Mohammed Bajaber 'Hamudi
Mohammed Bajaber 'Hamudi' smiles away as he officially joined Nairobi City Stars on Fri 4 Feb 2022

Star Field star Bajaber aims high at City Stars

Promising attacking midfielder Mohammed Omar Ali Bajaber is aiming high days after being handed a short-term deal, albeit on loan from Star Field Academy, at Nairobi City Stars.

Bajaber, 18, best known as Hamudi by his peers, will be part of Simba wa Nairobi for the rest of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season.

“I’m very excited and grateful to have been given this opportunity to represent a big team like Nairobi City Stars,”

“I wish to help the team win games, not only for the fans but also for this season’s title race which I hope I can help the team win.”

Bajaber came to City Stars highly recommended and passed the technical bench test that led to his signing.

Mohammed Bajaber

Mohammed Bajaber ‘Hamudi’ smiles away as he officially joined Nairobi City Stars on Fri 4 Feb 2022

Augustine Kuta joins Nairobi City Stars

Midfielder Augustine Kuta is the latest inclusion to the Simba wa Nairobi family.

Kuta, the second and final addition in the mid transfer window, arrives from Kibera Black Stars on a short-term deal to the end of the season.

Kuta has been handed a warm welcome by team coordinator Samson Otieno who said;

“We took note of Kuta during preseason friendly games against Nation FC and KEFWA. But with a full squad, and in a bid to keep him close, the best we could do was recommend him to join Kibera BlackStars with whom we share a training ground,”

“His chance to join us is here and we welcome him to Simba wa Nairobi.” added Samson

Head coach Nicholas Muyoti added his voice to Kuta’s arrival;

“We have been tracking him in the last few months and have no doubt he will bring the much-needed punch as we head into the tougher and last half of the season.”

On his part, Kuta, a Business Management (Finance and Accounting) graduate from Moi University, said;

“It’s a great honor to join Nairobi City Stars. I have always rated the club highly and can’t wait to get down to work with my new teammates.”

Kuta, whose last premier league workstation was at Western Stima back in the year 2020, bid Kibera BlackStars goodbye on Saturday during a league game against Silibwet Leons.

He will don jersey no. 29 which was recently vacated by striker Ebrima Sanneh.

Augustine Kuta

Augustine Kuta ushered in to Nairobi City Stars by team coordinator Samson Otieno

 

Augustine Kuta

Augustine Kuta during his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars

City Stars
Goal scorer pats assist provider Oliver Maloba after City Stars went ahead against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Sat 6 Feb 2022. City stars won the game 1-0

Kariobangi Sharks 0 Nairobi City Stars 1

Ezekiel Odera’s 63rd-minute tap-in at the far post, off an Oliver Maloba delivery, settled a game of two halves when Kariobangi Sharks hosted Nairobi City Stars in FKF Premier League match 17 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 6 February 2022.

The first half was all for The Sharks as they were dominant with a vibrant overload in midfield, but they let City Stars off the hook when they failed to convert their chances.

A quick adjustment at the onset of the second half, that saw Noor siblings Timothy Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo take the places of Mike Madoya at 10 and injured skipper of the day Peter Opiyo in the creative role, changed the tide Simba wa Nairobi’s way.

Inside the first seven minutes, City Stars skipper Peter Opiyo had attempted a shot at goal but it flew wide.

The next minute, a freekick by City Stars left-back Dennis Wanjala found Davis Agesa who failed to get a grip on it to tap home. Immediately after, City Stars survived a counter as a quick ball found Julius Masaba who, with the sight of goal, fired just wide when it was a lot easier to score.

Two minutes later Sharks were at it again with a shot on goal, but this time, keeper Jacob Osano forced a fruitless corner.

Within the next ten minutes, Mike Madoya, with his first start of the season, had his header off an Agesa cross fly just wide.

Sven Yidah, formerly at Sharks, followed up with another header off a Calvin Masawa cross only for his attempt to end up with keeper Brandon Obiero.

From then on, all the way to the half-hour mark, it was all Sharks with a series of back-to-back corners, raids but all were characterized by near misses.

Two key moments saw keeper Osano dispossessed but a follow-up shot went wide and it was the same case in the 30th minute when Douglas Mokaya found space in the box only to fire out.

By the time the clock hot 40 minutes, City Stars had wasted two Opiyo freekicks and a rare chance that fell on striker Ezekiel Odera who fired wide.

In the final minutes to the breather, Masaba who was dangerous on the flank found space and went for goal only to send the ball out.

On either side of Masaba’s attempt were two uncounted corners by Opiyo and Wanjala for City Stars.

To counter a neutralized midfield by Sharks, City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti brought in the Noor siblings Timothy Babu Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo at the onset of the second half in place of Madoya and Opiyo who picked a knock.

The arrival of the KAwangware siblings stabilized the midfield so much so that Simba wa Nairobi dominated the second half.

However, it is Sharks that kicked off the second half with a wasted corner before City Stars responded with one of their own that Odera failed to place home.

Babu’s effect was felt seven minutes after his introduction when he shot at goal off a Maloba cross. But Sharks survived the scare by clearing their line after keeper Obiero was well beaten.

Five minutes later he was at it again but delayed pulling the trigger and Sharks backline nicked the ball from his feet.

