Blog | Page 74 | Nairobi City Stars

22 Jul 2022

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Masawa, City Stars — An elated captain Calvin Masawa over the moon as City Celebrated one of two goals scored by Peter Opiyo in a 2-0 win over Mathare United in Ruaraka on Sat 11 Dec 2021

Calvin Masawa audits ended season

Patrick July 22, 2022

Overall team skipper Calvin Masawa has taken stock of the ended 2021/22 FKF Premier League season and has noted ameliorated points, goals, and position compared to the previous season.

Masawa, in Simba wa Nairobi books since his arrival back in the year 2011 from Migori Youth, however, regrets not having done better than fifth place albeit being the club’s best finish in 14 top flight seasons, as the club’s preseason target was to be in the top three.

To finish fifth, two places better than last season, City Stars scored 42 goals and summed up 49 points compared to 34 goals and 45 points managed last season.

“The ended season was an improved one in terms of points and goals because we managed to surpass our last season tally,”

“It was disappointing though that we did not achieve our set targets but again being a transitional season in our team, I can say we did a good job,” added Masawa

“It’s not always easy when a new Coach is coming in. But we are glad we found a good youthful Coach (Nicholas Muyoti) who blended from the onset with the group of players he found at the club,”

“We are now looking forward to the new season and I am pretty sure we are going to do better than last season.” added Masawa

In the ended season, Masawa clocked 14 games and captained the side eleven times.

He clocked 1,199 minutes which was an improvement from the 93 minutes earned from three games in the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season.

He was named MVP in the season-ending match against FC Talanta that ended 2-2 at Kasarani Annex on 12 June 2022.

Right-back Calvin Masawa in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0

05 Jul 2022

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Ezekiel Odera celebrating a goal - his 31st for City Stars - against Bandari in Ruaraka on 2 Apr 2022.

Odera talks up rare scoring record

Patrick July 5, 2022

A first-half Ezekiel Odera penalty for Nairobi City Stars against FC Talanta in the grand finale of the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season improved his tally of goals in the season to ten.

The haul sent Odera, 34, to the City Stars record books as he became the first player to win the club’s golden boot for the third time surpassing three other players who had top-scored in over two seasons.

Justus Basweti top-scored in the 2004/5 and 2006/7 seasons, Arthur Museve in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Ugandan Dan Sserunkuma in 2011 and 2012, and Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh in the 2015 and 2019-20 seasons.

Odera top-scored in the 2016 premier league and 2017 National Super League seasons with four and eleven goals, respectively.

“Playing for Nairobi city Stars as always has been a joy to me as a player. The working conditions at the club have been favorable to me. The staff, playing unit, and coaching staff have been superb,” said Odera

“I am happy and blessed and always proud to wear a City Stars jersey while representing the club.

“As a striker, my job is to score goals and that has never been a problem for me because I enjoy my football at the club. That explains the reasons behind being the top goal scorer in three different seasons and that makes me proud,”

“I am always thankful to my employers and I am hopeful that we will continue the good relationship with the club and help them achieve their objectives as a club.”

In hitting double digits in the 2021/22 season, Odera surpassed the eight goals that made Sanneh and Peter Opiyo Simba wa Nairobi top scorers in the 2019/20 National Super League and 2020/21 FKF Premier League seasons.

Notwithstanding, Odera’s overall goals were reduced to nine after one of his goals in the 3-0 win over Mathare United was negated following the expulsion of the club from the league.

Odera currently sits third behind Basweti and Francis Thairu in the all-time City Stars’ scoring record with 33 goals.

Ezekiel Odera in action between Nairobi City Stars and Ulinzi Stars in a matchday 25 FKF Premier League tie on Sat 10 Apr 2022 in Ruaraka. It ended 0-0

City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera against Wazito in a 29th round FKF Premier League match on Mon 9 May 2022. His penalty in the second half earned a 1-0 win

Nairobi City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera is sandwiched by KCB players during the 34th and final FKF Premier League game at Narok Stadium Sun 22 Aug 2021. KCB won it 3-0

03 Jul 2022

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

2021/22 FKF Premier League: Coach Nicholas Muyoti’s comments

Patrick July 3, 2022

A 2-2 draw against FC Talanta on Sunday 12 June 2022 at Kasarani Annex brought Nairobi City Stars 2021/22 FKF Premier League season to a close.

