Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Anthony Kimani

  • 19 named for historic Narok clash with Nzoia

    19 named for historic Narok clash with Nzoia

    Nairobi City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic has named a 19-man squad for the opening 2020/21 FKF Premier League game against Nzoia Sugar to be played at Narok Stadium on Sunday 29 November 2020 from 1pm.

    On many fronts the game is historic as Nairobi City Stars has never faced off with Nzoia Sugar at any level since the club’s inception back in 2003.

    Neither has Nairobi City Stars played a game at the Narok Stadium and never has coach Sanjin, who led Simba wa Nairobi to promotion from the National Super League (NSL), ever handled a game in the top flight.

    The upcoming game will be Nairobi City Stars’ first Premier League game since 19 November 2016. In between then and the upcoming game, Simba wa Nairobi had been featuring in the second tier following relegation at the end of the 2016 season.

    Of the travelling lot, only three players; Oliver Maloba, overall captain Calvin Masawa and Ezekiel Odera are the survivors from the team that played the last game in 2016. Odera scored the team’s 304th and last Premier League goal in that finale.

    Field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, who rejoined the club last year to lead the side to promotion, also makes the team. He last played a Premiership game for City Stars back in 2009.

    Beyond those four, the other 15 players heading to Narok will be aiming at clocking their debut games for City Stars in the Premier League.

    They include eight offseason signings; keeper Steve Njunge from Wazito, stopper Kenedy Onyango from Kakamega Homeboyz, striker Erick Ombija from Gor Mahia, left back Herit Mungai Atariza and winger Rodgers Okumu from Coast Stima, defensive mid Sven Yidah from Kariobangi Sharks, keeper Elvis Ochoro from Hakati Sportiff and creative mid Timothy Babu Ouma from Laiser Hill Academy, the reigning Rift Valley Chapa Dimba MVP.

    Teenage forward Vincent Otieno Okoth, defenders Wycliffe Otieno and Salim Abdalla as well as midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo, all of whom joined City Stars in July 2019, are in the list to Narok.

    Completing the squad are former Kenya international Peter Pinchez Opiyo, a January 2020 signing, utility back Edwin Buliba and powerful forward Davis Agesa Amuyunzu, the teams’ top scorer in the NSL.

    Off the pitch, immediate former captain Noah Abich as well as former skipper and stand-in coach John Amboko will accompany the team to Narok.

    This is alongside coach Sanjin, assistant Nihad Nalbantic, team physio Brian Odongo.

    Nihad, a former keeper in his hey days in Serbia, will fill up for keeper trainer Zachary Onyango who is unavailable.

    Travelling squad

    Goal keepers: 23. Steve Njunge, 1. Elvis Ochoro

    Defenders: 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa,

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 7. Rodgers Okumu

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

    Not traveling: Ebrima Sanneh, Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, Charles Otieno (injuries), Jimmy Bageya, Jacob Osano (sickness), Wesley Onguso, John Kamau, Azizi Okaka

    Technical bench: Sanjin Alagic (Head Coach), Nihad Nalbantic, Noah Abich, John Amboko (assistant coaches), Brian Odongo (Physio), Neville Pudo (Team Manager), Winnie Nyasiri (Media)

    Management: Samson Otieno (Team coordinator)

  • Friendly: Mixed results against Posta Rangers, Gor Mahia

    Friendly: Mixed results against Posta Rangers, Gor Mahia

    Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to Posta Rangers and drew 1-1 against multiple league champions Gor Mahia in friendly games played at Jamhuri Grounds on Saturday 21 November 2020.

    In the first game of three on the day, City Stars were even with Rangers till late when striker Ezekiel Okare pounced on a spilled ball to sink in the loner.

    In the second game, a second lot City Stars lost a penalty in the first half but still led 1-0 at half time before Gor Mahia rallied to share the spoils in the next half.

    Skipper Anthony Muki Kimani saw his spot kick in the 16th minute, earned after fast Davis Agesa was felled in the box, hit the upright as City Stars missed the chance to go up.

    City Stars however recovered from that penalty loss two minutes after the half hour mark when stopper Salim Abdalla headed home a pin-point cross from the left by Erick Ombija.

    Into the second half, Gor forced a penalty two minutes after the restart, and skipper Kenneth Muguna beat keeper Steven Njunge for the leveler.

    In the game played after, Posta Rangers went on to beat Gor Mahia 1-0 thanks to an Elijah Mwanzia goal in the first half.

