Wanjala, Decha, Lennox, Wazito, City Stars
City Stars defenders Dennis Wanjala (26) and LEnnox Ogutu (27) eyeing the ball in a game against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021. City Stars won it 3-1 at Thika Stadium

City Stars to host Mathare United in Thika

Due to the unavailability of Ruaraka, Nairobi City Stars will host Mathare United at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 26 February 2022 starting 3 pm.

Speaking on the same, City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno said;

The Ruaraka management informed us of a function at their grounds over the week which will render their grounds unusable on Saturday,”

“With other Nairobi venues unavailable too, the option was to head down to Thika Stadium which we have since confirmed for the Saturday game against Mathare United.”

It will be the third time City Stars will be playing Thika Stadium this season. Simba wa Nairobi hosted Wazito in round 3 then returned as Posta Ranger’s visitors in round 5 in the month of October 2021.

City Stars, Shitu
City Stars stopper Salim Abdalla on the ball ghosting his Homeboyz counterpart Sylvester Owino during an FKF Premier League match 16 in Ruaraka on Mon 24 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

‘Shitu’: Focus, hardwork the difference

Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla reckons Nairobi City Stars’ current form is a motivator to carry on to the end of the season.

After 18 games into the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, Simba wa Nairobi is placed second on the log with 32 points, five off leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

Shitu, now in his third season with City Stars, takes note of a massive improvement from the same point last season where the team had 20 points after 18 games and was placed tenth.

“What I can say is that so far it’s been a wonderful achievement compared to what we managed at the same point last season,”

“All of these are results of hard work, dedication, and focus and this motivates us to work even harder until the end of the season,” added Shitu

Shitu has so far featured in 11 of 18 games this season clocking a total of 990 minutes. He has a goal to his name.

City Stars, Sharks

Henry Juma (10) and Salim Abdalla fight for the ball when City Stars visited Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Annex on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0

Shitu, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars defender Salim Abdalla goes for the ball with Wazito’s Michael Owino during a round 6 Premier League game on Sun 3 Jan 2021 at Utalii. Wazito won it 2-1

City Stars

Salim Abdalla on the ball as Nicholas Kipkirui and Kenedy Onyango look on during a round 17 clash against Champions Gor Mahia at the Utalii grounds on Sun 16 May 2021. Gor won 1-0

Nairobi City Stars

Salim Shitu Abdalla takes on AFC Leopards Isaac Kipyegon in a round 15 Premier League played at KAsarani on Sat 6 Mar 2021. Leopards won the game 1-0

Odera, Tusker, City Stars
Midfielder Timothy Ouma celebrates with scorer Ezekiel Odera celebrates a 53rd minute goal that handed Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 win over Tusker on Fri 30 July 2021 in Ruaraka

Muki, Odera top Babu in scoring

With five goals each, midfielder Anthony Muki Kimani and forward Ezekiel Odera are atop the Nairobi City Stars scorer’s board at the conclusion of 18 games in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season.

The two experienced players lead teenager Timothy Babu Ouma who follows closely with four goals.

With five goals so far, Muki and Odera have improved on their haul of four goals they each scored last season.

Odera was the first player at Simba wa Nairobi player to hit the five-goal mark this season with his lone goal that handed City Stars all spoils against Kariobangi Sharks in early February at Kasarani Annex.

Odera ties Bageya’s goal tally, eyes all-time record

That goal saw Odera surpass the four goals that made him a top scorer for the club in the 2016 season, and his tally in the 2020/21 season.

Muki caught up with Odera in the next fixture against Nzoia United during a historic first visit to Sudi Stadium, a game that ended 1-1.

Beyond the trio of Muki, Odera, and Babu who account for half the goals scored, are Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Erick Jibaba Ombija, Sven Yidah and Peter Picnhez Opiyo who have scored two goals each.

Erick Ombija, City Stars

Erick Ombija in full celebration, and hugged by Timothy Ouma, following his goal against Bidco United at the Thika Stadium on Sun 24 Oct 2021. City Stars won the game 2-0

Opiyo stands out as the only City Stars player to have scored a brace this season, which delivered a 2-0 win over Mathare United in December in Ruaraka.

