Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Nicholas Kipkirui

  • City Stars silence Police

    City Stars silence Police

    Two first-half goals by Timothy Ouma and Ezekiel Odera were enough for Nairobi City Stars to disarm Kenya Police 2-0 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 16 October 2021.

    Two first-half goals by Timothy Ouma and Ezekiel Odera were enough for Nairobi City Stars to disarm Kenya Police 2-0 at Kasarani Annex on Saturday 16 October 2021.

    Davis Agesa and Nicholas Kipkirui provided the assists that led to goals in the 18th and 36th minutes.

    With the win, City Stars ended a four-game winless streak in the premier league from last season to hand new coach Nicholas Muyoti his maiden Premier League win at Simba wa Nairobi.

    Osano debut

    In City Stars goal was keeper Jacob Osano who, on his premier league debut, managed a clean sheet.

    Osano had been the understudy to Steve Njunge who clocked all 33 games last season, and the season opener against Sofapaka.

    First-half

    Police made the first statement of the game when, within the first minute, had the ball bounce off the upright after Cliffton Miheso curled a freekick from outside the box.

    City Stars had a response 11 minutes later when marauding Davis Beast Agesa got into the box only to fire wide after receiving a through pass from Ezekiel Odera.

    Three minutes later he had the ball straight at Police keeper Brian Reuben as Simba wa Nairobi kept prodding the home team.

    Just a minute later the pressure counted as Agesa – later named MVP – turned provider with a splitting pass to Timothy Babu Ouma who fired home after skipping past a number of Police players.

    His opener on the day was his second straight premier league goal following on his maiden top-flight goal against Sofapaka in the season opener three weeks back.

    The goal came after City Stars keeper Jacob Osano, on his premiership debut, stopped Alvin Mangeni’s close-range effort. He then initiated the ball that led to the goal.

    Seven minutes after Babu‘s goal, Mangeni fired a ball across the goal as Police looked to level matters early. It flew wide.

    Five minutes later, John Mark Makwata, on his Police debut, hammered the side netting off a Miheso corner.

    Seven minutes later City Stars doubled the lead when Odera had a rising shot into the net after receiving a placement from Nicholas Kipkirui inside the box. Kipkirui had picked up the ball from Agesa who brought in a cross from the right.

    At the stroke of halftime, Makwata skied a ball as Police looked to grab a consolation before the breather.

    Second half

    At the start of the second half, either side made their first changes. Police benched their towering skipper Okiki Arogo to bring on Charles Ouma as Collins Lusaka came on for Mangeni.

    Simba wa Nairobi on their part introduced flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu for Odera who picked an injury in the first half.

    A minute after the restart Kipkirui got to the end of a good pass and fired goalward only for the ball to end up with the keeper.

    At the hour mark, thereabout, Okuse did all he needed to do, but while at the penalty area chose to loop past the keeper only for the ball to be cleared before it crossed the line. It was a near-miss that could have turned the scores to a rout.

    Police also pulled out imposing offensive player Clinton Kinanga two minutes to the hour mark for known scorer David Oluoch and later on in the 74th minute handed John ‘Softie’ Ndirangu his debut as he replaced injured Leslie Otieno.

    But as the changes came for the law enforcers, it is City Stars that looked more dangerous with two attempts from field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani. Twice he fired out a cut back from Ouma then skied a set-piece.

    City Stars then ran down the clock with the addition of Erick Jibaba Ombija and Charles Chale Otieno for Agesa – later named man of the match -, and Ouma.

    Ombija had a shot on goal late in the game only for it to end up straight at the keeper in what turned out to be the final act of the game.

    With the first three points of the season, City Stars flew off the red zone, leaving Police behind, to the top half of the log.