After the season finale, Simba wa Nairobi wrapped the season with 49 points to end up a record-high fifth on the 18-team log.

Comparatively, it was an improved season from the last one as the team managed one extra win to hit 14, and draw to make it 10 from nine, and lost a game less to make it 10, to finish with four points and two positions better.

14 wins in the season meant City Stars matched the most wins registered in the top flight that was achieved back in the 2005-6 season.

It has to be noted that Nicholas Muyoti who joined the side at the beginning of the season from Kakamega Homeboyz had broken that record had a 3-0 win over Mathare United not been expunged from the standings following the expulsion of the side for skipping three consecutive games during the second leg.

That not only denied Muyoti the record but a 52-point finish at the end of the season.

Looking back at the season that was, Muyoti shared his comments;

“Being my first season with the team I must say we did well. It was an improved performance from last season though I feel we had the capability to do better,” started Muyoti

“We had a bad start then we picked up and at some point, we were title contenders but we Just didn’t have enough character and resilience to push and go for the title,”

During the season Muyoti exhausted his playing unit handing playtime to 30 of 31 players which included handing premier league debuts to keepers Jacob Osano, Elvis Ochoro, midfielders Rowland Makati, Mohammed Bajaber, and City Stars debuts to Dennis Wanjala, Lennox Ogutu, Michael Madoya, and Augustine Kuta.

“I am happy with the overall performance of the team, all the players got an opportunity to play apart from injured Ronnie Kola. Some were very impressive and others couldn’t take the opportunity to become regulars in the team,”

“Osano was outstanding in goal, keeping as many (13) clean sheets, (Herit) Mungai had improved performance, Sven (Yidah), (Anthony) Kimani, (Peter) Opiyo, and Timothy (Ouma) were outstanding in midfield.

“But any time they were out of the team we struggled. (Oliver) Maloba and Rodgers (Okumu) did well but were not consistent, and (Ezekiel) Odera our top scorer did great,”

“The technical staff did well, though with a few shortcomings, and we look forward to improving in the next season,”

“The management played her part and we owe it to them, allowances and salaries were paid on time unlike most of the teams in the league,”

“We thank the fans for their support as they really pushed the team regardless of where we played. We hope they will continue with the same spirit.

“Generally I thank God for an improved performance and hope to do better next season.” concluded Muyoti

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti swings instructions to midfielder Peter Opiyo (no. 10) and winger John Kamau (no. 15) during a tough away game to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu on Thur 20 Jan 2022. The game ended 4-4

Nicholas Muyoti being unveiled as the new Nairobi City Stars coach by club chair Jonathan Jackson

29 Jun 2022

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

City Stars, Homeboyz — Elvis Noor Ojiambo vs Kakamega Homeboyz skipper Ali Bhai during an FKF PL match on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega. Homeboyz won the game 2-0

Elvis Ojiambo aims for more next season

Patrick June 29, 2022

Midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo has reflected on the ended 2021/22 FKF Premier League season and is already setting targets for the next one.

Ojiambo, in his second Kenyan top-flight season, featured in 14 games in the concluded term registering seven starts. He was unused six times and managed to clock 635 minutes.

Even though he featured in eleven games less compared on his debut premier season in 2020/21, his returns were a lot better this time as he provided two-second assists and an assist on his way to picking three notable MVP mentions. Last season he managed an assist and one MVP mention.

“It’s been a good season, I can’t complain though the last five matches were tough on us,” said Ojiambo while relating to fixtures against Tusker, KCB, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and FC Talanta.

“It took lots of character to maneuver through those final games. On a personal level I am glad that I featured in most of them,”

“As an individual I am will work towards earning more games next season hoping that I can achieve more with the team.” he added

In the final fixtures, City Stars collected three points to hit the 49-point mark to end the season placed fifth.

