Midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo has reflected on the ended 2021/22 FKF Premier League season and is already setting targets for the next one.
Ojiambo, in his second Kenyan top-flight season, featured in 14 games in the concluded term registering seven starts. He was unused six times and managed to clock 635 minutes.
Even though he featured in eleven games less compared on his debut premier season in 2020/21, his returns were a lot better this time as he provided two-second assists and an assist on his way to picking three notable MVP mentions. Last season he managed an assist and one MVP mention.
“It’s been a good season, I can’t complain though the last five matches were tough on us,” said Ojiambo while relating to fixtures against Tusker, KCB, Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and FC Talanta.
“It took lots of character to maneuver through those final games. On a personal level I am glad that I featured in most of them,”
“As an individual I am will work towards earning more games next season hoping that I can achieve more with the team.” he added
In the final fixtures, City Stars collected three points to hit the 49-point mark to end the season placed fifth.
Elvis Noor Ojiambo up against a Bidco player during a 20th round FKF Premier League game on Sat 5 March 2022. Bidco united won 2-0City stars midfielder Elvis Ojiambo taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0
Elvis Noor Ojiambo has a go at Ulinzi Stars’ Brian Birgen during a matchday 25 Betking Premier League tie at the ASK Showground in Nakuru on Sat 10 Jul 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-0Elvis Noor Ojiambo in a past game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-1
Into the current season, the Kenya U20 callup who ended up missing CECAFA U20 last year due to lack of a passport, has featured in all but one of the 15 games played in the Premier League.
“Babu has made amazing progress, day to day he looks better and gaining more experience in professional football. He’s only a teenager, so I’m very careful with minutes and playing time he gets,” said Sanjin
“But I believe he’s huge potential and that’s reason he has played almost every match this Season. I worked for many years in youth football so I’m the coach who likes to give opportunity for young talent and I believe that sometimes in your life you just need to get opportunity in right moment to achieve your dreams. I’ll try to help this boy to achieve his dreams.” added Sanjin
Speaking to our news desk, Babu talked up his steady progression in the top flight league.
“I have really grown in those games. Initially I wasn’t getting enough minutes but thereafter the playtime graduated which has really helped in the growth,” he said
He marked his Premier league debut in the season opener against Nzoia Sugar in Narok in late November 2020 after coming on for Oliver Maloba in the 83rd minute.
In the 15 games played so far, Ouma has earned starts in games against Bidco United, Vihiga United and Sofapaka and is looking forward to a full game. Just once against Posta Rangers did he miss on playtime as he did not come off the bench.
As he looks forward to a big game against Tusker on 20th March, Babu revisits the last game against AFC Leopards which he reckons was one of the toughest he’s played in the league.
“I came on when the tempo and the pressure was really high. I would have been elated had we won it, but . . ” said the lad who replaced Sven Yidah in the 79th minute in that game.
In scaling up from high school to City Stars, Babu joined his elder sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo at Simba wa Nairobi. They both contest for minutes in the mid of the park.
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 2-0Timothy Ouma in a game against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020 during a preseason friendly. It ended 0-0City Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma aka Babu faces off with KCB’s Rama Walumbe during a friendly on Wed 11 Nov 2020. KCB won 1-0Timothy Ouma aka Babu on the ball against Bidoc United at Kasarani in a fourth round Premiership tie at Utalii grounds in Dec 2020. It ended 0-0
In comes overall captain Calvin Masawa and out goes midfielder Elvis Noor Ojiambo.
That’s the only change from the squad that met Zoo FC on Saturday 20 February 2021 at Kasarani, and won 2-1.
Save for that change, the rest of the squad remains as is.
Wesley Onguso who had a cameo show against Zoo – in his maiden Premier League game in City Stars colors – retains his place in the team.
And so is Kevin Chumsy Okumu who on his debut for Simba wa Nairobi clocked a full 90 minutes.
Pocket rocket Rodgers Okumu who’s assist to Erick Ombija led to the winner against Zoo is part of the Kisumu trip as well as left back Balton Omwenga who will be seeking his first full game.
Regulars Steve Njunge, Wycliffe Otieno, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Davis Agesa, Oliver Maloba, Ezekiel Odera, Peter Opiyo, Anthony Kimani and Sven Yidah are all in the team
20-man squad to face Western Stima
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, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor 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, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza
Elvis Noor Ojiambo in a past game against Zoo FC at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021. Nairobi City Stars won the game 2-1
Hosts Kakamega Homeboyz handed City Stars a 2-0 defeat in a match day 11 Premier League clash at Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday 6 February 2021.
The defeat, the third straight for Simba wa Nairobi, was confirmed by second half goals by Shami Kibwana in the 71st minute and one more at the death by super sub David Okoth.
