Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Ezekiel Odera

  • Kariobangi Sharks 0 Nairobi City Stars 1

    Kariobangi Sharks 0 Nairobi City Stars 1

    Ezekiel Odera’s 63rd-minute tap-in at the far post, off an Oliver Maloba delivery, settled a game of two halves when Kariobangi Sharks hosted Nairobi City Stars in FKF Premier League match 17 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 6 February 2022.

    The first half was all for The Sharks as they were dominant with a vibrant overload in midfield, but they let City Stars off the hook when they failed to convert their chances.

    A quick adjustment at the onset of the second half, that saw Noor siblings Timothy Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo take the places of Mike Madoya at 10 and injured skipper of the day Peter Opiyo in the creative role, changed the tide Simba wa Nairobi’s way.

    Inside the first seven minutes, City Stars skipper Peter Opiyo had attempted a shot at goal but it flew wide.

    The next minute, a freekick by City Stars left-back Dennis Wanjala found Davis Agesa who failed to get a grip on it to tap home. Immediately after, City Stars survived a counter as a quick ball found Julius Masaba who, with the sight of goal, fired just wide when it was a lot easier to score.

    Two minutes later Sharks were at it again with a shot on goal, but this time, keeper Jacob Osano forced a fruitless corner.

    Within the next ten minutes, Mike Madoya, with his first start of the season, had his header off an Agesa cross fly just wide.

    Sven Yidah, formerly at Sharks, followed up with another header off a Calvin Masawa cross only for his attempt to end up with keeper Brandon Obiero.

    From then on, all the way to the half-hour mark, it was all Sharks with a series of back-to-back corners, raids but all were characterized by near misses.

    Two key moments saw keeper Osano dispossessed but a follow-up shot went wide and it was the same case in the 30th minute when Douglas Mokaya found space in the box only to fire out.

    By the time the clock hot 40 minutes, City Stars had wasted two Opiyo freekicks and a rare chance that fell on striker Ezekiel Odera who fired wide.

    In the final minutes to the breather, Masaba who was dangerous on the flank found space and went for goal only to send the ball out.

    On either side of Masaba’s attempt were two uncounted corners by Opiyo and Wanjala for City Stars.

    To counter a neutralized midfield by Sharks, City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti brought in the Noor siblings Timothy Babu Ouma and Elvis Ojiambo at the onset of the second half in place of Madoya and Opiyo who picked a knock.

    The arrival of the KAwangware siblings stabilized the midfield so much so that Simba wa Nairobi dominated the second half.

    However, it is Sharks that kicked off the second half with a wasted corner before City Stars responded with one of their own that Odera failed to place home.

    Babu’s effect was felt seven minutes after his introduction when he shot at goal off a Maloba cross. But Sharks survived the scare by clearing their line after keeper Obiero was well beaten.

    Five minutes later he was at it again but delayed pulling the trigger and Sharks backline nicked the ball from his feet.

    Immediately after, Sharks got to the other end and forced a corner that yielded naught.

    In the 62nd minute, Sharks survived yet another near miss when an unmarked Odera had his headed ball echo off the crossbar.

    The very next minute Odera did not miss after he tapped in at the far post to complete a Maloba pass from the right. The ball came off Wanjala which ended up with Babu before landing at Maloba’s feet.

    Five minutes after Babu had a shot on goal but Obiero picked it up.

    A minute later Sharks had the chance to level matters after forcing a freekick at the edge of the box when Masaba went down to a heavy challenge from stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango. City Stars cleared the danger.

    In the 75th minute Sharks brought on John Omondi and Enoch Wanyama for Masaba and Fortune Omoto, respectively. That followed up on the arrival of Geoffrey Onyango who had come on for Fredrick Alushula.

    City Stars was to introduce Nicholas Kipkirui for Odera as John Kamau took up the place of Maloba in the last ten minutes.

    Kipkirui attempted a freekick won by Babu but fired at the opponents’ wall and Sharks were to end the game with a corner that they failed to capitalize on. Soon after it was all over.