Simba wa Nairobi lost to both KCB and Gor Mahia by identical 3-2 margins and drew the other three against Tusker (0-0), AFC Leopards (1-1), and FC Talanta (2-2).

Elvis Noor Ojiambo up against a Bidco player during a 20th round FKF Premier League game on Sat 5 March 2022. Bidco united won 2-0

City stars midfielder Elvis Ojiambo taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

Elvis Noor Ojiambo has a go at Ulinzi Stars’ Brian Birgen during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

Elvis Noor Ojiambo in a past game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-1

20 Jun 2022

Patrick NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars 2021/22 FKF Premier League season in numbers

Patrick June 20, 2022

Nairobi City Stars wrapped their 2021/22 FKF Premier League season with a 2-2 draw against FC Talanta at the Kasarani Annex on Sunday 12 June 2022.

The game was the 34th and final tie of the season, and the point earned, of goals from stalwarts Ezekiel Odera and Peter Pinchez Opiyo, guaranteed the club a fifth-placed finish.

It was Odera’s opener that activated the scoresheet in the first half in what was his tenth goal of the season, and Opiyo’s goal, his third of the season, is what leveled the game as the hosts scored twice at the restart to take a 2-1 lead.

Away from the season-ender, we look at the ended 2021/22 FKF Premier League season in numbers.

Zero

-Points earned from KCB, Sofapaka

1

-Games earned by keeper Elvis Ochoro. He stood between the sticks in the season-ender to mark his top-flight debut
-Goals scored by Vincent Jamaica Otien-debut top-flight goal vs Vihiga Bullets, forward Davis Agesa, and stopper Kenedy Onyango
-Starts by Rowland Makati in his debut season

2

-Goals scored by stoppers Salim Abdallah and Lennox Ogutu, defensive-mid Sven Yidah, attacking-mid Oliver Maloba, and striker Erick Ombija in the season
-Starts by forward Mohammed Bajaber, Augustine Kuta, Erick Ombija, and Rodgers Okumu

3

– Number of assists by midfielder Peter Opiyo, forwards Odera, Davis Agesa, and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu
– Goals scored by Peter Opiyo, Rodgers Okuse Okumu, and Nicholas Kipkirui
-Direct freekicks scored by Peter Opiyo (vs Mathare United), Anthony Kimani (vs Gor Mahia) & Timothy Ouma (vs Bandari)
-Penalties scored by Ezekiel Odera (vs Wazito, KCB, FC Talanta)

4

– Number of assists by forwards Odera, Nicholas Kipkirui, and Sven Yidah
– MVP mentions picked by Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani, and the number of second assists by both Opiyo and Chumsy
-Number of players handed premier league debuts by coach Nicholas Muyoti; keepers Elvis Ochoro and Jacob Osano, midfielders Mohammed Bajaber and Rowland Makati

5

-MVP mentions for Timothy Ouma
-Positional finish (best ever) in the 18-team log
-Games earned by stopper Wycliffe Otieno after shaking off eight-month-long injury

6

-Goals by field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani
-Points collected from Wazito, Vihiga Bullets, Mathare United

7

-Goals scored by attacking-mid Timothy Babu Ouma
-Games earned by forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno
-Players that clocked over 2,000 minutes: Jacob Osano, Kenedy Onyango, Timothy Ouma, Anthony Kimani, Sven Yidah and Ezekiel Odera

9

– Assists, as well as second assists by attacking-mid Timothy Babu Ouma
-Games clocked by Michael Madoya

14
-Number of clean sheets across the season
-Games earned by Calvin Masawa, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, and Erick Ombija

25

-Goal contribution by Timothy Ouma (7 goals, 9 assists, and as many second assists)
-Games earned by Nicholas Kipkirui

30

-Complete games by Sven Yidah (the most)
-Games earned by Ezekiel Odera
-The number of players (out of 31) used across the season by head coach Nicholas Muyoti

32
-Games (the most) earned by Sven Yidah and Timothy Noor Ouma

67
-Number of cautions earned across the season; 65 yellow cards, two red cards

2,689
-Minutes clocked by Sven Yidah (the most)