Nairobi City Stars

Tag: FKF Premier League

  • Nairobi City Stars 0 AFC Leopards 1

    Nairobi City Stars 0 AFC Leopards 1

    Visiting AFC Leopards snatched all points from Nairobi City Stars after registering a 1-0 win during a 12th round FKF Premier League tie played in Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday 5 January 2022.

    A Maxwell Otieno goal three minutes after the restart proved the difference in the game of very few chances.

    Five minutes into the game, Nairobi City Stars could have been 1-0 up when Nicholas Kipkirui broke into the box from the left and outwitted his markers, then rounded keeper Levis Opiyo only to fire wide.

    Kipkirui was at it in the 20th minute but his shot on target was contained by keeper Opiyo as he punched the danger back in play.

    Six minutes later Washington Munene floated a freekick into the City Stars box only for stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango to clear out the danger.

    Two minutes later Vidic was on the other end of the pitch to connect to a Dennis Decha Wanjala cross but his shot for the near post went wide.

    Within a span of four minutes, Munene had another freekick attempt that went straight to City Stars keeper Jacob Osano as the home team had one of their own by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani end up on the opposite keeper Opiyo.

    In between the two dead balls, City Stars stopper Onyango was slapped with a yellow card for a challenge on Leopards forward Oluniyi.

    With seven minutes left to the breather, Osano pulled a major save as he parried away a hard drive from an unmarked Olaniyi atop the box.

    In the last few minutes to halftime, Kipkirui was slapped with a yellow card for a high challenge on a Leopards defender. A minute later he fired out a pass from Ezekiel Odera.

    A wayward lob on goal by City Stars right-back Kevin Chumsy Okumu, and a wasted corner by Leopards, closed the first stanza.

    Minutes into the second half, a floated ball from the left by Munene into the box found Mukangula who presented a layup for an unmarked Maxwell to fire home what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

    Eight minutes later, Maxwell sneaked behind stopper Edwin Buliba on the right only to register a near-miss as his shot ricocheted off the crossbar and back in play.

    In between his goal and his second attempt, Leopards had forced two corners that City Stars did well to clear.

    In the 57th minute City Stars had the dead ball call off the box but Muki fired it wide.

    As the clock struck the hour mark, Leopards brought in Peter Ng’ang’a for Eugene Mukangula and two minutes later City Stars responded with the arrival of Oliver Maloba and Davis Agesa for Timothy Babu Ouma and Rodgers Okuse Okumu, respectively.

    The next ten minutes saw either side waste a freekick each, as Leopards skipper Marvin Omondi entered the referee’s book after some shirt tagging on a City Stars player.

    On 73 minutes, City Stars forced a corner that yielded two other successive ones, but all could not deliver an equalizer.

    Leopards were to throw away a corner of their own four minutes later as they invited Saad Musa into play for Olaniyi who took a rest.

    In the 84th minute, Saad could have doubled matters when Leopards built a counter-attack but just before he could pull the trigger, a cross covering Sven Yidah and Buliba mugged the ball off him to arrest the danger.

    The rest of the minutes saw City Stars seek the elusive leveler but all efforts, including a freekick from Herit Mungai who came for left-back Wanjala, failed to disturb Leopards.

    The game was to end with Leopards collecting their fifth win from eleven games hosted by Nairobi City Stars.

    Despite the loss, Simba wa Nairobi maintained the fifth spot in the 18-team log with 20 points from 12 games as Ingwe rose by a position to settle at 13th spot with as many points.

    Next up for City Stars is an away game to promoted FC Talanta at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 8 January 2022 starting at 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala (28. Herit Mungai-84), 18. Sven Yidah 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma (21. Oliver Maloba-60), 32. Ezekiel Odera, 7. Rodgers Okumu (11. Davis Agesa-60), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (15. John Kamau-86)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge (GK), 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Michael Madoya, 4. Salim Abdalla, 3. Charles Otieno

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 24. Erick Ombija, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 14. Rowland Makati, 10. Peter Opiyo

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    AFC Leopards: 32. Levis Opiyo, 22. Collins Shivachi, 3. Washington Munene, 4. Joachim Oluoch, 21. Daniel Musamali, 8. Brian Wanyama, 26. Marvin Omondi – Captain, 14. Ojo Olaniyi (40. Saad Musa-78), 29. Maxwell Otieno, 19. Eugene Mukangula (Peter Ng’ang’a-60)

    Unused subs: Maxwell Mulili, Robert Mudenyu, Eric Mbithi, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Dan Sunguti, Mboya, Zachary Njite

    Coach: Patrick Aussems

    Yellow cards

    Nairobi City Stars: 25. Kenedy Onyango (30), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (38)
    AFC Leopards: 26. Marvin Omondi (70)

    Goals: 29.Maxwell Otieno (48)

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

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

    For a second time this year, Gor Mahia will host Nairobi City Stars in the FKF Premier League, this time at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday 30 December 2021 starting 3 pm.

