City Stars
Goal scorer pats assist provider Oliver Maloba after City Stars went ahead against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Sat 6 Feb 2022. City stars won the game 1-0

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

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)

Elvis Ochoro
Elvis Ochoro

Keeper Ochoro elated after Premier League bow

Budding keeper Elvis Ochoro Ochieng finally made his Kenyan Premier League debut during the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season-ender against FC Talanta on Sunday 12 June 2022 in Kasarani Annex.

Ochoro took up his place between the sticks for the first time in the top flight in the 34th and final game of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season ahead of regular Jacob Osano.

The Kenyan U20 trialist talked up that unforgettable Sunday experience at Kasarani Annex.

“I am happy to have made my premier league debut though it’s taken two seasons for it to come

“My first game was an eye-opener and I’ll take many lessons home from it. There’s a lot to learn from but I must say the taste of top-flight football is exciting. And I want more of it.” added Ochoro

Before his debut arrived, Ochoro was, collectively, an unused sub in 32 FKF Premier League games – 18 times last season, and 14 times in the just-ended season.

Ochoro, signed from Hakati Sportif in 2020 on a long-term deal, became the 30th player fielded this term by head coach Nicholas Muyoti and his debut came just days, and weeks after forwards Rowland Makati and Mohammed Bajaber were introduced to the top flight.

Kasarani
Kasarani Stadium Photo credit - Tuko

Club Statement: Theft in Kasarani – suspects identified

Three suspects behind the theft of 13 mobile phones and cash to the tune of Kshs 94,050 belonging to Nairobi City Stars players and members of the technical bench in Kasarani on Sunday 29 May 2022 have been identified.

The three were picked up in Kasarani for questioning during Nairobi City Stars’ season-ending game against FC Talanta on Sunday 12 June 2022.

The suspects were stewards hired by Simba wa Nairobi to safeguard the same items that they made away with from a changing room that hosted the team. The theft was only discovered at halftime as the squad returned for a pre-second half pep talk.

Nairobi City Stars wishes to exonerate Kasarani Stadium management for any negligence and do hereby extend a congratulatory note for their professionalism and cooperation, as well as the Police from the Station within the Stadium led by the OCS, for providing all necessary images from their set of CCTV cameras that led to the identification of the suspects.

Patrick Korir,

CEO, Nairobi City Stars

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

Nairobi City Stars 2 FC Talanta 2

Set-piece goals by Ezekiel Odera and Peter Opiyo on either half, that sandwiched FC Talanta’s two quickfire goals into the second half, settled the 34th and final game in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League game played in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 12 June 2022 at 2-2.

Odera opened the scoring in the 14th minute via the spot, his tenth goal of the season, after the center ref penalized a Talanta player by awarding the spot kick, and a yellow card.

City Stars led 1-0 at the break by were down 2-1 within minutes of the restart.  Two minutes in, winger Michael Jairo placed a high ball to the far post, out of reach of keeper Elvis Ochoro who registered his Premier League debut in the game.

Three minutes later, Francis Kahiro sent the hosts 2-1 up when he buried a penalty awarded after striker Brian Yakhama was felled in the box. Unlucky Ochoro had a touch on the low shot, only to push it in.

That lead lasted just a few minutes, as Opiyo, placed a freekick to the top corner from outside the box, his third goal of the season, what turned out to be the 45th and final strike of the season for Simba wa Nairobi. 

Opiyo last featured for City Stars in mid-March away to Bandari in Mombasa and had missed the last ten game due to injury. He made his way to the pitch minutes towards the end of the first half for Elvis Noor Ojiambo and was accompanied by John Kamau who took the place of Augustine Kuta.

With the draw, City Stars ended the season in fifth place with 49-points as Talanta closed their debut season in eleventh place with 44 points.

In the game, Rowland Makati who made his top-flight debut on Monday against AFC Leopards, earned his first start alongside Mohammed Bajaber who earned his second straight start, as Kenedy Onyango returned to the starting lineup in place of Edwin Buliba.

Makati and Bajaber lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Davis Agesa and flyer Rodgers Okumu, respectively. Charles Otieno came on as the last sub for Odera in the 79th minute.

City Stars won the first leg game at the same venue 2-1.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, Kennedy Onyango, Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Peter Opiyo-44), 14. Rowland Makati (11. Davis Agesa-70), 29. Augustine Kuta (15. John Kamau-44), 31. Mohammed Omar Bajaber (7. Rodgers Okumu-70), 32. Ezekiel Odera (3. Charles Otieno-79)

Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala,

Coach: Ken Kenyatta

FC Talanta: James Omusinde, 24. Alvin Ochieng, Thomas Wainaina, 5. Nicodemus Malika, Luis Masika, Castro Ogendo, Georson Likono (Rodgers Angal), Dennis Oalo, Francis Kahiro, Brian Yakhama (Kevintom Machika), 21. Michael Jairo

Unused subs: Isaiah Wakasala, Peter Njammah, Erick Shikonoh, Maurice Dukully, Michael Omondi,

Yellow cards
Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro (36), 15. John Kamau (90+)
FC Talanta:

Goals
Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (14-Pen), 10. Peter Opiyo (52)
FC Talanta: 21. Michael Jairo (47), Francis Kahiro (49-Pen)

Pinchez
Mid kingpin Peter 'Pinchez' Opiyo celebrates one of his two goals against Mathare United on Sat 11 Dec 2021 in Ruaraka. City Stars won 2-0

Opiyo, Agesa in for 2021/22 league finale

Mid kingpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo, and Davis Agesa are the two changes made as City Stars plots for FC Talanta in Kasarani Annex in the 34th and final game in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League on Sunday 12 Jun 2022 starting at 1 pm.

Opiyo and Agesa take up the place of Anthony Muki Kimani and Timothy Noor Ouma who have been handed rests from the season-ender.

While Agesa returns after missing the AFC Leopards game on Monday, Opiyo makes his way back to the squad after close to three months, from mid-March when he clocked a full game against Bandari in Mombasa.

From the squad that took on the same side in January 2022, changes are seven.

Keeper Stephen Njunge, defender Lennox Ogutu, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Michael Madoya, Anthony Kimani, and Timothy Ouma are out, as well as striker Erick Ombija.

Other than Agesa, the rest of the places have been taken up by keeper Elvis Ochoro, stopper Kenedy Onyango, midfielders Sven Yidah, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, forwards Rowland Makati, Augustine Kuta, and Mohammed Bajaber.

City Stars squad to face FC Talanta

Goalkeepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 18. Sven Yidah, 29. Augustine Kuta, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Strikers: 32. Ezekiel Odera, 11. Davis Agesa,

Out: 5. Michael Madoya, 6. Ronney Kola, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 23. Stephen Njunge, 24. Erick Ombija, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 30. Anthony Kimani