An early Clifford Alwanga goal in the tenth minute and freekick by Daniel Otieno in the s69th minute ended City Stars two-game winning streak as Mathare registered a third straight win to ease relegation worries.
In spite of the loss, both sides retained their positions in the log; City Stars at third in the standings with 44 points and Mathare at 15th with an improved haul of 24 points.
For the 13th time in 17 years, Mathare United will host Nairobi City Stars in the premier league, this time in a matchday 31 tie on Saturday 7 August 2021 at Ruaraka starting at 1 pm.
It will only be the second time that Mathare United will host City Stars at Ruaraka. The first time was back in August 2007 when, while known as World Hope, City Stars won the game 1-0. Defender Donald Mosoti scored the winner.
NEXT MATCH | FKF-PL Round 31
? | Saturday 7th August 2021
? Mathare United FC
? | FKF-PL
⏰ | 1500 EAT
? | Ruaraka Grounds #???????ℕ??????
BETTER MUST COME
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) August 5, 2021
Mathare United last hosted City Stars in March 2016 at Nyayo Stadium in a game they went on to lose 2-0 from goals scored by Ezekiel Odera and Oscar Mbugua. At the end of that season City Stars was sent packing from the top flight to the second tier.
Five years later Odera is still in the mix for another showdown with Mathare United.
Ahead of the Saturday fight, Mathare United calls the shots in their home games against the lads from Kawangware. From the previous 12 games away to Mathare, City Stars has managed two wins, drawn three, and lost seven.
In those games, Simba wa Nairobi has scored nine times against Mathare’s 19.
Both sides have personnel changes on the touchline for the reverse.
During the first leg played at Kasarani Annex in early March 2021, Bosnian Sanjin Alagic and Salim Ali were the coaches for City Stars and Mathare United. City Stars won that game 2-0.
— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) August 4, 2021
Who will blink first in Ruaraka?
Summary
KPL Away games to Mathare United; Wins (2), Draws (3), Loses (7)
11-Dec-04; Mathare United vs World, 2-2 (D)
19-Mar-06; Mathare United vs World Hope, 4-1 (L)
5-Aug-07; Mathare United vs World Hope, 0-1 (W)
25-May-08; Mathare United vs World Hope, 2-1 (L)
18-Feb-09; Mathare United vs City Stars, 3-0 (L)
24-Jul-10; Mathare United vs City Stars, 2-0 (L)
9-Jul-11; Mathare United vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
24-Mar-12; Mathare United vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
7-Jul-13; Mathare United vs City Stars, 2-2 (D)
11-May-14; Mathare United vs City Stars, 1-0 (L)
5-Apr-15; Mathare United vs City Stars, 2-0 (L)
30-Mar-16; Mathare United vs World Hope, 0-2 (W)
Bolton Omwenga of Nairobi City Stars in a game against Mathare United on Tue 2 March 2021 at Kasarani Annex. City Stars won 2-0Anthony Kimani of Nairobi City Stars in a game against Mathare United on Tue 2 March 2021 at Kasarani Annex. City Stars won 2-0
Nairobi City Stars took down Mathare United 2-0 at Kasarani Annex in a belated round 14 Premier League game played on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 March 2021.
Maiden goals by left back Bolton Omwenga and a final one by flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu on either half handed Simba wa Nairobi a third straight Premier League win.
Mathare United, who last payed City Stars back in 2016, will feel hard done by the loss as they pinned the hosts for long spells with dominant attacking and wide play.
Just before the half hour mark Bolton received a short pass from Peter Pinchez Opiyo and with a long range floater beat Mathare keeper Job Ochieng who fluffed the dinking ball to his own net for the opener.
And right at the death, bench power saw City Stars double their lead when Okuse sliced through the Mathare backline to meet a cross from teenage sub Timothy Noor Ouma to fire at the far post. A finger tip on the ball from Ochieng in goal failed to stop the ball from rolling home.
Two minutes into the game Oliver Maloba received a cross from the left by Omwenga but he miscued the ball towards the right corner while within meters of goal.
Within the next ten minutes City Stars backline went to over drive to clear Mathare raids starting with a Bolton halt on James Kinyanjui before Kenedy Vidic Onyango forced out for dangerous ball for a corner that yielded two more that Mathare wasted.
16 minutes in, Sven Yidah skied a short pass from Maloba as City Stars put in a response to Mathare runs.
Minutes later the ball was back in City Stars box when Mathare’s Tyson Otieno – with a man of the match performance all through – fed Kinyanjui who blasted wide.
Moments later Ebrima Sanneh had two near misses after he broke into the box only to fire a shot across goal before powering a Kevin Chumsy Okumu freekick above bar.
Then the turning point came in the 28th minute when Omwenga directed a long range shot goalward to beat Ochieng in goal for his first City Stars goal.
Then came nervy moments that could have seen Mathare in the game with goals before half time. A Kiyanjui cross found James Mavado Mwangi who hit the side netting and not too long after Kinyanjui himself had a shot fired wide and one other tipped away by City Stars keeper Njunge as the game rolled to half time.
Within the restart after the break, Maloba was bullied off the ball after making a solo run in the box. Not too long after he had a shot from range fly just wide.
