Stopper Lennox Ogutu marked his return to the Nairobi City Stars starting lineup with a debut goal in the 3-0 dispatch of his former side Mathare United in Thika on Saturday 26 February 2022.
Lennox had missed out on playtime in eight straight games but marked his re-entry to starting lineup with a header on 50 minutes off a Timothy Noor Ouma corner.
Unmarked, Ogutu rose highest to power home the opener for a very significant goal.
Till his goal, City Stars had never scored directly from a corner since returning to the top flight last season.
The excitement of scoring was too much for Lennox that he celebrated vehemently against his former side.
“It had been long since I scored a Premier League goal and I had been searching. This one was memorable that I had to celebrate,”
“The goal is exciting and I hope to score more for City Stars in games to come,” said Lennox
His last premiership goal was back on 24 Feb 2021 for Mathare United at Kasarani Annex in a 1-1 stalemate with Wazito.
Lennox’ goal set the turnaround tone as Ezekiel Odera and Nicholas Kipkirui followed up on the goal with two more in the 64th and 84th minutes.
He became the third stopper at City Stars to score this season following up on Salim Shitu Adballa and Kenedy Vidic Onyango who scored in 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Vihiga Bullets in Ruaraka and over Wazito in Thika, respectively.
?️ | MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Our short trip to Thika bore 3 points as we completed the DOUBLE against Mathare United!
A debut goal by Lennox Ogutu, the sixth of the season from Ezekiel Omulo Odera, and Nicholas Kipkirui’s second season goal, all in the second half, handed Nairobi City Stars a 3-0 win over Mathare United in Thika on Saturday 26 February 2022 during an FKF Premier League match 19.
We complete the DOUBLE over Mathare United in the Slum Derby
Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu provided assists for the first two goals by Lennox and Odera in the 50th and 64th minutes, before debutant Augustine Kuta, a sub for injured Elvis Noor Ojiambo, announced his entry to the Simba wa Nairobi grassland with a through ball that Kipkirui lobbed past the keeper to settle the scores in the 84th minute to complete a season double following up on a 2-0 first-leg win.
Mathare United’s high line defending during the first part of the game left City Stars a disjointed lot in the final third.
But five minutes into the second half, Babu squared a corner kick with perfection to find Lennox who, unmarked within the six-yard area, powered home a firm header against his former side for his debut Simba wa Nairobi goal.
14 minutes later it was 2-0 when a ball from deep from left-back Dennis Wanjala found Babu on the left. He then teed up an advancing Odera with good delivery and the marksman was not to be denied from close range.
The third goal came off Kuta whose sure pass found Kipkirui in space. He advanced towards the goal to loop the keeper for the final goal of the day.
Inside the first ten minutes, a high-pressing City Stars had tested Mathare with a backheel from Odera that Bryne Omondi picked at the near post and a shot from Babu that went wide.
For a better part of the game after that, City Stars were forced to switch balls to the left win to John Kamau whose crosses to the box became easy picks for Bryne.
With seventeen minutes to the breather, Mathare lost skipped Alphonse Ndonye to an injury. His place was taken up by Dennis Monda Obanda as the armband shifted to Clifford Alwanga.
Two minutes after that change, Mathare had a freekick from good range. Tony Odhiambo drove it to the box only for Victor Odhiambo to head it out
In the 39th minute, Victor took home a yellow after a foul on Babu. Three awarded freekick led to a corner that Wanjala whipped into the box only for Lennox to head out at the near post.
A minute later Lennox sent a freekick from mid-pitch but it missed a connection in the box as Mathare cleared their lines.
Two minutes later, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, starting his first game this season, connected to a Kamau cross with a fine header that went just wide.
The game rolled to halftime with Mathare skipper going to the refs books for a yellow following a protestation.
Five minutes into the second half Kamau floated a dangerous corner that earned another on the other end. Babu brought it up well for unmarked Lennox to punish his former employers with a fine header.
