Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Ezekiel Odera

  • Bidco United 2 Nairobi City Stars 0

    Bidco United 2 Nairobi City Stars 0

    Hosts Bidco United scored twice in the second half to see off Nairobi City Stars 2-0 in a 20th round FKF Premier League match in Thika Stadium on Saturday 5 March 2022.

    A Peter Nzuki penalty nine minutes into the second half was followed by a ground shot by former City Stars player Jacob Onyango on 76 minutes as Bidco avenged a similar loss at the same venue during a first-leg tie in October 2022.

    The penalty arose from a corner kick, and its awarding left City stars a baffled lot as it was due to very unclear circumstances.

    Either side ended a man less after Ezekiel Odera and Geoffrey Gitau were slapped with red cards on 63 minutes for a scuffle four minutes earlier. It was City Stars first red card this season.

    There was drama two minutes from time when City Stars forward Nicholas Kipkirui was hacked outside the 18 box, but landed in it.

    Shockingly, a penalty was awarded – the first for City Stars this season – and Kipkirui went for it only for Bidco keeper Brian Opondo to keep it out. A rebound shot from Davis Agesa, who accompanied Kipkirui to the field of play at halftime, went out.

    The referee called for a re-take following an infringement but once again, Opondo parried the ball, this time for an eventually fruitless corner.

    Bidco hang on to the lead for a win that ended a six-game winless streak in the process ending City Stars’ seven-game winless run.

    Within the first 10 minutes, Bidco United pinned City Stars with raid after raid keeping the defense line of Dennis Wanjala, Lennox Ogut, Kenedy Onyango, and Calvin Masawa busy.

    In the 12th minute, Bidco had a corner floated by skipper Nzuki but it was wasted. 12 minutes later City Stars had their first corner but a Timothy Ouma delivery was cleared and a follow-up shot by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani flew wide.

    In the 38th minute, Bidco wasted a freekick from outside the box and a follow-up ball into the box was blasted wide.

    Bidco had two more attempts on goal thereafter; a freekick by Anthony Gathu and a header by David Orem, off a cross by Lambert Oyuga, but both sailed wide leaving the game settled at 0-0 at halftime.

    On the restart, City Stars introduced Nicholas Kipkirui and Davis Agesa for John Kamau and Elvis Noor Ojiambo, respectively, as Bidco brought in Alex Juma for Emmanuel Mogaka.

    Two minutes into the second half, City Stars had a corner forced by Agesa but a Timothy float into the box failed to get a connection.

    Three minutes later, a shot on goal off a Jacob Onyango shot went wide but it set up the momentum that led to a freekick which yielded a corner from which the center referee Caroline Wanjala chose to award a penalty out of nothing. Nzuki scored for the hosts to take the lead in the 54th minute.

    The protestation by City Stars soon after the dubious penalty call changed the dynamics of the game for Simba wa Nairobi. Peter Pinchez Opiyo’s word on the referee after the goal earned him a yellow card.

    Soon after the goal, Bidco United introduced Batts Awita and Nelson Chieta for David Gateri and David Orem.

    A minute later, Kipkirui was slapped with a yellow after protesting to a no foul call at the edge of the box after being brought down hard while going high for a ball.

    Not too long after Gathu entered the caution list for blocking Muki from taking a freekick following up on an earlier one by Pinchez.

    On 70 minutes, Babu had the best chance to bring City Stars level but his header for the far post got a fingertip from keeper Opondo before the ball got a clearance from the line.

    The effort came three minutes after Njunge on the other end kept out a dangerous cross from the left at the far post for a fruitless corner.

    On 75 minutes Pinchez was substituted by Oliver Maloba as Bidco brought in Lameck Oloo for Gathu.

    Bidco keeper Opondo received a yellow a minute after the changes but it mattered little as the next moment, after a series of exchanges, Bidoc were 2-0 up after Onyango was not closed down atop the box. He fired at the far post to double the lead.

    City Stars were to waste back-to-back corners before the arrival of Augustine Kuta for right-back Calvin Masawa.

    Maloba injected the right pace up front but failed to nail the needed goals on two occasions after perfect deliveries from Babu.

    In the dying minutes, Babu had a freekick that forced a fruitless corner as Lameck Oloo had a chip on City Stars goal fly wide.

    Then came the moment when Kipkirui failed to place two penalties. One more action, that of a Kuta pass to Maloba in the box, who was shoved off the pitch, brought the game to an end.

    With the win, Bidco United moved to the 23-point mark but remained 14th on the log as City Stars maintained the second spot with 35 points. Both have played 20 games.

