Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Oliver Maloba

  • Agesa scoops MVP award

    Agesa scoops MVP award

    After his heroics that masterminded a Nairobi City Stars 2-1 come-from-behind win over Bidco United on Sunday 2 February 2020, strike Davis Agesa was picked out as the Man of the match by the Simba wa Nairobi technical bench.

    Agesa dummy-ed Bidco’s centre back Erick Odhiambo to race into the box in the 40th minute to square the ball into the path of skipper Anthony Kimani for the equalizing goal.

    Four minutes into the second half he was at the right place at the right time to return a ball to Oliver Maloba in the box whose final ball landed on Jimmy Bageya for the winning goal.

    “He had two assists and he did a really good job in this game. He has made huge progress and is looking very interesting for the future.” said head coach Sanjin Alagic.

    Agesa’s latest MVP award is the fourth following on the similar accolades after first leg games against Coast Stima, Mt. Kenya United and Modern Coast Rangers.

    Agesa currently activates City Stars leader board with six goals and as many assists and has become one of the most dependable players in City Stars lineup.

  • City Stars complete double over Bidco United

    City Stars complete double over Bidco United

    Nairobi City Stars opened a ten-point gap atop the National Super League (NSL) after coming from behind to beat second placed Bidco United 2-1 at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Sunday 2 February 2020.

    A purposeful Bidco United took early command of the game with the starting goal in the 23rd minute when Eric Gichimu powered in a header at the far post past City Stars keeper Levis Opiyo.

    But tactical changes with seven minutes of the first half that saw defensive midfielder Charles Otieno take up the place of Elvis Ojiambo, saw City Stars shoot forward and two minutes later it was all level.

    An intelligent dummy by Davis Agesa, chasing a long ball from deep by defender Salim Abdalla, saw Bidco’s centre back Eric Odhiambo beaten to the ball, and with a sure pass in the box, he picked out skipper Anthony Muki Kimani who finished off the move with a simple tap-in.

    The winning goal arrived four minutes into the restart when star player Oliver Maloba squared a pass to Jimmy Bageya for a simple finish.

    Maloba started it all with comfort on the ball before playing a 1-2 with Agesa before his final assist grabbed the winning goal.

    With the latest win, City Stars hits the 55-point mark from 22 games to distance themselves from Bidco’s 45 points.

    During the first leg, City Stars took out Bidco 1-0 in game four at the Thika Stadium ending their three match unbeaten run into the new season.

    After Bidco’s take-down, next up for the boys from Kawangware is a home game against Coast Stima next weekend.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars

    23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvins Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 7. Peter Opiyo, 11. Davis Agesa, 21. Oliver Maloba (32. Ezekiel Odera), 2. Elvis Ojiambo (3. Charles Otieno – 38), 8. Jimmy Bageya (25. David Gateri)

    Unused subs: 28. Kevin Okumu, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Yellow Cards: Jimmy Bageya – 2′

    Goals & Assists; Anthony Kimani – 40th (Davis Agesa), Jimmy Bageya – 49′ (Oliver Maloba)

    MVP: 11. Davis Agesa

    Bidco United

    21. Adisa Omar, 16. David Kalama, 12. Lambert Otieno, 18. Francis Oduor, 24. Erick Odhiambo, 4. Martin Mage, 12. Jacob Onyango, 19. David Orem, 26. Jackson Oketch, 5. Emmanuel Mogaka, 28. Eric Gichimu

    Subs: 13. Frankline Mwenda, 3. Geoffrey Gitau, 6. John Oginga, 8. Steven Okiro, 11. Edwin Wamalwa, 20. Nelson Chieta, 9. Henry Omolo

    Coach: Japhet Akhulia

  • ‘Lovae’ on penalty save in Mumias

    ‘Lovae’ on penalty save in Mumias

    It’s the 53rd minute in Mumias Complex and a City Stars player handles the ball in the box to concede a penalty. The referee on the day does not hesitate and only does what he should rightfully do; point to the spot!

    It’s a mixed reaction to the occurrence as at that point, City Stars had a slim 1-0 lead over hosts Vihiga United in a match day 22 National Super League (NSL) clash.

    Being a penalty, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Vihiga United would score and pull level.

    But as their skipper Smith Ouko stepped up to take the spot kick, the man in City Stars goal Levis Lovae Opiyo was at ease as he knew his tricks all too well for he had been at Vihiga United for a short stint towards the end of the transitional 2018/19 NSL season.

    “I was at the club and I knew how their captain always took penalties. I just went to the same direction that he always placed his spot kicks and that’s how I made the save,” said Lovae

    Opiyo’s penalty save guaranteed City Stars a 1-0 win as it protected Davis Agesa’s 34th minute bullet shot that ricocheted off the woodwork and into goal past a hapless Joel Bataro in goal. It came off an assist by live wire Oliver Maloba.

    On the whole Lovae reckons it wasn’t a walk in the park out in Mumias;

    “The game was very tough, we got some early chances and utilized them but after that the game turned out to be very tough. Vihiga United were shooting closer to the goal that gave me more work to do and after lots of pressure they got that penalty.”

