There are no changes to the squad that faced Western Stima on Tuesday as City Stars seek out Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday 19 June 2021 at Ruaraka during a premier league matchday 21 tie starting at 1 pm.
Head coach Sanjin Alagic has maintained the lot of 20 that delivered a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Western Stima at the same venue on Tuesday.
The squad remained as is after Herit Mungai, who forced a penalty that won the last game, maintained his spot for yet another game.
Sven Yidah missed the first leg game due to a knee injury but is in for the upcoming one.
Overall skipper Calvin Masawa and field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani – nursing a shoulder injury then – are the other players that missed the fall in Bukhungu.
Striker Nicholas Kipkirui and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu who were yet to join the club then, are the last two ‘new’ players in for the Homeboyz duel.
The new entrants take up the places of winger Aziz Okaka, striker Vincent Otieno aka Jamaica, defensive midfielder Charles Otieno and attacking midfielder Timothy Babu Ouma were all part of the first leg game.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) May 26, 2021
On Monday, Sanjin led Simba wa Nairobi to the most comprehensive win of the season, ending a streak of three winless games.
Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, who scored his first premiership goal in City Stars colors, and the third on the day, was voted as player of the week after receiving 47.9% of the votes to see off three other contestants.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) May 26, 2021
Further, three players; namely Salim Abdalla, skipper Anthony Kimani and left-back Bolton Omwenga who had two important assists, were named to the team of the week.
Three City Stars players; Salim Abdalla, Captain Anthony Kimani and left-back Bolton Omwenga from City Stars in team of the Week
“The recent result against Sofapaka shows that we can compete when we come out with the right approach. The win was well planned and executed to perfection by the coach and the players,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
“Seeing Sanjin being named best coach and Salim as the best player and the team as the best in the ended round of games spurs us all and we now look forward to similar performances in upcoming games,”
“We had been missing from this bracket of awards in the recent round of games but we are glad that now we are back in it,” added Otieno
City Stars will be up against Kariobangi Sharks in their next game at the Utalii grounds on Saturday 29 May 2021 starting 1 pm.
Following a brace against log leaders Tusker FC, Nairobi City Stars field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani made it to the Premier League team of the week after round 16 of games.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) March 24, 2021
In spite of his first half brace, Muki’s goals were neutralized as Tusker scored twice in the second half to forced the game to end shared at 2-2.
It was certainly a tale of two halves, as City Stars’ Simba wa Nairobi went to the break with 2-0 cushion off two sublime goals from skipper Anthony Muki Kimani in the eighth and 18th minute to increase his tally this season to four goals.
Muki’s display on the day, where he was ultimately named the man of the match, earned him a place in the team of the week.
It will be Premier League game number 19 since year 2008, and the first since 2016, when Western Stima hosts Nairobi City Stars at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 starting 3pm.
The upcoming game, the thirteenth round in the 2020/21 is a crucial one as both sides hope to pile up the points and move off the lower reaches of the 18-team standings.
History books
The archives confirms the two sides have played 18 times in the Premier League between 2008 and 2016.
Western Stima has registered seven wins, Nairobi City Stars three wins with the other eight duels ending in even Stevens.
Though the two last met in the Premier League back on 21 September 2016 at Nyayo Stadium, in a game Western Stima won 2-1, the two sides met twice again in the 2018 season while in the second tier, the National Super League (NSL).
In that year the two shared spoils after a 1-1 deadlock at Camp Toyoyo in April but Western Stima went on to finish off City Stars with a 1-0 win later in September in the reverse tie at Moi Stadium. John Oruko scored the lone goal.
In eight previous premier league home games against City Stars, Western Stima has managed two wins and as many losses, and four draws.
Up ahead of the afternoon clash, Western Stima will be buoyed by the fact that they beat City Stars in their last five premier league games from the second leg of the 2014 season all through to 2016. Four games just before the five wins all ended in draws.
Coaches
Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will be on City Stars touchline to change the dismal tide against Western Stima who are under experienced Juma Abdalla.
Sanjin will be the 12th coach to handle a City Stars game against Western Stima since 2008 after John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (3 games – 2 in 2008 and 1 in 2016), Oliver Page (1 game), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (3), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).
Past win
Sanjin will be seeking to break a run of nine straight premier league games without a win over Western Stima.
City Stars last win over the bogey Western Stima was on 21 May 2012 at Bukhungu Stadium. Levy Muaka scored at the stroke of half time to hand City Stars a 1-0 win.
Current form
Into the highlight game on Wednesday afternoon, Western Stima, with seven points, are 17th on the log as Nairobi City Stars are 13th with six points on their hosts.
The hosts come to the game wounded having let go a 2-1 lead in their last game to lose 3-2 to Homeboyz in Kisumu while City Stars carries a 2-1 win over Zoo FC in Nairobi.
Top scorers
Into the game, both clubs still have scorers from past matches available.
With three goals, Arthur Museve is City Stars top scorer against Western Stima. He has since retired and is now the team’s trainer.
Anthony Muki Kimani who scored against Western Stima at Bukhungu in July 2009, in a 1-1 draw, will captain the the side.
Ebrima Sanneh who scored once in a 2-1 loss at Nyayo Stadium in August 2015 is still in City Stars ranks.
Baron Oketch who scored the winner in that game after adding on to Wesley Kemboi’s goal will be leading Western Stima against City Stars once again.
Kemboi who is no longer part of Western Stima is the leading scorer against City Stars. He has scored a goal more than Baron, Francis Ochola and Job Omuse
Who will carry the day?
Summary
KPL Games: 18 (2008-2016)
Western Stima Home games vs City Stars
15-Mar-08, Western Stima vs World Hope 1-2 (W)
4-Jul-09, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
30-Oct-10, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
17-Sep-11, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
12-May-12, Western Stima vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
11-May-13, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)
9-Aug-14, Western Stima vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
25-Mar-15, Western Stima vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
21-Feb-16, Western Stima vs City Stars 2-0 (L)
16-Sep-18, Western Stima vs City Stars 1-0 (L) *NSL
Head coach Sanjin Alagic has made four changes and two additions to the squad that faced Kakamega Homeboyz last time round for the upcoming Premier League game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Saturday 20 February 2021 starting 1pm.
Returning right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu, Ebrima Sanneh and Wesley Onguso are all in for the round 12 match in place of Aziz Okaka, Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth and regular left back Herit Mungai Atariza who receives a much needed rest.
Chumsy re-signed for City Stars, albeit on loan from Wazito, and will be seeking his debut Premier league game for Simba wa Nairobi against Zoo.
Teenage keeper Elvis Ochoro who made the bench for the first six games makes a return to the squad to replace Jacob Osano who has been reserve keeper in the last five games.
As explained by team physio, all players who were on the injury list returned to full fitness days to the Zoo game and were eligible to play.
Utility back Edwin Buliba and overall Calvin Masawa were however rested for the game alongside left footed John Kamau.
20-man squad to face Zoo FC
19. Kevin Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Ouma, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 26. Balton Omwenga
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza
Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals for Nairobi City Stars during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu in action during a round 64 Betway Cup clash against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He had an assist as City Stars won the duel 4-1
