Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Ezekiel Odera

  • Nairobi City Stars 4 Vihiga Bullets 0

    Nairobi City Stars 4 Vihiga Bullets 0

    Simba wa Nairobi took down newbies Vihiga Bullets 4-0 on Saturday 6 November 2021 in Ruraka during a matchday 6 FKF Premier League clash to move into the second spot in the 18-team table.

    The 4-0 rout, in Simba wa Nairobi’s first-ever meeting against Vhiga Bullets in the top-flight, saw City Stars match two similar winning scorelines – the best ever -, that was set on 11 Feb 2006 (vs Kisumu Telecom at Nyayo Stadium) and 22 Oct 2011 (vs Congo United at Hope Centre).

    A Salim Shitu Abdalla opener in the 10th minute was followed up by second-half goals by Ezekiel Omukofu Odera, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani – later named game MVP – and Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica – his maiden Premiership goal -, in the 62nd, 68th, and 74th minutes, in that order.

    Shitu, in City Stars lineup after skipping three games, got to the end of a Muki freekick to tap in at the far post for his first of the season.

    For the second, switch play by teenage sensation Timothy Babu Ouma from the right to the box found Davis Agesa who set the ball on the path of Odera who then lobbed keeper Richard Aimo to double matters.

    The third came when substitute John Kamau worked his way to the box with a one-two with another substitute Ebrima Sanneh – who earned his first game of the season -, then got it to Muki who then toed the ball to the far post. It echoed off the basement before rolling in.

    The fourth was a marvel as Peter Opiyo, in for Oliver Maloba, squared a fine long pass to Jamaica who chested down the ball before lobbing an advancing Aimo. The ball cooly rolled home for Jamaica to earn his first top-flight goal, and City Stars fourth on the evening.

    In spite of the heavy win, Vihiga Bullets were a hard nut to crack especially inside the first 60 minutes.

    After a cross from right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu was cleared in the fifth minute, Bullets, under coach Evans Mafuta, had a response the next minute but a freekick their way went wide.

    In the 29th minute, Bullets had a set-piece atop the box. Nicholas Masamba had a go at it. It was dangerous but it weaved just wide.

    Seven minutes into the second half, Michael Isabwa forced a corner. His delivery was good but Jessey Kajuba’s connection – a header – ended up with keeper Jacob Osano.

    Two minutes earlier Osano had been forced to save another Kajuba effort; a long dangerous shot.

    Earlier in the 40th minute of the first half, City Stars could have topped up on Shitu’s goal had Oliver Maloba, earning a first start this season, been precise with a loose ball presented to him by Aimo. He shot wide from outside the box with an empty net at his mercy.

    Four minutes after that near-miss, Muki made a goal attempt with a rasping shot off the box. It sailed just above the bar.

    After registering the fourth goal, City Stars went for a historic fifth but a Pinchez shot for the far post deep in added time just whisked wide.

    With the latest win, the fourth in six games this season, City Stars shoots to the second spot with 13-points, one-off record champion Gor Mahia.

    Simba wa Nairobi will take a 13-day break necessitated due to two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by Kenya against Uganda and Rwanda.

    Thereafter, the team will be away for a round seven clash to Bandari at Mbaraki on Sunday 21 November 2021.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain (5. Mike Madoya-76), 20. Timothy Ouma (Peter Opiyo-66), 21. Oliver Maloba (John Kamau-66), 11. Davis Agesa (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-72), 32. Ezekiel Odera (29. Ebrima Sanneh-66)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (all injured), 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Vihiga Bullets: 1. Richard Aimo, 23. Nikson Kalwale, 18. Philip Mwangale, 15. Mophat Kovelo, 16. Jackson Saleh, 22. Lucas Waitere-captain, 24. Jessey Kajuba (14. Kevin Sagida-76), 5.Nicholas Masamba (17. Vincent Odongo-76), 11. Lucy Musyoki (12. Amos Kigadi-57), 7. Michael Isabwa (9. Brayan Sifuna-76), 13. Rashid Kyamba (6. Martin Okumu-76)

    Unused subs: 25. Michael Matasio (GK), 20. Lonny Amadava, 4. Sabulon Cheloti, 8. Patrick Okulo

    Coach: Evans Mafuta

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

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

    Vihiga Bullets will be guests to Nairobi City Stars at Ruaraka on Saturday 6 November 2021 for a sixth-round FKF Premier League tie set to roll off at 3 pm.

