Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Anthony Kimani

  • Muki, Jamaica assists rule the NSL

    Muki, Jamaica assists rule the NSL

    For a second straight month, Nairobi City Stars midfield kingpin Anthony Muki Kimani was named as the best goal provider in the second tier National Super League (NSL). This is as captured by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a report for the month ended October released on Thursday 14 November 2019.

    Muki had five assists in October across the five games played that month and had one more than prodigy Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno who was acquired by City Stars in the off season from Hakati Sportiff. With four assists Otieno tied with Bidco’s Anthony Gichu.

    In the month of September, Muki was best with four assists to lead the table (tied with Nairobi Stima’s Moses Ouma). Jamaica was joint second with three assists.

    Away from assists, Nairobi City Stars FC were the best attacking team in October scoring 10 goals in 5 matches played, an average of 2 goals every game.

    The team beat hosts Kenya Police 3-2 in Naivasha then followed it up with identical 2-1 wins over AP Bomet, Nairobi Stima, Fortune Sacco before settling for a 1-1 draw with Mt. Kenya United in the final game of October.

    Nairobi City Stars FC lead the Top Scoring Team Chart in NSL 2019/20 by the close of 11 games played by the end of October with 23 goals, two ahead of Nairobi Stima and two over Bidco United FC, Migori Youth FC & Vihiga United FC each with 18 Goals.

    Into matches in November, City Stars rolled over with the best streak having gone 11 matches unblemished; nine wins and 2 draws.

    The team, named the best at the end of September 2019, was beaten to the October award by Migori Youth who kept five clean sheets in posting four wins and a draw.

    Their striker Clinton Okoth with seven goals at the end of October just as Ebrima Sanneh of City Stars was named the player of the month while their coach Robert Ojienda was named the tactician of the month taking over from City Star’s coach Sanjin Alagic.

  • Friendly fire: Big test from Wazito

    Friendly fire: Big test from Wazito

    Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Wazito saw off Nairobi City Stars 4-1 in a friendly game played in the afternoon of  Thursday 14 November 2019 at Camp Toyoyo.

    The Premiership side coached by Melis Medo carried a 2-0 lead to the breather and finished it off with another two in the second half as City Stars managed a consolation from Anthony Muki Kimani who converted from the spot, a penalty earned by speeding Stephen Mweni.

    While Wazito were using the tie to shape up for their upcoming Premier league game away to Kisumu AllStars next Wednesday, City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic used it as an opportunity to field players who are keen to break into the main squad after missing out on starting berths against Ushuru on Wednesday.

    Strikers Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno, Jimmy Bageya and winger Heritier Luvualu who made second half appearances against Ushuru, a round 14 NSL tie played at Hope Centre yesterday, were among the lot that lined up against Wazito.

    Ronny Kagunzi stood tall in goal as Edwin Buliba and Augustine Ochieng were paraded as centre backs while Noah Abich and Calvin Masawa were on either side as fullbacks. Eric Ochieng played deep six against his former employers as Kimani had the play maker’s role.

    Luvualu and Nahashon Thiongo were on either wings as Bageya played behind striker Jamaica. In the second half Cornelius Mwangi plugged in at centre back as Buliba moved to right fullback to rest Abich.

    Peter Wainaina came in for Nahashon as Mweni took Bageya’s place in the second half. Victor Okulu came on for Eric.

    According to coach Sanjin it was a run out game for players angling to break to the main team and it was never really about getting a result but to see the zeal from his players against a worthy opponent.

    “The target was to give chance and minutes for players who didn’t play against Ushuru in our recent NSL game against Ushuru,”

    “My wish was to play against strong Premier league team Waizito and it was good challenge because we played with our second team while they played with their first 11,”

    “A result was not in the first plan, I wanted to see how the players from bench will react in a strong and demanding match,”

    “Transfer window is in front of us so we need to bring right decision about which players can help us to achieve promotion to Premier league and also play in that higher level.” Concluded Sanjin

    There was a scare midway through the first half when Wazito’s Waithira concussed after a head knock on a high ball with Jamaica. He was dashed to hospital for further checks.

    City Stars will be up against Muranga Seal on Monday 18 November in an NSL round 15 fixture at the Camp Toyoyo starting 4pm

    Lineups  

    City Stars: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba (24. Cornelius Mwangi), 6. Augustine Ochieng, 13. Eric Ochieng (Victor Okulu), 17. Noah Abich, 10. Nahashon Thiongo (15. Peter Wainaina), 30. Anthony Kimani, 7. Heritier Luvualu, 19. Jimmy Bageya (19. Stephen Mweni), 9. Vincent Otieno

    Subs: 27. Vincent Khatili

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Wazito: Kevin Omondi, Bernard Ochieng, Lloyd Wahome, Karim Nziyigimana, Ali Abondo, Musa Masika, Paul Acqua, Joe Waithira, David Oswe, Derick Otanga, Pistone Mutamba

    Coach: Melis Medo

  • Buliba, Masawa in for match 13

    Buliba, Masawa in for match 13

    Head coach Sanjin Alagic has brought in defenders Edwin Buliba and Calvin Masawa as Nairobi City Stars readies for National Super League match day 13 against FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo on Friday 8 November, 2019 starting 12 noon.

    Buliba and Masawa’s entry are the only two changes to the squad of 18 that faced off with Migori Youth in match day 12 at the same venue on Saturday 2 November, 2019.

    Buliba, last considered for a game against Mt. Kenya United in match day 11 at the end of October, is expected to start off the bench as cover for the centre backs and right fullback. He replaces Cornelius Mwangi.

