For only the second time in the Premier League, Nairobi City Stars will host Kariobangi Sharks in a seventh round FKF Premier League tie on Saturday 4 December 2021 in Ruaraka starting 1 pm.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) December 4, 2021
Simba wa Nairobi hosted the Sharks for the first time ever in the top flight towards the end of January this year in a tenth round game in the 2019/20 Premier League season at Kasarani Annex.
Davis Agesa’s 33rd minute tap-in – his maiden goal in the premiership – turned out to be a consolation for City Stars as Sharks scored on either half with goals from Julius Masaba and Erick Kapaito to claim three precious points with a 2-1 win.
The only other premier league game between the two was the reverse tie in the 2019/20 at Utalii in May this year. City Stars won the game 2-1
City Stars and Sharks head to the game with an equal 13 points after the first six games of the season but Sharks – the best scoring side in the league thus far – is placed second just as ahead of their hosts, albeit on goal difference.
Both teams trail record 19-time champions and current log leaders Gor Mahia by a point.
Form wise, City Stars carries a draw (1-1) over Posta Rangers and win (4-0) over Vihiga Bullets from their last game while Sharks comes to the game on the high of two convincing wins over Mathare United (6-0) and champions Tusker (3-0).
A notable change between the January game and the Saturday game will be in touchline personnel for City Stars.
Then, City Stars was coached by Bosnian Sanjin Alagic but this time round the team is in the hands of Nicholas Muyoti who will coming up against William Kanu Muluya who’s been in charge of Sharks since 2016.
Who comes out tops at Ruaraka on Saturday?
Summary
KPL Games – 2: Sharks win (1), City Stars win (1)
Home games hosted by City Stars
30-Jan 21: Nairobi City Stars vs K. Sharks, 1-2 (L)
04-Dec 21: Nairobi City Stars vs K. Sharks, ??
Stephen Njunge and Noah Abich were, on the evening of Tuesday 14 September 2021, were recognized as the joint runners-up goalkeeper and runners-up team manager of the year during the FKF Premier league gala-night.
Njunge, who had a stellar season with Nairobi City Stars in the ended 2020-21 season after clocking the full 33 games and amassing a total of 2,970 minutes, took home Kshs 300,000 for his achievement.
Abich, who led Simba wa Nairobi to promotion in the 2019/20 season before taking up a role on the technical bench, took home Kshs 200,000 and a trophy.
“The recognition I received challenges me to work even harder,” said the soft-spoken Steve who managed 11 clean sheets, one short of winner James Saruni of Ulinzi who took home Kshs 500,000
“It’s exciting and I wish to thank all my team members for making it happen,” added Njunge
Abich, who interestingly always referred to himself across the season as the ‘Team Manager of the year’, said;
“This is a good surprise that was only made possible by the contribution of everyone in the team. I appreciate it but I wish to thank all in the team for making it possible.” he said from Kisumu where he is attending a CAF ‘C’ course
Full list of awards
MVP
Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)-Sh 1,000,000
MVP Nominees: Eugene Asike, Henry Meja (both Tusker), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)
Midfielder of the year:
1. Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)- Sh 300,000
2. Kevin Kimani (Wazito)- Sh 200,000
3. Jackson Macharia (Tusker)- Sh 100,000
Defender of the year:
1. Eugene Asike (Tusker)– Sh 300,000
2. Nashon Alembi (KCB)- Sh 200,000
3. David Kalama (Bidco)- Sh 100,000
Coach of the year:
1. Robert Matano (Tusker) – Sh 500,000
2. Zedekiah Otieno (KCB)– Sh 300,000
3. Andre Casambungo (Bandari)– Sh 150,000
Assistant referee of the year
Margaret Muthoni- Sh 300,000
Gilbert Cheruyoit- Sh 200,000
Samuel Kuria- Sh 100,000
Referee of the year
Peter Waweru- Sh 300,000
Anthony Ogwayo- Sh 200,000
Davis Omweno – Sh 100,000
Digital Team of the Year
Tusker FC (Timothy Olobulu)- Sh 200,000
Bandari FC- Sh 150,000
Kariobangi Sharks- Sh 100,000
Fair play award
Kariobangi Sharks- Sh 300,000
Tusker FC-Sh 200,000
KCB FC-Sh 100,000
Team Manager of the Year
George Opondo (Tusker)– Sh 300,000
Noah Abich (Nairobi City Stars)– Sh 200,000
Moses Jobita (Western Stima)– Sh 100,000
Young Player of the year
Henry Meja (Tusker)– Sh 300,000
Lawrence Luvanda (Vihiga United)– Sh 200,000
Sylvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz)- Sh 100,000
Golden Boot
Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)-24 goals – Sh 500,000
Elvis Rupia (AFC LEopards)-17 goals– Sh 300,000
Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka)-16 goals– Sh 150,000
Golden Glove (Best keeper)
James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars) – Sh 500,000
Steve Njunge (Nairobi City Stars)/Joseph Okoth (KCB FC) – Sh 300,000
President’s Award: Rosemary Aluoch Kadondi (deceased) – Sh 500,000
Nairobi City Stars suffered a second straight defeat after going down 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks in a tenth round Premier League tie at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 30 January 2021.
