Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Ezekiel Odera

  • Eleven players re-up their contracts for the new season

    Eleven players re-up their contracts for the new season

    Eleven players have renewed their contracts and will stay on at Nairobi City Stars for the upcoming 2022/23 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.

    Goalkeepers Jacob Osano and Steve Njunge, stoppers Kenedy Vidic Onyango and Edwin Buliba, fullbacks Calvin Masawa and Herit Mungai, are some of the players who re-upped their contracts.

    Midfielders Peter Pinchez Opiyo, Anthony Muki Kimani, and Oliver Maloba are also staying on for another season.

    Forwards Mohammed Bajaber who was on loan in the last half of last season from Starfield Academy is in for another season, as well as record-chasing scorer Ezekiel Odera.

    “All the eleven players had run down their contracts at the close of last season but we are happy that they agreed to stay on for yet another season as per the coaches’ plan,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno

    The eleven add on to another six players who had rolling contracts. They include forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno and Rowland Makati, midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Ronney Kola, left-back Dennis Wanjala, and keeper Elvis Ochoro.

    “With a core team still in place, the culture of the team remains as we restructure for the upcoming season. It is exciting to keep a majority of players as we tune ourselves for next season.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

    Thirteen other players left the club at the wrap of last season: two by mutual consent, and the other eleven after running down their contracts.

  • Odera talks up rare scoring record

    Odera talks up rare scoring record

    A first-half Ezekiel Odera penalty for Nairobi City Stars against FC Talanta in the grand finale of the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season improved his tally of goals in the season to ten.

    The haul sent Odera, 34, to the City Stars record books as he became the first player to win the club’s golden boot for the third time surpassing three other players who had top-scored in over two seasons.

    Justus Basweti top-scored in the 2004/5 and 2006/7 seasons, Arthur Museve in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Ugandan Dan Sserunkuma in 2011 and 2012, and Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh in the 2015 and 2019-20 seasons.

    Odera top-scored in the 2016 premier league and 2017 National Super League seasons with four and eleven goals, respectively.

    “Playing for Nairobi city Stars as always has been a joy to me as a player. The working conditions at the club have been favorable to me. The staff, playing unit, and coaching staff have been superb,” said Odera

    “I am happy and blessed and always proud to wear a City Stars jersey while representing the club.

    “As a striker, my job is to score goals and that has never been a problem for me because I enjoy my football at the club. That explains the reasons behind being the top goal scorer in three different seasons and that makes me proud,”

    “I am always thankful to my employers and I am hopeful that we will continue the good relationship with the club and help them achieve their objectives as a club.”

    In hitting double digits in the 2021/22 season, Odera surpassed the eight goals that made Sanneh and Peter Opiyo Simba wa Nairobi top scorers in the 2019/20 National Super League and 2020/21 FKF Premier League seasons.

    Notwithstanding, Odera’s overall goals were reduced to nine after one of his goals in the 3-0 win over Mathare United was negated following the expulsion of the club from the league.

    Odera currently sits third behind Basweti and Francis Thairu in the all-time City Stars’ scoring record with 33 goals.

    City Stars, Ulinzi
    Ezekiel Odera in action between Nairobi City Stars and Ulinzi Stars in a matchday 25 FKF Premier League tie on Sat 10 Apr 2022 in Ruaraka. It ended 0-0
    Odera, City Stars
    City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera against Wazito in a 29th round FKF Premier League match on Mon 9 May 2022. His penalty in the second half earned a 1-0 win
    City Stars, Odera
    Nairobi City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera is sandwiched by KCB players during the 34th and final FKF Premier League game at Narok Stadium Sun 22 Aug 2021. KCB won it 3-0
  • Nairobi City Stars 2 FC Talanta 2

    Nairobi City Stars 2 FC Talanta 2

    Set-piece goals by Ezekiel Odera and Peter Opiyo on either half, that sandwiched FC Talanta’s two quickfire goals into the second half, settled the 34th and final game in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League game played in Kasarani Annex on Sunday 12 June 2022 at 2-2.

    Odera opened the scoring in the 14th minute via the spot, his tenth goal of the season, after the center ref penalized a Talanta player by awarding the spot kick, and a yellow card.

