Nairobi City Stars

Tag: AFC Leopards

  • City Stars maul Leopards to set record

    City Stars maul Leopards to set record

    A goal on either half by Ezekiel Odera and Nicholas Kipkirui handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in a round 30 Betking Premier League clash played at Ruaraka on Tuesday 3 August 2021.

    The win enabled Nairobi City Stars to set two new records of surpassing 11 wins and 43-points in a 30-game season set back in the 2009 season as the team finished in the sixth spot.

    It was a record 12th season win that saw Simba wa Nairobi scale up to a record 44 points to settle at third.

    Odera tapped home a cross from Bolton Omwenga in the 34th minute for the opener for a 1-0 halftime lead.

    Leopards clawed back to tie the game three minutes after the hour mark with a sublime Washington Munene freekick.

    Five minutes later, a ball from fullback Kevin Okumu that was first met by Timothy Ouma ended up in Kipkirui’s path who then fired a low shot home for what eventually earned all spoils for Simba wa Nairobi.

    The game was cagey in the starting minutes but it is Leopards that had pressure on the hosts after forcing a corner and few throw-ins within 12 minutes.

    A timid shot to City Stars keeper Steve Njunge by Elvis Rupia, after pouncing on a miscued ball from Bolton Omwenga, soon followed.

    With good numbers in midfield, Leopards pinned down Simba wa Nairobi forcing four fruitless freekicks as the clock struck half an hour mark.

    In the 32nd minute, Leopards keeper Benjamin Ochan let a ball slip towards goal; Timothy Ouma gave chase but to no good effect. He gave away a foul.

    Within the next two minutes, a freekick by skipper Anthony Kimani ended up with Bolton far up the field and the left-back fired the ball to the box that received a flick from Odera for the opener.

    Leopards response was immediate and two minutes later, Marvin Nabwire smacked the upright after getting to the end of a flowing move. From that near-miss, City Stars forced two corners that Leopards failed to account for.

    Odera could have added the score minutes later but was caught offside once, then fired a Kipkirui pass just wide.

    Had he been more precise, Harrison Mwendwa could have leveled matters for Leopards in the 39th minute but he fired wide while in the box.

    The final three minutes to halftime saw Odera miss to place a free header when unmarked in the box after being picked out from the right by Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

    A response on the other end by Marvin for Leopards, a wide shot, ended the first half.

    At the start of the second half, Peter Thiong’o should have done better from a lost Bolton ball; but he shot wide.

    City Stars then won two important freekicks but one by Bolton and the other by Muki were both wasted.

    To manage balls from a packed midfield, City Stars coach John Amboko brought on Sven Yidah for Elvis Noor Ojiambo in the 55th minute.

    Not too long after, Davis Agesa and Timothy Ouma made it to the Leopards box only to fire wide and straight at Ochan, respectively.

    Two minutes after the hour mark Leopards brought on Austin Ochieng and Caleb Olilo for Harrison Mwendwa and Collins Shivachi, respectively.

    Within minutes Olilo had tested Njunge with a shot.

    A freekick from good range a minute after saw Munene dump the ball at the far right corner past a diving Njunge for the leveler.

    But within five minutes Kipkirui restored City Stars goal advantage when he fired low past Ochan.

    It was his last action in the game as he came off for Erick Ombija as Herit Mungai came on for Ouma.

    The action continued within eight minutes of the goal as Odera – later named the games’ MVP – fired wide while in the box as Agesa drove low to force Ochan into a good save.

    As expected, Leopards were dominant in the final minutes after bringing on Shaka for Munene.

    Two back-to-back throw-ins from ingwe however failed to bring about the much-sought equalizer allowing City stars to carry the day.

    With a second straight win that avenged a 1-0 loss to Leopards in the first leg at Kasarani, City Stars moves up two places from fifth as Leopards dropped to seventh with 41 points.

