Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Brian Mzee

  • Brian Mzee: The Kenyan Premier League is very tactical

    Brian Mzee: The Kenyan Premier League is very tactical

    Defensive midfielder Brian Mzee Omondi aka Mzeles is on an adaptation path after stepping up a rank higher to feature in the Kenyan Premier League for the first time this season.

    Mzee – whose signature is his love of tucking in his top – joined Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason from Kenyan second-tier side Kibera Black Stars and went on to make his top-flight bow after a cameo show in the opening game against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on 26 September 2023.

    He earned a full debut in the second game of the season against Bidco United where he went on to be named the Most Valuable Player in the match.

    Mzee now talks up his early experiences in Kenya’s apex league:

    “I am still adapting to it. But so far so good,” he started before adding; “The real big difference from the lower leagues I have played in is that there’s an abundance of experience in the premier league,”

    “It’s a league that calls for a different approach. It is a very tactical league and I have realized that you get punished for that one mistake that you make in the game. More than often that becomes the difference.”

    After his cameo appearance in game one, Mzee has become a regular starter and has gone on to register four full games in the last six rounds of games.

    He previously featured for Ruiri Sportif in the third tier two years back before moving to Black Stars, then to City Stars.

    City Stars, Mzee
    Nairobi City Stars defensive midfielder Brian Mzee taking on Bidco United forward Ezekiel Okare during a second round 2023-24 FKF Premier League match in Kasarani Annex on Sun 3 Sep 2023. It ended 1-1
  • What four City Stars debutants had to say

    What four City Stars debutants had to say

    Nairobi City Stars kicked off the new 2023-24 FKF Premier League season on Sunday 27 August 2023 by posting a 0-0 draw against visiting Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex.

    Named for the game were six new faces in the Simba wa Nairobi 20-man squad, four of whom went on to clock premiership minutes.

    While center-back Wycliffe Awiko Omondi nailed a full game on his debut, striker Brian Mose Nymabane, flyer Gilbert Abala, and defensive midfielder Brian Omondi Mzee all came on as second-half substitutes.

    This is what they said on their step into the Kenyan topflight:

    “My debut went very well, I liked it. It’s now to build up on it and push the team to wins. I look forward to many more games at this level,” said Brian Omondi Mzee formerly of Kibera Black Stars

    City Stars
    Brian Mzee on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

    “It’s a whole new level but it came with no pressure at all. I felt comfortable though it was my first premier league game,” said Wycliffe Omondi who was roped in from Migori Youth

    City Stars
    Wycliffe Omondi on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

    “I wouldn’t say much of it because I came as a very late substitute. I didn’t get enough minutes to showcase what I could do but even then, I am hoping for more playtime in the games to come,” said Gilbert Abala signed from Busia Sugar FC

    Gilbert Abala on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

    “I enjoyed that first game in the few minutes that I received. Too bad we did not pick a win. I hope to get more games and minutes as we go along as we go for wins,” said Brian Mose formerly of Narok Division 2 side Total Spurs.

    Brian Mose on his debut for Nairobi City Stars against Muhoroni Youth in the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener on Sun 27 Aug 2023 in Kasarani Annex. It ended 0-0

    While the four got minutes, center-back Sosthenes Idah as well as goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe, signed from Polisi Tanzania and Bidco United, respectively, were unused substitutes.

    Other than the six newcomers, three others: Robinson Asenwa from Vapor Sports, Yuto Kusaba from Embu-based FC Zenshin, and goalkeeper Julius Ombacho all had a rest day.

  • Six in line for Premier debuts in season opener

    Six in line for Premier debuts in season opener

    There are six new faces named in Nairobi City Stars 20-man squad ahead of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League opener against Muhoroni Youth in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 27 August 2023 starting at 3 pm.

    The six are part of the nine arrivals to the Simba wa Nairobi family for the new season.

    Goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe, signed from Bidco United, is up against Elvis Ochoro for a starting berth in the upcoming game.

    Two defenders; Sosthenes Idah and Wycliffe Omondi, signed from Polisi Tanzania and Migori Youth, respectively, have been named amongst five regulars ahead of the game.

    Midfielder Brian Mzee, in from Kibera Black Stars, will be seeking a place in the midfield while teenagers Brian Mose and Gilbert Abala, from lower tier sides Total Spurs from Narok and Busia Sugar, will be looking for game time as forwards.