Two minutes later Wanjala forced a corner that Babu served his sibling Elvis who then squared to skipper Anthony Muki Kimani outside the box. He fired high up.
The next moment saw Mathare’s Eugene Wethuli connect to a lost ball outside the City Stars box with a good shot but it flew wide.
Not too long after a freekick by right-back Kenedy Ochieng landed in the box only for his opposite number Calvin Masawa to clear it out.
Improved tempo from Mathare yielded a corner but it ended up with Steve Njunge who started for Simba wa Nairobi in goal after sitting out the last 17 games.
Less than two minutes later it was 2-0 for City Stars after Odera tapped home a cross from Babu from close range.
The goal was his 30th in City Stars colors that sees him come to within one of legend Arthur Museve. It was also had a separate significance as City Stars became the first team to hit the 30-goal mark this season.
A short while later, Mathare had the chance to half the scores when they earned a free-kick at the edge of the box. Daniel Van Persie Otieno however had his take ricocheted off the City Stars wall and back into play.
The next minute City Stars made changes bringing on Davis Agesa for Kamau and Nicholas Kipkirui for Odera.
Not too long after, Oliver Maloba replaced skipper Muki who handed over the armband to Masawa.
In between the changes, Wethuli had a long-range freekick headed for under the bar but Njunge did well to force a fingertip save for a fruitless corner.
In the 75th minute, Bryne in Mathare goal came out tops when he stopped back-to-back blockbusters by Elvis and Peter Opiyo from outside the box.
Within the next two minutes, substitute Agesa burst into the box twice but on both occasions had the ball end up at Bryne.
In between his goal attempts Matahre brought in Khalid Jumaan for Wethuli and Donald Ange for Van Persie.
City Stars responded two minutes, in the 81st minute, by taking out an injured Elvis to hand Augustine Kuta his debut.
It took Kuta just two minutes to settle as he squared a fine ball from midfield to Kipkirui in space who raced to the box to lob Bryne with the third goal of the day.
City Stars went in search of more but attempts by Agesa, Kuta, and Kipkirui in the dying minutes did not yield anymore.
With the win, Nairobi City Stars returns to the second spot with 35 points, to reduce the gap on log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz to two points. Mathare on their part remains 17th with ten points.
Next up for City Stars is an away game at the Thika Stadium to Bidco United on Saturday 5 March 2022 starting 3 pm.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (29. Augustine Kuta-81), 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau (11. Davis Agesa-68), 30. Anthony Kimani (21. Oliver Maloba-73), 32. Ezekiel Odera (17. Nicholas Kipkirui-68)
Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 4. Salim Abdallah, 28. Herit Mungai, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno
Coach: Nicholas Muyoti
Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 24. Erick Ombija, 5. Michael Madoya, 14. Rowland Makati, 1. Elvis Ochoro, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 18. Sven Yidah, 12. Edwin Buliba, 31. Mohammed Bajaber
Mathare United: 1. Byrne Omondi (GK), 18. Kennedy Ochieng, 23. Victor Odhiambo, 4. Harun Junior, 24. Tony Odhiambo, 14. Meshack Muyonga, 8. Alphonse Ndonye-captain (12. Dennis Monda Obanda-28), 27. Daniel Otieno (11. Donald Ange-79), 21. Clifford Alwanga-Captain 2, 9. Douglas Kibet Koech, 28. Eugene Wethuli (6. Martin Nderitu-79)
Subs: 16. Tom Kangeta (GK), 5. Austin Ochieng, 26. Said Musa, 10. Khalid Jumaan, 29. Chris Oduor, 13. Francis Kamau
Coach: John Kamau
Yellow cards
Nairobi City Stars: 20. Timothy Ouma (16), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (90) Mathare United: 14. Meshack Muyonga (16), 8. Alphonse Ndonye (22), 23. Victor Odhiambo (39), Clifford Alwanga (43)
Ezekiel Odera celebrates a goal against Mathare United at Thika Stadium on Sat 26 Feb 2022. He scored the second goal, his sixth of the season. City Stars went on to win 3-0City Stars vs Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb in Thika Sstadium. City Stars won the game 3-0Right-back Calvin Masawa in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0Muki in action against Mathare United on Sat 26 Feb 2022 at the Thika Stadium. City Stars won 3-0
Coach Nicholas Muyoti has included forward Nicholas Kipkirui, fullback Herit Mungai, keeper Stephen Njunge, midfielders Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Mike Madoya for the upcoming FKF Premier league game against Kariobangi Sharks in Kasarani Annex on Saturday 5 February 2022 starting 3 pm.