    Lineups

    Bidco United: 35. Brian Opondo, 12. Lambert Otieno, Geoffrey Gitau, 18. Francis Oduor, 6. Kassim Mwinyi, 31. Peter Nzuki, Emmanuel Mogaka (Alex Juma-46), 2. Jacob Onyango, David Orem (20. Nelson Chieta-55), 30. Gathu Zachary (40. Lameck Oloo-75) , 25. David Gateri (11. Batts Awita-55).

    Unused Subs: Ezekiel Owade, 15. Gabriel Wandera, Steven Okiro, 22. Stephen Obukui, 22. Stephen Waruru.

    Coach: Anthony Akhulia

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 8. Calvins Masawa (29. Agustine Kuta-83), 25. Kennedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 30.Anthony Kimani-captain, 10. Peter Opiyo (21. Oliver Maloba-74), 20. Timothy Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor (Davis Agesa-46), 15. John Kamau (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera

    Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 28. Herit Mungai, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 4. Salim Abdalla

    Not considered:  5. Mike Madoya, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati,  16. Jacob Osano, 18. Sven Yidah, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija, 31. Mohammed Bajaber,

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Cautions

    Bidco United: 30. Anthony Gathu (yellow-59), 35. Brian Opondo (yellow-75)

    Nairobi City Stars:  25. Kenedy Onyango (yellow-40), 10. Peter Opiyo (yellow-54), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (yellow-55), 32. Ezekiel Odera (red-63)

    Goals

    Bidco United: 31. Peter Nzuki (54), Geoffrey Gitau (red-63), 2. Jacob Onyango (76)

    Nairobi City Stars: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (88-Pen miss)

  • Debut goal ignites Lennox

    Debut goal ignites Lennox

    Stopper Lennox Ogutu marked his return to the Nairobi City Stars starting lineup with a debut goal in the 3-0 dispatch of his former side Mathare United in Thika on Saturday 26 February 2022.

    Lennox had missed out on playtime in eight straight games but marked his re-entry to starting lineup with a header on 50 minutes off a Timothy Noor Ouma corner.

    Unmarked, Ogutu rose highest to power home the opener for a very significant goal.

    Till his goal, City Stars had never scored directly from a corner since returning to the top flight last season.

    The excitement of scoring was too much for Lennox that he celebrated vehemently against his former side.

    “It had been long since I scored a Premier League goal and I had been searching. This one was memorable that I had to celebrate,”

    “The goal is exciting and I hope to score more for City Stars in games to come,” said Lennox

    His last premiership goal was back on 24 Feb 2021 for Mathare United at Kasarani Annex in a 1-1 stalemate with Wazito.

    Lennox’ goal set the turnaround tone as Ezekiel Odera and Nicholas Kipkirui followed up on the goal with two more in the 64th and 84th minutes.

    He became the third stopper at City Stars to score this season following up on Salim Shitu Adballa and Kenedy Vidic Onyango who scored in 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Vihiga Bullets in Ruaraka and over Wazito in Thika, respectively.

  • Nairobi City Stars 3 Mathare United 0

    Nairobi City Stars 3 Mathare United 0

    A debut goal by Lennox Ogutu, the sixth of the season from Ezekiel Omulo Odera, and Nicholas Kipkirui’s second season goal, all in the second half, handed Nairobi City Stars a 3-0 win over Mathare United in Thika on Saturday 26 February 2022 during an FKF Premier League match 19.

    Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu provided assists for the first two goals by Lennox and Odera in the 50th and 64th minutes, before debutant Augustine Kuta, a sub for injured Elvis Noor Ojiambo, announced his entry to the Simba wa Nairobi grassland with a through ball that Kipkirui lobbed past the keeper to settle the scores in the 84th minute to complete a season double following up on a 2-0 first-leg win.

    Mathare United’s high line defending during the first part of the game left City Stars a disjointed lot in the final third.

    But five minutes into the second half, Babu squared a corner kick with perfection to find Lennox who, unmarked within the six-yard area, powered home a firm header against his former side for his debut Simba wa Nairobi goal.

    14 minutes later it was 2-0 when a ball from deep from left-back Dennis Wanjala found Babu on the left. He then teed up an advancing Odera with good delivery and the marksman was not to be denied from close range.

    The third goal came off Kuta whose sure pass found Kipkirui in space. He advanced towards the goal to loop the keeper for the final goal of the day.

    Inside the first ten minutes, a high-pressing City Stars had tested Mathare with a backheel from Odera that Bryne Omondi picked at the near post and a shot from Babu that went wide.

    For a better part of the game after that, City Stars were forced to switch balls to the left win to John Kamau whose crosses to the box became easy picks for Bryne.

    With seventeen minutes to the breather, Mathare lost skipped Alphonse Ndonye to an injury. His place was taken up by Dennis Monda Obanda as the armband shifted to Clifford Alwanga.