It mattered little that Homeboyz played a man less from the 82nd minute after Brian Shikanda was slapped with a second yellow card to exit the game.
As was the case in the previous game against Kariobangi Sharks, City Stars were victims of their own missed chances in the first half with no less that four attempts on goal not made use of.
Davis Agesa rounded up two Homeboyz defenders eleven minutes in but his aim for goal was off. Four minutes on Homeboyz winger Stephen Etyang had a response on the other end but his shot was off the mark.
25 minutes in Elvis Noor Ojiambo, in for injured Sven Yidah, timed a cross well but his shot for goal was just off.
He mistimed yet another delivery from skipper Peter Pinchez Opiyo ten minutes later to increase City Stars near misses count as his header went wide.
A few minutes later Agesa saw his header miss the target and with three minutes left to the break, Pinchez forced the best of reflexive stretches from Homeboyz keeper Geoffrey Oputi to keep out his freekick.
While City Stars owned the first half, the tide changed in the next one. Ten minutes after the restart City Stars had to clear a dangerous corner from Homeboyz to stay in the game.
The hosts were not to be denied tough with 19 minutes left when an uncleared ball in the box was rammed home by Shami Mwinyi for the opening goal.
The hosts confirmed all spoils when marauding winger David Okoth outran his former team mate Kenedy Onyango to slam home a late add-on.
With the latest win, Homeboyz shot to tenth spot with 11 points in the process pushing City Stars – currently on ten points – down a spot to 13th.
Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Zoo FC of Kericho on Saturday 20 February 2021.
Lineups
Kakamega Homeboyz: 26. Geoffrey Oputi (GK), 44. Brian Shikanda, 13. Thomas Wainaina, 15. Sylvester Wanyama, 20. George Odiwuor, 8. Stephen Mukongolo, 10. Moses Mudavadi, 24. Ali Bhai-Captain, 22. Chris Masinza, 2. Shami Mwinyi (16. Collins Odhiambo-84), 7. Stephen Etyang (9. David Okoth-56)
Unused subs: 32. David Juma (GK), 21. Estone Esiye, 6. Benjamin Oketch, 11. Emmanuel Amwehe, 11. Robert Arot
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza (32. Ezekiel Odera-81), 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo-Captain, 21. Oliver Maloba (20. Timothy Noor Ouma-81), Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (27. Azizi Okaka-81), 24. Erick Ombija (26. Bolton Omwenga-63), 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-70)
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 3. Charles Otieno
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 (knee injury), 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 5. Wesley Onguso
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Yellow cards: 44. Brian Shikanda-40, 82 (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Goals: 2. Shami Mwinyi-73, 9. David Okoth-90 (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Match Officials: Israel Mpaima (centre ref), Steve Adeya (AR1), Doreen Kendi (AR2), Ageneta Mutubo (4th Official), John Aketch (Match Comm)
Davis Agesa against Homeboyz on Sat 6 Feb 2021 during a Premier League match day 11 game. Homeboz won 2-0Elvis Noor Ojiambo against Homeboyz on Sat 6 Feb 2021 during a Premier League match day 11 game. Rodgers Okumu looks on. Homeboyz won 2-0Oliver Maloba against Homeboyz on Sat 6 Feb 2021 during a Premier League match day 11 game. Homeboyz won 2-0
After two sub shows in the opening games against Nzoia Sugar and KCB, Laiser Hill Academy alumnus Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu, will register his first Premier league start when Nairobi City Stars hosts Bandari at Kasarani on Friday 11th December 2020 starting 3pm.
Head coach Sanjin Alagic has trusted the promising teenager Babu to start out ahead of another teen Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth who was in the starting lineup against KCB. Jamaica will make the bench.
As Babu starts, his elder sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo has dropped to the bench to gift Sven Yidah a first start for City Stars.
Save for those two starting changes, the rest of the starting cast remains as was against KCB
Anthony Muki Kimani wears the armband for a third straight game as he spearheads Simba wa Nairobi against his former club as Herit Mungai Atariza, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla and Azizi Okaka create the backline to shield keeper Steve Njunge.
Peter Pinchez Opiyo will play alongside Sven and Muki in midfield as tricky Oliver Maloba, Babu and Davis Agesa complete the attack line.
Jimmy Bageya, City Stars top scorer against Bandari with three goals (alongside retired Arthur Museve), headlines the bench power that also has overall team captain Calvin Masawa, utility back Edwin Buliba and roving winger Rodgers Okumu, both of whom made their KPL bow against KCB last Friday.
Teenage keeper Elvis Ochoro and striker Ezekiel Odera complete the bench.
Starting lineup vs Bandari: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma , 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 21. Oliver Maloba, 11. Davis Agesa
Subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Jimmy Bageya
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
