City Stars, Odera
Nairobi City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera 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

Odera, Kamau in for KCB clash

The entry of striker Ezekiel Odera and winger John Kamau are the two changes made as Nairobi City Stars look ahead to their next FKF Premier League game against KCB in Kasarani on Saturday 21 May 2022 starting 3 pm.

Odera, City Stars’ current top scorer with eight goals, missed the previous Tusker game due to accumulated yellow card suspension and is back to face his former employer KCB, while Kamau makes a comeback after sitting out the last two games against Wazito and Tusker.

The two take up the places of Augustine Kuta and Charles Otieno who are rested for the tie, while the other 18 players retain their slots.

Compared to the squad that faced KCB in the first leg in mid-December 2021, and lost 1-0 in Ruaraka, changes made are seven.

Keeper Stephen Njunge, stopper Lennox Ogutu, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Charles Otieno, Rowland Makati, forwards Davis Agesa, and Vincent Otieno Okoth, are all out.

They have been replaced by keeper Elvis Ochoro, defenders Kevin Okumu, Salim Abdallah, Kenedy Onyango, and Wycliffe Otieno, and midfielder Mohammed Bajaber.

Striker Nicholas Kipkirui, who was named to face KCB in December, only to be replaced on the morning of the game by John Kamau due to illness, is the final change.

City Stars squad to face KCB FC

Goalkeepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 15. John Kamau, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 32. Ezekiel Odera

Out: 3. Charles Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 10. Peter Opiyo, 11. Davis Agesa, 14. Rowland Makati, 21. Oliver Maloba, 23. Stephen Njunge, 24. Erick Ombija, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 29. Augustine Kuta

Kamau, Police
City Stars winger John Kamau goes for the ball against Kenya Police stopper Duncan Otieno during a 28th round FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Sun 1 May 2022. It ended 0-0

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 4 Ng’ong FC 0

Nairobi City Stars overcame home team Ngong FC 4-0 in a friendly game played at the Ng’ong Vapor Grounds on Wednesday 18 May 2022.

A John Kamau goal in the eighth minute, off an Ezekiel Odera pass, separated the two sides at halftime.

Further goals by Timothy Ouma in the 58th minute, Vincent Otieno off a Kevin Okumu cross in the 84th minute, and Daniel Otieno’s goal from a rebound right at the death ended the game at 4-0.

The game handed the players that did not clock full minutes or missed out on the last game against Tusker, a run-out ahead of an upcoming game against KCB in Kasarani on Saturday 21 May 2022 starting 3 pm.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Salim Abdalla (27. Lennox Ogutu), 3. Charles Otieno (Kevin Okumu), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (Theopylle Otieno), 29. Augustine Kuta (14. Rowland Makati), 31. Mohammed Bajaber (Timothy Ouma), 15. John Kamau (Briton Mwindo), 32. Ezekiel Odera (Pius Omachi), 9. Vincent Otieno (Daniel Otieno)

Ngong FC: Antony Mungai, Moses Munei, Brian Kamau, Mathias Mathi, Hassan Abdi, Baddy Okello, Daffella Mahmoud, Eufyaies Migowe, Kevin Siwa, Victor Kila, Moses Ndegwa

Subs: Juma Evans, Michael Mutu, John Manella, Fahim Hamid, Bramwell Asigi, Kletia Munene

Bidco United, City Stars
Vincent Otieno in action against Bidco United during the first ever premier league game between the two played at the Utalii grounds on Thur 7 Dec 2020. It ended 0-0

‘Jamaica’ back in training

Forward Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica is back in training after weeks out due to an injury suffered during a friendly training game in Ngong Vapor.

According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, Jamaica is now in good shape and raring to go.

“He is now fully fit after recovering from tendinitis. He is back to full training, and up for selection in upcoming games,”

On his part, the former Hakati Sportiff forward said; “Yes I am back and I want to do everything to be back in the squad,”

Jamaica last featured for City Stars in mid-March against Bandari at Mbaraki. He has so far featured in seven games this season and has one goal to his name – his debut premiership goal against Vihiga Bullets.

Osano, City Stars
Jacob Osano getting set for an FKF Premier League game against Nzoia Sugar in Ruaraka on 8 Dec 2021

Jacob Osano: 13 clean sheets and counting

Goalkeeper Jacob Osano had a massive contribution once again as Nairobi City Stars registered a 0-0 draw against champions Tusker FC in a matchday 30 FKF Premier League tie in Ruaraka on Sunday 15 May 2022.

Time and again Osano stretched his six-foot-two frame to keep out Tusker’s raids to register a third straight clean sheet, and the fifth in the last six games, to make it 13 games without conceding in his first premier league season.

From his displays, Simba wa Nairobi head coach Nicholas Muyoti now reckons Osano has done enough to warrant a place in the Kenya National team.

“It is very encouraging from Osano. He has been very consistent and so far he has made some very important saves. He deserves a call up to the National Team.” opined Muyoti

Osano made his debut during the second game of the season against Kenya Police, that City Stars won 2-0 at Kasarani Annex.

His premier league debut came a year and a half after he grabbed his maiden game for Simba wa Nairobi against AP Bomet in Kericho in March 2020.

Adding his voice to Osano’s growth is team coordinator Samson Otieno who said;

“He has been very patient. Imagine arriving in January 2020, featuring in just one game in the second leg of the 2019/20 NSL season in March, missing on game time the entire 2020/21 FKF Premier League season, then becoming a regular, and a top-rated keeper the season after,”

“As the head coach says, Osano has been simply outstanding and we owe lots of our positive results to his presence in goal.” added Otieno 

Prior to his premier league debut and big break this season, Osano, a January 2020 signing from Nairobi Stima, was an unused substitute in 16 of the 33 games played in the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season.

Osano’s 13 clean sheets add on to one other by Stephen Njunge to make it 14 for City Stars so far.

Thus far, Osano has clocked 2,340 minutes after completing 26 of 30 games this season.

Mohammed Bajaber, City Stars
Mohammed Bajaber in action against Tusker FC's John Njuguna in Ruaraka on Sun 15 May 2022 during a matchday 30 FKF Premier League game. It was his debut day in the top flight. The game ended 0-0

Mohammed Bajaber delighted with Premier League debut

His big moment came, finally! After three and a half months of waiting, attacking midfielder Hamudi Mohammed Bajaber, on loan from Starfield Academy, made his Kenyan Premier League debut on Sunday 15 May 2022 in Ruaraka as Nairobi City Stars held champions Tusker FC to a 0-0 draw.

Bajaber replaced forward Nicholas Kipkirui in the 85th minute to great applause from the fans watching on.

His first touch of the ball a minute after coming on, a header to an Augustine Kuta freekick, flew just wide.

“Mohammed had a good debut. Though on for a short time, it is evident he has the quality needed,” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

Mohammed’s debut came a week after he had been named to the squad for a premier league game for the first time ever, in the previous game against Wazito FC. He was an unused substitute.

“I am really glad I made my (premier league) debut and earned some playtime infront of fans. I hope I can continue this way and help the team move forward,” said Bajaber

He now has his work cut out; to push for more minutes in the final four games of the season against KCB, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and FC Talanta within the next one month.

Mohammed Bajaber, City Stars

Mohammed Bajaber in action against Tusker FC’s Daniel Sakari in Ruaraka on Sun 15 May 2022 during a matchday 30 FKF Premier League game. It was his debut day in the top flight. The game ended 0-0

Bajaber, City Stars

Mohammed Bajaber in action against Tusker FC’ in Ruaraka on Sun 15 May 2022 during a matchday 30 FKF Premier League game. It was his debut day in the top flight. The game ended 0-0