Muki, City Stars
City Stars skipper Anthony Muki Kimani in action against Vihiga Bullets stopper Mophat Liuva Kovelo in Ruaraka on Sat 6 Nov 2021 during a round 6 FKF Premier League game. City Stars won 4-0

Muki in for Sudi trip

After skipping the recent Kariobangi Sharks clash, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani is back for Nairobi City Stars away game to Nzoia Sugar on Sunday 13 February 2022 in Sudi Stadium.

Muki is the only change to the squad that faced Sharks, and he takes up the place of stopper Edwin Buliba who picked up an injury in training over the week.

From the squad that faced Nzoia Sugar in the first leg in Ruaraka in early December 2021, a game that ended 0-0, changes are four.

Other than Buliba, fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu, defensive midfielder Charles Otieno and forward Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth are all out.

Their places have been taken up by midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Michael Madoya, Rodgers Okuse Okumu, and John Bombay Kamau.

Squad to face Nzoia United

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai,

Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 5. Michael Madoya

Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 12. Edwin Buliba (all injured) 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 31. Mohammed Bajaber, 29. Augustine Kuta, 3. Charles Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

Muki, City Stars

Captains affair; Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani of City Stars vs his counterpart Dennis Odhiambo of KCB in a season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars, Muki, Gor Mahia

Simba wa Nairobi skipper Anthony Muki Kimani shielding the ball off Gor Mahia’s debutant Frank Odhiambo in a round 17 clash at the Utalii grounds on Sun 16 May 2021. Gor won 1-0

City Stars, Sven
City Stars DM Sven Yidah on the ball at Kasarani Annex during a match day 17 games against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0

Sven Yidah talks up improved season

Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah opines that Nairobi City Stars’ good run in the current FKF Premier League season is due to a good coach, and a more confident and unchanged squad.

According to Sven, those three factors that have led to a better approach to matches hence improved results and placing on the table.

Having played 17 games and halfway through the season, Simba wa Nairobi is placed second with 31 points, three off log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

“Last season, some of the players featured in the premier league for only the first time. Now they have matured and are more confident and they know exactly what is required from them on and off the pitch,”

“The management has also helped a great deal by maintaining last season’s team and bench. That helps a lot as team chemistry has been maintained,”

Further, Sven drummed up the influence brought about by head coach Nicholas Muyoti, a former Kenya captain.

We have a coach who’s a legend not only in the league but also at the National team level. His experience is really helping us,”

“Having played in this league, Muyoti understands how the system works and how the grounds are. Moreover, he has played with some of the coaches in other teams making it easier for him to pick their philosophy,”

“Muyoti’s combination with former City Stars captains on the bench such as (Arthur) Museve, (Noah) Abich, and (John) Amboko is turning out to be of great value,”

“All these are part of the reasons why we are placed second on the table,”

Beyond team performance, Sven, now in his second season with Simba wa Nairobi, is happy with his own progression.

“This season is much better compared to last season. Then I was new and only knew two former Kariobangi Sharks players; Wiked (Wycliffe Otieno) and (Ebrima) Sanneh, as well as Shitu (Salim Abdalla), my former teammate at Ligi Ndogo,”

“I had also not worked with anyone in the technical bench as well as in the management team. All those were new challenges and learning process. This season is much better as I am treading on familiar ground,”

“I have played more minutes compared to last season a time like this and contributed more to the team which points to individual progress.” concluded Sven

Thus far, Sven has started all 17 games and has gone on to complete 15 of them on his way to clocking 1,519 minutes of a possible 1,530 minutes. He has scored twice and provided an assist.

At the same point last season, Sven had clocked 1,224 minutes having featured in 16 of 17 games. He completed eight games and came off the bench three times. He had a goal and an assist.

City Stars, Sven

Sven Yidah going for goal in the 36th minute against F Talanta in Kasarani Annex on Sat 8 Jan 2022. His goal added to Muki’s for City Stars to register a 2-1 win

Nairobi City Stars

Spoiler Sven Yiday during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0

City Stars
Part of he action at Kasarani Annex during a match day 17 game between Kariobangi Sharks and Nairobi City Stars on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0

Madoya longing for more

In the ended weekend, on Saturday 6 February 2022, Michael Madoya grabbed his first start as Nairobi City Stars took on Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex.

