10 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink

Nairobi City Stars squad for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season

September 10, 2024

Nairobi City Stars will navigate the first leg of the 2024-25 premier league season with a total of 27 players. 

The 27 includes 16 who renewed their contracts, six who had running contracts, one returning player – Sven Yidah -, and four new signings.

Defender Brian Opinde joined from fourth tier side Langas Super Stars, as left back Stephen Bulugu arrived from relegated Muhoroni Youth.

Flyer Andre Kalama from Sofapaka and Ugandan national James Ssemambo from Burundi’s premiership side Bumamura FC complete the short list of incoming transfers.

“We concentrated more on retentions for continuity’s sake and only topped up with five players to replace those that left at the end of last term. The replacements are like-for-like, and will take up the slots vacated by departures at the end of last season,”

“We will start off with a lean squad of 27 players into the new season and will only scale it upwards if need be during the next window,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

City Stars squad (& new jersey numbers) for the 2024-25 FKF Premier League season

Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 32. Byron Owino

Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, *6. Brian Opinde (Langas Super Stars),8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 21. Rogers Wasega, 22. Stephen Bulugu (Muhoroni Youth), 30. Rowland Makati

Midfielders: **3. Sven Yidah (Marumo Gallants), 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee, *26. James Ssemambo (Bumumura, Burundi), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

Forwards: 5. Robinson Asenwa, 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Yuto Kusaba, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Mohammed Bajaber, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 27. Gilbert Abala, *28. Andre Kalama (Sofapaka)

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

Technical bench: Nicholas Muyoti – Head coach, Peter Opiyo – Assistant coach, Abel Omuhaya – Goalkeeper trainer, Arthur Museve – Trainer & Security Officer, Obed Nyamweya – Game Analyst & Psychologist, Ronny Kagunzi – Team Manager, Brian Odongo Otieno – Team Physio, Dominic Mutiso – Kit Manager

*New players

**Returning player

09 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Sven Yidah
Sven Yidah

Sven Yidah returns

September 9, 2024

Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah has returned to the Simba wa Nairobi fold after two seasons out.

Sven rejoins to Nairobi City Stars for the upcoming season as a free agent.

“I am happy to be back ‘home’ after a few seasons out. I have found a number of changes from the squad I left behind and my immediate task is to blend in with the new team. Together, I look forward to a brilliant season,” said Sven

City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti is elated with  Sven’s return and had this to say;

“City Stars is elated to have Sven back. He left our stable on a good note for greener pastures and he is welcome back home,”

“He brings experience, leadership, and punch to our midfield. We do believe that he, and team, will have a good season,” added Muyoti

Sven arrived at Simba wa Nairobi at the start of the 2020/21 season from Kariobangi Sharks. He left after two seasons to join South Africa premiership side Marumo Gallants.

Club Statement: Sven Yidah

Across the 2020/21, and 2021-22 seasons, Sven featured in 59 of 68 games for City Stars, scored three times, registered five assists, and a total of eight progressive passes. He clocked a collective 4,952 minutes.

He will don jersey no. 3.

Sven Yidah in training at GEMS Cambridge, Rongai, during a training session on Tue 3 Sep 2024

Sven Yidah in action against FC Talanta at the NYS grounds, Thika Road on Sun 30 Aug 2024. City Stars won 2-0

02 Sep 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
Yuto Kusaba celebrtates one of his two goals against KCB in the 2023-24 season-ender in Utalii on Sun 23 Jun 2024
Yuto Kusaba celebrtates one of his two goals against KCB in the 2023-24 season-ender in Utalii on Sun 23 Jun 2024

Yuto Kusaba aims high

September 2, 2024

With a full season ahead, Nairobi City Stars forward Yuto Kusaba is dreaming big, and is training his sights on the scorer’s chart.

The striker is hoping to pick it from last season where he ended the season with a brace in the season-ender against KCB.

“Last season was my first season in Kenya and it was very difficult. It took me a while to get used to the environment and Kenyan soccer,”

“However, I didn’t give up and continued to work hard, just like a true Japanese. As a result, I started in the final match and scored two goals,”

“Those goals gave me confidence. I am aiming to become the top scorer in the KPL next season, so please look out for my scores.” he added

In the 2023-24 season, Yuto scored thrice in 13 games and topped up with an assist and three progressive passes.

He clocked 293 minutes, made three starts, and only completed the KCB at the very end.

Yuto Kusaba

Yuto Kusaba on his FKF Premier League debut against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 Feb 2024 during a matchday 20 tie. It ended 0-0

22 Aug 2024
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Brian Mose Nyambane vs KCB on 23 Jun 2024 at Utalii
Brian Mose Nyambane vs KCB on 23 Jun 2024 at Utalii

Brian Mose Nyambane sets his goals

August 22, 2024

Forward Brian Mose Nyambane is keen to scale up his show this season after landing the perfect orientation to the Kenyan topflight last term.

Nyambane landed at Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason from Narok-based fourth tier side Total Spurs on a season-long deal. He has since extended it to grace the 2024-25 season.

“Last season, it took me a lot to adapt the system of play, new management, and all that’s required in the top league,”

“I had goals and ambitions that I never met. It was hard to score but I had one assist in the few minutes that I earned in the only game that I started last season,”

“It’s a new season now and with the experience I got from the technical bench and my fellow players, I believe this one will be much better,”

“So far the preseason has been good with the advice and the trust placed on me. I’m ready to make a name that will stick in the minds of people,”

“My goals for the season is to earn enough playtime as an individual, finding back of the net and providing the assists, to help the team to perform much better than last season. I look forward to a good season.”

Nyambane made his premiership debut in last season’s opener against Muhoroni Youth. He featured in a total of 13 games and earned his first start in the season-ender against KCB where he registered an assist.

Brian Mose Nyambane vs KCB on 23 Jun 2024 at Utalii

Brian Mose Nyambane vs KCB on 23 Jun 2024 at Utalii

Brian Mose Nyambane vs KCB on 23 Jun 2024 at Utalii

20 Aug 2024
NCS, Team News Permalink
City Stars, Etemesi
Kelvin Etemesi up against Marvin Nabwire of Kenya Police during FKF Premier League match day 15 in KAsarani Annex on Wed 8 Feb 2023. Police won 2-1

City Stars to sit out 2024-25 season opener

August 20, 2024

Simba wa Nairobi will be inactive as the 2024-25 FKF Premier League kicks off on the weekend of 24-25 August 2025.

As such, City Stars will have to wait another 21 days, till 14 September 2024, to sample the new season.

“We were to play Kenya Police in the season opener at Police Sacco on 24 August but you realize the same team is featuring in the CAF Confederations Cup,” said CEO Patrick Korir

“Police will be away to Ethiopia Coffee on the same weekend they were to host us in a reverse CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round tie,”

“Given the circumstances, City Stars will restructure it’s training, and refocus for it’s ‘first’ game in mid September against Bidco United,”

“At the same time we wish Kenya Police the very best in the return game against Ethiopia Coffee as they seek a place in the first round of the competition.” he added

The overseers of the top league, the Football Kenya Federation, have since confirmed the postponement of the Kenya Police-Nairobi City Stars tie from the first weekend to a later date.

City Stars

Action between Nairobi City Stars and Kenya Police at Police Sacco Stadium on Sat 7 Oct 2023. Police won it 1-0

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