    The game was previously earmarked for Kasarani but had a late shift to Nyayo Stadium, a venue City Stars last played a premier league game back on 11 September 2016 while hosting Western Stima.

    Gor Mahia last hosted City Stars at the Utalii grounds in mid-May and grabbed all points after a 1-0 win.

    It will be Premier League game number 25 when Gor – City Stars face up on Thursday.

    From the previous 24 games, Gor boasts the best record having won 12 to City Stars’ four. The other eight have been drawn.

    In the 24 games, Gor Mahia has outscored Simba wa Nairobi 32-16 goals.

    Scaled-down to Gor’s home games, such as the upcoming one on Thursday, Gor has posted seven wins in 12 games. City Stars has won three and the other two games have ended in barren draws.

    Of note is that City Stars is yet to pick a win in games hosted by Gor Mahia since April 2011, and a point since May 2013.

    Last time out when Gor hosted City Stars, Portuguese coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto was in charge while City Stars was under the watch of Bosnian Sanjin Alagic.

    Seven months later there will be changes on either side; Mark Harrison on the Gor Mahia side will be coming up against Nicholas Muyoti, the City Stars head coach.

    Form-wise, Gor, and City Stars are carrying losses to the Thursday game. While Gor went down 2-1 to Kakamega Homeboyz in their last outing, Simba wa Nairobi had a narrow 1-0 fall to KCB.

    Table-wise, Gor Mahia sits fifth in the 18-team FKF Premier League log with 18 points, one ahead of seventh-placed City Stars.

    Summary

    KPL games: 24 – Gor (12 wins), City Stars (4 wins), Draws (8)

     Gor home games vs City Stars

    4-Dec-05, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 0-1 (W)
    21-Apr-07, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 0-0 (D)
    12-Jul-08, Gor Mahia vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
    10-Apr-09, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
    19-Mar-10, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
    9-Apr-11, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
    28-Apr-12, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    18-May-13, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
    20-Feb-14, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-0 (L)
    15-Aug-15, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 3-1 (L)
    24-Jul-16, Gor Mahia vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    16-May-21, Gor vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
    30-Dec-21, Gor vs City Stars, ??

  • Nairobi City Stars 0 KCB 1

    Nairobi City Stars 0 KCB 1

    Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to visiting KCB in an FKF Premier League clash played in Ruaraka on the evening of Friday 17 December 2021.

    A freekick by David Ambulu, earned after he was fouled by stopper Lennox Ogutu outside the box, was turned home by a City Stars player with two minutes left in regulation time.

    The late goal, the decider, earned sent KCB top of the log with 21 points as City Stars remained fourth on 17 points.

    City Stars, missing up to six team regulars – Salim Shitu Abdalla, Kenedy Vidic Onyango, Peter Pinchez Opiyo, Kevin Chumsy Okumu, Nicholas Kipkirui, as well as super-sub Erick Ombija due to varied ailments –  were on the back foot in the early parts of the game as KCB went in search of early goals.

    In the sixth minute, City Stars ventured into the KCB box and one of their old boys – Ezekiel Odera – miscued the ball wide. It landed on Oliver Maloba to the left. He swung the ball back to him but rather than head goalward, Odera chose to chest the ball straight at KCB keeper Gabriel Andika.

    Minutes later KCB had a freekick but a searching ball to skipper Baraka Badi flew out. City Stars had a similar dead-ball the minute after only for Anthony Muki Kimani to sky the ball.

    KCB had one of the best chances for goals in the 20th minute, but winger James Mazembe, who had a field day on the left-wing, sent the ball out of a cross by Badi.

    There was a four-minute stoppage in the game in the 26th minute when, while going for an aerial ball of a corner, Odera and KCB’s Dennis Odhiambo bumped their heads and had to be checked by the medics.

    While Odhiambo got a heavy bandage on his head, Odera would later exit the game four minutes into the second half – his place taken up by speedster Rodgers Okuse Okumu – and had to seek professional treatment after the game.

    In the last quarter of the first half, City Stars got into the game and forced at least two freekicks and a corner. All were fruitless.

    The action in the first part of the game came to an end with a Robinson Kamura freekick at the edge of the box that was earned when Simba wa Nairobi stopper Edwin Buliba clipped a KCB player with a ball clearance. It flew just above bar.

    In the second half, Buliba started it off with a freekick heading straight to Andika. KCB would retaliate with a header by Derreck Otanga that went straight to City Stars keeper Jacob Osano.

    Odera’s last action was a break into the KCB box to meet a Sven Yidah put-through. He scored with a left-footer only to be ruled offside.

    Nine minutes after the restart, Davis Agesa won a free kick on the right-wing. Left-back Dennis Decha Wanjala whipped it into the box but it, shockingly, received no connection and bounced just in front of goal and out of play.