    It’s a historic game as the two sides have never met in the top-flight league.

    While it will be the first premier league meet, it will only be the third time that City Stars and Bullets will be facing off in the recent past.

    While in the second tier during the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) season, the two met twice, with City Stars posting a 2-1 away win at Bukhungu in September 2019 before topping up with a 2-0 win in the reverse game at Camp Toyoyo in January 2020.

    The Bukhungu game was played twice in two days. Due to force majeure -heavy rains-, the first game aborted when City Stars was leading 1-0 in the 78th minute.

    Into the upcoming game, City Stars has so far picked ten points from the first five games compared to one by their visitors.

    From the immediate past set of games, City Stars managed a 1-1 draw against Posta Rangers as Bullets ran neighborhood rivals Kakamega Homeboyz close before narrowly being edged out 3-2 at Bukhungu. They had twice come from behind to tie the game 2-2.

    Those results will set up the tone for the Ruaraka affair on Saturday evening when Vihiga Bullets Coach Evans Mafuta parades his boys against his counterpart Nicholas Muyoti.

    City Stars will have up to ten players that met Bullets in Toyoyo back in January 2020 available for the upcoming game.

    They include goal scorers Oliver Maloba and Ezekiel Odera, as well as Ebrima Sanneh who scored a brace in the first leg.

    Summary

    KPL games: 0

    NSL Games – 2

    9-Sep-2019; Vihiga Bullets vs Nairobi City Stars, 1-2 (W)
    20-Jan-2020; Vihiga Bullets vs Nairobi City Stars, 2-0 (W)

    Ebrima Sanneh contesting the ball against a Vihiga Bullets player at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 18 Jan 2020
    City Stars vs Vihiga Bullets at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 18 Jan 2020. They won 2-0
  • ‘Muki’ earns City Stars point from Rangers

    ‘Muki’ earns City Stars point from Rangers

    A well-orchestrated goal by field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani in the 52nd minute canceled out Brian Marita’s freekick in the 36th minute to force a 1-1 draw for City Stars against Posta Rangers in a fifth-round FKF Premier League tie played at the Thika Stadium on Saturday 30 October 2021.

    It was the eighth Posta Rangers – City Stars premiership draw registered in eleven encounters since the year 2010.

    Muki – later name MVP – had given away a freekick just outside the box that Marita planted home for the opener to send Rangers with a 1-0 advantage at the break.

    Interestingly, from the same spot he gave away the foul, Muki slammed home a sumptuous goal seven minutes after the restart after getting to the end of an Ezekiel Odera lay-up. Odera had been picked out in the box by teenager Timothy Ouma aka Babu.

    Simba wa Nairobi’s game plan was distorted very early on when forward Nicholas Kipkirui was forced out of the game as early as the 17th minute after receiving a cut above his right eye when going up for a knockdown.

    He had been forced out of a game against Wazito at the same grounds in similar circumstances close to a week back. On both occasions, he was replaced by speedster Rodgers Okuse Okumu.

    Four minutes into the game, Rangers’ had the first real chance to activate the scoresheet when Vincent Wasambo arrived in the box only to send a ball just wide with City Stars keeper Jacob Osano beaten.

    City Stars had a chance to go 1-0 up in the 20th minute when Okuse, with a darting run, found himself at a vantage spot in the box to receive a Timothy Ouma pinpoint pass. He shockingly skied the ball.

    That was two minutes after Muki had blasted a freekick into the Posta wall after Victor Majid had fouled Ouma.

    Five minutes after that freekick, Okuse rounded his marker only to take the ball out with his speed when the intent was to deliver a cutback.

    On 28 minutes Ouma burst into the Rangers box only to be mugged off the ball as Rangers neutralized the danger.

    The next minute Rangers were in the City Stars box only for Lennox, a former Mathare United stopper, to lunge at the ball to clear it out.

    Two minutes later it was another freekick for City Stars outside the box won by Ouma. Dennis Wanjala effort earned an unsuccessful corner.

    The breather arrived with a Davis Agesa header, off a Kevin Chumsy Oumu delivery, flying wide.

    In the second half, the real danger, other than City Stars leveler from Muki, came off Rangers skipper Eliud Lokuwam who, found in space, burst into the box but just before he pulled the trigger. stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango knicked the ball from his feet to save Rangers from going 2-1 up.

    A minute after the hour mark, Rangers initiated a counter-attack, off a cleared corner by City Stars, that ended up at the side netting. Chrispinus Ochieng got to the final ball then beat keeper Osano only to be forced to a tight angle by Lennox to fire out.

