Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Levis Opiyo

  • Winning start for City Stars

    Winning start for City Stars

    Nairobi City Stars had a dream start to the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) season after dispatching visiting Shabana 2-0 at the Hope Centre, Kawangware on Sunday 1 September, 2019. 

    A goal on either half by Ebrimah Sanneh and Jimmy Bageya handed new coach Sanjin Alagic from Sarajevo, Bosnia the perfect start. 

    Sanneh started it all with a traditional header after getting to the end of a free kick from Anthony Muki Kimani for the opening goal in the eighth minute. Jimmy Bageya was felled from 25 yards out for the free kick.

    Ten minutes into the second half Bageya, playing on the left wing, got to the end of a free flowing move from Muki to double the lead. 

    Davis Agesa from the edge of the box squared a pass to Muki who then cut in for Bageya to finish the job with a one timed rising shot past the Shabana keeper.

    Sanjin’s lineup for the day saw eight of 12 new players feature in the game, six of them making their debut. Keeper Levis Lovae Opiyo, a former Thika United, Posta Rangers, Western Stima and Mathare United keeper started in goal. 

    Salim Shitu Abdalla and Cornelius Mwangi, in from AFC Leopards and Modern Coast Rangers, respectively, were the centre back pairing as Eric Cantona Ochieng, a former Red Berets, Bandari, Sofapaka, Gor Mahia and Wazito player took his place as defensive midfielder. 

    Former JMJ Academy player Nahashon Thiosh Thiong’o who was signed from Mt. Kenya United started on the right wing but paved way for another new signing Elvis Elvo Ojiambo from Kibera Blackstars at the onset of the second half due to an ankle injury. 

    Returning Anthony Muki Kimani earned a start, for his first game for City Stars in ten years, alongside Jimmy Bageya who last featured for the side in early 2018. 

    Muki left City Stars at the end of 2009 to join Sofapaka but made a grand return to the team after a two year layoff since leaving Bandari in 2017. 

    Stephen Mweni, signed from Modern Coast Rangers, also made his debut after coming on as a late second half substitute for Muki. 

    Long serving Calvins Masawa, with the club since 2011, skippered the team while playing as left fullback. Kevin Chumsy Okumu played on the opposite side as Davis Agesa started behind striker Ebrima Sanneh. 

    Starting lineup

    23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvins Masawa (Captain), 4. Salim Abdala, 24. Cornelius Mwangi, 28. Kevin Okumu, 13. Eric Ochieng, 30. Anthony Kimani (18. Stephen Mweni), 19. Jimmy Bageya, 10. Nahashon Thiong’o (2. Elvis Ojiambo), 11. Davis Agesa (7. Heritier Luvualu), 26. Ebrima Sanneh 

    Unused subs; 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 17. Noah Abich, 5. Wesley Onguso, 6. Austin Ochieng

    Yellow cards; Levis Opiyo, Ebrima Sanneh, Jimmy Bageya, Elvis Ojiambo

    Goals; Ebrima Sanneh – 8th minute (Anthony Kimani assists – free kick), Jimmy Bageya – 53rd (Assist Anthony Kimani)

    MVP: Ebrima Sanneh

  • Nairobi City Stars sign twelve new players ahead of the 2019 season

    Nairobi City Stars sign twelve new players ahead of the 2019 season

    Nairobi City Stars have signed nine new players and welcomed back another three ahead of the 2019 National Super League season which officially kicks off next month.

    The players joining the Kawangware based side includes former Thika United and Mathare United goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, left back Wesley Onguso from Posta Rangers, centre back Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdala from AFC Leopards, defender Cornelius Mwangi from Modern Coast Rangers, winger Nashon Thiong’o from Mt. Kenya United,  Defensive midfielder Elvis Ojiambo  from Kibera Black Stars and  Erick Ochieng from Wazito. 

    Others include budding teenage striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno from Hakati Sportiff, Wycliffe Otieno who once featured for Kariobangi Sharks as well as the trio of Stephen Mueni from Modern Coast Rangers, Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani and Jimmy Bageya who are all returning to the club. 

    The players, a mix of fresh talent and seasoned players are expected to give a new lease of life to the team as the new season starts in September this year. 

    The newcomers join the 15 retained from last season who include; keepers Ronny Kagunzi and Vincent Khatili, defenders Edwin Buliba, Kevin Okumu, Calvins Masawa, Noah Abich, Victor Okulu and Augustine Ochieng, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Peter Wainaina, Charles Otieno, David Gateri and Heritier Luvualu, strikers Ebrima Sanneh from Gambia and Davis Agesa. 

    The club, acquired by the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) earlier in the year, is now focusing on a top finish in the second tier  to enable them earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League next season for a return to the top tier since being relegated at the close of the 2016 season. 

    “The new players are expected to bring renewed energy and inertia to the team to enable them finish in a good position. With the new players, we are confident we will greatly improve our performance from last season as we eye a return to the Premier League next season,” said the club’s Chair Jonathan Jackson during a team meet-up. 

    Adding his voice during a team’s luncheon, the club’s CEO Patrick Korir said;

    “Most of the new and returning players have had weeks to join- in with the players retained from last season during the last six weeks of preseason. We expect that lessons picked along the way and during friendly games played will give the team the right momentum into the season.”

    Nairobi City Stars will host powerhouse Shabana at the Hope Centre on Sunday 1 September, 2019 starting 3pm in their 2019/2020 season opener. 

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