    In scooping all spoils at the Annex, City Stars return to the second spot with 31 points from 17 matches, and within two of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz who will be hosting Nzoia Sugar in Bukhungu on Sunday. Sharks drop down from second to third with 28 points.

    Lineups

    Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brandon Nathan, 2. Tom Teka, 26. Boniface Onyango, 4. Alphonse Omija, 22. Julius Masaba (14. John Omondi-75), 3. Fredrick Alushula (27. Geoffrey Onyango-70), 8. Patillah Omolo-captain, 12. Douglas Mokaya, 21. Fortune Omoto (29. Enock Wanyama-75), 19. Felix Oluoch, 10. Henry Juma

    Unused Subs: 16. Brian Olango, 25. Samuel Olwande, 18. Ronaldo Odede, 23. Keith Imbali, 24. Steve Otieno, 13. Isaac Otieno.

    Coach: William Muluya

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvins Masawa, 25. Kennedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 10. Peter Opiyo-captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-46), 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba (15. John Kamau-85), 11. Davis Agesa (7. Rodgers Okumu-78), 5. Mike Madoya (20. Timothy Ouma-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera  (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-78).

    Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu

    Out: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, (all injured), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 30. Anthony Kimani, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 1. Elvis Ochoro

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Yellow cards: 

    Kariobangi Sharks: None

    Nairobi City Stars: 8. Calvin Masawa (76), 21. Oliver Maloba (85)

    Goal: 32. Ezekiel Odera (Nrb City Stars – 63)

    City Stars
    Part of the action at Kasarani Annex during a matchday 17 game between Kariobangi Sharks and Nairobi City Stars on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
    City Stars
    City Stars DM Sven Yidah on the ball at Kasarani Annex during a match day 17 games against Kariobangi Sharks on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
    City Stars, Sharks
    Henry Juma (10) and Salim Abdalla fight for the ball when City Stars visited Kariobangi Sharks at the Kasarani Annex on Sat 5 Feb 2022. City Stars won it 1-0
  • Head-to-head: Tusker (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2021/22 FKF Premier League season

    Head-to-head: Tusker (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2021/22 FKF Premier League season

    On Sunday 16 January 2022, in Ruaraka, champions Tusker FC will face-off with Nairobi City Stars in the premier league for the 27th time since the year 2003.

    Broken down, it will be the 14th time that Tusker will be the host to Simba wa Nairobi. 

    From the previous 13 games away to Tusker, City Stars has managed four wins, three draws, and lost the other six.

    It will be the sixth time that City Stars will be hosted at Ruaraka by Tusker after visits in 2004, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2021.

    The 2004 and 2010 games ended in 1-0 wins in favor of Tusker, while the 2009 and 2014 games ended 1-1.

    City Stars’ only triumph in Ruaraka was in the last game between the two, played in late July 2021. Ezekiel Odera scored to deliver a 1-0 win in that game.

    Coach John Amboko masterminded that win last year by seeing off his former coach Robert Matano.

    But on Sunday, Amboko will deputize head coach Nicholas Muyoti as City Stars has another go at Tusker in their backyard.

    Into the game, Tusker carries a 1-0 loss to Posta Rangers to the duel as City Stars goes in with a 2-1 win over FC Talanta from their last assignment.

    Summary

    City Stars away games vs Tusker; Wins (4), Draws (3), Loses (6). Total – 13

    17-Oct-04; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
    2-Jul-06; Tusker vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
    21-Jul-07; Tusker vs World Hope, 3-1 (L)
    20-Aug-08; Tusker vs World Hope, 0-2 (W)
    4-Apr-09; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    9-May-10Tusker vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
    17-Jul-11; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    11-Feb-12; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    20-Sep-13; Tusker vs City Stars, 2-3 (W)
    19-Sep-14; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    21-Aug-15; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
    23-Oct-16; Tusker vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    30-Jul-21; Tusker vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
    16-Jan-22; Tusker vs City Stars, ??

