free agents.

Adding to the list is left-footed utility John Kamau who re-joined the club in January 2020, as well as forward Augustine Kuta who arrived on a short-term contract in January 2022.

Further, the club can confirm that central defender Lennox Ogutu, and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu have, after completing a season into their three-year and two-year contracts, respectively, left Simba wa Nairobi on mutual consent to explore other interests.

Defensive-mid Sven Yidah also ran down his contract and has since crossed borders to seek a place in South African top-tier side Marumo Gallants.

“Shitu, Chumsy, Wycliffe, Charles, Agesa, and Kamau will always be remembered for being part of the team that guided City Stars to Premier League promotion in 2020 while Ombija, Okuse, Sven, Kipkirui, Madoya, Lennox, and Kuta receive a pat on the back for making Simba wa Nairobi a stable team in the big boys league.

“We take the earliest opportunity to thank the players that have run down their contracts for their tireless contribution to the club. They will always be part of our history and we wish them the very best in their future endeavors.” said club CEO Patrick Korir