Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Nicholas Kipkirui

  • Players receive Covid 19 vaccinations

    Players receive Covid 19 vaccinations

    Nairobi City Stars players and technical bench officials were among those who received Covid 19 vaccinations on Saturday 10 April 2021 at Kasarani Gymnasium.

    The vaccinations, as organized by the Ministry of Sports in conjunction with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), was an exercise in the right direction as stated by club CEO Patrick Korir who accompanied Simba wa Nairobi players.

    “Above all, safety of our players is paramount and we therefore thank the Ministry (of Sports) and the Federation for organizing the same,”

    “With the exercise now over and done with we hope it will lead to the possibility of reopening up the sport following its recent suspension.” said Korir

    Team Coordinator Samson Otieno gave a status of the exercise;

    “We had a number of players who had reservations over the jabs due to alarmists posts on social media. We are however glad 28 players and eight officials showed up and participated in the exercise,”

    “We had only two players missing out – Nicholas Kipkirui and Rodgers Okumu – who were out of town and could not travel in time for the same,”

    “We will arrange for them to take the jab with the nearest team where they are when the exercise is organized outside Nairobi County.” added Otieno

    Sports, football included, was suspended indefinitely towards late March by the President of the republic of Kenya due to a sharp rise in the Covid 19 infection numbers and deaths.

    Covid 19, Zachary Onyango
    Keeper trainer Zachary Onyango receives his Covid 19 jab at Kasarani on Sat 10 April 2021
    Covid 19, Wesley Onguso
    Left back Wesley Onguso receives his Covid 19 jab at Kasarani on Sat 10 April 2021
    Erick Ombija, Covid 19
    Striker Erick Ombija receives his Covid 19 jab at Kasarani on Sat 10 April 2021
    Kevin Okumu, Covid 19
    Left back Kevin Okumu receives his Covid 19 jab at Kasarani on Sat 10 April 2021
  • Kipkirui talks up the season at City Stars

    Kipkirui talks up the season at City Stars

    The latest entrant at Nairobi City Stars – Nicholas Kipkirui – has talked up his early days at the club.

    The speedy finisher, known to his peers as Kipchabet (arrow), joined the club in mid-March from champions Gor Mahia with whom he severed ties with to onboard Simba wa Nairobi as a free agent.

    Kipkirui, a former Matrix and Zoo FC sharpshooter, made a cameo appearance for his debut in the round of 16 clash against Tusker FC, a game that ended 2-2.

    “The draw against Tusker felt like a loss. We had the game under control for the whole of 90 minutes. We scored two very well worked goals but then we conceded a soft goal and that allowed them back in the game,” said the 2018 Kenyan Premier League Young player and New Player of the year.

    “They are experienced and seized the chance. But I am so happy how we fared against a team that is at the top of the league,”

    The Tusker stalemate came after the team had contained AFC Leopards at Kasarani only to concede right at the death of added time to painfully fall 1-0.

    At that point Kipkirui had not joined the club but even then, that containment of ingwe, as well as the even-stevens with the brewers, gives him a view of a respectable finish for the club at the close of the season.

    “In our other match, we were so unlucky to lose against AFC Leopards at the last minute. These results show we can achieve something this season. I am looking realistically at a top-six finish, or even better,”

    He took a look at the blend in the squad, and he likes the chemistry in the Sanjin Alagic coached team.

    While the likes of Anthony Kimani, Peter Opiyo, Salim Abdalla, Kenedy Onyango, Ezekiel Odera bring on the experience, a long list of other players such as Timothy Noor Ouma and sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo, as well as keeper Elvis Ochoro, Rowland Makati, Ronney Kola and Edwin Buliba are in to learn the ropes.

    Ouma and Ochoro were in the recent past considered for the Kenya U20 while Oliver Maloba was called up the senior team Harambee Stars where he made the bench in two friendly games against South Sudan and Tanzania.

    “The coach has selected several good players with experience and youngsters who have a good future,”

    “This is our first season in the top-flight after a while and we have done well enough to attract players to the national team. Things can only get better and I am willing to help the youngsters who require guidance,”

    In between his past club and City Stars, Kipkirui had stayed out for weeks without kicking a ball. He’s excited to be back and he is on a mission.

    “My target is to score goals. I cannot say how many but if I can hit ten in the second leg of the season, then I will be satisfied,”

    “I want to impress on my coach at the club level who has put a lot of faith in me, and also the national team coach because the World Cup qualifiers are coming up,””

    “I am so relieved that I am back to playing football after a long time and this has put the smile back on my face,”

    Kipkirui is expected to set alive the rest of City Stars season just as he did at his former club during derby days and at the continental scene.

