Nairobi City Stars

Tag: AFC Leopards

  • The caution that blemished Masawa’s career

    The caution that blemished Masawa’s career

    Matchday 20 in the 2023/24 FKF Premier in Bukhungu ended in a 2-0 defeat for visiting Nairobi City Stars at the hands of AFC Leopards on Sunday 22 January 2024.

    Two second half goals by Leopards on that day ended Simba wa Nairobi’s seven-game winning streak.

    Worse still, City Stars ended the game a man less after skipper Calvin Masawa was slapped with a straight red card for a last man challenge on an AFC Leopards breakaway forward.

    It was his first such card since landing at City Stars in the year 2011.

    “I had a clean bill since joining the premier league. Never before did I receive a red card. Now this has flawed my record,”

    “It’s happened, and there’s nothing much I can do about it though I didn’t feel the incident deserve that kind of punishment,”

    With the card, Masawa will sit out the next two games against Shabana and Bandari in the next two weekends.

    Nairobi City Stars captain Calvin Masawa
  • MD19: AFC Leopards 2 Nairobi City Stars 0

    MD19: AFC Leopards 2 Nairobi City Stars 0

    Nairobi City Stars ‘ game-winning streak came to an end after going down 2-0 to home team AFC Leopards during a matchday 19 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu, Kakamega on Saturday 22 January 2024.

    Leopards scored both goals in the second half through Maxwell Otieno and substitute Kevin Kimani in the 48th and 72nd minutes to register a fifth home win over City Stars who had won the first-leg tie 3-2 in Kasarani.

    Leopards became only the third team this season to restrict Simba wa Nairobi from scoring after Muhoroni Youth (0-0) and Kenya Police (0-1) in matchdays one and six. Till the Leopards game, City Stars had scored in 12 straight games from matchdays seven to 18.

    City Stars ended the game a man less after skipper Calvin Masawa received a straight red card – his first ever in his Kenyan Premier League career since the year 2011 – after a last-man tackle on a Leopards player.

    Despite the loss, City Stars maintained the second spot on the log with 33 points as Leopards moved up three places to tenth with 24 points.

    Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Shabana in Machakos on Sunday 4 November, 2024.

    Lineups

    AFC Leopards: 32. Levis Opiyo, 34. Azizi Okaka, 29. Vincent Mahiga, 4. Randy Bakari, 12. Kayci Odhiambo, 6. Musa Oundo (8. Brian Wanyama-88), 7. Jafari Owiti, 18. Boniface Kweyu, 21. Maxwell Otieno (10. Cliff Nyakeya-60), 23. Cliffton Miheso (36. Kevin Kimani-64), 80. Hassan Beja (33. Victor Omune-60)

    Unused subs: 22. Humphrey Katasi, 11. Luke Namamnda, 13. Washington Munene, 9. Brian Yakhama, 50. Otieno,

    Coach: Tomas Trucha

    Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 12. Edwin Buliba (26. Dennis Wanjala-82), 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 4. Timothy Muganda-Captain 1, 8. Calvin Masawa-captain, 18. Clifford Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Dennis Oalo-66-Captain 2), 22. Samuel Kapen, 19. Vincent Owino, 3. Robinson Asenwa (11. Andrew Kisilu-82), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (17. Brian Mose-66)

    Unused subs: 7. Pius Omachi, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 25. Brian Mzee, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

    Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Cautions
    AFC Leopards:
    Nairobi City Stars: 12. Edwin Buliba (47), 8. Calvin Masawa-90+4-Red Card)

    Goals
    AFC Leopards: 21. Maxwell Otieno (47), 36. Kevin Kimani (72)
    Nairobi City Stars: –

  • Head-to-head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

    Head-to-head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

    On Sunday 21 January 2024, AFC Leopards will host Nairobi City Stars in a 19th-round 2023/24 FKF Premier League tie in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, starting at 3 p.m.

    It will be the first game away game for Simba wa Nairobi against Leopards since Monday 29 May 2023,  in Nyayo Stadium. Then, Kelvin Etemesi scored a second-half brace to cancel out Victor Omune’s first-half strike to win the game 2-1, and ultimately survive relegation from the top tier.

    The upcoming duel will be the 26th top-flight tie between the two since the year 2005. From the previous 25 games, Leopards has registered ten to nine wins over City Stars, while the other six games have ended in draws.