    After, City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic denoted his satisfaction from his view of the two latest friendly games;

    “Both City Stars teams really played well and I am satisfied at how each player gave a real push in the games. The level of play has gone up and I can now say we are good to go.”

    Squads

    Game 1

    Posta Rangers: Buryne Omondi, Simon Mbugua (Otieno Opala), Hamisi Salim, Dickens Mwena, Yusuf Juma, Cavin Odongo (Peter Nganga), Kevin Otieno, William Odera, Ezekiel Okare (Bill Oporia), Eliud Lokuwam (Eliud Owalo), Ken Mutembei

    Coach: Sammy Pamzo Omolo

    City Stars: Jacob Osano (Elvis Ochoro), John Kamau, Wesley Onguso, Edwin Buliba, Calvin Masawa, Sven Yidah, Azizi Okaka, Rodgers Okumu, Timothy Ouma, Vincent Otieno, Ezekiel Odera

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic (Bosnia)

    Game 2

    Gor Mahia: Gad Mathews, Charles Momanyi, Philemon Otieno, Andrew Juma, Kelvin Wesonga, Kenneth Muguna, Bernard Ondiek, John Ochieng (Sidney Ochieng), Sammy Onyango, Dickson Raila, Alpha Onyango

    Coach: Roberto Oliveira Goncalves (Brazil)

    City Stars: Steve Njunge, Herit Mungai, Kenedy Onyango (Edwin Buliba), Salim Abdallah, Wycliffe Otieno, Peter Opiyo, Elvis Ojiambo, Anthony Kimani (Vincent Otieno), Oliver Maloba, Erick Ombija (Rodgers Okumu), Davis Agesa

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic (Bosnia)

    Out for City Stars: Ebrima Sanneh, Yusuf Lubowa Mukisa, Charles Otieno (All injured), Rowland Makati, Ronney Kola (loan – Nairobi Stima), Jimmy Bageya (sick)

  • Nairobi City Stars squad for the 2020/2021 Premier League season

    Nairobi City Stars squad for the 2020/2021 Premier League season

    Nairobi City Stars will navigate the first leg of the 2020-21 FKF premier league season with a total of 29 players: three (3) goal keepers, nine (9) defenders, 12 midfielders, and five (5) strikers. 

    A total of eleven new players onboarded in the offseason and this includes goalkeepers Elvis Ochoro (Hakati Sportiff) and Stephen Njunge (Wazito FC).

    Defenders Mukisa Lubowa Yusuf (Proline FC) from Uganda, left back Herit Mungai (Posta Rangers) and centre-back Kenedy Onyango (Kakamega Homeboyz) all joined Simba wa Nairobii.

    Midfielders; Rowland Makati (Vapor Sports), Timothy Ouma (Laiser Hill Academy), Ronney Kola (KSG Ogopa FC), Sven Yida (Kariobangi Sharks) also  joined the club in the offseason as well as flyer Rodgers Okumu (Coast Stima) and striker Erick Ombija (Gor Mahia).

    Two players; – Makati and Kola – will however head out on loan at second tier side Nairobi Stima to seek work experience over the season.

    Last season’s captain Noah Abich, who has since retired from playing, drops to the bench to become an apprentice to coach Sanjin joining former City Stars players John Amboko and Arthur Museve.

    Full 2020/21 Squad & jersey numbers

    Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

    Defenders: 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 8. Calvin Masawa, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 3. Charles Otieno, 6. Ronny Kola, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 18. Sven Yidah, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 20. Timothy Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba, 27. Azizi Okaka, 30. Anthony Kimani,

    Strikers: 9. Vincent Otieno, 11. Davis Agesa, 24. Erick Ombija, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

    Technical Bench:

    Head coach – Sanjin Alagic, Assistant head coach – Nihad Nalbantic, First assistant coach – John Amboko, Second assistant coach – Noah Abich, Goalkeeper coach – Zachary Onyango, Team manager – Neville Pudo,  Trainer – Arthur Museve, Team Physio – Brian Odongo, Kit Manager – Joseph Andere

  • Friendly: Bidco United 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

    Friendly: Bidco United 1 Nairobi City Stars 1

    Host Bidco United came from behind to tie Nairobi City Stars 1-1 at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 7 November 2020 during a pre-season friendly played over two extended halves.

    While City Stars won the first, Bidco United reversed the tide to claim the second half.

