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

Mohammed Bajaber joins City Stars from Star Field

Budding attacking midfielder Mohammed [Omar Ali] Bajaber aka Hamudi, 18, has joined Simba wa Nairobi on loan from Star Field Academy for the second leg of the 2021/22 season.

The charismatic Bajaber has been training with City Stars for the past six weeks and received the nod from the technical bench leading to his move.

“Bajaber came to us for training a few weeks back and it never took long for his unique qualities to come to light,”

“Though young, he has already shown good professionalism and character as evidenced by how he has already blended in well with the rest of the squad. We now expect him to translate what we have seen on the pitch to the premier league platform,” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

Team coordinator Samson Otieno added his voice to Bajaber’s addition stating;

“Our technical bench made the office aware of the player and he comes in highly recommended. He now has the chance to showcase what he has at the big stage. We welcome him to the Nairobi City Stars family,”

Robert Muthomi, a Director at Star Field Elite Academy was elated at the move of one of their brightest talents;

“Mohamed has worked hard to get here, and we are confident that he will be an asset to City Stars. The fact that he gets to join a team that is looking for like genuine title contenders this season says a lot about his abilities.”

In scaling up to the premier league, Hamudi follows in the footsteps of his father Omar Ali Bajaber who featured for coastal-based Black Panther in the 1979 Football Kenya League.

Hamudi will don jersey no. 31.

Mohammed Bajaber

Mohammed Bajaber ‘Hamudi’ welcomed to City Stars by team coordinator Samson Otieno as he officially joined Nairobi City Stars on Fri 4 Feb 2022

Mohammed Bajaber 'Hamudi

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

Mohammed Bajaber

Mohammed Bajaber flanked by his family during his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars on Fri 4 Feb 2022

Nairobi City Stars
Wycliffe Otieno in action in a Premier League round 8 tie against Ulinzi Stars on Sat 16 Jan 2021. It ended 1-1

Wycliffe Otieno back to his boots

After five months out, from two cratches to a single one, limping in sandals, then to training with sneakers, stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno has finally reacquainted himself with his soccer boots.

In mid-August 2021, while going for a corner in Ruaraka in a game against Mathare United, Otieno landed awkwardly and dislocated his ankle.

That dislocation kept him out from featuring in any game in the current 2021/2022 FKF Premier League season.

“For the first time in five months, I finally got to wear my soccer boots this week and even attended full training,”

“It’s been a long and patient journey to get here and I am glad that I can put on my boots once again and train with the team,” said Wycliffe

According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, it’s a matter of weeks and Wycliffe will be up for selection for games.

“He has fully healed and back to full training. In a matter of weeks, he will be ready for games once he attains the much-needed match fitness.”

Wiked has been a key component in the City Stars backline as evidenced by the 2,000 and 1,069 minutes he registered in the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) and 2020/21 FKF Premier League, respectively.

With Wiked out, Salim Shitu Abdalla, Edwin Malebo Buliba, Kenedy Vidic Onyango, and Lennox Ogutu have been interchangeably contesting the center half positions in the last 16 games played thus far this season.

Wiked, City Stars

Nairobi City Stars stopper Wycliffe ‘Wiked’ Otieno challenges Ulinzi Stars right back Brian Birgen to the ball during a Betking Premier League match day 25 on Sat 17 Jul 2021 at the ASK Showground. City Stars won 2-0

Nairobi City Stars, Betway Cup

Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno chase the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Rangers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars won 4-1

Wycliffe Otieno in a game against Mt. Kenya United at Dagoretti High on Sat 14 Nov 2020

City Stars, Homeboyz
Elvis Noor Ojiambo vs Kakamega Homeboyz skipper Ali Bhai during an FKF PL match on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega. Homeboyz won the game 2-0

Fit-again Ojiambo raring to go

After missing the last six league games largely due to injury, Nairobi City Stars midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo is sighting better days as the top flight league enters the second leg.

The defensive mid cum creative midfielder has just shaken off an ankle knock and is now looking to work his way back to the main squad.