    Two minutes after that change, Mathare had a freekick from good range. Tony Odhiambo drove it to the box only for Victor Odhiambo to head it out

    In the 39th minute, Victor took home a yellow after a foul on Babu. Three awarded freekick led to a corner that Wanjala whipped into the box only for Lennox to head out at the near post.

    A minute later Lennox sent a freekick from mid-pitch but it missed a connection in the box as Mathare cleared their lines.

    Two minutes later, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, starting his first game this season, connected to a Kamau cross with a fine header that went just wide.

    The game rolled to halftime with Mathare skipper going to the refs books for a yellow following a protestation.

    he game at Thika Stadium, the first between the two since April 2005, was even at 0-0 at halftime.


    Five minutes into the second half Kamau floated a dangerous corner that earned another on the other end. Babu brought it up well for unmarked Lennox to punish his former employers with a fine header.

    Two minutes later Wanjala forced a corner that Babu served his sibling Elvis who then squared to skipper Anthony Muki Kimani outside the box. He fired high up.

    The next moment saw Mathare’s Eugene Wethuli connect to a lost ball outside the City Stars box with a good shot but it flew wide.

    Not too long after a freekick by right-back Kenedy Ochieng landed in the box only for his opposite number Calvin Masawa to clear it out.

    Improved tempo from Mathare yielded a corner but it ended up with Steve Njunge who started for Simba wa Nairobi in goal after sitting out the last 17 games.

    Less than two minutes later it was 2-0 for City Stars after Odera tapped home a cross from Babu from close range.

    The goal was his 30th in City Stars colors that sees him come to within one of legend Arthur Museve. It was also had a separate significance as City Stars became the first team to hit the 30-goal mark this season.

    A short while later, Mathare had the chance to half the scores when they earned a free-kick at the edge of the box. Daniel Van Persie Otieno however had his take ricocheted off the City Stars wall and back into play.

    The next minute City Stars made changes bringing on Davis Agesa for Kamau and Nicholas Kipkirui for Odera.

    Not too long after, Oliver Maloba replaced skipper Muki who handed over the armband to Masawa.

    In between the changes, Wethuli had a long-range freekick headed for under the bar but Njunge did well to force a fingertip save for a fruitless corner.

    In the 75th minute, Bryne in Mathare goal came out tops when he stopped back-to-back blockbusters by Elvis and Peter Opiyo from outside the box.

    Within the next two minutes, substitute Agesa burst into the box twice but on both occasions had the ball end up at Bryne.

    In between his goal attempts Matahre brought in Khalid Jumaan for Wethuli and Donald Ange for Van Persie. 

    City Stars responded two minutes, in the 81st minute, by taking out an injured Elvis to hand Augustine Kuta his debut.

    It took Kuta just two minutes to settle as he squared a fine ball from midfield to Kipkirui in space who raced to the box to lob Bryne with the third goal of the day.

    City Stars went in search of more but attempts by Agesa, Kuta, and Kipkirui in the dying minutes did not yield anymore.

    With the win, Nairobi City Stars returns to the second spot with 35 points, to reduce the gap on log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz to two points. Mathare on their part remains 17th with ten points.

    Next up for City Stars is an away game at the Thika Stadium to Bidco United on Saturday 5 March 2022 starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (29. Augustine Kuta-81), 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau (11. Davis Agesa-68), 30. Anthony Kimani (21. Oliver Maloba-73), 32. Ezekiel Odera (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-68)

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 4. Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

    Mathare United: 1. Byrne Omondi (GK), 18. Kennedy Ochieng, 23. Victor Odhiambo, 4. Harun Junior, 24. Tony Odhiambo, 14. Meshack Muyonga, 8. Alphonse Ndonye-captain (12. Dennis Monda Obanda-28), 27. Daniel Otieno (11. Donald Ange-79), 21. Clifford Alwanga-Captain 2, 9. Douglas Kibet Koech, 28. Eugene Wethuli  (6. Martin Nderitu-79)

    Subs: 16. Tom Kangeta (GK), 5. Austin Ochieng, 26. Said Musa,  10. Khalid Jumaan, 29. Chris Oduor, 13. Francis Kamau

    Coach: John Kamau

    Yellow cards

    Nairobi City Stars: 20. Timothy Ouma (16), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (90)
    Mathare United: 14. Meshack Muyonga (16), 8. Alphonse Ndonye (22), 23. Victor Odhiambo (39), Clifford Alwanga (43)

    Goals: 27. Lennox Ogutu (50), 32. Ezekiel Odera (64), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (84)

    City Stars
    Ezekiel Odera celebrates a goal against Mathare United at Thika Stadium on Sat 26 Feb 2022. He scored the second goal, his sixth of the season. City Stars went on to win 3-0
    City Stars
    City Stars vs Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb in Thika Sstadium. City Stars won the game 3-0
    City Stars
    Right-back Calvin Masawa in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0
    City Stars
    Muki in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at the Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0

     

  • Muki, Odera top Babu in scoring

    Muki, Odera top Babu in scoring

    With five goals each, midfielder Anthony Muki Kimani and forward Ezekiel Odera are atop the Nairobi City Stars scorer’s board at the conclusion of 18 games in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season.