    At the 70th minute Rangers midfielder, Majid received a yellow card after a nasty tackle on Muki who thought he should have received a harsher punishment.

    Majid was replaced almost immediately by Jackson Dwang. He was accompanied out by Chrispinus whose place was taken up by Sammy Odero.

    The final quarter of the game saw Rangers add more attackers; Dennis Oalo, Francis Nambute, and later Timothy Otieno but City Stars defenders stood tall to the very end.

    With a point, from the eighth draw in the 11 games against Posta Rangers, City Stars stays second on the 18-team log with ten points, three points ahead of their eighth-placed Saturtday hosts.

    Next up for City Stars is a home game against topflight newcomers Vihiga Bullets on Sunday 7 November 2021 at the Hope Centre starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Posta Rangers: 29. John Njau, 28. Sammy Imbuye, 18. Michael Apudo, 17. Bernard Ondiek, 5. David Cheche Ochieng, 8. Victor Majid (10. Jackson Dwang-72), 39. Brian Marita (12. Francis Nambute-76), 4. Vincent Wasambo, 11. Eliud Lokuwam-Captain (14. Timothy Otieno-83), 31. Chrispinus Onyango (24. Sammy Odero-72), 40. Caleb Olilo (7. Dennis Oalo-76)

    Unsued Subs: 34. Kevin Opiyo (GK), 2. Sammy Misseh, 41. Dinken Mwema, 30. Steiner Musasia,

    Coach: Stanley Okumbi

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma (5. Mike Madoya-85), 11. Davis Agesa (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (7. Rodgers Okumu-17), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-65)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 4. Salim Abdallah, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (both injured) 1. Elvis Ochoro,  10. Peter Opiyo,  12. Edwin Buliba, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Yellow cards
    87-24. Erick Ombija (Nairobi City Stars)
    69 -8. Victor Majid (Posta Rangers)
    60-21. Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars)

  • City Stars silence Police

    City Stars silence Police

    Two first-half goals by Timothy Ouma and Ezekiel Odera were enough for Nairobi City Stars to disarm Kenya Police 2-0 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 16 October 2021.

    Two first-half goals by Timothy Ouma and Ezekiel Odera were enough for Nairobi City Stars to disarm Kenya Police 2-0 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 16 October 2021.

    Davis Agesa and Nicholas Kipkirui provided the assists that led to goals in the 18th and 36th minutes.

    With the win, City Stars ended a four-game winless streak in the premier league from last season to hand new coach Nicholas Muyoti his maiden Premier League win at Simba wa Nairobi.

    Osano debut

    In City Stars goal was keeper Jacob Osano who, on his premier league debut, managed a clean sheet.

    Osano had been the understudy to Steve Njunge who clocked all 33 games last season, and the season opener against Sofapaka.

    First-half

    Police made the first statement of the game when, within the first minute, had the ball bounce off the upright after Cliffton Miheso curled a freekick from outside the box.

    City Stars had a response 11 minutes later when marauding Davis Beast Agesa got into the box only to fire wide after receiving a through pass from Ezekiel Odera.

    Three minutes later he had the ball straight at Police keeper Brian Reuben as Simba wa Nairobi kept prodding the home team.

    Just a minute later the pressure counted as Agesa – later named MVP – turned provider with a splitting pass to Timothy Babu Ouma who fired home after skipping past a number of Police players.

    His opener on the day was his second straight premier league goal following on his maiden top-flight goal against Sofapaka in the season opener three weeks back.

    The goal came after City Stars keeper Jacob Osano, on his premiership debut, stopped Alvin Mangeni’s close-range effort. He then initiated the ball that led to the goal.

    Seven minutes after Babu‘s goal, Mangeni fired a ball across the goal as Police looked to level matters early. It flew wide.

    Five minutes later, John Mark Makwata, on his Police debut, hammered the side netting off a Miheso corner.

    Seven minutes later City Stars doubled the lead when Odera had a rising shot into the net after receiving a placement from Nicholas Kipkirui inside the box. Kipkirui had picked up the ball from Agesa who brought in a cross from the right.

    At the stroke of halftime, Makwata skied a ball as Police looked to grab a consolation before the breather.

    Second half

    At the start of the second half, either side made their first changes. Police benched their towering skipper Okiki Arogo to bring on Charles Ouma as Collins Lusaka came on for Mangeni.

