Two standout players Anthony Muki Kimani – the skipper – and Davis Agesa in Nairobi City Stars starting premier league win over Nzoia Sugar last Sunday in Narok have been named in the first eleven team of the week.
Muki scored the opening goal a minute after the quarter hour. And two minutes later it was 2-0 when Oliver Maloba slammed in the second. Agesa provided both assists.
Maloba as well as keeper Steve Njunge, who saved a second half penalty to confirm a clean sheet in the season opener, made the bench.
Njunge, signed from Wazito, is one of seven keepers that kept a clean sheet on match day one.
“It is commendable to have players from City Stars in the team of the week. It goes too show efforts from head coach Sanjin and his bench are for all to see.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
Complete team of the week
Goalkeeper: Samuel Odhiambo (Western Stima) Defenders: Daniel Sakari, Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Robinson Kamura (AFC Leopards), David Ambulu(KCB) Midfield:Anthony Muki Kimani (Nairobi City Stars), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari) Strikers: Daniel Otanga (KCB), Davis Agesa (Nairobi City Stars), Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
Reserves:Steve Njunge (Nairobi City Stars), John Kuol (Kariobangi Sharks), Bethuel Warambo (KCB), Joseph Mbugi (Posta Rangers), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), David Majak (Tusker), Thomas Wainaina (Kakamega Homeboyz)
4 City Stars players – Muki, Agesa, Maloba & Njunge in team of the week (1)
Muki, playing his 227th Premier League game, the first for City Stars since the 2009 season, and the first after his last premier league game while at Bandari in late 2016, led by example in scoring the first goal – the club’s 305th premier league goal – after 16 minutes when he finished off a Davis Agesa cross with a cheeky finish to beat diving Nzoia keeper Mustapha Oduor at the far post.
Two minutes later it was 2-0 after Oliver Maloba sneaked into the box to hammer in another Agesa delivery.
“It was the kind of start we had hoped for; a winning one. We are glad we achieved it,” said Muki
“The winning start reiterates our preparedness for the league even though we had been out of the top league for years. We can now approach the upcoming games with a lot more confidence.” he added
Muki returned to the club in mid 2019 and pushed their case for promotion from the second tier with, other than great leadership and experience, three MVP awards and as many goals and ten crucial assists.
Two goals by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani and Oliver Maloba in the 16th and 18th minutes, off assists by Davis Agesa, earned the team all spoils.
At the close of the game, City Stars technical bench picked out stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla as the MVP.
Shitu partnered Kenedy Vidic Onyango at the heart of defense and time and again thwarted Nzoia Sugar forwards, led by experienced Philip Muchuma, from the red zone.
.On his pick as the best of all, Shitu, one of 12 players making their premier league debut at City Stars on the day, said;
“It was a very good starting game. The win was the most important one. We however have some improvements to make heading to our next game where we will be looking for another positive result.” he said
Shitu joined City Stars mid 2019 and contributed immensely to the club’s promotion to the top flight after four years in the second tier.
In the ended season, he scored three times – two of which were match winners against Kenya Police and Shabana, and was named MVP twice against Ushuru and Nairobi Stima.
Nairobi City Stars kicked off their 2020/21 FKF Premier League campaign on a bright note after seeing off visiting Nzoia Sugar FC 2-0 at the Narok Stadium on Sunday 29 November 2020.
Powerful forward Davis Agesa, one of 12 players making their Premier League debut for City Stars on the day, delivered two assists that skipper Anthony Muki Kimani and Oliver Maloba finished off in a two minute blitz to settle the contest of two sides that had never met before at any level.
Muki, playing his first Premier League game for City Stars since 2009, and the first top flight game since 2016 (at Bandari), started it off in the 16th minute when he opened up to receive Agesa’s cross.
With a view of goal, he hit a diagonal shot to the far post from the edge of the box to beat a diving Mustapha Oduor in Nzoia’s goal.
To feed Muki, Agesa had received the ball from Erick Ombija who knocked down a long goal kick from City Stars keeper Steven Njunge Ndungu.
Even before the celebrations could settle, Agesa was at it again after intercepting a backward pass from Nzoia’s Leonard Kasembeli to square a pass for Maloba who, once in the box, slammed the ball home at the far post for only his third Premier league goal for City Stars.
After the quickfire goals the tempo of the game slowed drastically after a consistent drizzle that hit Narok town.
There was a turning point ten minutes after the restart when a swift Gaetan Masha was awarded a penalty after City Stars centre back Salim Shitu Abdalla was adjudged to have hacked him down the flying lad in the box.
Cliff Kasuti stepped up to take the spot kick but an agile Njunge in City Stars goal tamed his shot leaving left back Herit Mungai to clear the lines before Nzoia Sugar forwards could pounce on the rebound.
Maloba could have finished the game with a brace in the dying minutes but he shockingly skied a sure pass, while unmarked in the box, that came from the left from teenager Vincent Jamaica Otieno.
“This was the kind of start we had been hoping for. It was an important one against a solid Nzoia Sugar side, a team we had never faced before in a venue we had never played in. It was a historic game, one that sets the tone for the season.” said club CEO Patrick Korir after the game
It was the first Premier League game for Bosnian coach Sanjin Alagic who guided the team to promotion last season.
