Centre-back Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdallah is back at Nairobi City Stars ahead of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League second leg that kicks off in March 2023.
Shittu returns to Simba wa Nairobi as a free agent, eight months after leaving the club to pursue other interests.
“Salim Abdallah is back at Nairobi City Stars to add solidity to our backline ahead of the second leg,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
“His return was necessitated by key injuries to two centrebacks Timothy Muganda and Edwin Buliba who have struggled with injuries sustained during the lengthy pre-season that ended in November 2022,”
“With the two defenders out we were forced to plug in defensive midfiedler Ronney Kola to hold forte for a better part of the first leg,”added Otieno
Head coach Nicholas Muyoti commented on the return of the six-foot-two stopper, stating;
“Shittu’s maturity, experience and leadership will help to stabilize our defense. We are happy to have him back.”
On his part, the returning stopper said;
“City Stars has always been my home. I am glad to be back for a second time and ready to give my all come the second leg. It’s like I never left.”
Shittu joined Simba wa Nairobi in July 2019 and played a big role in getting the team promoted to the Kenya Premier League at the end of the 2019-20 National Super League (NSL) season.
He topped up on his initial one-year contract and exited the club in June 2022 after featuring in 45 of 68 premier league games, scoring thrice, across two seasons.
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
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
Salim Shitu Abdalla in a past game for Nairobi City Stars in January 2020 at Camp Toyoyo