    Simba wa Nairobi on their part introduced flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu for Odera who picked an injury in the first half.

    A minute after the restart Kipkirui got to the end of a good pass and fired goalward only for the ball to end up with the keeper.

    At the hour mark, thereabout, Okuse did all he needed to do, but while at the penalty area chose to loop past the keeper only for the ball to be cleared before it crossed the line. It was a near-miss that could have turned the scores to a rout.

    Police also pulled out imposing offensive player Clinton Kinanga two minutes to the hour mark for known scorer David Oluoch and later on in the 74th minute handed John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu his debut as he replaced injured Leslie Otieno.

    But as the changes came for the law enforcers, it is City Stars that looked more dangerous with two attempts from field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani. Twice he fired out a cut back from Ouma then skied a set-piece.

    City Stars then ran down the clock with the addition of Erick Jibaba Ombija and Charles Chale Otieno for Agesa – later named man of the match -, and Ouma.

    Ombija had a shot on goal late in the game only for it to end up straight at the keeper in what turned out to be the final act of the game.

    With the first three points of the season, City Stars flew off the red zone, leaving Police behind, to the top half of the log.

    Next up for City Stars is the third season game against Wazito at Thika Stadium on Thursday 21 October 2021 starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Kenya Police: 31. Juma Reuben, 26. Steve Baraza, 2. Faustine Ojiambo, 6. Bernard Omondi, 14. Aroro Okiki-captain (12. Charles Ouma-46), 3. Silicho Soita, 24. Leslie Otieno (10. John Ndirangu-74), 17. Alvin Mangeni (13. Collins Lusaka-46), 23. Cliffton Miheso, 30. John Mark Makwata, 21. Clinton Kinanga (7. David Oluoch-58)

    Unused subs: 1. Gideon Ogweno, 22. Kelvin Omondi, 19. Arvin Odoyo

    Coach: John Bobby Ogola

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 11. Davis Agesa (24. Erick Ombija-78), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 20. Timothy Ouma (3. Charles Otieno-84, 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rogers Okumu-46)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Mike Madoya, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 25. Lennox Ogutu

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Yellow cards: 

    Kenya Police: 30. John Mark Makwata (36), 12. Charles Ouma (55),

    Nairobi City Stars: 7. Rodgers Okumu (62), 24. Eric Ombija (80), 18. Sven Yidah (88)

    Goals: 20. Timothy Ouma (18), 32. Ezekiel Odera (36)

    Man of the Match: 11. Davis Agesa (Nairobi City Stars)

     

  • Friendly fire: KEFWA 2 Nairobi City Stars 4

    Friendly fire: KEFWA 2 Nairobi City Stars 4

    Nairobi City Stars came from behind to see off non-contracted players, assembled by Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) 4-2 at Two Rivers grounds on Thursday 6 October 2021.

    Ezekiel Odera’s header off a Kevin Okumu’s float activated the scoresheets mid-way through the first half.

    Augustine Kuta, formerly of Western Stima, pounced on a rebound from keeper Jacob Osano to slam home a leveler that sent the two teams to the breather drawn 1-1.

    Kuta doubled matters into the second half with a left-footed shot off a Steve Angulu cross from the right.

    Simba wa Nairobi however clawed back with Odera’s second header, off a freekick by Herit Mungai, before Erick Ombija and Vincent Otieno Jamaica tapped home close rangers to complete the comeback win.

    “The friendly by the KEFWA team was a quality one that stretched and tested the boys well. It was good to test different combinations and approaches as we prepare for league games mid of the month.” said head coach Nicholas Muyoti

    The team will next play National Super League side Kibera BlackStars on Saturday morning at Ligi Ndogo.

    Lineups

    KEFWA Non Contracted: Sammy Okinda, Joseph Agola, Roy Ochieng, Maurice Ochieng, Mike Kibwage, Duncan Otieno, Victor Ashinga, Adams Nyangate, Steve Angulu, Agustine Kuta, Cliffton Miheso

    Subs: Ian Muriuki, John Kuol, John Wasike, Eric Juma, Wilfred Korir, Feroza Otieno

    Nairobi City Stars: Jacob Osano (Elvis Ochoro), Herit Mungai (Dennis Wanjala), Salim Abdalla, Lennox Ogutu, Kevin Okumu, Charles Otieno, Anthony Kimani (Sven Yidah), Timothy Ouma, Ezekiel Odera (Eric Ombija), Davis Agesa (Vincent Otieno), John Kamau

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