    Nicholas Kipkirui
    Striker Nicholas Kipkirui completing his move to Nairobi City Stars at the club offices in Upperhill on Wed 17 March 2021
    Nicholas Kipkirui
    Striker Nicholas Kipkirui while club CEO Patrick Korir while completing his move to Nairobi City Stars at the club offices in Upperhill on Wed 17 March 2021
  • Four changes for Tusker

    Four changes for Tusker

    There will be four changes from the 20-man squad that remained intact against Western Stima, Mathare United and AFC Leopards when Nairobi City Stars hosts Tusker at Utalii on Saturday 20 March 2021 starting 1pm.

    Mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo is out suspended due to accumulation of (five) yellow cards and will for once miss a game this season after 15 straight appearances.

    He will be replaced Elvis Noor Ojiambo who last featured in the 2-1 win over Zoo a month back.

    Newly acquired striker Nicholas Kipkirui makes the squad in place of Gambian hitman Ebrima Sanneh who is out due to a wrist injury aggravated during the last game against AFC Leopards.

    Left footed John Kamau makes a return to the squad since mid-January to replace striker Ezekiel Odera who had been part and parcel of all 15 games into the season, save for the season opener against Nzoia Sugar where he was considered as backup.

    The final change sees the return of reserve keeper Jacob Osano who missed the last four league games. He replaces teenager Elvis Ochoro Ochieng.

    20-man squad to face Tusker FC

    Goal keepers: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

    Midfielders: 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 15. John Kamau,

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui , 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 29. Ebrima Sanneh (wrist injury), 10. Peter Opiyo (suspended), 12. Edwin Buliba, 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 32. Ezekiel Odera

    Nicholas Kipkirui
    Striker Nicholas Kipkirui completing his move to Nairobi City Stars at the club offices in Upperhill on Wed 17 March 2021
    Nairobi City Stars
    John Kamau during a past friendly game against Kibra United at Ligi Ndogo on Wed 3 February 2021. He scored once as to lead City Stars to a 6-0 win
    Lead keeper Jacob Osano has resumed training after sitting out for a week due to sickness
  • Kipkirui joins Nairobi City Stars

    Kipkirui joins Nairobi City Stars

    Striker Nicholas Kipkirui has joined Nairobi City Stars for a season and a half.

    Kipkirui, a former Matrix, Zoo and Gor Mahia hitman, arrives at Simba wa Nairobi soon after being declared a free agent by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

    His arrival has excited the club hierarchy more so club owner and Chair Jonathan Kiplimo Jackson.

    “It was a struggle getting a quality striker but we are glad that finally Kipkirui has joined us. His goal scoring prowess is not in question and he will be a great boost to the City Stars frontline. I hereby welcome him to the Simba wa Nairobi family.” said Jonathan

    Club CEO Patrick Korir further explained Kipkirui’s arrival off the transfer window;

    “We were in search of a polished striker during the last transfer window. Having missed our targets locally, we went shopping in Uganda,”

    “Kipkirui then came to us at a time he had issued notice of termination of contract to his former club,”

    “We then entered a pre-agreement on the premise that, if his situation was not remedied within the term of the notice, we’d then sign him at the point he became a free agent,”

    “We registered that pre-agreement with the Federation before the closure of the transfer window in accordance with FIFA regulations hence his eventual signing immediately he gained his free agent status.”

    On his part Kipkirui had this to say; “I’m so excited to join Nairobi City Stars. I had several offers from teams within and outside Kenya but it is Simba wa Nairobi that appealed to me most,”

    “I wish to thank the club owner Jonathan Jackson, management led by the Chief Executive Patrick Korir, and Team Coordinator Samson Otieno for offering me an opportunity to play for this ambitious club. I am ready to make the most of this chance,”

    “I also want to sincerely extend my gratitude to the technical bench led by coach Sanjin Alagic for checking up and supporting me as went through due process to join the club,”

    “Lastly, I thank Football Kenya Federation for assisting me to be able to play football and put a smile on my face again,”

    “City Stars is one of the best-managed clubs in East Africa and I am looking forward to helping the team by assisting and scoring many goals, and most importantly winning titles,”

    “This club is also part of the Jonathan Jackson Foundation and I am excited at the chance of assisting the needy in our society have a meal, achieve their dreams and goals.” concluded the sharp shooter

    Kipkirui becomes the latest arrival at Simba wa Nairobi after left back Bolton Omwenga from Tanzania’s Biashara United Mara and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu who rejoined the club on loan from Wazito FC.

    Kipkirui will don jersey no. 17 at City Stars.

    Jonathan Jackson, Nicholas Kipkirui
    Nairobi City Stars Chair & owner Jonathan Jackson welcomes striker Nicholas Kipkirui to Nairobi City Stars soon after being signed as a free agent on Wed 17 March 2021
    Nicholas Kipkirui
    Striker Nicholas Kipkirui completing his move to Nairobi City Stars at the club offices in Upperhill on Wed 17 March 2021
    Jonathan Jackson, Nicholas Kipkirui
    Nairobi City Stars Chair & owner Jonathan Jackson welcomes striker Nicholas Kipkirui to Nairobi City Stars soon after being signed as a free agent on Wed 17 March 2021
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