The same 20-man squad that was named to face Bidco United last week has been trusted once again for the next game against Vihiga United at the Utalii grounds on Wednesday 23 December 2020 starting 1pm.
Striker Erick Ombija, a late addition to the initial 19-man squad named for Bidco will be angling for more game time this time round having picked minimal minutes last week.
Regular starting striker Davis Agesa who missed the game against Bidco is still out due to sickness.
23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 10. Peter Opiyo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma,19. Jimmy Bageya, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (rehab), 11. Davis Agesa (sick), 3. Charles Otieno, 16. Jacob Osano, 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa
Simba wa Nairobi hit visiting Bandari FC 2-0 on Friday 11 December 2020 in a third round Premier League game played at Kasarani to bounce back to winning ways.
Goals by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, off an assist by Jimmy Bageya, and an own goal by the opposite skipper Bernard Odhiambo off a Davis Agesa cross ball, in the 60th and 68th minutes respectively, handed City Stars the vital win a week after going down 1-0 to KCB at the same venue.
Jimmy Bageya, introduced in the 57th minute for teenager Timothy Noor Ouma, teed up Muki with a centre pitch pass to the edge of the box.
With a clear view of goal, Muki timed his shot to finish off past keeper Justin Nikumana for the first of the game.
Six minutes after, Agesa, who started out as a number 9 only to switch to the flank, slinked down the right wind and fired a low cross into the box that Bernard unfortunately bundled home to double the hosts’ advantage.
Though City Stars won on the day, their fourth home win over Bandari in eight encounters in Nairobi, it is Bandari that had the best of chances to go ahead first.
Inside the early minutes of the game, Bandari showed early intent by raiding City Stars backline and earned a series of set pieces but the hosts were sure to clean their lines as they settled into the game.
On 19 minutes however, it is Bandari that could have fallen behind had teenager Timothy Ouma found the far post after after being put through by Oliver Maloba. It whisked just wide.
On 30 minutes William Wadri broke through on goal only for centre referee Josiah Awiti to call for an off side at a time he was about to pull the trigger with only the keeper to beat.
Five minutes later Wadri thought he had earned a penalty after being bundled by City Stars keeper Steve Njunge in the box. A corner was awarded instead and it is Wadri that got to the end of it only to place it inches off the far post.
Seven minutes into the second half, an unmarked Yema Mwana rose highest to power home a freekick form Shaban Kenga on the right only for it to ricochet downwards to bounce back into play off the line.
Two minutes later, a series of passes got the ball in City Stars box only for Mwana to shoot straight at keeper Steve Njunge when it seemed easier to place the ball home.
At the hour mark center back Kenedy Onyango made a massive challenge to disposes Abdallah Hassan resulting in the ball flowing to Jimmy Bageya.
With substitute Ezekiel Odera making a dummy run to confuse Bandari centre backs Bernard Odhiambo and Brian Otieno, Bageya squared the ball to Muki get Simba wa Nairobi 1-0 up.
Seven minutes later Bandari finally scored through substitute Danson Namasaka after firing in from a few yards from goal only for the referee to call it off for an offside.
That decision was vehemently contested by Bandari as the ref consulted his assistant at the corner. In the midst of the protestations, City Stars started the game and a long range pass from Peter Opiyo found a flting Agesa on the right wing.
He swung in low for Odera in the box only for Bandari skipper Bernard Odhiambo to redirect it to his on net for City Stars second.
Bandari had one more glorious chance to find a goal in the 77th minute when substitute Danson Namasaka, on for Yema Mwana in the 64th minute, had his pinch perfect free kick from the edge of the box parried out for an unfruitful corner by keeper Njunge.
City Stars had at least two more chances to get more goals as the game wore on to conclusion, but had to eventually settle for a 2-0 win.
The latest triumph adds on to a similar one during the season opener against Nzoia Sugar in Narok, and moves Simba wa Nairobi from seventh to third in the 18-team log with six points.