    The very next minute, Osano in City Stars goal had to be his best to punch out a thunderous shot from Henry Onyango.

    The interchanges would continue as the game wore down. With a quarter of an hour left, KCB coach Zedekiah Zico Otieno throw in Ambulu for a tiring Mazembe. That turned out to be the difference as, with the clock reflecting 87 minutes, he drew Lennox off the box and was hacked down to the left of the goal.

    He dusted himself up to send the awarded dead ball goalward to force City Stars into bundling the ball home for KCB to bank all spoils and hit the summit of the league.

    After KCB, up next for City Stars is an away game to record champions Gor Mahia in Kasarani on 30 December starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa-Captain, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah 11. Davis Agesa (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-68), 30. Anthony Kimani, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rodgers Okumu-49), 21. Oliver Maloba (15. John Kamau-80)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth,

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 24. Erick Ombija, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 10. Peter Opiyo, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 19. Kevin Okumu (all sick), 1. Elvis Ochoro, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    KCB: 22. Gabriel Andika, 8. Dennis Odhiambo, 5. Nahashon Nanyendo, 13. Robinson Kamura, 23. Baraka Badi – captain, 4. Michael Mutinda, 19. Brian Ochieng, 28. Michael Oduor (10. Samuel Mwangi-64), 20. Henry Onyango (9. Reagan Otieno – 75), 21. James Mazembe (26. David Owino Ambulu-75), 11. Derreck Otanga (24. David Simiyu-64)

    Unused subs: 1. David Okello (GK) 2. Rama Mwenda, 7. Simon Munala, 30. Curtis Wekesa, 27. Harun Thomas, 29. Kilume Mohammed,

    Coach: Zedekiah Otieno

    Yellow cards

    City Stars: 12. Edwin Buliba (43)

    KCB: None

    Goals: 26. David Ambulu – KCB (88)

  • Makati in line for Premier League debut against KCB

    Makati in line for Premier League debut against KCB

    Budding attacking midfielder Rowland Babu Makati has, for the first time ever, made it to a 20-man squad for a premier league game, as Nairobi City Stars goes up against KCB on Friday 17 December 2021 in Ruaraka starting 3 pm.

    Makati, a former Escalators and Vapor Sports player, spent last season on loan at Nairobi Stima alongside Ronney Kola.

    Makati is one of four changes made to the squad that saw off Mathare United 2-0 last Saturday in Ruaraka.

    Midfielder Peter Pinchez Opiyo, stoppers Salim Shitu Abdalla and Kenedy Vidic Onyango, as well as fullback Kevin Chumsy Okumu, will all sit out the upcoming game.

    Other players joining Makati for the KCB game, after missing out on the last one against Mathare United, are Mike Madoya and Vincent Otieno Okoth aka Jamaica. The trio will take up the slots vacated by the three defenders.

    The final inclusion is that of Elvis Noor Ojiambo who comes on for Opiyo after missing out on the last three games against Kariobangi Sharks, Nzoia Sugar, and Mathare United.

    Notwithstanding, from the squad that faced KCB in last season’s final game in Narok in August, changes to the squad are eight.

    Young keeper Elvis Ochoro’s place has been taken up by Jacob Osano who has tended goal in the last eight straight games.

    Bolton Omwenga and Wesley Onguso – who have since left the club – and the missing trio of Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Kevin Okumu were the defenders in Narok for the season-ender alongside midfielder John Kamau and striker Erick Ombija.

    Defenders Dennis Decha Wanjala and Lennox Ogutu fill up some of the vacated slots at the back while Oliver Maloba, Rodgers Okumu, Michael Madoya, Rowland Makati and Davis Agesa take up the other vacancies.

    Squad to face KCB

    Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

    Defenders: 26. Dennis Wanjala, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 28. Herit Mungai, 12. Edwin Buliba

    Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 21. Oliver Maloba, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati

    Strikers: 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

    Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola (all injured), 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 19. Kevin Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdallah, 25. Kenedy Onyango

  • Masawa: Mathare win a morale booster

    Masawa: Mathare win a morale booster

    On Saturday 11 December 2021, utility fullback Calvin Masawa skippered Nairobi City Stars to a 2-0 win over Mathare United in Ruaraka.

    The win ended two games of trying, incidentally at the same pitch, as the team lost 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks the Saturday before and only managed a 0-0 draw against visiting Nzoia Sugar in midweek.

    Masawa, a regular figure on the bench in recent times, stepped up to replace constant starter Kevin Chumsy Okumu at right back in the Mathare win and went on to clock the full 90 minutes.

    “It was my first start in over a year,” started Masawa, “There was no laxity in the game and we went on to win it and in the end, everyone is happy and smiling,”

    “It was such a good victory against a good side. Considering we were coming from a defeat and a draw, the win was a morale and confidence booster heading to the next game.” added the captain

    Masawa, at home as left as well as a right fullback, stands out as City Stars longest-serving player having joined back in the year 2011.

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