    Next up for City Stars is the third season game against Wazito at Thika Stadium on Thursday 21 October 2021 starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Kenya Police: 31. Juma Reuben, 26. Steve Baraza, 2. Faustine Ojiambo, 6. Bernard Omondi, 14. Aroro Okiki-captain (12. Charles Ouma-46), 3. Silicho Soita, 24. Leslie Otieno (10. John Ndirangu-74), 17. Alvin Mangeni (13. Collins Lusaka-46), 23. Cliffton Miheso, 30. John Mark Makwata, 21. Clinton Kinanga (7. David Oluoch-58)

    Unused subs: 1. Gideon Ogweno, 22. Kelvin Omondi, 19. Arvin Odoyo

    Coach: John Bobby Ogola

    Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 11. Davis Agesa (24. Erick Ombija-78), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 20. Timothy Ouma (3. Charles Otieno-84, 32. Ezekiel Odera (7. Rogers Okumu-46)

    Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Mike Madoya, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 25. Lennox Ogutu

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Yellow cards: 

    Kenya Police: 30. John Mark Makwata (36), 12. Charles Ouma (55),

    Nairobi City Stars: 7. Rodgers Okumu (62), 24. Eric Ombija (80), 18. Sven Yidah (88)

    Goals: 20. Timothy Ouma (18), 32. Ezekiel Odera (36)

    Man of the Match: 11. Davis Agesa (Nairobi City Stars)

     

  • Eight changes as City Stars return to Wundanyi

    Eight changes as City Stars return to Wundanyi

    Head coach Nicholas Muyoti has named his 20-man squad for the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season opener away to Wundayi against home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021.

    Off-season signing Dennis Wanjala, a left-back, made the cut and is in line for his debut – just as coach Muyoti – for Nairobi City Stars.

    Wanjala is one of many changes from the 18-man squad that faced off with Sofapaka at the same venue back in January.

    Left-footed Herit Mungai, striker Ebrima Sanneh, forward Davis Agesa, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, attacking-mid Oliver Maloba, and winger Azizi Okaka, who has since left the club, are some of the players missing the trip.

    In their place are, other than Wanjala, left-footed John Kamau, utility back Edwin Buliba, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, forward Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, overall captain Calvin Masawa, as well as striker Nicholas Kipkirui and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

    The January visit had seen Buliba and Muki miss out due to a thigh and shoulder injury, respectively, as Masawa, Kamau and Jamaica stayed back for tactical reasons. Chumsy and Kipkirui were yet to join the team.

    20-man squad to face Sofapaka on Sun 26 Sept 2021

    Goalkeepers: 23. Stephen Njunge, 16. Jacob Osano

    Defenders: 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau

    Midfielders: 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth,

    Not considered: 21. Oliver Maloba, 6. Ronney Kola & 22. Wycliffe Otieno (all injured), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai14. Rowland Makati, 5. Michael Madoya, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa, 1. Elvis Ochoro,

  • Friendly fire: City Stars overcome Kimbo FC

    Friendly fire: City Stars overcome Kimbo FC

    Nairobi City Stars took out Kimbo FC 5-0 in the first preseason friendly played at Giturai 44 on Saturday 11 September 2021.

    Three first-half goals by John Kamau, Vincent Otieno Okoth, and Ezekiel Odera in the fourth, 16th, and 33rd minutes, off assists by Timothy Ouma (corner), Odera, and Herit Mungai (passes), saw Simba wa Nairobi lead 3-0 at halftime.

    Two more goals by Rowland Makati and Nicholas Kipkirui in the 79th and 87th minutes, off assists by Kevin Okumu (freekick) and Edwin Buliba (header), ended the contest.

    The game handed incoming coach Nicholas Muyoti his first glimpse of the team ahead of the new season that sets off on Saturday 25 September 2021.