    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
  • Gor Mahia 0 Nairobi City Stars 2

    Gor Mahia 0 Nairobi City Stars 2

    Ezekiel Odera and Anthony Muki Kimani struck on either half to hand Nairobi City Stars a 2-0 win over Gor Mahia on Thursday 30 December 2021 in Nyayo Stadium in their 11th match of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season.

    City Stars, buoyed by the return of five key players, had never beaten Gor Mahia in the top flight league since Jimmy Bageya’s 51st-minute goal delivered a 1-0 win in City Stadium on 9 April 2011.

    But Simba wa Nairobi, playing a Premier League game at Nyayo Stadium for the first time since 11 September 2016, while hosting Western Stima, went ahead in the 40th minute when Odera sliced through two stoppers to meet a Timothy Babu Ouma float before firing past keeper Gad Mathews for the opener.

    In the 71st minute Muki, on the pitch for just five minutes after replacing Davis Agesa, whipped in a perfect freekick past Gad to double matters.

    The freekick was awarded after Gor Mahia left back Fred Nkata shoved Nicholas Kipkirui at the edge of the box. He was slapped with a yellow card for his crime.

    The latest win, the fifth for City Stars over Gor Mahia in 25 attempts, pushes Simba wa Nairobi from seventh to third spot with 20 points, two more than Gor Mahia who are now down to seventh.

    Inside the first ten minutes, City Stars captain on the day Peter Pinchez Opiyo, a former Gor Mahia player ten years back, had taken attempted two freekicks from outside the box. One went out and the other got to another Gor alumni Nicholas Kipkirui who headed straight at Gad in goal.

    Gor’s response, one in between those two attempts and the other after, was a burst into the box from the left channel by George Blackberry Odhiambo who shot straight at keeper Jacob Osano, and an Austine Odhiambo shot at goal that won a fruitless corner.

    On 14 minutes, City Stars left-back Denis Decha Wanjala floated the ball at goal but Gad did marvelously well to avoid a goal under the bar with a fingertip save for a corner that was wasted.

    A minute later Austin whacked a freekick goalward that Osano did what Gad had done earlier to punch out for a corner.

    In the 20th minute, a through ball by Odera found Babu in space, and into the box but as he planned to pull the trigger he was hacked down but the referee awarded no penalty. Odera’s immediate protestations earned him a yellow card.

    Three minutes on, City Stars right fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu flew up the right channel to square a low pass to Agesa in the box; he just failed to connect it home.

    A freekick by Pinchez followed that piece of action plus a yellow card on stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango as he gave away a freekick on the other end. Austin fired it wide.

    At the half-hour mark, Odera drove a ping-pong at the edge of the box towards goal only for it to ricochet off the upright, for a sure near-miss, and to the safe hands of Gad.

    Minutes later Odera broke into the Gor Mahia box only to be brought down. But again the referee waved play on.

    With the clock reading 39 minutes, Gor had a freekick at the edge of the box but once again Austin sent it wide.

    The next minute it was City Stars who went up 1-0 after Odera got in between two defenders to activate the scoresheet, a result that stood to halftime.

    20 minutes into the second half, Gor Mahia stand-in coach Sammy Omolo, holding forte for the absent head coach Mark Harrisson, on-boarded a triple sub by sending George Blackberry Odhiambo, Peter Lwasa, and Jules Ulimwengu to the coolers as he brought on Benson Omala, Alpha Onyango, and Sando Yangayay, respectively, to try to turn things around.

    Within the next four minutes, Gor Mahia had a shot on goal from James Kinyanjui that went straight to Osano. A wasted corner soon followed. Not too long after, substitute Omala attempted a header that went wide.

    The next few moments saw Kipkirui fouled twice within seconds, but it is the second one by Nkata that earned a freekick which Muki floated with precision to double matters in the 71st minute

    With 12 minutes left, City Stars flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu took up the place of Odera who had picked a knock.

    A few minutes later, Okuse chested down a ball and worked his way to the Gor box but he took the wrong option of shooting at goal – straight to Gad – instead of placing the ball to a free Kipkirui to his left.

    In the next few minutes, Decha floated a freekick wide as Omala responded by breaking into the box to receive a cross only to sky the ball.

