Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Brian Opinde

  • Buliba, Owino return for Tusker clash

    Buliba, Owino return for Tusker clash

    The entry of defender Edwin Buliba and midfielder Vincent Owino for the upcoming FKF Premier league matchday nine against Tusker FC in Machakos on Saturday, 23 November, 2024, starting at 1pm, are the most notable changes from the squad that last played Shabana a fortnight ago. 

    Buliba and Owino made the smaller 18-man squad for the upcoming game that saw a total o four players drop out rom the expanded 20-man squad in the last trip to Shabana in Kisii.

    Buliba returned to the backline that sees centre back Brian Opinde and let back Rogers Wasega drop out, as Owino enters a midfield that sees midfielder James Ssemambo, and flyer Gilbert Abala miss out.

    Owino missed Simba wa Nairobi’s last two wins over Gor Mahia and Shabana as he was representing Kenya in the preliminary round of the African Nation Championship qualifiers against South Sudan.

    Squad to face Tusker FC

    Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro

    Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 8. Calvin Masawa,  12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 22. Stephen Bulugu

    Midfielders: 3. Sven Yidah , 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma,  19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee,

    Forwards: 5. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Yuto Kusaba, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Mohammed Bajaber, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 28. Andre Kalama

    Out: 6. Brian Opinde, 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane,  21. Rogers Wasega, 26. James Ssemambo, 27. Gilbert Abala, 30. Rowland Makati, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Byron Owino,

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

  • Brian Opinde earns top flight status

    Brian Opinde earns top flight status

    Centre back Brian Opinde Onyango became the latest player in the Nairobi City Stars rank to be scale up to Kenyan Premier league status after making his debut on Monday 28 October, 2024 in Machakos.

    Opinde, signed in the offseason after turning out in Safaricom Chapa Dimba for PASC Langa, and for Langas Superstars, a fourth tier side turning out in Division 2, and based in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, made a cameo appearance – for his premier league debut – in a 2-1 win over champions Gor Mahia.

    In the lead up to that game, Opinde had made the matchday squad in the previous five games against Sofapaka, Mara Sugar, AFC Leopards, Sofapaka, and Kakamega Homeboyz.

    He talked up his new status, and it’s meaning;

    “It was a very good experience. I wasn’t quite expecting my debut to come on that day. But when it did, it made me happy, as we went on to defend a lead for the first win of the season,”

    “The debut impacts massively on my career, and now that it has come and gone, I look forward to many more league games,” added Opinde

    In earning his maiden league game against Gor Mahia, Opinde follows in the footsteps of Pius Omachi who earned his debut against the same side in February 2023 in Kasarani, Robinson Asenwa and Abuyeka Kubasu at the same venue in September 2023, and Shem Odinga in Machakos in February 2024.

    Overall, Opinde became the 24th City Stars premier league debutant under coach Nicholas Muyoti, coming right after Rogers Wasega, since the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season.

  • Stephen Bulugu: It’s only a matter of time

    Stephen Bulugu: It’s only a matter of time

    Left back Stephen Bulugu is staying focused on the patience lane as he waits to fully recover from a recent injury.

    Bulugu, an offseason signing from Muhoroni Youth, has so far missed on making the squads in the opening three games against Bidco United, Mara Sugar, and AFC Leopards.

    “A slight injury has kept me out from my debut but it’s only a matter of time and I will be ready to feature for the team,” said the Tanzania national

    Beyond the wait, Bulugu is enjoying his time at Simba wa Nairobi since his arrival.

    “In the short time I have been here, City Stars has already become my big family. Everyone has become a close friend. I feel well guided so far and I am happy to be part of the establishment,”

    “Training has been good and I must thank the technical bench for the clear structure they deploy,” he added

    Bulugu came in as a direct replacement for Dennis Wanjala who pursued other interests upon expiry of his tenure. He is one of three new faces signed besides centre back Brian Opinde, flyer Andre Kalama, and midfielder James Ssemambo.

    The four were accompanied to City Stars by the returning defensive mid Sven Yidah who made his way back after two seasons out.

    Bulugu will don jersey no. 22 this season.

    Stephen Bulugu @Gems Cambridge School, Rongai in Aug 2024
  • Brian Opinde awaits his turn

    Brian Opinde awaits his turn

    Newly acquired Nairobi City Stars center back Brian Opinde is raring to go following his arrival from Eldoret-bases Langas Super Stars, a team featuring in Division 2, the fourth tier of Kenyan football hierarchy.

    Opinde was scouted while featuring for PASC Langa in Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, and joined Simba wa Nairobi in time for the upcoming season.

    He talked of his entry to the City Stars and his early days at the club;

    “One day I was a division 2 player and the next thing I was at City Stars signed for the season. This is a dream come true and I wish to make the most out of this rare opportunity,”

    “I received a good welcome to the team and training has been good and through the guidance of the coaches I have quickly adapted to the team’s philosophy and approach,”

    Opinde sat out the league opener against Bidco United but made the cut for the next game against Mara Sugar though he was an un used substitute.

    He’s is overly optimistic of making it to the match day squad in upcoming games.

    “The two games gave me a glimpse of the top light. The team played very well and I, as much as I did not play, picked lots of lessons,”

    “When the time comes and it’s my turn (to play) I’ll be ready.” he said confidently

    Opinde was one of four new players roped in for the season besides flyer Andre Kalama, midfielder James Ssemambo, and left back Stephen Bulugu.

    Brian Opinde @Hope Centre on Wed 18 Sep 2024
  • Ouma, Opinde considered for Mara Sugar test

    Ouma, Opinde considered for Mara Sugar test

    There will be two notable changes from the squad that opened the season against Bidco United last weekend when City Stars takes on Mara Sugar in matchday three on Saturday 21 Sept 2024 in Awendo starting at 3 p.m.

    Head-to-head: Mara Sugar (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A) vs: 2024-25 FKF-PL season

    Two left backs Rogers Wasega who made a full debut against Bidco, and newcomer Stephen Bulugu are all out of the travelling squad and their places have been snapped up by new defender Brian Opinde and defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma.

    Wasega recently earned a callup to the Kenya U20 team preparing for CECAFA duty in a fortnight and has been given time off to prepare for camp from Sunday.

    A slight injury has kept Bulugu out therefore giving a chance to Ouma to make the trip.

    Save for the two changes, the other 18 players all maintained their places in the squad.

    Squad to face Mara Sugar

    Goalkeepers: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 13. Elvis Ochoro,

    Defenders: 4. Timothy Muganda, 6. Brian Opinde, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, , 30. Rowland Makati

    Midfielders: 3. Sven Yidah , 16. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Clifford Ouma, 19. Vincent Owino, 25. Brian Mzee, 26. James Ssemambo

    Forwards: 5. Robinson Asenwa, 9. Yuto Kusaba, 10. Dennis Oalo, 11. Mohammed Bajaber,  27. Gilbert Abala, 28. Andre Kalama

    Out: 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose Nyambane, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 21. Rogers Wasega, 22. Stephen Bulugu, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu, 32. Byron Owino

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Brian Opinde @Hope Centre on Wed 18 Sep 2024
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