On the evening of Monday 21 December 2020, Nairobi City Stars, in an event held at Ambo Gardens in Lavington, extended its appreciation to the lot of players and Technical bench that promoted the team back to the Premier League back in year 2020 after four seasons in the second tier.
According to team coordinator Samson Otieno, all 25 players and ten members of the technical bench who were in the club roster last season – including those that left at the end of the season – were all awarded.
“We called the gala to award our team members from last season for their stellar performance in getting the team promoted back to the Premier League.” said Samson
Adding his voice was club CEO Patrick Korir who said;
“A job well done must be rewarded. In our culture a good deed follows even those that left us for the role they played in getting the team back to where it is now.”
Diana Sifuna, the CEO at the Jonathan Jackson Foundation – owner and sponsor of Nairobi City Stars – said;
“We recognize all the effort put in by the players and technical bench in getting the team back to where it really belongs in the premier league. It’s an honor to be here and we pass our sincere gratitude to all of you for your dedicated effort from last season.” said Diana on behalf of chair Jonathan Jackson
Each player took home a monetary token as well as a commemorative plaque.
In a special part of the gala, the team’s departed team manager Neville Pudo, who was laid to rest on Saturday 19 December 2020 at his home in Nyanza, was awarded posthumously.
He was represented at the event by his son Neville Pudo Jnr (below).
Neville Pudo Jnr. picking being handed a plaque for his late father by Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) CEO Diana Sifuna on Mon 21 Dec 2020
Those awarded;
Goalkeepers: Levis Opiyo, Ronny Kagunzi (left the club), Jacob Osano
Defenders: Tedian Atuto, Kevin Okumu (left the club), Wycliffe Otieno, Salim Abdalla, Edwin Buliba, Noah Abich (retired), Wesley Onguso, Calvin Masawa, John Kamau
Midfielders: David Gateri, Eric Ochieng (left the club), Anthony Kimani, Azizi Okaka, Oliver Maloba, Charles Otieno, Elvis Ojiambo, Peter Opiyo,
Strikers: Jimmy Bageya, Ezekiel Odera, Vincent Otieno, Davis Agesa, Ebrima Sanneh
Technical Bench: Sanjin Alagic (head coach), John Amboko (assistant coach), Joseph Andere (kit manager), Arthur Museve (trainer), Zachary Onyango (goalkeeper trainer), Neville Pudo (Team Manager), Winnie Nyasiri (Team Media)
Others (all left the club): Tiellen Oguta (assistant coach), Grace Wang’ondu (Trainer/Nutritionist), Dennis Mugisha (Physio),
Management: Samson Otieno (team coordinator), Patrick Korir (CEO), Jonathan Jackson (Chairman)
Promotion plaques on parade on Mon 21 Dec 2020 from (L to R); Oliver Maloba (21), Wesley Onguso (5), Wycliffe Otieno (22), Elvis Noor Ojiambo (2), Charles Otieno (3), Jacob Osano (16)
Nairobi City Stars posted their first draw of the season after holding hosts Bidco United 0-0 in a fourth round FKF Premier League game played at Utalii grounds on Thursday 17 December 2020.
Inside the first seven minutes, City Stars had ventured into the Bidco box but to no avail, and striker Ezekiel Odera had a header skied after receipt of a long range pass from the left by Timothy Ouma.
In the eighth minute Emmanuel Mogaka had a connection to a corner that went just wide for another fruitless corner in what was Bidcó’s first real chance.
Just after the quarter hour mark it is Bidco that had City Stars on the back foot but the ball finally ended up with keeper Steve Njunge.
Within four minutes after the half hour mark Njunge was forced to concede a corner off a long range Mogaka freekick and minutes later a 30-yarder from Zachary Anthony Gathu just went wide.
14 minutes after the restart, Stephen Waruru was found open at the edge of the City Stars boxed but he skied what seemed the best chance to activate the scoresheet at Utalii.
The story of missed chances continued till the final minutes when City Stars skipper Anthony Muki Kimani headed out a glorious chance off substitute Oliver Maloba’s delivery.
A point from the game moved City Stars to the seven point-mark to maintain fourth spot as Bidco moved to three points to move one up to position twelve.