    Next up for City Stars is a Saturday game with Mathare United at Ruaraka.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wyclife Otieno, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (Sven Yidah-55), 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 20. Timothy Ouma (28. Herit Mungai-70) , 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (24. Erick Ombija-70) , 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-82), 11. Davis Agesa

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau,

    Coach: John Amboko

    AFC Leopards: 99. Benjamin Ochan, 22. Collins Shivachi (77. Caleb Olilo-62), 3. Washington Munene (13. Bienvenue Shaka-80), 15. Robert Mudenyu, 12. Isaac Kipyegon (Captain), 6. Tsuma Said, 7. Harrison Mwendwa (23. Austin Odhiambo-62), 26. Marvin Omondi, 10. Elvis Rupia, 8. Brian Wanyama, 14. Peter Thiong’o

    Unused subs; 16. John Oyemba, 2. Yusu Mainge, 20. Dan Sunguti, 11. Hansel Ochieng, 24. Omar Somoebwana, 18. Bonface Mukhekhe

    Coach: Patrick Aussems

    Yellow cards

    Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (36), 19. Kevin Okumu (44), 30. Anthony Kimani (68), 22. Wycliffe Otieno (74)
    AFC Leopards: 26. Marvin Omondi (87), 77. Caleb Olilo (89)

  • One change against AFC Leopards

    One change against AFC Leopards

    In comes, Sven Yidah, and out goes Azizi Okaka. That’s the only change from the squad that beat log leaders Tusker FC 1-0 in the last encounter ahead of the matchup with AFC Leopards on Tuesday 3 August 2021 at Ruaraka starting 3 pm.

    Sven had been out with the Kenya squad for the U23 championship in Ethiopia and only just returned.

    While in Ethiopia – alongside Oliver Maloba – Sven missed games against Gor Mahia, Vihiga United, Bidco United, and the last one against Tusker.

    “That’s the only change that we have made to the last squad. He will improve the bench power as we take on Leopards.” said head coach John Amboko

    From the squad that faced Leopards in the first leg, and lost 1-0 to a 94th-minute goal, the changes are seven.

    Young keeper, Elvis Ochoro’s place has been taken up by Jacob Osano. Defenders Salim Abdalla and Wesley Onguso and their places have been taken up by Edwin Buliba and Herit Mungai.

    Midfielder Maloba is out due to injury picked in Ethiopia as well as flyer Rodgers Okumu, Peter Opiyo, and striker Ebrima Sanneh.

    Their places have been filled up by John Kamau, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, and strikers Vincent Otieno and, Nicholas Kipkirui.

    20-man squad to face AFC Leopards

    Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 12. Edwin Buliba

    Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 15. John Kamau,

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui , 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 24. Erick Ombija

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 21. Oliver Maloba (injured), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 5. Wesley Onguso, 27. Azizi Okaka, 4. Salim Abdalla (suspended), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (injury), 7. Rodgers Okumu (rest), 10. Peter Opiyo (injury)

  • Head to Head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

    Head to Head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

    On Saturday 6 March 2021, Nairobi City Stars will be away to AFC Leopards in a round 15 Premier League tie at Kasarani starting 3pm.

    The two teams have met 18 times previously; twice in the 2005/6 season, and 16 times from the 2009 to 2016 seasons.

    Overall, Leopards has registered seven wins, City Stars six wins and the other five games have ended in draws.

    In nine away games, City Stars has managed one win over Leopards, drawn five and lost three times.

    Leopards first hosted a Robert Matano-coached City Stars (then World Hope) on 22 January 2006 at Nyayo Stadium, a game they went on to lose 1-0. Steve Biko scored the lone goal.

    It was double victory over Leopards that season as City Stars won the reverse game with another 1-0 win. Geoffrey Okoth’s goal at Ruraka was the difference.

    The last City Stars-Leopards Premier League meeting was back on 21 August 2016 at Afraha Stadium which ended 0-0. City Stars then got relegated from the Premier League at the close of that season.

    In between that game and the upcoming one, City Stars has met AFC Leopards just once during a preseason friendly game at Hope Centre on 10 August 2019. The latter won it 1-0 thanks to an opportunistic goal by Vincent Oburu in the second half.