Then came a real chance for Mathare on the other end when half time substitute Dani Lual, on for Alphonse Ndonye, received the ball in the box only to fire across goal only for Bolton to clear it out before it was tapped home.
The chances continued to present themselves for either side till the final minute when Okuse sneaked past both stoppers Martin Werunga and Lennox Ogutu to add a second for City Stars for his first ever Premiership goal.
With the latest win City Stars shoots to the 19-point mark after 14 games to move up four places from 12th to eighth in the 18-team log.
Mathare United on their part remain 16th with nine points from 11 games.
Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is an away game against title chasing AFC Leopards on Saturday 6 March 2021 at Kasarani starting 3pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah (3. Charles Otieno-83), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (7. Rodgers Okumu-67) 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh (20. Timothy Ouma-83), 24. Erick Ombija (11. Davis Agesa-60)
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Mathare United: 30. Job Ochieng (GK), 20. Martin Ongori, 17. Martin Werunga, 23. Lennox Ogutu, 25. Norman Ogola, 29. Chris Oduor-Captain, 11. Tyson Otieno (15. Bonface Akenga-88), 8. Alphonse Ndonye (9. Dani Lual-46), 10. James Kinyajui, 13. John Mwangi (3. Khalid Jumaan-64), 27. Daniel Otieno (24. Klinsman Omulanga-79)
Unused subs: 1. David Okelo (GK), 7. Danson Kago, 19. Anthony Otieno, 12. David Simiyu, 6. Dennis Ochieng
Coach: Salim Ali
Yellow cards: 11. Tyson Otieno-37, 25. Norman Ogola-44 (Mathare United)//Bolton Omwenga-90 (Nairobi City Stars)
Goals: Bolton Omwenga-28, Rodgers Okumu-90 (Nairobi City Stars)
Match Officials: Maurice Matani (Match Comm), Davis Malungo (Centre Ref), Victor Shituku (AR1), George Mwangi (AR2), Wilson Otieno (4th Official)
Bolton Omwenga who scored his maiden goal for City Stars was named MVP after a mathc day 14 Premier League game against Mathare United. City Stars won 2-0
The 20-man squad that travelled to Kisumu mid week to face Western Stima remains as is ahead of the upcoming game against Mathare United at Kasarani on Tuesday 2 March 2021 starting 3pm.
Head coach Sanjin Alagic has put faith in the same lot that delivered a 2-0 win over Western Stima on Wednesday for the upcoming round 14 Premier League tie.
The 20 will be contesting starting berths in the game that was pushed from Sunday to Tuesday to unavailability of a venue in Nairobi to host the game.
Utility Azizi Okaka, striker Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, left back Herit Mungai Atariza are some of the players that will all sit out the Mathare game.
20-man squad to face Mathare United
Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza
It will be Premier league game number 25 between the two as, from 2004 to 2016, City Stars and Mathare United have met 24 times.
City Stars were relegated at the close of the 2016 and have never met Mathare while in the lower tier since.
From the previous 24 encounters, Mathare United has won 11 games, City Stars six and the other seven have ended in draws.
In 12 previous games hosted by City Stars, it’s equal stats as it’s been four wins and as many draws and losses.
When the two last faced off on 14 August 2016, Mathare carried the day with a 1-0 win at Nyayo Stadium. Robinson Kamura’s goal proved the difference.
That win brought City Stars two straight wins over Mathare at the same venue to an end.
New venue
Though the encounters have been numerous, City Stars has never hosted Mathare United outside Thika Stadium and City Stadium (1 game each), Hope centre (eight games) and Nyayo Stadium (twice).
The game will be played at the outer Kasarani (warm up) surface for the first time ever.
Recent form
Into the Tuesday affair, Mathare United carries a loss and draw against Bidco United and Wazito as City Stars trots with two wins over Zoo FC and Western Stima.
Simba wa Nairobi currently sits 12th in the 18-team standings with 16 points, seven ahead of Mathare United currently placed 16th.
Coaches
While Salim Ali will lead Mathare on Tuesday, City Stars will have Bosnian Sanjin Alagic on the touchline.
Sanjin will become coach no. 12 to lead City Stars against a Mathare outfit after Robert Matano (5 games), John Bobby Ogola (3), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (5), Gideon Ochieng (2), Charles Omondi (2), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1), Richard Tamale Pinto (1).
Who takes this one?
Summary
KPL Games: 24 games
Games hosted by City Stars
23-Apr-05; World Hope vs Mathare United, Thika Stadium, 1-2 (L)
7-Jan-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
15-Oct-06: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-2 (L)
2-Aug-08: World Hope vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
30-Jul-09: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-2 (L)
21-Feb-10: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Center, 2-2 (D)
11-Jun-11: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 2-0 (W)
15-Sep-12: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-1 (D)
29-Jun-13: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 1-0 (W)
8-Nov-14: City Stars vs Mathare United, Hope Centre, 0-0 (D)
7-Aug-15: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (W)
14-Aug-16: City Stars vs Mathare United, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (L)
2-Mar-2021: City Stars vs Mathare United, Kasarani Annex, ?
