Left back Bolton arrived from Tanzania’s Biashara United while right back Chumsy returned from Wazito whom he joined late last year after serving City Stars for four years.
Their arrival of the two versatile fullbacks has fixed City Stars vulnerability on either flanks to the delight of head coach Sanjin Alagic.
Bolton, a former Nzoia Suar, Kariobangi Sharks and KCB left back was a miss in the last transfer window as he went to Tanzania while Chumsy opted for something new hence his move to Wazito.
Months later, they were both a part of Simba wa Nairobi.
“We knew it from beginning of the season that we’ll suffer in those two positions if we didn’t bring in quality players. Unfortunately, even with a clear plan, we were not able to sign the players we wanted as our target Bolton left for Tanzania and Chumsy went to Wazito,”
“Now they are here and they have brought really positive impact on our flanks. They are quality players with the ability to play good both defensively and offensively with quality crosses,”
“They have adapted very well in our playing style in such a short time.” added Sanjin
Bolton came off the bench to make his debut in an away game against Kakemega Homeboyz while Chumsy earned his first Premier League game in City Stars colors against Zoo where he scored on his debut.
With both players on the pitch, City Stars has now registered four straight wins over Mutomo Tigers in the Domestic Club, Zoo FC, Western Stima and lately against Mathare United.
Bolton and Chumsy were the only additions to the squad in the mini transfer window that lasted the entirety of February 2021.
Bolton Omwenga in training with City Stars after his arrival from Tanzania’s Biashara UnitedKevin ‘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
Nairobi City Stars took down Mathare United 2-0 at Kasarani Annex in a belated round 14 Premier League game played on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 March 2021.
Maiden goals by left back Bolton Omwenga and a final one by flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu on either half handed Simba wa Nairobi a third straight Premier League win.
Mathare United, who last payed City Stars back in 2016, will feel hard done by the loss as they pinned the hosts for long spells with dominant attacking and wide play.
Just before the half hour mark Bolton received a short pass from Peter Pinchez Opiyo and with a long range floater beat Mathare keeper Job Ochieng who fluffed the dinking ball to his own net for the opener.
And right at the death, bench power saw City Stars double their lead when Okuse sliced through the Mathare backline to meet a cross from teenage sub Timothy Noor Ouma to fire at the far post. A finger tip on the ball from Ochieng in goal failed to stop the ball from rolling home.
Two minutes into the game Oliver Maloba received a cross from the left by Omwenga but he miscued the ball towards the right corner while within meters of goal.
Within the next ten minutes City Stars backline went to over drive to clear Mathare raids starting with a Bolton halt on James Kinyanjui before Kenedy Vidic Onyango forced out for dangerous ball for a corner that yielded two more that Mathare wasted.
16 minutes in, Sven Yidah skied a short pass from Maloba as City Stars put in a response to Mathare runs.
Minutes later the ball was back in City Stars box when Mathare’s Tyson Otieno – with a man of the match performance all through – fed Kinyanjui who blasted wide.
Moments later Ebrima Sanneh had two near misses after he broke into the box only to fire a shot across goal before powering a Kevin Chumsy Okumu freekick above bar.
Then the turning point came in the 28th minute when Omwenga directed a long range shot goalward to beat Ochieng in goal for his first City Stars goal.
Then came nervy moments that could have seen Mathare in the game with goals before half time. A Kiyanjui cross found James Mavado Mwangi who hit the side netting and not too long after Kinyanjui himself had a shot fired wide and one other tipped away by City Stars keeper Njunge as the game rolled to half time.
Within the restart after the break, Maloba was bullied off the ball after making a solo run in the box. Not too long after he had a shot from range fly just wide.
Then came a real chance for Mathare on the other end when half time substitute Dani Lual, on for Alphonse Ndonye, received the ball in the box only to fire across goal only for Bolton to clear it out before it was tapped home.
The chances continued to present themselves for either side till the final minute when Okuse sneaked past both stoppers Martin Werunga and Lennox Ogutu to add a second for City Stars for his first ever Premiership goal.
With the latest win City Stars shoots to the 19-point mark after 14 games to move up four places from 12th to eighth in the 18-team log.
Mathare United on their part remain 16th with nine points from 11 games.
Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game against title chasing AFC Leopards on Saturday 6 March 2021 at Kasarani starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah (3. Charles Otieno-83), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (7. Rodgers Okumu-67) 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh (20. Timothy Ouma-83), 24. Erick Ombija (11. Davis Agesa-60)
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Mathare United: 30. Job Ochieng (GK), 20. Martin Ongori, 17. Martin Werunga, 23. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Norman Ogola, 29. Chris Oduor-Captain, 11. Tyson Otieno (15. Bonface Akenga-88), 8. Alphonse Ndonye (9. Dani Lual-46), 10. James Kinyajui, 13. John Mwangi (3. Khalid Jumaan-64), 27. Daniel Otieno (24. Klinsman Omulanga-79)
Unused subs: 1. David Okelo (GK), 7. Danson Kago, 19. Anthony Otieno, 12. David Simiyu, 6. Dennis Ochieng
Coach: Salim Ali
Yellow cards: 11. Tyson Otieno-37, 25. Norman Ogola-44 (Mathare United)//Bolton Omwenga-90 (Nairobi City Stars)
Goals: Bolton Omwenga-28, Rodgers Okumu-90 (Nairobi City Stars)
Match Officials: Maurice Matani (Match Comm), Davis Malungo (Centre Ref), Victor Shituku (AR1), George Mwangi (AR2), Wilson Otieno (4th Official)
Bolton Omwenga who scored his maiden goal for City Stars was named MVP after a mathc day 14 Premier League game against Mathare United. City Stars won 2-0
Four Nairobi City Stars players made it to the Team of the week (TOTW) at the close of round 13 games played on Wednesday 23 February 2021.
Keeper Steve Njunge and centre back Kenedy Onyango both made it to the first elven of the week while left back Balton Omwenga and striker Erick Ombija were added on to the reserve list.
Ombija scored once off a corner from Omwenga as Peter Opiyo added a penalty before half time to complete the win.
Onyango and Njunge worked tirelessly in the second half to ward off the hosts to the very end.
Beyond being named in the team of the Week, Njunge has been nominated in a short list of three players for consideration as Player of the Week.
In the last set of games, in round 12, Kevin Chumsy Okumu made the reserve list of the TOTW.
Chumsy scored on his debut for City Stars on Saturday as Simba wa Nairobi powered to a 2-1 win over Zoo FC at Kasarani to end an eight-game winless streak.
Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu made the Week 12 TOTW after scoring on his debut as Nairobi City Stars saw off Zoo FC 2-1 at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021
Chief spoiler Sven Yidah has been ruled out of Nairobi City Stars games for the next two weeks due to a knee injury sustained in the last league game against Kariobangi Sharks.
According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, Sven suffered a knee injury in that game and has to sit out a number of games to fully recuperate.
“Sven had a knee knock against Sharks and we have given him two weeks rest to heal. All necessary tests have been down on him and its nothing major. He should be back by mid of the month,”
Due to his injury, Sven will miss a round eleven Premier league clash against Kakamega Homeboyz as well as the round 64 match domestic cup match against Mutomo Tigers of Kitui.
“He is doing very well and the pain on his shoulder is gradually diminishing. He has started training and it’s a matter of time that he will be back on the pitch,” said Odongo
Overall team captain Calvin Masawa and utility back Edwin Buliba are also still on the sidelines due to knee and quad injuries.
According to Odongo, the two are still out of the most immediate game assignments.
The trio of Muki, Masawa and Buliba have so far missed games against Sofapaka and Kariobangi Sharks.
As all four stay out, head coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia has confirmed his 18-man to face Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday 6 February 2021.
From the 20-man team that faced Sharks in the last league game, left back Wesley Onguso and striker Ebrima Sanneh will miss out alongside Sven. Newly signed Balton Omwenga is the only addition to the travelling party.
Squad to face Kakamega Homeboyz
16. Jacob Osano, 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 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, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Balton Omwenga
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury), 18. Sven Yidah, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso
Edwin Buliba (left) in a past game against Nairobi Stima on Sat 14 Mar 2020Muki 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 2020Balton Omwenga in Nairobi City Stars colors during a friendly against Kibra United on Wed 3 Feb 2021. He’s joined the club permanently from Tanzania’s Biashara United
Nairobi City Stars wishes to announce the arrival of left back Timothy Balton Omwenga from Tanzania’s Premiership side Biashara United Mara.
The former Nzoia United, Kariobangi Sharks and KCB left channel operator joins Simba wa Nairobi for one and a half seasons.
The five-foot-six left footer, capped twice for Kenya, and four times for Kenya U23 team, was philosophical upon his arrival;
“It’s an honor to be part of Nairobi City Stars. Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is a progress. Working together is success,”
“Together as a team with good effort we will get good results.”
Speaking on his capture, head coach Sanjin Alagic stated;
“Balton has rare qualities as a player and has very good experience. I have no doubt he will be of great value to City Stars.” said Sanjin
Omwenga adds on to City Stars left foot department that also has Herit Mungai Atariza, Wesley Onguso, John Kamau and fullback utility Calvin Masawa, the team’s overall skipper. He will don jersey no. 17
His International Transfer Certificate (ITC) has already been issued by the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and its only a matter of time before he makes his debut for Simba wa Nairobi.
Balton Omwenga in Nairobi City Stars colors during a friendly against Kibra United on Wed 3 Feb 2021. He’s joined the club permanently from Tanzania’s Biashara United
