Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Harambee Stars

  • Vincent Owino buoyed by maiden Kenyan show

    Vincent Owino buoyed by maiden Kenyan show

    Nairobi City Stars midfielder Vincent Owino Otieno is elated after earning a call to the Kenyan National team featuring in the 2025 African Nations Championship.

    Despite being a co-host of the event to be held from February 2025, and guaranteed a place in the showpiece, Kenya entered the Central Eastern Zone qualifiers starting in the first round against South Sudan.

    During the first leg game played in Juba on 27 Oct 2024, Owino started off the bench, and was a late substitute – grabbing his first minutes in Kenyan colors – as Kenya went down 2-0.

    “Simply, I was excited at the first ever call up. I thank God for this opportunity. I had been working hard and waiting for it for so long,” said the versatile midfielder who is comfortable with all midfield roles.

    “My debut (in Juba) went very well. I managed to earn a few minutes and I loved the experience. I look forward to more games and minutes, and to be able to push the team forward. I’ll do my best when that chance presents itself,” he added

    Owino was retained in the squad for the reverse game against the South Sudanese side set for Sun 3 November, 2024, at the Mandela National Stadium, Kampala.

  • Ouma earns second Kenyan cap against Rwanda

    Ouma earns second Kenyan cap against Rwanda

    Nairobi City stars attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu earned his second Kenya National cap as Harambee Stars concluded their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with at 2-1 win over Rwanda at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday 15 November 2021.

    Babu was introduced to the game in the 80th minute for – once again – Samuel Onyango who had come on for Erick Ouma at halftime.

    On his debut on Thursday against Uganda, Babu took up Onyango’s place in the 72nd minute.

    To wrap up the sixth and final game of the qualifiers, Kenya took a quick 2-0 lead after goals from Michael Olunga and the first-ever national goal by Richard Odada – a penalty -, in the 3rd and 15th minutes respectively.

    Rwanda grabbed their consolation six minutes after the hour mark when Olivier Nyiyozimana tapped home a freekick.

    Lineups

    Kenya: James Saruni, Aboud Omar, David Cheche Ochieng, Joseph Okumu, Amos Nondi Obiero, Erick Ouma [(Samuel Onyango-46 (Timothy Noor Ouma-80))], Abdallah Hassan, Richard Odada (Duke Abuya-80), Anthony Akumu (Anthony Wambani-62), Kenneth Muguna, Michael Olunga

    Unused subs: Brian Bwire (GK), Ian Otieno (GK), Musa Mohammed, Cliffton Miheso, Ismael Dunga, Cliff Nyakeya, Alwyn Luheni Tera, Johnstone Omurwa, Duke Abuya

    Coach: Engin Firat

    Rwanda: Ntwari Fiacre, Salomon Nirisarike, Eric Rutanga, Denis Rukundo ( Emmanuel Imanishimwe-62, Thierry Manzi, Kevin Muhire, Dominique Savio Nshuti, Olivier Niyonzima, Keddy Nsanzimfura (Ernest Sugira-25), Danny Usengimana, Innocent Nshuti (Muhadjiri Hakizimana-46)

    Unused subs: Emery Mvuyekure, Christian Ishimwe, Clement Niyigen, Bryan Ngwabije, Blaise Nishimwe, Ali Serumogo, Clement Buhake

    Coach: Vincent Mashami

  • ‘Babu’ earns Kenya debut against Uganda

    ‘Babu’ earns Kenya debut against Uganda

    Budding attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu earned his senior national team cap in Kenya’s 1-1 draw to host Uganda in a fifth-round 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Thursday 11 November 2021.

    Babu, on his first consideration at the senior level, came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for winger Samuel Onyango to earn his first cap.

    According to InStat Scout, a Sports Data Service provider, Babu had a pass accuracy of 71% playing off wide on the left and had a decent shot for a goal that weaved just wide.

    Babu, a former LAiser Hill Academy lad, will be hoping for another chance to represent the country when Kenya hosts Rwanda in the final round of Group ‘E’ games on Monday 15 November 2021 at Nyayo Stadium starting 3 pm.

    Against Uganda, skipper Micheal Olunga Kenya up 1-0 in the 62nd minute after heading in a Kenneth Muguna freekick.

    Uganda leveled matters in the 89th minute after Fahad Bayo disposed Kenya keeper Brian Bwire to end the game on equal terms.