    Skipper Anthony Muki Kimani sent Simba wa Nairobi 1-0 up after 20 minutes when he converted a penalty awarded after winger Vincent Jamaica Otieno forced a handball in the box.

    On the other half, immediate former Muranga SEAL player Anthony Gathu, rattled home a poor clearance that dropped outside the box to level matters.

    In the past two Saturdays City Stars played hosts Ligi Ndogo and Kariobangi Sharks and registered a 4-0 win and 1-1 draw, respectively.

    “I am satisfied with how the team played the game and the outcome especially in the first half and overall progression of the team since we started preseason. In the next few weeks we will be fully ready for the season.” said head coach Sanjin Alagic after the game

    More friendly games have been lined up in the weeks to come.

    Teams

    City Stars Team 1: Steve Njunge, Wycliffe Otieno, Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, Herit Mungai, Sven Yidah, Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani, Rodgers Okumu (Davis Agesa), Vincent Otieno, Erick Ombija

    Bidco Team 1: Zamu Adisa (GK), David Kalama, Anthony Simasi, Eric Odhiambo, Lampard Oyuga, Jacob Onyango, Stephen Okiro, Wilfred Korir (Nelson Chieta), Stephen Waruru, Emmanuel Mogaka, Eric Gathimu (Jackton Oketch)

    Scores; Bidco United 0 Nairobi City Stars 1

    City Stars Team 2: Jacob Osano, Wesley Onguso (Timothy Ouma), Edwin Buliba, Lubowa Yusuf Mukisa (Ronney Kola), Calvin Masawa, Elvis Ojiambo, Charles Otieno (Rowland Makati), Oliver Maloba, Davies Agesa (Jimmy Bageya), Ezekiel Odera (Zohran Boston – guest player), Azizi Okaka

    Bidco United Team 2: Brian Opondo (GK), Francis Odour, Wilson Anekeya, Geoffrey Kariuki, Kassim Mwinyi, Antony Gathu, Victor Ayugi, David Orem (Henry Omollo), Edwin Walamwa (Stephen Waruru), Noah Wafula, Pistone Mutamba

    Scores: Bidco United 1 Nairobi City Stars 0

    Out for Nairobi City Stars: Ebrima Sanneh, John Kamau (both injured), Elvis Ochoro (On duty – Kenya U20)

    Eyes on the ball for City Stars forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno against Bidco United at Thika Stadium on Sat 7 Nov 2020. The game ended 1-1
    Pep talk at the water break by coach Sanjin Alagic during a City Stars – Bidco United game on Sat 7 Nov 2020 at Thika Stadium
  • City Stars players receive, appreciate Betika’s Covid-19 token

    City Stars players receive, appreciate Betika’s Covid-19 token

    All 25 Nairobi City players received Kshs. 5,000 each on Thursday 30 April 2020 from leading gaming firm Betika to cushion them against the economic effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic that has grossly affected football activities since mid-March.

    The package was part of a collective KShs. 5.3 million distributed directly to up to 30 players in the 17 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and 19 National Super League (NSL) clubs.

    City Stars field captain Anthony Muki Kimani who represented the club at the event said; “We feel appreciated. Never before has football been suspended to this extent and this token, though not enough, will go a long way in cushioning us against the economic effects of the global pandemic.”

    And from the office, overall team City Stars team captain Noah Abich, on behalf of the other clubs members, said; “This is a good surprise and it comes in as a buffer to players who are finding it hard to survive due to the Corona virus pandemic that has stopped all football activities,”

    “We thank Betika for being very considerate and sensitive to players countrywide. I also thank FKF for fronting the interest of players that Betika took up.” he added

    While presenting the cheque to FKF President Nick Mwendwa to Muki, as well as Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna, Betika commercial Head John Mbatia reiterated the leading online gaming firm’s commitment to supporting Kenyan football.

    “Football has been largely affected by this pandemic and it is for this reason that we opted to partner FKF in supporting our players,” he said.

    FKF President Nick Mwendwa, meanwhile, thanked Betika for coming through for the players and called on other partners to consider extending support to players from lower-tier leagues, who have also been affected by the pandemic.

    “I want to thank Betika for this kind gesture towards KPL and NSL clubs,” said Mr. Mwendwa.

    “As a Federation, we remain committed to exploring measures that cushion our players, right from the grassroots to the top tier leagues, during this time when football has been largely affected,” he added.

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