“There’s a great psychological importance in winning the starting game. It prepares you for the rest of the season and I am excited that we achieved it against an experienced KPL team.” said Sanjin
Three teenage debuts
In the historic game, just two of the starting players – Muki and Maloba had previously played a Premier League game for City Stars.
Eight of the other nine starters had Premier League experiences but for the first time donned City Stars colors in the top flight.
Save for Erick Ombija who was substituted in the second half, the other seven; Steve Njunge, Herit Mungai Atariza, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Wycliffe Otieno, Peter Opiyo and Davis Agesa all earned full debuts in Simba wa Nairobi colors. Sven Yidah, with 97 previous appearances with Kariobangi Sharks, donned his City Stars colors in the second half.
Teenager Elvis Noor Ojiambo, signed from Kibera Black Stars mid last year on a long term deal was the only player in the starting 11 to make his top flight debut.
Two other teenagers joined his status – his sibling Timothy Noor Ouma and Vincent Otieno Okoth who came on as second half subs for Maloba and Erick Ombija, respectively.
Third winning start
Prior to the starting win against Nzoia, City Stars had only won just two starting games in 12 seasons between 2004 and 2016.
The team managed a 3-1 win over KCB at City Stadium in the 2005/6 season (as World Hope) and later a 2-0 (awarded) win over AFC Leopards at Hope Centre in the 2009 season.
Four draws were the starting results in the 2004/5, 2008, 2010 and 2016 seasons while six losses invited the team to the 2006/7 season as well as the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Next
With the Nzoia Sugar game now recorded, Nairobi City Stars now shifts focus to KCB in their next game set for Friday 4th December 2020 at a yet to be confirmed venue.
Lineups:
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (18. Sven Yidah-66′), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba (20. Timothy Noor Ouma-83′), 24. Erick Ombija (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth -61′), 11. Davis Agesa
Not considered: 32. Ezekiel Odera (travelled to Narok as backup), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 3. Charles Otieno (injuries), 27. Azizi Okaka, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau
Technical bench: Sanjin Alagic (Head Coach), Nihad Nalbantic, Noah Abich, John Amboko (assistant coaches), Brian Odongo (Physio)
Yellow cards: 10. Peter Opiyo-53′
Nzoia Sugar FC: 23. Mustapha Oduor, 30. Moses Mwale, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 6. Gabriel Wandera, 17. Emmanuel Esekon,13. Kevin Juma, 10. Cliff Kasuti (34. Felix Oluoch-82′), 32. Leonard Kasembeli, 33. Philip Muchuma (29. Eric Otieno-82′), 3. Gaetan Masha, 20. Felicien Okanda
Unused subs: 15. Humphrey Katasi, 2. John Munanai, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 11. Dan Musamali, 24. Ian Simiyu
Technical bench: Peter Mwaura (Head coach), John Muraya (Team Manager), Mathias Onyango, Peter Gin (Trainers), Amir Magwara (Physio)
Match Officials: Damaris Kimani (MC), Hosea Omondi (Centre Ref), Churchill Omondi (AR 1), Adan Tadicha (AR 2), Anthony Ogwayo (Reserve Ref)
Muki celebrates the opening goal as City Stars sees off Nzoia Sugar 2-0 at Narok Stadium in their opening 2020/21 FKF Premier League game on Sun 29 Nov 2020
Save for skipper Anthony Muki Kimani and offensive Oliver Maloba, there will be nine new players lining up in Nairobi City Stars colors as the team hosts Nzoia Sugar at the Narok Stadium on Sunday 29 November 2020 starting 1pm.
This is as head coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia makes his bow in the Kenyan top flight in Nairobi City Stars 321st Premier League game, the first since 19th November 2016 in the season when the team got relegated.
While Muki last featured for City Stars in the Premier league in 2009, but rejoined the club in July 2019, Maloba was part of the 2016 lot.
Four offseason signings; Keeper Steve Njunge from Wazito, Kenedy Vidic Onyango from Kakamega Homeboyz, striker Erick Jibaba Ombija from Gor Mahia and left back Herit Mungai Atariza from Coast Stima will all start against Nzoia.
They are joined in the starting 11 by defenders Salim Shitu Abdalla and Wycliffe Wiki Otieno, as well as midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo who all joined the team in July 2019.
Vidic and Shitu will be the stoppers as Herit and Wiki take their places as fullbacks.
Teenager Elvis will have Peter Pinchez Opiyo, and Muki for company in the mid as Ombija and Maloba operate on either wings. Agesa, the City Stars all-time top scorer in the NSL, will lead the lines upfront.
Three teenagers; Elvis Ochoro and Vincent Otieno Okoth, both signed from Hakati Sportiff, as well as Laiser Hill alumnus Timothy Babu Ouma, will start off the bench.
Ezekiel Odera who scored the clubs 304th and last Premier League goal in 2016 is part of the firepower on the bench as well as overall captain and City Stars longest serving player Calvin Masawa.
Utility back Edwin Buliba and new signings Sven Yidah and roving winger Rodgers Okumu complete the bench.
Starting XI: Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa
Subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 9. Vincent Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera
Out of game 1: Ebrima Sanneh, Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, Charles Otieno (injuries), Azizi Okaka, Jimmy Bageya, Jacob Osano (sickness), Wesley Onguso, John Kamau