    City Stars 1st half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 28. Herit Mungai, 3. Charles Otieno, 9. Vincent Otieno, 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

    City Stars 2nd half: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 19. Kevin Okumu, 27. Lennox Ogutu, Boniface Mwangemi (guest), 12. Edwin Buliba, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

  • City Stars rally to draw Posta Rangers

    City Stars rally to draw Posta Rangers

    A late Nicholas Kipkirui goal, in the fifth minute of added time, handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-2 draw against Posta Rangers in an FKF Premier league matchday 32 tie at Ruaraka on Saturday 14 August 2021.

    City Stars took an early 13th-minute goal when Ezekiel Odera lobbed Ranger’s keeper Kevin Omondi after getting to the end of a Davis Agesa pass for the opener.

    Ten minutes later Rangers were level when Eliud Lokuwam fired at the far post after the City Stars defence failed to clear a ball that found him unmarked in the box.

    Four minutes into the restart Joshua Nyatini buried home a freekick to hand the visitors the lead all the way to that final minute when Kipkirui decided it would be a game of shared spoils yet again, for the fifth time in City Stars home games versus Rangers.

    A floated Bolton Omwenga freekick deep in added time was headed back to the box by Salim Abdalla who was at the far post.

    It got a connection by stopper Kenedy Onyango but bounced off the upright straight to Kipkirui’s path who then fired it home to tie the game.

    For the rescue, and for saving City Stars from the jaws of defeat, Kipkirui was picked out as the man of the match.

    With the draw in the penultimate game of the season, Nairobi City Stars maintains the sixth spot in the standings with a new haul of 45 points as Rangers dropped to 13th spot with 36 points.

    Simba wa Nairobi will wrap the season against title-chasing KCB on Sunday 22 August 2021 in Narok starting 3 pm.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu (29. Ebrima Sanneh-88), 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-57), 20. Timothy Ouma, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 11. Davis Agesa (15. John Kamau-79), 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-57)

    Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 8. Calvin Masawa, 3. Charles Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba, 28. Herit Mungai

    Coach: John Amboko

    Posta Rangers: 34. Kelvin Opiyo, 3. Timothy Omondi, 18. Michael Apudo, 5. Kevin Ouma, 26. Suleiman Ngotho, 17. Bernard Ondiek, 7. Dennis Oalo (31. Georson Likonoh-87), 4. Joseph Mbugi – Captain, 25. Joshua Nyatini (8. Peter Ng’ang’a-80), 11. Eliud Lokuwam (9. Josephat Lopaga-69), 12. Francis Nambute

    Unused subs: 21. Jairus Adira (GK), 40. Faina Jacobs, 22. Elvis Osok, 30. Steiner Musasia, 27. Clinton Kisiavuki, 6. Cavin Odongo,

    Coach: Stanley Okumbi

    Yellow cards: None

  • City Stars maul Leopards to set record

    City Stars maul Leopards to set record

    A goal on either half by Ezekiel Odera and Nicholas Kipkirui handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in a round 30 Betking Premier League clash played at Ruaraka on Tuesday 3 August 2021.

    The win enabled Nairobi City Stars to set two new records of surpassing 11 wins and 43-points in a 30-game season set back in the 2009 season as the team finished in the sixth spot.

    It was a record 12th season win that saw Simba wa Nairobi scale up to a record 44 points to settle at third.

    Odera tapped home a cross from Bolton Omwenga in the 34th minute for the opener for a 1-0 halftime lead.

    Leopards clawed back to tie the game three minutes after the hour mark with a sublime Washington Munene freekick.

    Five minutes later, a ball from fullback Kevin Okumu that was first met by Timothy Ouma ended up in Kipkirui’s path who then fired a low shot home for what eventually earned all spoils for Simba wa Nairobi.

    The game was cagey in the starting minutes but it is Leopards that had pressure on the hosts after forcing a corner and few throw-ins within 12 minutes.

    A timid shot to City Stars keeper Steve Njunge by Elvis Rupia, after pouncing on a miscued ball from Bolton Omwenga, soon followed.