    The final minutes of the game saw Charles Otieno take up injured Sven Yidah’s place in City Stars’ final substitution.

    Gor was to end the game with a freekick that City Stars did well to block to register a sixth clean sheet from eleven games this season, and the first one against Gor Mahia since posting a 0-0 draw back on 4th August 2013 in Kasarani.

    Lineups

    Gor Mahia: 16. Gad Mathews, 3. Fred Nkata, 6. Frank Odhiambo, 33. Dennis Ng’ang’a, 12. Yusuf Mainge, 20. Ernest Wendo, 7. Austin Odhiambo, 10. Peter Lwasa (8. Alpha Onyango-61), 11. John Macharia, 5. George Odhiambo (22. Benson Omala-61), 25. Jules Ulimwengu (24. Sando Yangayay-61)

    Unused subs: 1. Adama Keita (GK), 29. Caleb Omondi, 4. Joshua Onyango, 26. Philemon Otieno, 28. Victor Odhiambo, 21. Syndey Ochieng,

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah (3. Charles Otieno-88), 10. Peter Opiyo – Captain, 11. Davis Agesa (30. Anthony Kimani-66), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rodgers Okumu-78), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui,

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai, 5. Michael Madoya, 15. John Kamau, 4. Salim Abdalla,

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 24. Erick Ombija, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 14. Rowland Makati,

    Yellow cards

    Gor Mahia: Fred Nkata (70)
    Nairobi City Stars: Ezekiel Odera (20), Kenedy Onyango (24)

    Goals: 32. Ezekiel Odera (40), Anthony Kimani (71)

  • Nairobi City Stars 1 Kariobangi Sharks 2

    Nairobi City Stars fell 2-1 to visiting Kariobangi Sharks in Ruaraka during a seventh round FKF Premier League tie played on Saturday 4 December 2021. 

    Sharks went to the break with a goal advantage after a Geoffrey Lemu penalty awarded in the 24th minute after the pair of Simba wa Nairobi stoppers Kenedy Vidic Onyango and Lennox Ogutu bullied and mugged goal-charging Felix Oluoch in the box.

    Ten minutes into the second half it was level after City Stars goal poacher Ezekiel Odera poked home from close range.

    13 minutes later, substitute Patrick Otieno lobbed the ball past keeper Osano after connecting to a delivery from the right by Mata.

    There could have been a different start, and probably end to the game, had City Stars made use of early chances.

    In just the third minute, a corner delivered by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani landed at stopper Lennox in the box but he skied the ball while chasing the earliest of goals.

    Sharks responded four minutes later with a freekick by Steve Otieno – awarded after an Oliver Maloba tackle at the edge of the box – came off the upright for a fruitless corner.

    Three minutes later, teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu squared a perfect ball to Oliver Maloba who made a mad dash for goal.

    But alas! when it was the easier choice to score, while on a one-on-one with Sharks keeper Brandon Obiero, he made the shot-stopper a hero after a brilliant save. Babu pounced on the second ball that ended up with Obiero.

    At the quarter hour mark it was Odera’s turn to miss while in the box off a Davis Agesa cross from the right.

    The near misses were punished in the 24th minute when Sharks went ahead from the spot.

    A leveler for City Stars was seemingly in the offing in the 33rd minute but Agesa’s header while at the six yard area off a Dennis Decha Wanjala cross from the left flew just wide.

    Five minutes to the break Babu added to the long list of should-have-been when he smacked the crossbar off a pass from Maloba at the byline.

    The second half started with Sharks bringing on stopper Tom Teka for injured skipper Samuel Olwande.

    The entrant was to miss a clearance ten minutes later that Odera whacked home with his left foot to level matters.

    Immediately after the equalizer Sharks coach William Muluya brought on Patrick Otieno for Geoffrey Onyango. It only took him 12 minutes to score the winner.

    A minute after that goal, Babu almost got City Stars back level when he escaped his markers to meet a freekick by Decha but his attempt for the far post got a hand from Obiero for a wasted corner.