    Lineups

    Uganda: Charles Lukwago, Dennis Iguma, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany (Martin Kiiza-80), Mugabi, Aziz Kayondo (Ibrahim Orit-46), Khalid Aucho, Moses Waiswa (Yunus Ssentamu-63), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Allan Okelo-70), Steven Mukwala (Milton Karisa-46), Fahad Bayo

    Unused subs: Ismail Wetanga, Mathias Kigonya (GK), Livingstone Mulondo, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, John Revita, Gavin Kizito, Shafiq Kagimu

    Coach: Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević

    Kenya: Brian Bwire, Aboud Omar, David Cheche Ochieng, Joseph Okumu, Abdallah Hassan, [Anthony Wambani ((Alwyn Luheni Tera-63 (Musa Mohammed-90+))], Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Samuel Onyango (Timothy Noor Ouma-72), Amos Nondi Obiero, Michael Olunga

    Unused subs: James Saruni (GK), Ian Otieno (GK), Cliffton Miheso, Ismael Dunga, Cliff Nyakeya, Richard Odada, Johnstone Omurwa, Duke Abuya

    Coach: Engin Firat

  • Ouma in Kenya team to face Uganda

    Ouma in Kenya team to face Uganda

    Nairobi City Stars attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu is part of the 24-man squad named for a fifth-round 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Thursday 11 November 2021 at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende starting 4 pm. 

    Ouma – on his first call to the Kenya National team – is one of 13 midfielders picked up for the upcoming game by head coach Engin Firat.

    “Training in the past few days has been an eye-opener and a very good learning curve,”

    “Making the final squad means the world to me. I still have a lot to learn from best and this opportunity is a good beginning,” said Babu

    Three goalkeepers, two strikers, and six defenders complete Firat’s squad to Uganda.

    (more…)

  • Timothy Ouma receives Kenya National team callup

    Timothy Ouma receives Kenya National team callup

    After a blistering start to the 2021/22 Kenyan Premier League season, teenage sensation Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu, an attacking midfielder, has been called up to the National Team for the last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda.

    Ouma, signed from Laiser Hill Academy mid last year, is one of 27 players called up to the Provisional squad named on Monday 1 November 21 by head coach Engin Firat.

    The 2020 Rift Valley Chapa Dimba MVP has been in his finest element in the premier league where he has been directly involved in eight of the nine goals scored by City Stars in the first five games of the season.

    Ouma scored once in each of the first three games against Sofapaka (maiden premier league goal), Kenya Police, and Wazito and went on to provide an assist for one of the two goals scored against Bidco United in game four.

    Beyond, he has been behind four moves that contributed to four goals in the last four games after initiating the play that ended up with he assist providers.

    Ouma was nominated for the player of the week after matchdays 3 and 4. He made the team of the week on both occasions.

    “I am overjoyed to have had a good five games into the season. I have to thank my teammates for pushing me to the special mentions that I have received so far,” said Babu

    “That push has now led to the biggest call of all; to the National team. It’s exciting, and very confusing at the same time. I will go there and promise to give a good account of myself.” added Ouma

    City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti – a former Kenya National team skipper – commented on Ouma’s call;

    “He has great potential. We wish him all the best. This call will boost his confidence.”

    Kenya starts residential training on Saturday 6 November ahead of the upcoming assignments against Uganda (away) on Thursday 11 November 2021, and against Rwanda at Nyayo Stadium four days after.

    It is the second time that Ouma is being considered for National as the latest call follows up on his first mention to another setup; the Kenya U20 team in October 2020 – alongside City Stars keeper Elvis Ochoro – ahead of CECAFA U20 championship held later that year in Tanzania.

    Full Squad

    Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Brian Bwire (Tusker), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Gad Mathews (Gor Mahia)

    Defenders: Stanley Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Abud Omar (AEL Larissa, Greece), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Bolton Omwenga (Kagera Sugar, Tanzania), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia)

    Midfielders: Amos Nondi (Dilagori, Georgia), Richard Odada (Redstar Belgrade, Serbia), Anthony Wambani (Vasalunds, Sweden), Kenneth Muguna (Azam, Tanzania), Alwyn Tera (FC Ararat, Armenia), Anthony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Wilkins Ochieng (Club Brugge), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Duke Abuya (Kenya Police), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkopings, Sweden), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)

    Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Ismael Dunga (Sagan Tosu, Japan)

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