    With good numbers in midfield, Leopards pinned down Simba wa Nairobi forcing four fruitless freekicks as the clock struck half an hour mark.

    In the 32nd minute, Leopards keeper Benjamin Ochan let a ball slip towards goal; Timothy Ouma gave chase but to no good effect. He gave away a foul.

    Within the next two minutes, a freekick by skipper Anthony Kimani ended up with Bolton far up the field and the left-back fired the ball to the box that received a flick from Odera for the opener.

    Leopards response was immediate and two minutes later, Marvin Nabwire smacked the upright after getting to the end of a flowing move. From that near-miss, City Stars forced two corners that Leopards failed to account for.

    Odera could have added the score minutes later but was caught offside once, then fired a Kipkirui pass just wide.

    Had he been more precise, Harrison Mwendwa could have leveled matters for Leopards in the 39th minute but he fired wide while in the box.

    The final three minutes to halftime saw Odera miss to place a free header when unmarked in the box after being picked out from the right by Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

    A response on the other end by Marvin for Leopards, a wide shot, ended the first half.

    At the start of the second half, Peter Thiong’o should have done better from a lost Bolton ball; but he shot wide.

    City Stars then won two important freekicks but one by Bolton and the other by Muki were both wasted.

    To manage balls from a packed midfield, City Stars coach John Amboko brought on Sven Yidah for Elvis Noor Ojiambo in the 55th minute.

    Not too long after, Davis Agesa and Timothy Ouma made it to the Leopards box only to fire wide and straight at Ochan, respectively.

    Two minutes after the hour mark Leopards brought on Austin Ochieng and Caleb Olilo for Harrison Mwendwa and Collins Shivachi, respectively.

    Within minutes Olilo had tested Njunge with a shot.

    A freekick from good range a minute after saw Munene dump the ball at the far right corner past a diving Njunge for the leveler.

    But within five minutes Kipkirui restored City Stars goal advantage when he fired low past Ochan.

    It was his last action in the game as he came off for Erick Ombija as Herit Mungai came on for Ouma.

    The action continued within eight minutes of the goal as Odera – later named the games’ MVP – fired wide while in the box as Agesa drove low to force Ochan into a good save.

    As expected, Leopards were dominant in the final minutes after bringing on Shaka for Munene.

    Two back-to-back throw-ins from ingwe however failed to bring about the much-sought equalizer allowing City stars to carry the day.

    With a second straight win that avenged a 1-0 loss to Leopards in the first leg at Kasarani, City Stars moves up two places from fifth as Leopards dropped to seventh with 41 points.

    Next up for City Stars is a Saturday game with Mathare United at Ruaraka.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wyclife Otieno, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (Sven Yidah-55), 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 20. Timothy Ouma (28. Herit Mungai-70) , 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (24. Erick Ombija-70) , 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-82), 11. Davis Agesa

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 3. Charles Otieno, 15. John Kamau,

    Coach: John Amboko

    AFC Leopards: 99. Benjamin Ochan, 22. Collins Shivachi (77. Caleb Olilo-62), 3. Washington Munene (13. Bienvenue Shaka-80), 15. Robert Mudenyu, 12. Isaac Kipyegon (Captain), 6. Tsuma Said, 7. Harrison Mwendwa (23. Austin Odhiambo-62), 26. Marvin Omondi, 10. Elvis Rupia, 8. Brian Wanyama, 14. Peter Thiong’o

    Unused subs; 16. John Oyemba, 2. Yusu Mainge, 20. Dan Sunguti, 11. Hansel Ochieng, 24. Omar Somoebwana, 18. Bonface Mukhekhe

    Coach: Patrick Aussems

    Yellow cards

    Nairobi City Stars: 32. Ezekiel Odera (36), 19. Kevin Okumu (44), 30. Anthony Kimani (68), 22. Wycliffe Otieno (74)
    AFC Leopards: 26. Marvin Omondi (87), 77. Caleb Olilo (89)

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