The quintet return to the squad after missing atleast the last three league games.
Kipkirui takes up the place of injured Erick Ombija, Madoya comes in for the unavailable Anthony Muki Kimani as Herit takes up the spot of Kevin Chumsy Okumu who is suspended for the game due to the accumulation of five yellow cards.
Njunge replaces Elvis Ochoro as Elvis comes in for defensive mid Charles Otieno who takes a rest.
From the unit that faced Sharks in the first leg this season, and lost 2-1 in Ruaraka, changes are three.
Other than Chumsy and Muki, the other players who will miss out on the game is forward Vincent Jamaica Otieno whose slot has landed on John Kamau.
Forward Nicholas Kipkirui is back to full training after recovering from a recent injury suffered during a 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards in Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday 5 January 2022.
According to team Physio Brian Odongo Otieno, Kipkirui is now fully fit and ready for selection in upcoming matches.
“Kipkirui suffered an ankle ligament sprain against AFC Leopards in Nyayo. He is now fully fit and has resumed full training with the rest of the team,” said Odongo
Due to his injury, Kipkirui went on to miss four games; two wins over FC Talanta and Tusker, and away and home games against league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz that both ended in 4-4 and 1-1 draws.
From nine games played thus far this season, Kipkirui has scored once and has provided four assists.
City Stars striker Nicholas Kipkirui taking on a KCB player during the season-ender on Aug 22 Aug 2021 in Narok. KCB won the game 3-0City Stars players John Kamau, Charles Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Mike Madoya during a past trainingElvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0
A goal by defensive midfielder Sven Yidah in the 22nd minute off an assist by forward Erick Ombija activated the scoresheet.
An own goal ten minutes later by Clifford Karani and one more by Ombija off an assist from overall team captain and right back Calvin Masawa in the 38th minute had the scores at 3-0 heading to the break.
The first half team took a break at the break a whole new lot showed for the second half.
His former Zoo FC teammate Mike Madoya sealed the scores with the final goal in the 65th minute.
Herit Mungai was the toast in the second half as he provided all three assists.
“We thank South B for granting us the quality friendly. They gave a good account of themselves and we could see lots of potential from their game approach which they can build on to be a force in the near future,” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno after the game
City Stars will take a rest this fixtureless weekend and will resume training on Monday to continue preparations for the next league assignment against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 5 February.
Lineups
Nairobi City Stars 1st Half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 4. Salim Abdalla, 12. Ewin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma, 24. Erick Ombija, 15. John Kamau, 11. Davis Agesa,
Nairobi City Stars 2nd Half: 23. Steve Njunge, 28. Herit Mungai, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 3. Charles Otieno, 14. Rowland Makati, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 21. Oliver Maloba, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, Mohammed Bajaber (guest)
South B All Stars: Clifford Karani, Victor Onyango, Allan Ogote. Hope Omega, Collins Okoth, Bernard Syong’o, Wiseman Ashavoke, Victor Odongo, Dickson Omwenga, Abraham Dawo, Amis Adebayo
Subs: Maurice Ochieng, Roy Kabugi, Ian Gibiya, Mohammed Yahya, Kenedy Awoko, Francisco Ndeti, Calvin Omondi, Eugene Mundai, John Kioko