“It’s been challenging sitting out games but with an injury, there is so much you can do,”

“I am now fully fit and training well with the rest of the squad. My objective is to work harder and become available for upcoming matches,” said Ojiambo

The former Kibera Black Stars made his top-flight debut with promoted City Stars last season where he went on to clock 1,012 minutes after featuring in 25 matches. He started in 12 games.

Thus far, Elvis, the elder sibling of teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma, has made the squad seven times.

Elvis, City Stars

City stars midfielder Elvis Ojiambo taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars, Homeboyz

Elvis Noor Ojiambo vs Kakamega Homwboyz on 6 Feb 2021 at Bukhungu Stadium. Homeboyz won 2-0

Elvis, City Stars

Elvis Noor Ojiambo has a go at Ulinzi Stars’ Brian Birgen during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0

City Stars, Kipkirui
City Stars striker Nicholas Kipkirui celebrates his opening goal against Ulinzi Stars at the ASK Showground on Sat 10 Jul 2021. City Stars won the round 24 Premier League game 2-0

Kipkirui returns

Forward Nicholas Kipkirui is back to full training after recovering from a recent injury suffered during a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards in Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday 5 January 2022.

Due to the injury, Kipkirui limped off the Leopards game with four minutes of regulation time left handing John Kamau playtime to see off the game.

According to team Physio Brian Odongo Otieno, Kipkirui is now fully fit and ready for selection in upcoming matches.

“Kipkirui suffered an ankle ligament sprain against AFC Leopards in Nyayo. He is now fully fit and has resumed full training with the rest of the team,” said Odongo

Due to his injury, Kipkirui went on to miss four games; two wins over FC Talanta and Tusker, and away and home games against league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz that both ended in 4-4 and 1-1 draws.

From nine games played thus far this season, Kipkirui has scored once and has provided four assists.

Kipkirui, City Stars

City Stars striker Nicholas Kipkirui taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0

City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training

City Stars

Elvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0

City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training
City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past training

Friendly Fire: Nairobi City Stars 6 South B All Stars 0

Simba wa Nairobi scored thrice in each half to see off visiting South B All Stars during a training match in Ligi Ndogo on Friday 28 January 2022.

A goal by defensive midfielder Sven Yidah in the 22nd minute off an assist by forward Erick Ombija activated the scoresheet.

An own goal ten minutes later by Clifford Karani and one more by Ombija off an assist from overall team captain and right back Calvin Masawa in the 38th minute had the scores at 3-0 heading to the break.

The first half team took a break at the break a whole new lot showed for the second half.

Nicholas Kipkirui confirmed he’s back to full fitness after recovering from an ankle injury by claiming a brace in the 52nd and 58th minutes.

His former Zoo FC teammate Mike Madoya sealed the scores with the final goal in the 65th minute.

Herit Mungai was the toast in the second half as he provided all three assists.

“We thank South B for granting us the quality friendly. They gave a good account of themselves and we could see lots of potential from their game approach which they can build on to be a force in the near future,” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno after the game

City Stars will take a rest this fixtureless weekend and will resume training on Monday to continue preparations for the next league assignment against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 5 February.

Lineups

Nairobi City Stars 1st Half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Salim Abdalla, 12. Ewin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 24. Erick Ombija, 15. John Kamau, 11. Davis Agesa,

Nairobi City Stars 2nd Half: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, Mohammed Bajaber (guest)

Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 16. Jacob Osano, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 19. Kevin Okumu

Coach: John Amboko (for Nicholas Muyoti)

South B All Stars: Clifford Karani, Victor Onyango, Allan Ogote. Hope Omega, Collins Okoth, Bernard Syong’o, Wiseman Ashavoke, Victor Odongo, Dickson Omwenga, Abraham Dawo, Amis Adebayo

Subs: Maurice Ochieng, Roy Kabugi, Ian Gibiya, Mohammed Yahya, Kenedy Awoko, Francisco Ndeti, Calvin Omondi, Eugene Mundai, John Kioko

Coach: Victor Ambula