    Two further Decha freekicks into the box were dangerous as one had a penalty appeal waved on after a rebound shot by Babu, while the other was smacked right at the cross bar and back in play.

    The last quarter of an hour saw Sharks defend relentlessly as City Stars threw everything upfront to seek a share of the spoils but it ended short as two corners could not be accounted for and a Peter Opiyo’s header at the death weaved just above bar.

    It was only the second time that City Stars was hosting Sharks, and it ended in a similar 2-1 defeat as was the case back in January at Kasarani Annex.

    With the win, Sharks shot to the top of the log with 16 points as City Stars dropped to fourth with 13 points.

    Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a game at the same Ruaraka against Nzoia Sugar on Wednesday 8 December 2021 starting 3pm.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani (Mike Madoya-81), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba (9. Vincent Otieno-75), 32. Ezekiel Odera (10. Peter Opiyo-75), 11. Davis Agesa (Rodgers Okumu-64)

    Unused subs: 23. Steve Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 28. Herit Mungai,

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Kariobangi Sharks: 1. Brandon Obiero, 14. John Omondi, 27. Geoffrey Onyango, 25. Samuel Olwande – Captain (2. Tom Teka-46), 6. Geoffrey Lemu, 8. Patillah Omoto, 12. Douglas Mokaya, 21. Fortune Omoto (9. Sydney Lokale-64), 7. Eric Mata, 19. Felix Oluoch (5. Eric Juma-64), 24. Steve Otieno

    Unused subs: 16. Brian Olang’o, 22. Julius Masaba, 13. Isaac Wasambo, 17. Kevin Kyalo, 18. Reagan Odede, 29. Enock Wanyama,

    Coach: William Muluya

    Yellow cards

    Nairobi City Stars: 19. Kevin Okumu (27)

    Kariobangi Sharks; 1. Brandon Obiero (60)

  • Friendly fire: City Stars ties Kangemi, beats Naija boys, again

    Friendly fire: City Stars ties Kangemi, beats Naija boys, again

    A Mohammed Isaku goal in the 84th allowed Kangemi United to escape with a point during a friendly game played at the Vapor Sports ground on Friday 19 November 2021.

    Isaku’s goal canceled out an early Charles Otieno fifth-minute goal off an assist by right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

    In the second game at the same venue, City Stars once again hit Naija Boys 3-0 to replicate a similar score registered when the two sides met in the preseason at Camp Toyoyo.

    Kenedy Vidic Onyango powered in a header off a Peter Pinchez Opiyo corner in the 24th minute for the opening goal.

    Ezekiel Odera added a second at the onset of the second half off a delivery by left-back Dennis Wanjala.

    Recently capped teenager Timothy Ouma, fresh from being fielded in 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda, provided an assist at the death, for his sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo to drill the final nail to the Naija Boys coffin.

    The two latest friendlies follow on two others at the same venue last Friday where City Stars registered 5-0 and 7-0 over Juve FC and Black Boots.

    All the friendlies are to keep the team focused before the resumption of the league in due course.

    Lineups

    City Stars 1: 16: Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 4. Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani, 14. Rowland Makati, 26. Ebrima Sanneh (Jeff – trialist-46), 7. Rodgers Okumu, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Kangemi United: Mugami McMillan, Mohammed Isaku, David Natey, Naftali Ondeche, Kelvin Etemesi, Sammy Kamau, Dennis Mwale, Brian Kipruto, Elly Kessey, George Wamere, Christian Mackenzi

    Subs: Alvin Meso, Nigel Otieno, Daniel Gitau, Enock Waka, Barnabas Ochieng, Edwin Kiegu, Frank Barasa, Duncan Munika, Gilbert Thalua, Vavak Oyim, Noah Baraza

    Naija Boys: Zachary Onyango (guest), Collins, Yinka, Isa, Kenny, Shisha, Gallas, Tony, Emma, Konfor, Raphael,

    City Stars 2: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvins Masawa, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 32. Ezekiel Odera (Timothy Ouma), 11. Davis Agesa

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 15. John Kamau, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 5. Mike Madoya (all injured), 23. Steve Nunge (rested), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (on leave)

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

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