Next up for City Stars is a home game against promoted Vihiga United on Wednesday 23 December starting 3pm.
Lineups
Bidco United: 1. Edwin Omwambani (GK), 4. David Kalama, 12. Lambert Otieno, 18. Francis Oduor, 15. Luke Ochieng, 31. Victor Ochieng (2. Jacob Onyango-82-captain), 30. Atnthony Gathu, 10. Emmanuel Mogaka (19. David Orem-88), 20. Nelson Chieta (27. Noah Wafula-68), 22. Stephen Waruru -Captain (11. Batts Awita-82), 9.Pistone Mutamba
Unused subs: 35. Brian Opondo (GK), 40. Wilson Anekeya, 24. Anthony Simasi, 6. Mwinyi Kassim, 28. Eric Githua,
Coach: Anthony Akhulia
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-88), 20. Timothy Ouma (7. Rodgers Okumu-65), 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth (21. Oliver Maloba – 55), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-88),
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 22. Wycliffe Otieno
Not considered: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno, 11. Davis Agesa, 16. Jacob Osano, 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Yellow cards: 10. Peter Opiyo (Nairobi City Stars-29′), 31. Victor Ochieng (Bidco United-72′)
Match Officials: Sylvester Musonye (Match Comm), Collins Opiyo (Centre Ref), Emmanuel Barasa (AR 1), Peter Sabatia (AR 2), Calary Bernard (Reserve Ref),
Simba wa Nairobi hit visiting Bandari FC 2-0 on Friday 11 December 2020 in a third round Premier League game played at Kasarani to bounce back to winning ways.
Goals by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, off an assist by Jimmy Bageya, and an own goal by the opposite skipper Bernard Odhiambo off a Davis Agesa cross ball, in the 60th and 68th minutes respectively, handed City Stars the vital win a week after going down 1-0 to KCB at the same venue.
Jimmy Bageya, introduced in the 57th minute for teenager Timothy Noor Ouma, teed up Muki with a centre pitch pass to the edge of the box.
With a clear view of goal, Muki timed his shot to finish off past keeper Justin Nikumana for the first of the game.
Six minutes after, Agesa, who started out as a number 9 only to switch to the flank, slinked down the right wind and fired a low cross into the box that Bernard unfortunately bundled home to double the hosts’ advantage.
Though City Stars won on the day, their fourth home win over Bandari in eight encounters in Nairobi, it is Bandari that had the best of chances to go ahead first.
Inside the early minutes of the game, Bandari showed early intent by raiding City Stars backline and earned a series of set pieces but the hosts were sure to clean their lines as they settled into the game.
On 19 minutes however, it is Bandari that could have fallen behind had teenager Timothy Ouma found the far post after after being put through by Oliver Maloba. It whisked just wide.
On 30 minutes William Wadri broke through on goal only for centre referee Josiah Awiti to call for an off side at a time he was about to pull the trigger with only the keeper to beat.
Five minutes later Wadri thought he had earned a penalty after being bundled by City Stars keeper Steve Njunge in the box. A corner was awarded instead and it is Wadri that got to the end of it only to place it inches off the far post.
Seven minutes into the second half, an unmarked Yema Mwana rose highest to power home a freekick form Shaban Kenga on the right only for it to ricochet downwards to bounce back into play off the line.
Two minutes later, a series of passes got the ball in City Stars box only for Mwana to shoot straight at keeper Steve Njunge when it seemed easier to place the ball home.
At the hour mark center back Kenedy Onyango made a massive challenge to disposes Abdallah Hassan resulting in the ball flowing to Jimmy Bageya.
With substitute Ezekiel Odera making a dummy run to confuse Bandari centre backs Bernard Odhiambo and Brian Otieno, Bageya squared the ball to Muki get Simba wa Nairobi 1-0 up.
Seven minutes later Bandari finally scored through substitute Danson Namasaka after firing in from a few yards from goal only for the referee to call it off for an offside.
That decision was vehemently contested by Bandari as the ref consulted his assistant at the corner. In the midst of the protestations, City Stars started the game and a long range pass from Peter Opiyo found a flting Agesa on the right wing.
He swung in low for Odera in the box only for Bandari skipper Bernard Odhiambo to redirect it to his on net for City Stars second.
