Budding attacking midfielder Rowland Babu Makati has, for the first time ever, made it to a 20-man squad for a premier league game, as Nairobi City Stars goes up against KCB on Friday 17 December 2021 in Ruaraka starting 3 pm.
Makati, a former Escalators and Vapor Sports player, spent last season on loan at Nairobi Stima alongside Ronney Kola.
Makati is one of four changes made to the squad that saw off Mathare United 2-0 last Saturday in Ruaraka.
Midfielder Peter Pinchez Opiyo, stoppers Salim Shitu Abdalla and Kenedy Vidic Onyango, as well as fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu, will all sit out the upcoming game.
Other players joining Makati for the KCB game, after missing out on the last one against Mathare United, are Mike Madoya and Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica. The trio will take up the slots vacated by the three defenders.
The final inclusion is that of Elvis Noor Ojiambo who comes on for Opiyo after missing out on the last three games against Kariobangi Sharks, Nzoia Sugar, and Mathare United.
Notwithstanding, from the squad that faced KCB in last season’s final game in Narok in August, changes to the squad are eight.
Young keeper Elvis Ochoro’s place has been taken up by Jacob Osano who has tended goal in the last eight straight games.
Bolton Omwenga and Wesley Onguso – who have since left the club – and the missing trio of Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Kevin Okumu were the defenders in Narok for the season-ender alongside midfielder John Kamau and striker Erick Ombija.
Defenders Dennis Decha Wanjala and Lennox Ogutu fill up some of the vacated slots at the back while Oliver Maloba, Rodgers Okumu, Michael Madoya, Rowland Makati and Davis Agesa take up the other vacancies.
Squad to face KCB
Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge
Defenders: 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai, 12. Edwin Buliba
Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati
Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth
Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 19. Kevin Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdallah, 25. Kenedy Onyango