    Coaches

    Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will lead City Stars on Saturday against Leopards.

    He’ll be the 13th City Stars coach to face Leopards after Matano (2 games), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (2), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1), John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).

    Sanjin joined City Stars prior to the 2019/20 season and led the side to promotion to the Premier League after four seasons out.

    Sanjin will be up against Belgian Patrick Aussems who recently joined the club.

    Recent form

    The two teams come to the game on the high of recent back-to-back wins.

    Leopards is basking from straight wins over Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani (1-0) and Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu (2-1) as City Stars are on three game wining streak over Zoo FC (2-1), Western Stima (2-0) and Mathare United (2-0).

    Leopards is up fourth in the 18-team log with 25 points from 12 games as City Stars is ninth with 19 points from 14 games.

    Venue

    Rather interestingly, in all previous 18 Premier League meetings, Leopards and City Stars have never met at MISC Kasarani. The Saturday duel will be the first at the venue.

    They two previously played at Nyayo Stadium (ten times), Hope Centre (once), Mumias Complex (Once), City Stadium (4), Ruaraka (once) and Afraha Stadium (once).

    For City Stars, it will be their first visit to MISC Kasarani since 30th October 2016 where they lost to Homeboyz 3-1 to earn relegation after 12 seasons in the top flight.

    Top scorers

    In the previous 18 games, City Stars has outscored Leopards 16-15 goals and only just twice have there be no goals (0-0 draws).

    The scorers have been diverse but a brace for Dan Sserunkuma in a 3-0 win at Nyayo Stadium in May 2012 makes him the top scorer for City Stars against ingwe.

    Likewise, braces by Hugo Nzangu and Bernard Mang’oli in identical 2-1 wins over City Stars in Apr 2011 and Jul 2015, both at Nyayo, make them Ingwe’s top scorers against Simba wa Nairobi.

    Player links

    Across the two clubs, a list of players have been on the other side and will be up against their former employers.

    Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, flyer Azizi Zizzou Okaka and mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo were at ingwe at different times before joining Simba wa Nairobi.

    Recently acquired defenders Tedian Atuto Esilaba and Stephen Inganji, as well as Said Tsuma were a part of City Stars, but are now at ingwe.

    Summary

    KPL Games: 18 (Leopards wins -7, City Stars wins – 6, Draws – 5)

    City Stars vs AFC Leopards (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, MISC Kasarani, ??

    Top scorers

    vs City Stars: Bernard Mang’oli, Hugo Nzangu – 2 each
    vs AFC Leopards: Dan Sserunkuma – 2 goals

  • Azizi confirmed at City Stars

    Azizi confirmed at City Stars

    Utility forward Azizi Okaka Odenyi has completed a move to Nairobi City Stars on a one-and-a-half-year deal.

    Aziz, a functional option for all forward positions including either wings, as a support as well as out and out striker, was confirmed a Nairobi City Stars player on Wednesday 8 January 2019.

    “He gives us the right forward options and we are glad to add him to our ranks. He came to us for training in December and has been looking very sharp. He’s a good addition to the team.” Said head coach Sanjin Alagic

    On his part Aziz said; “I was well received by City Stars and happy to have joined them officially. Together we can focus on promotion chase.”

    Aziz last featured for the now disbanded Sony Sugar, a team he joined after two years at AFC Leopards. He was scouted back in 2011 by the National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA) after his club FC 105 won the Safaricom Sakata Ball, for a six-month training programme.

    Right after he joined Premiership side Sony Sugar, then in 2014 moved to FC Talanta, a franchise formed to absorb the NYTA apprentices. The same year, and out of a collaborative developmental partnership, Okaka moved to Swedish side Gottne IF then to Kiruna FF the year after where he ended up as the top scorer.

    He returned from Scandinavia in 2016 join Premiership outfit Ushuru FC for the 2016 season then in mid-2017 he took a big stride in moving to AFC Leopards for a two-year span before returning to Sony.

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