Immediately after, Sharks got to the other end and forced a corner that yielded naught.

In the 62nd minute, Sharks survived yet another near miss when an unmarked Odera had his headed ball echo off the crossbar.

The very next minute Odera did not miss after he tapped in at the far post to complete a Maloba pass from the right. The ball came off Wanjala which ended up with Babu before landing at Maloba’s feet.

Five minutes after Babu had a shot on goal but Obiero picked it up.

A minute later Sharks had the chance to level matters after forcing a freekick at the edge of the box when Masaba went down to a heavy challenge from stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango. City Stars cleared the danger.

In the 75th minute Sharks brought on John Omondi and Enoch Wanyama for Masaba and Fortune Omoto, respectively. That followed up on the arrival of Geoffrey Onyango who had come on for Fredrick Alushula.

City Stars was to introduce Nicholas Kipkirui for Odera as John Kamau took up the place of Maloba in the last ten minutes.

Kipkirui attempted a freekick won by Babu but fired at the opponents’ wall and Sharks were to end the game with a corner that they failed to capitalize on. Soon after it was all over.

In scooping all spoils at the Annex, City Stars return to the second spot with 31 points from 17 matches, and within two of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz who will be hosting Nzoia Sugar in Bukhungu on Sunday. Sharks drop down from second to third with 28 points.

Lineups

Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brandon Nathan, 2. Tom Teka, 26. Boniface Onyango, 4. Alphonse Omija, 22. Julius Masaba (14. John Omondi-75), 3. Fredrick Alushula (27. Geoffrey Onyango-70), 8. Patillah Omolo-captain, 12. Douglas Mokaya, 21. Fortune Omoto (29. Enock Wanyama-75), 19. Felix Oluoch, 10. Henry Juma

Unused Subs: 16. Brian Olango, 25. Samuel Olwande, 18. Ronaldo Odede, 23. Keith Imbali, 24. Steve Otieno, 13. Isaac Otieno.

Coach: William Muluya

Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvins Masawa, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo-captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-46), 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba (15. John Kamau-85), 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu-78), 5. Mike Madoya (20. Timothy Ouma-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera  (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-78).

Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, (all injured), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 1. Elvis Ochoro

Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

Yellow cards: 

Kariobangi Sharks: None

Nairobi City Stars: 8. Calvin Masawa (76), 21. Oliver Maloba (85)

Goal: 32. Ezekiel Odera (Nrb City Stars – 63)

City Stars

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

City Stars

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

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

Nairobi City Stars
City Stars players in celebration mode after scoring one of 2 goals against Kariobangi Sharks at Utalii Grounds on Sat 29 May 2021

Head-to-head: Kariobangi Sharks (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2021/22 FKF Premier League season

Kariobangi Sharks will host Nairobi City Stars on Saturday 6 February 2022 in Kasarani Annex in what will be the fourth Premier League game between the two.

Though it will be the fourth tie in the top flight, it will only be City Stars’ second visit to Sharks.

In the first-ever visit last year, City Stars shocked host Sharks with a 2-1 win at Utalii.

Second-half goals by Peter Opiyo, a penalty, and a blast from Oliver Maloba did the damage leaving Sharks to pick a late consolation by Daniel Sakari who followed up on a saved penalty right at the death.

Interestingly, and was the case last season, City Stars head to the upcoming away tie having lost the first leg game 2-1.

The Sharks are third on the log and just ahead of fourth-placed City Stars on goal difference. After 16 rounds of play, both teams are on 28 points.

Sharks heads to the game on the back of a 3-0 win over Sofapaka while City Stars’ most immediate result was a 1-1 draw with log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

Coach Nicholas Muyoti, hired at the onset of the season, will lead Simba wa Nairobi in his first away game against Sharks who will once again be led by coach William Kanu Muluhya.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars away games vs Sharks; Wins (1), Draws (0), Loses (0). Total – 1

29-May-21; Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
06-Feb-22; Kariobangi Sharks vs City Stars, ??

Nairobi City Stars
Nairobi City Stars left back Herit Mungai takes on a Wazito player during a 6th round Premier League game played at Utalii Grounds on Sun 3 Jan 2021. Wazito won 2-1

Herit in, Chumsy, Muki out of Sharks tie

Coach Nicholas Muyoti has included forward Nicholas Kipkirui, fullback Herit Mungai, keeper Stephen Njunge, midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Mike Madoya for the upcoming FKF Premier league game against Kariobangi Sharks in Kasarani Annex on Saturday 5 February 2022 starting 3 pm.

The quintet return to the squad after missing atleast the last three league games.

Kipkirui takes up the place of injured Erick Ombija, Madoya comes in for the unavailable Anthony Muki Kimani as Herit takes up the spot of Kevin Chumsy Okumu who is suspended for the game due to the accumulation of five yellow cards.

Njunge replaces Elvis Ochoro as Elvis comes in for defensive mid Charles Otieno who takes a rest.

From the unit that faced Sharks in the first leg this season, and lost 2-1 in Ruaraka, changes are three.

Other than Chumsy and Muki, the other players who will miss out on the game is forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno whose slot has landed on John Kamau.

Squad to face Kariobangi Sharks

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

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

Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 5. Mike Madoya

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

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, (all injured), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 1. Elvis Ochoro