    City Stars led 1-0 at the break by were down 2-1 within minutes of the restart.  Two minutes in, winger Michael Jairo placed a high ball to the far post, out of reach of keeper Elvis Ochoro who registered his Premier League debut in the game.

    Three minutes later, Francis Kahiro sent the hosts 2-1 up when he buried a penalty awarded after striker Brian Yakhama was felled in the box. Unlucky Ochoro had a touch on the low shot, only to push it in.

    That lead lasted just a few minutes, as Opiyo, placed a freekick to the top corner from outside the box, his third goal of the season, what turned out to be the 45th and final strike of the season for Simba wa Nairobi. 

    Opiyo last featured for City Stars in mid-March away to Bandari in Mombasa and had missed the last ten game due to injury. He made his way to the pitch minutes towards the end of the first half for Elvis Noor Ojiambo and was accompanied by John Kamau who took the place of Augustine Kuta.

    With the draw, City Stars ended the season in fifth place with 49-points as Talanta closed their debut season in eleventh place with 44 points.

    In the game, Rowland Makati who made his top-flight debut on Monday against AFC Leopards, earned his first start alongside Mohammed Bajaber who earned his second straight start, as Kenedy Onyango returned to the starting lineup in place of Edwin Buliba.

    Makati and Bajaber lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Davis Agesa and flyer Rodgers Okumu, respectively. Charles Otieno came on as the last sub for Odera in the 79th minute.

    City Stars won the first leg game at the same venue 2-1.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, Kennedy Onyango, Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Peter Opiyo-44), 14. Rowland Makati (11. Davis Agesa-70), 29. Augustine Kuta (15. John Kamau-44), 31. Mohammed Omar Bajaber (7. Rodgers Okumu-70), 32. Ezekiel Odera (3. Charles Otieno-79)

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala,

    Coach: Ken Kenyatta

    FC Talanta: James Omusinde, 24. Alvin Ochieng, Thomas Wainaina, 5. Nicodemus Malika, Luis Masika, Castro Ogendo, Georson Likono (Rodgers Angal), Dennis Oalo, Francis Kahiro, Brian Yakhama (Kevintom Machika), 21. Michael Jairo

    Unused subs: Isaiah Wakasala, Peter Njammah, Erick Shikonoh, Maurice Dukully, Michael Omondi,

    Yellow cards
    Nairobi City Stars: 1. Elvis Ochoro (36), 15. John Kamau (90+)
    FC Talanta:

    Goals
    Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (14-Pen), 10. Peter Opiyo (52)
    FC Talanta: 21. Michael Jairo (47), Francis Kahiro (49-Pen)

  • Club Statement: Theft in Kasarani

    Club Statement: Theft in Kasarani

    Nairobi City Stars wishes to confirm that, during a 32nd round FFK Premier League match against Gor Mahia in Kasarani (main) on Sunday 29 May 2022, players and technical bench members lost personal belongings including cash and mobile phones from the changing room.

    The items were stolen during the first half, and the occurrences was only known when the team returned to their designated room at half time.

    The shock caused a five minute delay to the start of the second half and after the game, it was ascertained that a total of 13 phones were stolen and up to 18 persons lost cash totalling Kshs. 94,050, or thereabout.

    At half time, the team returned to the changing room only to find bags and open wallets strewn on the floor. On checking, most realised they had lost cash and mobile phones. Very few were lucky as one row of bags was untouched.

    It was double tragedy for Nicholas Kipkirui, Wycliffe Otieno, Davis Agesa, Jacob Osano, Rowland Makati, assistant coach John Amboko, keeper trainer Zachary Onyango and trainer Arthur Museve who lost both phones and cash.

    Goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro, defenders Herit Mungai, Midfielders Sven Yidah, Anthony Kimani, and Mohamed Bajaber lost their phones only.

    Stopper Kenedy Onyango, striker Ezekiel Odera, Mike Madoya, Calvin Masawa, Edwin Buliba, the Noor siblings of Timothy Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo, flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Kevin Chumsy Okumu, and assistant coach Noah Abich lost cash.