Bandari had one more glorious chance to find a goal in the 77th minute when substitute Danson Namasaka, on for Yema Mwana in the 64th minute, had his pinch perfect free kick from the edge of the box parried out for an unfruitful corner by keeper Njunge.
City Stars had at least two more chances to get more goals as the game wore on to conclusion, but had to eventually settle for a 2-0 win.
The latest triumph adds on to a similar one during the season opener against Nzoia Sugar in Narok, and moves Simba wa Nairobi from seventh to third in the 18-team log with six points.
Next up for City Stars is an away game to promoted Bidco United on Thursday 18 December 2020 starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka (12. Edwin Buliba-88), 10. Peter Opiyo – Captain from 74′, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma (19. Jimmy Bageya-60), 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-74), 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera-60), 11. Davis Agesa (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-88)
Not considered: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (injuries), 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Bandari: 1. Justin Ndikumana, 13. Atariza Amai (28.Hamid Mohammed-80), 5. Siraj Mohammed (11. Darius Msagha-80), 15. Bernard Odhiambo (Captain), 4. Brian Otieno, 22. Collins Agade, 29. Abdallah Hassan,21. Wilberforce Lugogo (39. Johanna Mwita-64), 27. Yema Mwana (17. Danson Namasaka-64), 10. David King’atua (7. Shaban Kenga-36), 24. William Wadri
Unused subs:16. Michael Wanyika, 19. Swaleh Chacha, 8. Dan Guya, 12. Dennis Magige, 6. Alphonse Washe, 20. Benjamin Mosha, 31. Keegan Ndemi,
Coach: Ken Odhiambo
Scores: Nairobi City Stars 2 (Anthony Kimani-60, Bernard Odhiambo-66-OG), Bandari 0
Yellow cards; Bandari – Brian Otieno (8), William Wadri (33), Siraj Mohammed (39), Nairobi City Stars – Kenedy Onyango (45), Azizi Okaka (48),
Match Officials: Dorcas Moraa (MC), Josiah Awiti (Centre Ref), Victor Sittuk (AR 1), Emmanuel Barasa (AR 2), Moses Simiyu (Reserve Ref)
City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0Azizi Okaka at Kasarani during a 3rd round FKF Premier League game against Bandari on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0
On Friday 11 December 2020, Nairobi City Stars will host Bandari at Kasarani (outer) in a third round 2020/21 FKF Premier League tie.
Bandari comes to the game with a win (1-0 over Sofapaka) and draw (0-0 vs Tusker) and have a clean sheet to protect against Simba wa Nairobi who head to the game with a win (2-0 vs Nzoia Sugar) and loss (1-0 vs KCB) from the opening two games of the season.
From the archives, the two sides have previously met 14 times in the top flight between 2008 and year 2016.
Ten different coaches; John Bobby Ogola (3 games), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (2), Gideon Ochieng (1), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Jan Koops (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (2), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1), have overseen City Stars against Bandari in the 14 games.
Of the 14 affairs’, Nairobi City Stars has won five (5), Bandari three (3) with the other six (6) ending in draws.
Of the 14, City Stars has hosted seven games and went on to win three (3), draw as many (3) and lost once (1).
The Friday meet will be the 15th overall encounter, and eighth that City Stars will be hosting the Dockers.
For the first time ever, the two will face off at Kasarani as the other seven games were played at Hope Centre (3 times), Nyayo Stadium (3) and City Stadium (1).
There are lots of entanglements between the two teams as, during their last visit to Nairobi, Bandari drew City Stars 2-2 at Nyayo Stadium on 18 February 2016.
Anthony Muki Kimani scored a brace for Bandari to salvage a point. Incidentally, Muki is the current Nairobi City Stars captain.
Those two goals, that included a point-earning 57th minute penalty, made Muki Bandari’s top scorer against City Stars with four goals, all scored in three consecutive games.
Muki was the scorer of the only goal for Bandari when City Stars lost their home game on 1 April 2015 at City Stadium.
Jimmy Bageya – a current member of City Stars – and Arthur Museve (retired as a player and now City Stars trainer), are the top scorers for Simba wa Nairobi against Bandari with three goals apiece.