    The two experienced players lead teenager Timothy Babu Ouma who follows closely with four goals.

    With five goals so far, Muki and Odera have improved on their haul of four goals they each scored last season.

    Odera was the first player at Simba wa Nairobi player to hit the five-goal mark this season with his lone goal that handed City Stars all spoils against Kariobangi Sharks in early February at Kasarani Annex.

    Odera ties Bageya’s goal tally, eyes all-time record

    That goal saw Odera surpass the four goals that made him a top scorer for the club in the 2016 season, and his tally in the 2020/21 season.

    Muki caught up with Odera in the next fixture against Nzoia United during a historic first visit to Sudi Stadium, a game that ended 1-1.

    Beyond the trio of Muki, Odera, and Babu who account for half the goals scored, are Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Erick Jibaba Ombija, Sven Yidah and Peter Picnhez Opiyo who have scored two goals each.

    Erick Ombija, City Stars
    Erick Ombija in full celebration, and hugged by Timothy Ouma, following his goal against Bidco United at the Thika Stadium on Sun 24 Oct 2021. City Stars won the game 2-0

    Opiyo stands out as the only City Stars player to have scored a brace this season, which delivered a 2-0 win over Mathare United in December in Ruaraka.

    Stoppers Salim Shitu Abdalla and Kenedy Vidic Onyango have a goal each, the same as midfielder Oliver Maloba, forwards Nicholas Kipchabet Kipkirui, Vincent Jamaica Otieno, and Davis Beast Agesa.

    Summary of goal scorers

    5 – Anthony Muki Kimani, Ezekiel Odera
    4 – Timothy Babu Ouma
    2 – Peter Opiyo, Sven Yidah, Erick Ombija, Rodgers Okumu
    1 – Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, Oliver Maloba, Nicholas Kipkirui, Vincent Otieno & Davis Agesa

  • Odera ties Bageya’s goal tally, eyes all-time record

    Odera ties Bageya’s goal tally, eyes all-time record

    Ezekiel Odera’s lone goal that delivered a 1-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 6 February 2022 has brought him ever so close to the 30-goal mark at Nairobi City Stars.

    The goal, his fifth this season, but 13th in the premier league over three seasons, saw him catch up with former club stalwart Jimmy Bageya on 29 goals.

    Club legend Arthur Museve, now a trainer with the club is on 31 goals, one ahead of immediate former Simba wa Nairobi striker Ebrima Sanneh.

    Legends Justus Basweti and Francis Thairu are the only two players to have scored over 34 goals each at City Stars.

    “All those records are an attraction to me and are the reason that spurs my performance,”

    “I want to score goals that help the club achieve its’s targets but ultimately I wish to be the record goalscorer by the close of the season,” added Odera

    In 2016, his first season at City Stars, Odera top-scored with four premier league goals and added one more in the domestic cup.

    He went on to top-score for the club with eleven goals the next season in the National Super League (NSL).

    After that season he took up other challenges only to return to City Stars at the onset of 2020 where he scored three league goals in the NSL contributing to the clubs’ promotion at the close of the coronavirus-halted 2019/20 season.

    In the 2020/21 Premier League season, Odera scored four league goals and one in the domestic cup and has since added another five league goals in the current 2021/22 Premier league campaign that is halfway through.

    Summary of Ezekiel Odera’s goals at City Stars

    2016 – 4+1*
    2017 – 11
    2019/20 – 3
    2020/21 – 4+1*
    2021/22 – 5**

    * Domestic Cup
    ** season ongoing

    Odera, Tusker, City Stars
    Striker Ezekiel Odera celebrates his 53rd minute goal that handed Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 win over Tusker on Fri 30 July 2021 in Ruaraka
    City Stars, Odera, Maloba
    Ezekiel Odera mobbed by Oliver Maloba after his goal against Vihiga Bullets on Sat 6 Nov 2021 in Ruaraka. City Stars won the duel 4-0
    City Stars, Odera
    Nairobi City Stars striker Ezekiel Odera 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
    City Stars
    Goal scorer pats assist provider Oliver Maloba after City Stars went ahead against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on Sat 6 Feb 2022. City stars won the game 1-0
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