26 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Nairobi City Stars
Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal scored by Rodgers 'Ókuse' Okumu against Mathare United at Kasarani on Tue 2 March 2021. City Stars won the game 2-0

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

February 26, 2022

Nairobi City Stars will, for the 14th time in 18 years, host Mathare United in the premier league, this time in a matchday 19 tie on Saturday 26 February 2022 in Thika Stadium starting at 3 pm.

It will only be the second time since April 2005 that Nairobi City Stars will host Mathare United at the Thika Stadium.

During that first Thika encounter, visiting Mathare United came out tops against a City Stars team then known as World Hope with a 2-1 win with goals from Paul Ambembo and Ambrose Kamau on either half. Collins Tiego scored the consolation.

From the previous 13 games as the home team to Mathare United, City Stars has won five, drawn, and lost four apiece.

When Mathare visited City stars last in March 2021, they went down 2-0 at Kasarani Annex thanks to goals from Bolton Omwenga and Rodgers Okuse Okumu.

Heading to the upcoming game, City Stars carries a win and draw over Kariobangi Sharks (1-0) and Nzoia Sugar (1-1) as Mathare comes to the party on the back of a win over Talanta (2-0) and a loss to league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz (3-1)

When the two last faced off on 14 August 2016, Mathare carried the day with a 1-0 win at Nyayo Stadium. Robinson Kamura’s goal proved the difference.

Comparative to the first leg game played in December at Ruaraka, that City Stars won 2-0, one notable change at Mathare United is that of coach John Kamau who has since taken over from Ezekiel Akwana. City Stars is still in the hands of Nicholas Muyoti.

Table-wise, City Stars sits third on the log with 32-points as Mathare occupies spot 17 with 10 points. Each side has played 18 games so far.

Who wins this one?

Summary

Games hosted by City Stars

23-Apr-05; World Hope vs Mathare United, Thika Stadium, 1-2 (L)
7-Jan-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
15-Oct-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-2 (L)
2-Aug-08: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
30-Jul-09: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-2 (L)
21-Feb-10: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Center, 2-2 (D)
11-Jun-11: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 2-0 (W)
15-Sep-12: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-1 (D)
29-Jun-13: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
8-Nov-14: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-0 (D)
7-Aug-15: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (W)
14-Aug-16: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (L)
2-Mar-2021: City Stars vs Mathare United, Kasarani Annex, 2-0 (W)
26-Feb-2022: City Stars vs Mathare United, Thika Stadium,??

City Stars, Muki

Anthony Kimani of Nairobi City Stars in a game against Mathare United on Tue 2 March 2021 at Kasarani Annex. City Stars won 2-0

City Stars, Mathare United

Nicholas Kipkirui in action for Nairobi City Stars against Mathare United on Sat 7 Aug 2021 at Ruaraka in a match-day 31 Premier League tie. Mathare United won it 2-0

26 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Augustine Kuta
Augustine Kuta during his unveiling at Nairobi City Stars

Kuta up for debut against Mathare United

February 26, 2022

January signing Augustine Kuta is up for his Nairobi City Stars debut after being called in for the upcoming FKF Premier League clash against Mathare United at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 26 February 2022 starting at 3 pm.

Kuta, roped in during the mid-transfer window, is one of three changes made from the squad that drew 1-1 with Nzoia Sugar in Sudi two weeks back, besides right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu and defensive-mid Charles Otieno.

While Kuta comes on for flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Otieno takes up the place of Sven Yidah who is suspended for the game due to the accumulation of five yellow cards.

Clumsy, who missed the last two games; the Kariobangi Sharks tie due to yellow card suspension, and the trip to Nzoia, is in for attacking midfielder Mike Madoya who takes a rest.

From the squad that faced Mathare United in December during the first leg, winning 2-0, changes are three.

Besides Okuse and Yidah, stopper Edwin Buliba who clocked a full 90 minutes in that game, as Salim Shitu Abdallah’s centre half partner, is out due to an injury suffered three weeks back in training. His place in the squad is taken up by defensive-mid Elvis Noor Ojiambo.

Okuse and Yidah’s absence hands John Kamau, as well as Kuta, the chance to take on Mathare United.

City Stars squad to face Mathare United

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 19. Kevin Okumu, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai,

Midfielders: 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 29. Augustine Kuta, 15. John Kamau,

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

Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

23 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
Ombija
Striker Erick Ombija on the ball against Ulinzi Stars 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

Ombija calls for consistency

February 23, 2022

Striker Erick Ombija is calling on his Nairobi City Stars teammates to sustain the current performance if the club still hopes to achieve the set target this season.

Though dogged by injuries this season, Ombija has had a good contribution to the team scoring twice with as many assists from nine games played.

“So far so good, we have had a good run. Now we need to be more consistent for the team to achieve our objective for the season.”

Ombija featured in the first four games of the season but was forced to miss the next seven due to an injury.

He was back for another four games against Talanta, Tusker, and two games against Kakamega Homeboyz but was out again against Kariobangi Sharks and Nzoia United due to an ankle sprain in training.

“I am now in good shape and looking forward to more games,” he added

His sentiments have been fully corroborated by team Physio Brian Otieno Odongo who confirms that Ombija is fully fit.

Nairobi City Stars, Tusker

Nairobi City Stars striker Erick Ombija supported by skipper Anthony Kimani during a first leg clash against Tusker at Utalii on 21 March 2021.The game ended 2-2

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

Nairobi City Stars

Erick Ombija is congratulated by teammates after scoring the winning goal against Zoo FC on Sat 20 Feb 2021 at Kasarani. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-1

22 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

February 22, 2022

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.

21 Feb 2022
NCS, Team News Permalink
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

February 21, 2022

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

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