In the upcoming Friday game, City Stars will be handled by an eleventh coach against Bandari – Bosnian Sanjin Alagic, while the visitors have a former City Stars Coach – Ken Odhiambo as their head coach. Back in 2009, Ken masterminded City Stars 2-1 over Bandari in Mombasa.
Beyond, two siblings on either side will be factor in the game; Herit Mungai Atariza will be City Stars left back and at the end of the left channel where he operates will be his elder sibling Nicholas Meja Atariza, Bandari’s fullback 2.
Who will prevail in this one when top flight returnees City Stars squares it out with title contenders Bandari?
Summary
Overall meetings – 14: Nairobi City Stars wins (5), Bandari wins (3), Draws (6)
City Stars as hosts – 7 times: Wins (3), Draws (3), Losses (1)
Bandari top scorer vs City Stars: Anthony Muki Kimani (4 goals)
City Stars top scorer vs Bandari: Jimmy Bageya, Arthur Museve (3 goals each)
A lone goal in the 43rd minute by Henry Onyango proved the difference as KCB registered a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars in a second round Premier League game played at Kasarani’s outer pitch on Friday 4th December 2020.
Onyango had a second bite on the cherry after his first attempt was parried back into play, and on take-two, roofed the ball to the far post with a right footer past Steve Njunge in City Stars goal to settle the game of nerves.
Both teams came to the game with wins from the opening round; KCB with a 3-0 win over Posta Rangers and City Stars with a 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar, but with the latest win, KCB shoots to the top of the table with maximum six points ahead of further league games at the weekend.
Simba wa Nairobi called the tune early and had a goal in the 12th minute when Kenedy Vidic Onyango headed in a corner only for it to be ruled out due to a handball by a City Stars player.
KCB was forced into an early change in the 20th minute when center back Bethwel Warambo had to go out due to a recurrent injury with forward Victor Omondi taking up his place which led to readjustment to positioning at the back.
Not too long after the tempo of the game changed as KCB took advantage of lost balls in midfield to patrol the flanks to go forward leading to the goal at the brink of half time.
Second half saw the introduction of dangerman Enock Agwanda by KCB alongside Vincent Wasambo, but it is City Stars that dictated the pace of the game upon entry of Sven Yidah, Laiser Hill alumnus Timothy Ouma, Ezekiel Odera, as well as winger Rodgers Okumu and defender Edwin Buliba who both earned their Premier League debuts.
A header by Davis Agesa, a long ranger by Peter Opiyo and cheeky heel clip by Ezekiel Odera, all off target, highlighted the final quarter of the game but KCB held on for their eighth home win over City Stars in 11 premier league games since the 2005/6 season.
KCB: 1. Joseph Ochuka Okoth, 8. Dennis Odhiambo, 2. Rama Mwenda, 13. Bethwel Warambo ((17. Victor Omondi-20′(5.Nahashon Nanyendo-89′)), 23. Baraka Badi, 4. Michael Mutinda, 26. David Owino Ambulu, 7. Simon Munala (Captain), 19. Brian Ochieng (14. Vincent Wasambo-57′), 11. Derrick Otanga (29. Ian Motanda-89), 15. Henry Onyango (18. Enock Agwanda-57′)
Unused subs: 22. Gabriel Andika, 15. Brian Wepo, 25. Antonio Abwao, 6. Moses Odhiambo
Coach: Zedekiah Zico Otieno
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka (12. Edwin Buliba-71), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (18. Sven Yidah-59), 10. Peter Opiyo (captain from 66′), 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (20. Timothy Noor Ouma-66′), 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera-71′), 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth (7.Rodgers Okumu-59′), 11. Davis Agesa
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa,
Coach: Sanjin Alagic (Bosnia)
Not considered for City Stars: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 3. Charles Otieno, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija (injuries), 19. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso
Yellow cards: Anthony Kimani (Nairobi City stars-35), 26. David Owino (KCB-70′), 7. Simon Munala (KCB-90′)
Scores: KCB 1 (Henry Onyango-43′), Nairobi City Stars 0
Match Officials: Maxim Itur (MC), Andrew Juma (Centre Ref), Godfrey Ndeva (AR1), Hannah Njambi (AR2), Winnie Were (Reserve Ref)