Julius Masaba sent Sharks 1-0 at the quarter hour mark with a cheeky lob and the response from City Stars came 20 minutes later when striker Davis Agesa sent home the ball off a flick from Wycliffe Otieno into the box from a throw in from skipper Peter Opiyo.
Sharks however had the last laugh when a long ball in the 81st minute found lead stiker Erick Kapaito who slammed home the ball with a low drive for maximum points.
While Sharks recovered from two straight losses against Tusker (4-2) and AFC Leopards (2-0), City Stars will be left to rue missed chances.
Agesa had no less than three chances inside the first 16 minutes. But he fired once just above bar, straight at Sharks keeper Brian Bwire, and a follow up shot just wide.
Four minutes after the hour mark saw stopper Kenedy Onyango sneak at the blind to meet Opiyo’s freekick only for the ball to whisk wide from his bullet header.
With five minutes to the break, Sharks midfielder Omoto met a perfect cross in the box only to sky the ball when it seemed easier to score.
Two minutes into the second half, Erick Ombija, the 2019/20 National Super League top scorer (17 goals) disposesed stopper Geoffrey Lemu to advance at goal. But within meters of the posts, he dilly dallied to allow Bwire steal the ball off his feet to waste yet another glorious chance for City Stars.
Eight minutes later it was the turn of Kapaito to shoot at goal but instead got a fruitless corner.
Daniel Sakari who came on for skipper Eric Juma tilted proceedings Sharks way and one of his crosses found Oyugi in the 61st minute. His shot ended up on the side netting.
The next few minutes saw Sakari cut in on the left flank only to sky his effort from close range and on the other end Ombija had a response. But once in the box he failed to place the ball home.
Then came the moment that won it for Sharks; a long ball from Tom Teka found Kapaito who wasted no time in delivering all spoils with the winning goal at the far post past keeper Steve Njunge.
With the latest loss City Stars drops to tenth with ten points as Sharks stays put at fifth with 18 points, four off the top.
Next up for City Stars is an away game to Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday 6 February 2021 at the Bukhungu Stadium starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba (3. Charles Otieno-86), 18. Sven Yidah, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (27. Azizi Okaka-86), 24. Erick Ombija (29. Ebrima Sanneh-69), 11. Davis Agesa, 7. Rodgers Okumu [20. Timothy Ouma-62 (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-86)]
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 5. Wesley Onguso, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 32. Ezekiel Odera
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury)
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brian Bwire (GK), 2. Tom Teka, 26. Bonface Onyango, 6. Geoffrey Lemu (25. Samuel Olwande,-53), 5. Eric Juma-Captain (24. Daniel Sakari-53), 8. Patillah Omoto, 17. Shaphan Oyugi, 22. Julius Masaba , 10. Peter Lwasa (14. John Omondi-72), 20. Eric Kapaito (4. Alphonse Omija-90), 21. James Mazembe
Match Officials: Anthony Ogwayo (Center Ref), Caleb Amwayi (Match Comm), Caroline Kiles (AR1), Mike Maputi (AR2), Zachary Ashiraa (Reserve Ref)
Azizi Okaka fends the ball off James Mazembe of Kariobangi Sharks as the two met in a tenth round Premier League game on Sat 30 Jan 2021. Sharks won 2-1City Stars stopper on Sharks dangerman Eric Kapaito at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Kapaito scored the winner as City Stars fell 2-1City Stars striker Ebrima Sanneh takes on a Kariobangi Sharks player at Kasarani on Sat 30 Jan 2021 during a 10th round Premier League tie. Sharks won 2-1