Stoppers Salim Shitu Abdalla and Kenedy Vidic Onyango have a goal each, the same as midfielder Oliver Maloba, forwards Nicholas Kipchabet Kipkirui, Vincent Jamaica Otieno, and Davis Beast Agesa.

Summary of goal scorers

5 – Anthony Muki Kimani, Ezekiel Odera
4 – Timothy Babu Ouma
2 – Peter Opiyo, Sven Yidah, Erick Ombija, Rodgers Okumu
1 – Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, Oliver Maloba, Nicholas Kipkirui, Vincent Otieno & Davis Agesa

Nairobi City Stars
Nairobi City Stars

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 2 K-Sports FC 1

Simba wa Nairobi once again overcame a tough K-Sports team, this time 2-1, in a friendly game played at Ligi Ndogo grounds on Thursday 17 February 2022.

New recruit Augustine Kuta opened the scoring in the 5th minute before Michael Madoya doubled matters seven minutes after the restart.

K-Sports, fielding a strong squad full of Premier League experience, halved the deficit 12 minutes to time through Robert Mutua.

During the pre-season in mid-September 2021, Simba wa Nairobi managed a 2-0 win over over the same K-Sports FC in one of two friendly games played at the St. Mary’s school.

A flicked header at the near post by Sven Yidah and a low shot at the far post in the second half by Vincent Jamaica Otieno delivered the win then.

The latest friendly was lined up to prepare City Stars for its next league assignment against Mathare United on Saturday 26 February 2022.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (1. Elvis Ochoro), 19. Kevin Okumu (8. Calvin Masawa), 28. Herit Mungai (6. Dennis Wanjala), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Kenedy Onyango (4. Salim Abdalla), 3. Charles Otieno (Sven Yidah), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (10. Peter Opiyo), 29. Augustine Kuta (5. Michael Madoya), 7. Rodgers Okumu (21. Oliver Maloba), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (32. Ezekiel Odera), 9. Vincent Otieno (15. John Kamau)

Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronny Kola, 16. Jacob Osano, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 24. Erick Ombija, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani, 12. Edwin Buliba, 20. Timothy Ouma, 11. Davis Agesa

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

K-Sports: Sammy Okinda, Marlon Tangauzi, Washington Munene (Levin Mboya), Mike Kibwage, Kevin Nyarombo (Kevin Mwabe), Ezra Oketch (Boaz Maeri), Nahashon Thiong’o (Kenedy Agogo), Bolton Omwenga (Frederick Kimani), John Mabia, Robert Mutua, Stephen Onyango

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

‘Pinchez’: Winning mentality is with us

Slightly half way past the current 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, midfield kingpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo reveals that the winning feeling is in the ranks of Nairobi City Stars.

According to the passer per excellence, Simba wa Naiobi is at a good place, and can even scale higher should the team avoid dropping off points that are deemed collectible.

“I must say that so far we’ve had a decent season and it can only get better,” said Pinchez before adding; “if only we can avoid dropping points that could have been crucial as far as the table (standing) is concerned,”

Beyond that pointer, Pinchez – City Stars top scorer last season with eight goals – appreciates the fact that team’s cohesiveness has brought about a perfect aura, hence improved results;

“Team chemistry is perfect and it’s a great plus to us. Because of that, we approach all games with a winning mentality. I must say it going on well for us and we can only make it better.” summed Pinchez

Thus far, Opiyo has featured in eleven games this season and has scored twice, a brace that delivered a 2-0 win over Mathare United in December 2020.

Nairobi City Stars

Peter Pinchez Opiyo celebrates his goal off a freekick against Ulinzi Stars in a round 8 Premier League tie at Utalii on Sat 16 Jan 2021

Nairobi City Stars

Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal by Peter Opiyo as Simba wa Nairobi beat Western Stima at Moi Stadium on Wed 23 Feb 2021 in a round 13 Premier League game

Nairobi City Stars

Peter Opiyo in Nairobi City Stars’ second Premier League game against KCB at Kasarani on Fri 4 Dec 2020. KCB won it 1-0

Nairobi City Stars, Pinchez

Peter Opiyo of City Stars looking at available options against Western Stima during a round 20 clash played at Ruaraka on Tue 15 Jun 2021. City Stars won 2-0