    Masawa, adept at left or right fullback, takes up the position of skipper Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani who was red carded in the last game against Migori Youth. He is also expected to start off the bench.

    With Kimani out, the team will be under a new field captain who will be known on match day. His exit in the last game saw striker Ebrima Sanneh take the armband.

    Squad of 18 for FC Talanta on Fri 8 Nov, 2019

    23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 18. Jimmy Bageya, 25. David Gateri, 17. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba, 16. Vincent Otieno, 2. Elvis Ojiambo, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 13. Eric Ochieng, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa

  • Maloba the hero as 10-man City Stars stops Migori

    Maloba the hero as 10-man City Stars stops Migori

    Simba wa Nairobi roared once again to stay unbeaten into the new season after coming from behind to see off Migori Youth 2-1 at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho during a match 12 game on Saturday 2 November 2019.

    City Stars were down 1-0 after just 14 minutes when Migori’s lead striker Clinton Okoth pounced on a ball following a defensive mix up to slam home at the far post – his eight goal of the season – past a stranded Levis Opiyo in goal.

    It got worse for City Stars six minutes later after conceding the goal as skipper Anthony Muki Kimani the midfield engine was slapped with a straight red card after a reckless challenge on a Migori’s Robert Ouma.

    Down to ten men, it looked all lost for City Stars who are unbeaten in the NSL since May 2019.

    A forced substitution minutes later saw the introduction of former Kibera Black Stars playmaker Elvis Noor Ojiambo for striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno who was sacrificed for the game.

    Stabilization of the midfield was immediate and in the 38th City Stars were level after left back Wesley Onguso whipped in a free kick that striker Davis Agesa flicked in.

    It was Even-Steven into the break and to the closing minutes of the game when substitute Oliver Maloba rammed home the winning goal after getting to the end of a free-flowing move in the 86th minute.

    With the win, City Stars moved to the 32-point mark after 12 rounds to open a nine-point gap over Migori who stagnate at fourth with 23 points.

    Next up for the boys from Kawangware is FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo on Friday 8 November 2019.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 5. Wesley Onguso, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 18. Jimmy Bageya (25. David Gateri), 17. Davis Agesa (21. Oliver Maloba), 16. Vincent Otieno (2. Elvis Ojiambo), 29. Ebrima Sanneh

    Unused subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 13. Eric Ochieng, 24. Cornelius Mwangi

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Migori Youth: 13. Gedion Ogineno, 18. Siko Samuel, 2. Nnicholas Song, 16. Paul Enzo, 4. Alfred Odiwuor, 30. Robert Ouma, 12. Clifford Otieno (Captain), 10. Michael Bosio, 14. Anthony Abwao, 20. Elisha Odhiambo, 7. Clinton Okoth

    Subs: 26. Victor Kamungo, 28. Ronald Odhiambo, 6. Benedict Ochieng, 21. Carlos Orata, 5. Dennis Kiese, 25. Mark Osewe, 9. Edward Odhiambo

    Coach: Shem Imem

  • City Stars named NSL team of Sept in FKF Report

    City Stars named NSL team of Sept in FKF Report

    Five out of six wins in the month of September 2019 coupled with a number of key performances including for clean sheets earned Nairobi City Stars the team of the month award according to a report released by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Wednesday 23 October 2019.

    The five wins and one draw saw City Stars assume pole at the end of the first month of the league with an unbeaten streak with 16 points, one ahead of Bidco United.

    Simba Wa Nairobi won two of its three home games – the season opener against Shabana (2-0) and Northern Wanderers (6-0) plus all three away games; 1-0 over Bidco United in Thika, 2-1 over Coast Stima in Mombasa and 3-2 over Kenya Police in Naivasha. Adding on to the wins was a barren draw against Vihiga United in week three.

    With 13 goals scored, City Stars was second best to Nairobi Stima who notched in 15. Their 8-0 win over Northern Wanderers overshadowed City Stars 6-0 win over the same outfit hence the tilt.

    On the defense side City Stars was second best after conceding twice, one more than Bidco United.

    Ultimately, the team performance in September led to a number of personal awards.

    Tactician Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia and Herzegovina, in just his first season in Kenya, was named the Coach of the month.

    With four assists each, Anthony Muki Kimani was listed as the best goal provider alongside Nairobi Stima’s Moses Ouma. Teenager Vincent Otieno had three assists.

    With four clean sheets keeper Levis Opiyo was second best to Bidco’s Daniel Odiwuor who kept his goal clean in five games. He tied with Ushuru’s Boniface Baraza.

    Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh top scored with five goals alongside Dennis Wafula of Vihiga United.

    The downside of the stats for September were yellow cards where City Stars was rock bottom on the fair play table with a record haul of 13 and one red card.

    “Save for fair play, the stats are quite impressive. We hope the team can register the same or even better in weeks to come to maintain their top performance,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

    He went on to thank FKF for the new initiative of coming up with monthly reports as it spices up performances by teams.

    “This is a first and we hope the Federation can maintain this kind of reporting throughout the season. We will support them as it is a very good initiative.” he said

    Summary of FKF NSL September 2019 report

    Outstanding performance-Team: Nairobi City Stars

    Outstanding performance – Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Goal Assists: Anthony Kimani (4)

    Top scorer: Ebrima Sanneh (5 – joint)

    Best Attack: Nairobi City Stars (2nd)

    Best defense: Nairobi City Stars (2nd)

    Clean Sheets – Players: Levis Opiyo (2nd)

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