    While the six made the cut, three others: Robinson Asenwa from Vapor Sports, Julius Ombacho from Luanda Villa, and Yuto Kusaba from FC Zenshin, all take a rest from the opener

    Squad to face Muhoroni Youth

    Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

    Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 30. Rowland Makati, 32. Sosthenes Idah

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor, 5. Newton Ochieng, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee

    Forawrds: 9. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 22. Samuel Kapen, 27. Gilbert Abala

    Out: 3. Robinson Asenwa, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

  • City Stars squad for the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season

    City Stars squad for the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season

    A total of nine new players have joined Nairobi City Stars ahead of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season.

    The nine include two goalkeepers: Julius Ombacho from Luanda Villa, and Edwin Mukolwe from Bidco United.

    Also joining Simba wa Nairobi are centreback Wycliffe Omondi and defensive midfielder Brian Omondi Mzee from National Super League sides Migori Youth and Kibera Black Stars, respectively.

    Experienced center-back Sosthenes Idah has also joined Nairobi City Stars. His last workstation was Polisi Tanzania.

    Two wingers: Robinson Asenwa from third-tier side Vapor Sports, and teenager Gilbert Abala from lower-tier side Busia Sugar FC, are also in for the season.

    Strikers Brian Mose Nyambane and Japan National Yuto Kusaba from Division Two sides Total Spurs (Narok), and FC Zenshin (Embu), correspondingly, complete the singings for the season.

    Save for Abala and Wycliffe who are in on two-year deals, the new signings have been engaged for a season.

    The new arrivals take up the slots vacated by keepers Jacob Osano and Stephen Njunge, defenders Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, and Herit Mungai, as well as midfielders Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani, and forward Ezekiel Odera.

    The departures also include James Mazembe and Levis Okello who have since returned to their parent clubs KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz, respectively, following the expiry of short-term loan spells.

    Contract renewals

    Aside from the new signings, Nairobi City Stars confirms that twelve of the players who featured last season renewed their contracts.

    Defender Timothy Muganda has extended his stay for two more seasons, while midfielders Andrew Kisilu, Clifford Ouma, Newton Ochieng, and Abuyeka Kubasu have stretched their stay for a season each.

    The same applies to long-serving fullback Calvin Masawa who is now in for his 14th straight season at City Stars, and defender Edwin Buliba.

    Forwards Mohammed Bajaber, Kelvin Etemesi, Pius Omachi, and Dennis Oalo, as well as flyer Samuel Kapen, all committed their stay for the new season.

    Running contracts

    Away from the new arrivals and renewals, keeper Elvis Ochoro, defenders Rowland Makati, and Dennis Wanjala, and midfielders: Ronney Kola, Vincent Owino, and Elvis Noor Ojiambo, all with running contracts, stayed on.

    Comment from head coach Nicholas Muyoti

    “We have carefully recruited this season and onboard we have a pool of promising and very exciting players,”

    “They have had a good preseason and the new players are blending in very well with the rest of the lot and we are confident that we will have a vibrant season,” 

    City Stars squad (& new jersey numbers) for the 2023-24 FKF Premier League season

    Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe (Bidco United), 13. Elvis Ochoro, 23. Julius Ombacho (Luanda Villa),

    Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Rowland Makati, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 32. Sosthenes Idah (Polisi Tanzania), 15. Wycliffe Omondi (Migori Youth),

    Midfielders: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Omondi Mzee (Kibera Black Stars), 31. Abuyeka Kubasu,

    Forwards: 3. Robinson Asenwa (Vapor Sports), 7. Pius Omachi, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 10. Dennis Oalo, 17. Brian Mose (Total Spurs-Narok), 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Yuto Kusaba (FC Zenshin-Embu), 22. Samuel Kapen, 27. Gilbert Abala (Busia Sugar FC),

    Technical bench: Nicholas Muyoti – Head coach, Peter Opiyo – Assistant coach, Abel Omuhaya – Goalkeeper trainer, Arthur Museve – Trainer & Security Officer, Ronny KAgunzi – Team Manager, Brian Odongo Otieno – Team Physio, Victor Rolex Onyango – Kit Manager

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