Next up for City Stars is an away game to promoted Bidco United on Thursday 18 December 2020 starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka (12. Edwin Buliba-88), 10. Peter Opiyo – Captain from 74′, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma (19. Jimmy Bageya-60), 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-74), 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera-60), 11. Davis Agesa (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-88)
Not considered: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (injuries), 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Bandari: 1. Justin Ndikumana, 13. Atariza Amai (28.Hamid Mohammed-80), 5. Siraj Mohammed (11. Darius Msagha-80), 15. Bernard Odhiambo (Captain), 4. Brian Otieno, 22. Collins Agade, 29. Abdallah Hassan,21. Wilberforce Lugogo (39. Johanna Mwita-64), 27. Yema Mwana (17. Danson Namasaka-64), 10. David King’atua (7. Shaban Kenga-36), 24. William Wadri
Unused subs:16. Michael Wanyika, 19. Swaleh Chacha, 8. Dan Guya, 12. Dennis Magige, 6. Alphonse Washe, 20. Benjamin Mosha, 31. Keegan Ndemi,
Coach: Ken Odhiambo
Scores: Nairobi City Stars 2 (Anthony Kimani-60, Bernard Odhiambo-66-OG), Bandari 0
Yellow cards; Bandari – Brian Otieno (8), William Wadri (33), Siraj Mohammed (39), Nairobi City Stars – Kenedy Onyango (45), Azizi Okaka (48),
Match Officials: Dorcas Moraa (MC), Josiah Awiti (Centre Ref), Victor Sittuk (AR 1), Emmanuel Barasa (AR 2), Moses Simiyu (Reserve Ref)
City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0Azizi Okaka at Kasarani during a 3rd round FKF Premier League game against Bandari on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0
Two standout players Anthony Muki Kimani – the skipper – and Davis Agesa in Nairobi City Stars starting premier league win over Nzoia Sugar last Sunday in Narok have been named in the first eleven team of the week.
Muki scored the opening goal a minute after the quarter hour. And two minutes later it was 2-0 when Oliver Maloba slammed in the second. Agesa provided both assists.
Maloba as well as keeper Steve Njunge, who saved a second half penalty to confirm a clean sheet in the season opener, made the bench.
Njunge, signed from Wazito, is one of seven keepers that kept a clean sheet on match day one.
“It is commendable to have players from City Stars in the team of the week. It goes too show efforts from head coach Sanjin and his bench are for all to see.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
Complete team of the week
Goalkeeper: Samuel Odhiambo (Western Stima) Defenders: Daniel Sakari, Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Robinson Kamura (AFC Leopards), David Ambulu(KCB) Midfield:Anthony Muki Kimani (Nairobi City Stars), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari) Strikers: Daniel Otanga (KCB), Davis Agesa (Nairobi City Stars), Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
Reserves:Steve Njunge (Nairobi City Stars), John Kuol (Kariobangi Sharks), Bethuel Warambo (KCB), Joseph Mbugi (Posta Rangers), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), David Majak (Tusker), Thomas Wainaina (Kakamega Homeboyz)
4 City Stars players – Muki, Agesa, Maloba & Njunge in team of the week (1)
Agesa made his full premier league for Nairobi City in the game hosted in Narok County.
His two assists left him purring, and it is now his hope that the team can continue with the good start;
“It’s great to be back in the premier league,” he started before adding; “especially with a victory,”
“I could not ask for much with my two assist for my teammates to score. I feel proud for them, for the team and for the technical bench,”
“We now need to build up on this win in the next match.” added the soft spoken striker
He could have left the scene with a goal of his own, if not two, had he not sent a long range blockbuster wide towards the end of the first half, and directed a lose ball wide late in the second half.
He was loaned to Thika United in early 2018 where clocked his maiden top flight game against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Thika Stadium.
He returned to City Stars midway through that season after clocking ten premier league games before heading out for a stint in Asia.
City Stars striker Davis Agesa goes for the ball against a Gor player during a friendly played at Jamhuri grounds on Sat 21 Nov 2020. The two teams tied 1-1Davis Agesa on the ball as Peter Opiyo looks on during a friendly against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020. It ended 1-1
Nairobi City Stars kicked off their 2020/21 FKF Premier League campaign on a bright note after seeing off visiting Nzoia Sugar FC 2-0 at the Narok Stadium on Sunday 29 November 2020.
Powerful forward Davis Agesa, one of 12 players making their Premier League debut for City Stars on the day, delivered two assists that skipper Anthony Muki Kimani and Oliver Maloba finished off in a two minute blitz to settle the contest of two sides that had never met before at any level.
Muki, playing his first Premier League game for City Stars since 2009, and the first top flight game since 2016 (at Bandari), started it off in the 16th minute when he opened up to receive Agesa’s cross.
With a view of goal, he hit a diagonal shot to the far post from the edge of the box to beat a diving Mustapha Oduor in Nzoia’s goal.
To feed Muki, Agesa had received the ball from Erick Ombija who knocked down a long goal kick from City Stars keeper Steven Njunge Ndungu.