    Forward Agesa, on top of losing cash and a phone, also lost a pair of boots.

    The room was locked just before kick off and unlocked at half time. Notwithstanding, a back widow, fastened before departure from the room, was found open under very unclear circumstances.

    The matter was immediately raised with the Kasarani Stadium security team. They will commence investigations with a check on CCTV footage on Monday morning.

    The incident was also reported to the Kasarani Stadium Police station. They promised to get to the bottom of the matter in collaboration with the Stadium security team.

    We thank both the Kasarani security team as well as the nearby police post for being very cooperative in their quest to unravel the case.

    As a team, we urge anyone who may have information that can bring those involved to book to come forward and assist.

    As we wait for a way forward, we urge the Stadium owner to consider securing the wide open windows with, at the very least, grills, to act as a physical deterent for the safety of future users of the changing rooms.

    Patrick Korir

    CEO, Nairobi City Stars

  • KCB 3 Nairobi City Stars 2

    KCB 3 Nairobi City Stars 2

    Goals by Ezekiel Odera and substitute Rodgers Okuse Okumu for Nairobi City Stars turned out to be consolations as KCB rode on a Derrick Otanga hattrick to win a matchday 31 FKF Premier League tie in Kasarani 3-2 on Saturday 21 May 2022.

    It’s the second straight season that KCB has completed a double over City Stars in what was the ninth win in 12 home games.

    The two teams were level at 1-1 going to the break but KCB were to add two more in the next half for a 3-1 lead before Simba wa Nairobi managed to grab one back to end it at 3-2.

    Otanga opened the scoring with a minute to half time from a penalty awarded after a City Stars player handled in the box. Keeper Jacob Osano timed it right but punched it gloriously back to Otanga who, with a second bite on the cherry, scored off the rebound.

    Less than three minutes later it was level at 1-1 after Odera fired past keeper Gabriel Andika from the spot – for his ninth goal of the season – after Timothy Babu Ouma was felled in the box.

    Three minutes into the second half, KCB went up 2-1 after keeper Osano fumbled a cross for the ball to generously fall in the path of Otanga who fired into an empty net.

    Otanga was at it again in the 61st minute when he chested home a cut back from the byline off a quick counterattack to complete his hattrick.

    City Stars grabbed their second in the 85th minute when substitute Okuse, in for Odera in the 70th minute, lobbed Andika from the left after receiving a sure pass from Sven Yidah.

    City Stars could have counted a second goal ten minutes before Okuse’s goal had a rebound from Andika, off a Babu freekick, not been smacked against the woodwork by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani.

    After the Saturday results, City Stars held on to the fourth spot, with 50 points, as KCB moved to the eighth spot with 43 points.

    Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Gor Mahia in Narok on Saturday 28 May 2022 starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    KCB: 22. Gabriel Andika, 26. Hillary Wandera, 5. Nahashon Nanyendo, 13. Robinson Kamura, 23. Baraka Badi, 4. Michael Mutinda – captain, 19. Brian Ochieng, 28. Michael Oduor (29. Kilume Mohammed-65), 30. John Mwangi (18. Enock Agwanda-71), 20. Henry Onyango [(9. Reagan Otieno -71 (18. Dennis Odhiambo-85)], 11. Derrick Otanga

    Unused subs: 1. David Okello (GK) 7. Simon Munala, 27. Harun Thomas, 27. Harun Thomas,  3. Sydney Lokale, 6. Allan Akendo.

    Coach: Zedekiah Otieno

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Herit Mungai, 18. Sven Yidah, 5. Michael Madoya (15. John Kamau-46), 30. Anthony Kimani- Captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-85), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (31. Mohammed Bajaber-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rodgers Okumu-70)

    Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala

    Out: 3. Charles Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 10. Peter Opiyo, 11. Davis Agesa, 14. Rowland Makati, 21. Oliver Maloba, 23. Stephen Njunge, 24. Erick Ombija, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 29. Augustine Kuta

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Cautions (Yellow cards)

    KCB: None
    Nairobi City Stars: None

    Goals

    KCB: 11. Derrick Otanga (44,48,61)
    Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (45+), 7. Rodgers Okumu (85)

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