    Narrowed to 12 away games against Leopards, City Stars has drawn six, lost four times, and registered two wins – back in January 2006, and in May 2023.

    From those 12 home games, hosts Leopards has outscored City Stars eleven to nine goals.

    Simba wa Nairobi carries seven straight wins to the game, while the hosts Leopards bring on back-to-back wins over Ulinzi Stars and Muhoroni Youth.

    City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti will come up against his counterpart Tomas Trucha for only the second time. The two first met during the first leg in early November 2023 in Nyayo Stadium, with City Stars winning it 3-2.

    Table-wise, Simba wa Nairobi sits 2nd with 33 points, as Leopards is placed 13th with 20 points.

    Who wins this one?

    KPL Games: 25 (Leopards wins -10, City Stars wins – 9, Draws – 6)

    City Stars vs AFC Leopards (12 Away games)

    22-Jan-06: AFC Leopards vs World Hope, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (W)
    22-Aug-09: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
    18-Apr-10: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
    21-Aug-11: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
    13-Jul-12: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-0 (L)
    18-Aug-13: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-1 (D)
    12-Apr-14: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Mumias Complex, 1-1 (D)
    19-Jul-15: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
    21-Aug-16: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Afraha Stadium, 0-0 (D)
    06-Mar-21: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Kasarani Annex, 1-0 (L)
    06-Jun-22: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Thika Stadium, 1-1 (D)
    29-May-23: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2
    21-Jan-24: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, ??

  • Kapen, Mzee in MD10 Team of the Week

    Kapen, Mzee in MD10 Team of the Week

    Following a stellar show against AFC Leopards on Saturday 4 November 2023, Nairobi City Stars pair of forward Samuel Kapen and midfielder Brian Mzee made it to the FKF Premier League match day ten team of the week (TOTW).

    Mzee was outstanding in the game, ultimately being named the Man of the Match while Kapen came out of the game with a goal, an assist, and a second assist.

    Their contribution led to a 3-0 advantage, and eventually a 3-2 win over Leopards in Kasarani.

    Kapen and Mzee become the fourth and fifth Simba wa Nairobi players to make it to the team of the week.

    Rowland Makati and Kelvin Etemesi started it all in matchday four and five against Nzoia Sugar, and Sofapaka in match days four and five, respectively.

    Dennis Oalo was next when he made it to the matchday seven TOTW against Shabana.

    “It is very encouraging to see our players constantly being featured in the team of the week. It goes to show that with extra work and smartness, any player making a positive contribution from the roles they have been given will get recognized,”

    “It works well for the team as such recognition spurs the rest of the lot to step up.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

    Mzee
    Brian Mzee against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023 in Kasarani
    Kapen
    Samuel Kapen in action against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023 in Kasarani
  • Timothy Muganda: No pressure with armband

    Timothy Muganda: No pressure with armband

    After close to seven weeks, big unit Timothy Muganda returned to the Nairobi City Stars starting lineup, with a difference.

    Muganda last started a game against Gor Mahia on 17 September 2023, in Kasarani during match day three, and 48 days later, was back on the same scene as the team captain, for the first time while at City Stars. He led Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-2 win.

    “Wearing the armband against AFC Leopards came with absolutely no pressure. I was easy with it,”

    “Remember previously I was at Soy United where I was the regular captain. I got used to the responsibilities that come with captaincy,”

    According to head coach Nicholas Muyoti, command was required at the back and that role fitted the very vocal Muganda.

    “We needed command at the back and thought giving him the armband would inspire him. We hope that it motivated him in that game, and that it will do the same in the games to come,” said Muyoti

    On the game itself, Muganda was excited with the triumph that ended a two-game losing streak.

    “It was a very important win considering we had had a patch recently. We had a good game approach that worked for us that delivered the win though we had to endure a nervy ending,”

    “The win gives us confidence and we can now go to the next set of games on a high.” he added

    After matchday three against Gor Mahia in mid-September, Muganda went on to miss the next five games but returned for the Muranga SEAL tie on 1 November as a substitute.

    He completed the Leopards match in what was only his 15th Kenyan Premier League appearance.

    Muganda, City Stars
    Timothy Muganda wore the armband for Nairobi City Stars against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023
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