07 Aug 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0
Nairobi City Stars players prior to the opening 2023-24 FKF Premier League game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sun 27 Aug 2023. It ended 0-0

16 re-up contracts for 2024-25 season

August 7, 2024

Twenty two (22) of 28 players who featured for Nairobi City Stars last term will be part of the squad for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season.

Six of the 22 players had running contracts while another 16 renewed their stay for yet another season that kicks off on 24-25 August, 2024 with an away game to Kenya Police.

Goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro will be activating his fifth and final year of his contract, as center back Wycliffe Awiko Omondi, as well as flyer Gilbert Abala enter their second year.

Midfielder Vincent Owino, centre back Timothy Muganda, and left back Rogers Wasega complete the list of the players with running contracts.

Goalkeepers Edwin Mukolwe and Byron Owino are part of the 16 that renewed their contracts and will stay on for next season.

The same applies to fullbacks Edwin Buliba and Rowland Makati, as well as team skipper Calvin Masawa who is looking forward to his fifteenth straight season – since the year 2011 – with City Stars.

Defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma is in for his third straight season as Elvis Noor Ojiambo agreed to stay at Simba wa Nairobi for his sixth season.

Ouma and Noor will have the company of midfielders Brian Mzee, and Abuyeka Kubasu who will also grace another season.

Forwards Dennis Oalo, Mohammed Bajaber, Pius Omachi, Yuto Kusaba, Kelvin Etemesi, Robinson Asenwa, and Brian Mose Nyambane, all confirmed their stay.

Six players: flyer Samuel Kapen, defenders Dennis Wanjala,  and Sosthenes Idah, midfielders Newton Ochieng, Shem Odinga, and Andrew Kisilu have since left the club to pursue other interests.

“We are keen on continuity hence the retention of most of the players from last season for the new one,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“Like in every team setup, it’s near impossible to keep all players. Some chose to explore other opportunities at the end of the season and we granted them their wish,”

“We will have minimal additions to the current squad. The newcomers have all been identified and will be announced in due course.” he added

Summary

With running contracts: Timothy Muganda, Gilbert Abala, Rogers Wasega, Vincent Owino, Wycliffe Omondi, Elvis Ochoro

Contract renewals: Edwin Mukolwe, Byron Owino (goalkeepers), Calvin Masawa, Edwin Buliba, Rowland Makati (defenders), Clifford Ouma, Brian Mzee, Abuyeka Kubasu, Elvis Noor Ojiambo (midfielders), Dennis Oalo, Mohammed Bajaber, Pius Omachi, Yuto Kusaba, Kelvin Etemesi, Robinson Asenwa, Brian Mose Nyambane (forwards)

Out: Samuel Kapen, Dennis Wanjala, Sosthenes Idah, Newton Ochieng, Shem Odinga, and Andrew Kisilu

30 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24
Rogers Wasega in past warm up ahead of a Tusker game at Police Sacco Stadium on 15-May-24

Rogers Wasega aims at being the main character

July 30, 2024

After six months of apprenticeship at Nairobi City Stars, budding left back Rogers Wasega Obusu believes he’s shaken off his high school-ness, and is ready to delve into the premier league.

The teenager has been learning the ropes since joining from Laiser Hill Academy in February of 2024, and, by his estimation, says he is ready for the upcoming season.

“At the beginning, training was somehow very exhausting because I was only used to light training ,”

“I experienced a whole new challenge due to the intensity compared to what I got in high school,”

Rogers joined City Stars during the mid transfer window and soon made it to matchday squads against Shabana, Bandari, and Gor Mahia.

“Sitting on the bench in those games gave me a hint of what the top flight is all about. Even without getting to the pitch you feel that it’s a whole new level and experience,”

He also made it to five other match day squads against Bidco United, Kenya Police, Tusker, Nzoia Sugar, and Kakamega Homeboyz.

After those eight appearances, his planned debut in the penultimate game of the season against Sofapaka in Dandora was not to be following a cut finger from a broken glass.

“During the final days of the season I had adapted to the system but unfortunately I couldn’t get a chance to make that debut,”

“I am now more than ready for the upcoming season. I believe I am going to be the main character in the team. Expect lot’s of assist from me.” summed Rogers

In missing the opportunity to make his debut last season, Rogers became the only player besides keeper Julius Ombacho not to feature for Simba wa Nairobi.

28 players featured across the season including nine top flight debutants: defender, Wycliffe Omondi, midfielders Brian Mzee, Abuyeka Kubasu, and Shem Odinga, forwards Robinson Asenwa, Gilbert Abala, Brian Mose Nyambane, and Yuto Kusaba, as well as keeper Byron Owino.