Even before the celebrations could settle, Agesa was at it again after intercepting a backward pass from Nzoia’s Leonard Kasembeli to square a pass for Maloba who, once in the box, slammed the ball home at the far post for only his third Premier league goal for City Stars.
After the quickfire goals the tempo of the game slowed drastically after a consistent drizzle that hit Narok town.
There was a turning point ten minutes after the restart when a swift Gaetan Masha was awarded a penalty after City Stars centre back Salim Shitu Abdalla was adjudged to have hacked him down the flying lad in the box.
Cliff Kasuti stepped up to take the spot kick but an agile Njunge in City Stars goal tamed his shot leaving left back Herit Mungai to clear the lines before Nzoia Sugar forwards could pounce on the rebound.
Maloba could have finished the game with a brace in the dying minutes but he shockingly skied a sure pass, while unmarked in the box, that came from the left from teenager Vincent Jamaica Otieno.
“This was the kind of start we had been hoping for. It was an important one against a solid Nzoia Sugar side, a team we had never faced before in a venue we had never played in. It was a historic game, one that sets the tone for the season.” said club CEO Patrick Korir after the game
It was the first Premier League game for Bosnian coach Sanjin Alagic who guided the team to promotion last season.
“There’s a great psychological importance in winning the starting game. It prepares you for the rest of the season and I am excited that we achieved it against an experienced KPL team.” said Sanjin
Three teenage debuts
In the historic game, just two of the starting players – Muki and Maloba had previously played a Premier League game for City Stars.
Eight of the other nine starters had Premier League experiences but for the first time donned City Stars colors in the top flight.
Save for Erick Ombija who was substituted in the second half, the other seven; Steve Njunge, Herit Mungai Atariza, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Wycliffe Otieno, Peter Opiyo and Davis Agesa all earned full debuts in Simba wa Nairobi colors. Sven Yidah, with 97 previous appearances with Kariobangi Sharks, donned his City Stars colors in the second half.
Teenager Elvis Noor Ojiambo, signed from Kibera Black Stars mid last year on a long term deal was the only player in the starting 11 to make his top flight debut.
Two other teenagers joined his status – his sibling Timothy Noor Ouma and Vincent Otieno Okoth who came on as second half subs for Maloba and Erick Ombija, respectively.
Third winning start
Prior to the starting win against Nzoia, City Stars had only won just two starting games in 12 seasons between 2004 and 2016.
The team managed a 3-1 win over KCB at City Stadium in the 2005/6 season (as World Hope) and later a 2-0 (awarded) win over AFC Leopards at Hope Centre in the 2009 season.
Four draws were the starting results in the 2004/5, 2008, 2010 and 2016 seasons while six losses invited the team to the 2006/7 season as well as the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Next
With the Nzoia Sugar game now recorded, Nairobi City Stars now shifts focus to KCB in their next game set for Friday 4th December 2020 at a yet to be confirmed venue.
Lineups:
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (18. Sven Yidah-66′), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba (20. Timothy Noor Ouma-83′), 24. Erick Ombija (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth -61′), 11. Davis Agesa
Not considered: 32. Ezekiel Odera (travelled to Narok as backup), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 3. Charles Otieno (injuries), 27. Azizi Okaka, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau
Technical bench: Sanjin Alagic (Head Coach), Nihad Nalbantic, Noah Abich, John Amboko (assistant coaches), Brian Odongo (Physio)
Yellow cards: 10. Peter Opiyo-53′
Nzoia Sugar FC: 23. Mustapha Oduor, 30. Moses Mwale, 25. Dennis Wanjala, 6. Gabriel Wandera, 17. Emmanuel Esekon,13. Kevin Juma, 10. Cliff Kasuti (34. Felix Oluoch-82′), 32. Leonard Kasembeli, 33. Philip Muchuma (29. Eric Otieno-82′), 3. Gaetan Masha, 20. Felicien Okanda
Unused subs: 15. Humphrey Katasi, 2. John Munanai, 27. Kevin Maliachi, 11. Dan Musamali, 24. Ian Simiyu
Technical bench: Peter Mwaura (Head coach), John Muraya (Team Manager), Mathias Onyango, Peter Gin (Trainers), Amir Magwara (Physio)
Match Officials: Damaris Kimani (MC), Hosea Omondi (Centre Ref), Churchill Omondi (AR 1), Adan Tadicha (AR 2), Anthony Ogwayo (Reserve Ref)
Muki 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 2020