    What happened in Mumias wasn’t a first but a repeat for keeper Opiyo. In mid-November 2019 Opiyo saved one of two penalties awarded to Nairobi Stima at Karuturi grounds to lead Simba wa Nairobi to an important 2-1 win. The other bounced off the upright.

    Opiyo’s contribution in Mumias ultimately handed him the Man of the Match accolade.

    City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic had this to say; “He was focused in Mumias, was good in aerial balls and he saved a penalty. He deserved to be the MVP.”

    It was the second time he was being named MVP following up on his first in mid-September 2019 as City Stars ended Bidco United’s Cinderella run into the season in Thika with a 1-0 win.

  • Agesa, Opiyo deliver win in Mumias

    Agesa, Opiyo deliver win in Mumias

    A first half goal and penalty save by keeper Levis Lovae Opiyo in the second half handed Nairobi City Stars a hard fought 1-0 win over hosts Vihiga United in a National Super League (NSL) match 22 played at Mumias Complex on Sunday 26 January 2020.

    Agesa, back in the lineup after missing games against Shabana and Vihiga Bullets, announced his return with the winning goal when he rammed home a cross from Oliver Maloba in the 34th minute past a stranded keeper Joel Bataro. It was Agesa’s sixth goal of the season.

    Keeper Opiyo, standing between the sticks for the 21st time this season, pulled a massive save in the 54th minute when he parried a penalty by Smith Ouko for a fruitless corner. The spot kick was awarded after Elvis Ojiambo had handled in the box.

    In early October Opiyo saved a penalty at Karuturi to ensure the team protected a 2-1 lead to scoop maximum spoils over hosts Nairobi Stima.

    The win sent Simba wa Nairobi to the 52 point mark after 21 games to open a 16 point gap over their immediate victims who started the day sitting third.

    Away from the three points earned, the latest win stretched City Stars unbeaten streak in away games to 17 games from as far back as April 2019. It was the tenth in 11 away games.

    Lineups

    Vihiga United

    31. Joel Bataro, 6. Abisalim Odhiambo, 3. Dennis Ambeva, 13. Mophat Luva, 20. Smith Ouko, 33. Victor Ademba, 8. Patrick Okulo, 5. Wycliffe Nthata, 31. Junior Adeyefa, 7. Henry Juma, 40. Dennis Wafula

    Subs: 50. Michael Matasio, 15. Mark Okola, 19. Michael Isabwa, 18. Tyrone Sisia, 16. Alex Imbusia, 17. Lawrence Luvanda, 23. David Simiyu

    Coach: Sammy Okoth

    Nairobi City Stars

    23. Levis Opiyo, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 8. Calvins Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 30. Antony Kimani (Captain), 21. Oliver Maloba, 2. Elvis Ojiambo (3. Charles Otieno – 64′), 8. Jimmy Bageya (27. Azizi Okaka – 54′), 11. Davis Agesa (32. Ezekiel Odera – 75′),

    Unused subs: 28. Kevin Okumu, 16. Jacob Osano, 25. David Gateri, 29. Ebrima Sanneh,

    Yellow cards: None

    Goals & Assist: Davis Agesa – 34′ (Oliver Maloba)

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

  • Two-good against Vihiga Bullets

    Two-good against Vihiga Bullets

    Goals on either half by Oliver Maloba and the returning Ezekiel Odera handed Nairobi City Stars a 2-0 win over visiting Vihiga Bullets in a round 21 National Super League (NSL) tie played at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho on Saturday 18 January 2020.

    Maloba powered in a header in the 35th minute off a cross from left back Calvin Masawa.

    Odera, on for Ebrima Sanneh in the second half, announced his return to City Stars since December 2017, with yet another header in the 66th minute off Maloba’s cross.

    Simba wa Nairobi now rises to a point shy of the half century mark after playing 20 games to open a ten-point gap over second placed Bidco United who play Migori Youth on Sunday in Thika. Pending other weekend games Vihiga Bullets sits 11th with 24 points.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvin Masawa, 4. Salim Abdalla, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (13. Eric Ochieng), 21. Oliver Maloba, 27. Aziz Okaka (25. David Gateri), 19. Jimmy Bageya, 26. Ebrima Sanneh (32. Ezekiel Odera)

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 12. Edwin Buliba, 16. Vincent Otieno, 5. Wesley Onguso

    Yellow cards; 28. Kevin Okumu (64), 32. Ezekiel Odera (76), 30. Anthony Kimani (84)

    Vihiga Bullets: 1. Bonface Mayasa, 3. John Odhiambo, 23. Oscar Masiga, 15. Sylvester Owino, 16. Portipher Odhiambo, 8. Kevin Mwavali, 18. Boniface Munyendo, 10. Nicholas Masamba, 20. Kevin Sagida, 25. Godfrey Airo, 14. Barasa Okello

    Subs: 32. Billy Bukhala, 26. Nickson Kalwale, 19. Lenny Amadava, 13. Francis Ambani, 2. Dickson Omutamba, 7. John Khanda, 11. Timothy Ndayala

    Yellow cards; 14. Barasa Okello (22), 32. Billy Bukhala (68)

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