Though with prior premiership experience, keeper Edwin Mukolwe, and centerback Sosthenes Idah too earned their debuts with Simba wa Nairobi last season.

Rogers Wasega on the bench during a game against Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on 12 May 2024

Rogers Wasega during a friendly game at the Gems Cambridge school against Ulinzi Youth on 30 May 2024

24 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Edwin Mukolwe
Edwin Mukolwe in action against Posta Rangers in Ruaraka on 13 Jan 2024. City stars won the game 1-0

Edwin Mukolwe reviews past season

July 24, 2024

Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe reckons, in retrospect, that he, as well as Nairobi City Stars, had a descent outing in the ended 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

Simba wa Nairobi was for large spells in the top five towards the end of the first leg all through to the final set of games then dropped to end up a respectable sixth with half a century of points from 34 outings.

“I had a fairly good season with the team, a group of very hard working mates who did their best,”

“We were able to achieve some good wins, played some good football too, and also had some rough days for learning. That said, I look forward to an even better 2024/2025 season.” he added

Mukolwe made 26 appearances – all full games – on his debut season with City Stars to earn 2,340 regular time minutes. He registered ten clean sheets.

He was named team MVP for his heroics on five different occasions after games against Bandari in the first leg on matchday 14, and four times in the second leg against Shabana in match day 20, Kariobangi sharks where he saved a penalty in matchday 23, against FC Talanta where he saved two penalties in matchday 27, and against Sofapaka in match day 33.

Mukolwe made it to the Team of the Week on three different occasions; in matchday 14 against Bandari, matchdays 26 and 27 against Muranga SEAL, and Kariobangi Sharks, respectively.

Mukolwe was named the Fans player of the week after his heroics on matchday 27.

18 Jul 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Asenwa
Robinson Asenwa in action against Muranga SEAL on Wed 1 Nov 2023 durng a matchday 9 2023/4 FKF Premier League tie

Robinson Asenwa talks up debut premier league season

July 18, 2024

Coming straight out of third tier side Vapor Sports to the Kenya premier league, forward Robinson Asenwa never imagined he could find his footing almost immediately in the just ended 2024-25 FKF season with Nairobi City Stars.

But he did, featuring in 29 of the 34 league games on his way to clocking 1,788 regular game minutes on his debut in the Kenyan topflight.

“Thanks to God and the team for giving me the opportunity and trusting in me. Last season was a learning curve for me as a new player in the league,”

“I also thank the team coaches for giving me the chance to feature for the team and I attribute the performance that I had to them as well as my teammates as a whole,”

Asenwa scored four goals and had six assists, and three progressive passes. He made his debut on matchday three against Gor Mahia at Kasarani, and went on to score his maiden goal against Muranga SEALS on match day nine. He also scored against AFC Leopards, Bandari and FC Talanta.

“Going by last season, I am more ambitious heading to next season because of the lessons I learnt. I have goals to achieve, mostly personal targets, but all geared towards elevating the team to it’s set objectives for the new season.”

“I scored each of my four goals from four different positions upfront; playing out on either flank, as a point man, and as an attacking midfielder. I believe I can top up on that figure come because of my dynamism.” added Asenwa

He was twice named as an MVP after games against Tusker in the first leg, and against Bidco United in the second leg.

At the league level, Asenwa made it to the team of the week once during matchday 17 tie against FC Talanta in Ruaraka.

20 Mar 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars
Dennis Oalo celebrates his winning goal against Ulinzi Stars during an FKF Matchday 15 tie in Ulinzi Complex on Sun 17 Dec 2023. City Stars won 2-1

Dennis Oalo’s take on second leg

March 20, 2024

Forward Dennis Oalo superbly slammed home a beauty of a goal on Saturday 9 March 2024 as Nairobi City Stars hosted Bidco United in Machakos during a 24th round FKF Premier League match.

The goal, his fourth this season, ended a three-month drought, as he topped up on his last one – a winner against Ulinzi Stars – in mid December 2023.

Though it his goal was as good a game winner, it turned out to be a point earner as Bidco left it late to tie the game at 1-1.

“I am happy to have found the back of the net once again,” said Oalo

“We are onto the second leg where all games are always tough. When you earn a point during this period it’s a great achievement,” 

“I’ll be actively seeking for more (goals) in the upcoming games to hep the team scale up the standings,” he added

Oalo scored against Gor Mahia and Tusker during the first leg before coming off the bench to win for City Stars against Ulinzi Stars in December.

Away from goals, he has two assists, and has been fielded 21 times this season and has clocked 1,210 regular time minutes.

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