In what turned out to be a tactical plan, Madoya romped to the starting eleven for the Sharks duel that City Stars went on to win 1-0.

His starting impact could have been instant had he not been caught offside when he aimed a header at goal in the eleventh minute.

‘I am happy it (the start) finally came. I was actually longing for it,” said the former Zoo FC and Tusker midfielder

“You know, I want to help the team clinch its first maiden title in the top flight. I hope to build on the Sharks’ performance going forward.” he said

In featuring against Sharks, Madoya made his fifth appearance for Simba wa Nairobi. He’s made the bench 12 times and has come off it four times.

Mike Madoya

Mike Madoya

Timothy 'Babu' Ouma
Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu in action against Vihiga Bullets in an FKF Premier League sixth-round tie in Ruaraka on Sat 6 November 2021. City Stars won the game 4-0

Babu: There’s more from City Stars

Attacking midfielder Timothy Babu Ouma reckons Nairobi City Stars has a lot more to offer in the current FKF Premier League season.

With half the games played in the 34-game season, City Stars sits second in the 18-team standings with 31 points, three off log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

“So far the season is progressing very well for City Stars. We have achieved quite a bit and there is more to come. This is our season,” added the teen sensation

Club placing aside, Babu is on a perfect run, individually, with a haul of four goals and as many assists, plus six second assists.

He scored his debut premier league goal in the season opener against Sofapaka in Wundanyi and went on to score once in the each of the following games against promoted Kenya Police and Wazito.

His fourth arrived in the 15th match away to Homeboyz at Bukhungu. His opening goal for Simba wa Nairobi set the tone for a great comeback as the game eventually ended 4-4.

Babu has featured in all 17 games played so far starting in 15 of them. He has clocked 1,256 minutes.

City Stars, Homeboyz

Timothy Ouma vs Kakamega Homwboyz on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz won 2-0

Timothy Ouma

City Stars forward Timothy Ouma aka Babu challenges Bidco United’s Anthony Gathu in a premier league game on Thur 17 Dec 2020 at Utalii Grounds. It ended 0-0

Timothy Babu Ouma, City Stars

Timothy Ouma in action against Wazito on Thur 21 Oct 2021 at Thika Stadium. He scored once as Nairobi City Stars hit their visitors 3-1

Babu, City Stars

Timothy Ouma of Nairobi City Stars in a game against Mathare United on Tue 2 March 2021 at KAsarani Annex. City Stars won 2-0

Agesa believes he’s sharper now, thanks fans for their support

Marauding forward Davis Beast Agesa is excited about his progressive step-up from season start, where he had an injury, to a point he’s hitting the full revs.

Agesa, City Stars top assist provider last season, has so far featured in 15 of the 17 games played this season and has registered a goal and two assists while largely operating as an offensive player.

“Personally, my graph wasn’t consistent for the first part of the season majorly because I missed the pre-season due to hamstring injury. Coupled with rehab, I was struggling with my fitness. With games coming in thick and fast, it gave room to accumulation of fatigue. But I push and I give 100% every time I don the City Stars jersey,”

“I can say that for the last four matches I’ve felt sharper and at the same level that I was the previous season. I now march on and keep the concentration with a desire for more knowing what I can give to my team,”

Beyond his own progress, Agesa has come out to thank fans for all their support this season.

“Thanks to our supportive fans who give us the strength to go out there to do our best and to work even harder. It’s been an interesting season so far as denoted by our current (second) position on the table. Come the end of the season I believe we will achieve something special and our fans will be proud of us.” he added

Agesa has started in 12 games and has gone on to clock 875 minutes.

KCB, Agesa

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

Davis Agesa, City Stars

Davis Agesa up against Posta Rangers’ Dickens Mwenda during a friendly at the Jamhuri Park on Fri 7 May 2021. Agesa opened the scoring in the first half. It ended 1-1.

Davis Agesa provided two assists as City Stars saw off Nzoia Sugar 2-0 at Narok Stadium in their opening 2020/21 Premier League game on Sun 29 Nov 2020

Nairobi City Stars, Agesa, Okumu, Ombija

Kevin Okumu and Erick Ombija (24) celebrate with goal scorer Davis Agesa during a friendly against Dagoretti Santos at the Public Service Club, Upperhill on Tue 11 May 2021. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0