Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Oliver Maloba

  • Subs Jamaica, Maloba turn it around against Vihiga Bullets

    Subs Jamaica, Maloba turn it around against Vihiga Bullets

    Visiting Nairobi City Stars left it late to outwit hosts Vihiga Bullets 2-1 in a second round National Super League (NSL) tie played on Monday 9 September, 2019 at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega starting 10am. Two second half goals by Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh delivered the win.

    It was a second bite of the cherry for City Stars as the game was initially scheduled for the Sunday before but aborted in the 75th minute following a heavy downpour that flooded the surface. At the point of the call-off City Stars led 1-0 courtesy of Sanneh’s lone goal.

    In the Monday repeat City Stars trailed the game 1-0 at half time after Bullets took the lead in the 32nd minute via a perfect free kick from Oscar Karuli that went over the wall and way past the reach of keeper Elvis Lovae Opiyo.

    The game looked locked but a change in tact by Coach Sanjin Alagic saw the introduction of former Hakati Sportiff striker Vincent Otieno for Davis Agesa and Oliver Maloba for Elvis Ojiambo turn out to be the perfect twist in the game.

    At the hour-mark Anthony Muki Kimani floated a perfect corner that header specialist Sanneh buried home to level matters.

    With less than ten minutes Maloba and Jamaica’s effect came to play.  The two were too much for the Bullets backline, and as they got Sanneh another opportunity – and he tapped in the winning goal.

    Maloba cut in from the right wing past Bullets defenders before offering a layup for Jamaica who then returned the favor with quickness for Maloba to get the ball to Sanneh’s feet for the winner.

    “Today’s game was a great victory for us, we have lions and not players. I am very proud to be their coach. We played exceptionally throughout the game.” said an elated Sanjin after the game

    The latest win comes on the back of the season opening 2-0 win over Shabana at Hope Centre, Kawangware last weekend.

    Next up for City Stars is a home game at Hope Centre against relegated Vihiga United at the Hope Centre, Kawangware on Fri 13 September 2019

    Lineups:

    Vihiga Bullets:21. Elix Otieno, 23. Oscar Masiga, 15. Sylvester Owino, 6. Kelly Alubale, 26. David Kavaji, 22. Kevin Muhanji, 12. Christine Zigah, 10. John Khanda, 20. Edwin Wamalwa, 11. Timothy Lumasai, 9. Jackson Oketch

    Subs: 32. Ali Kesi, 7. John Maina, 14. Emmanuel Mwakwingi, 25. Okello Baraza, 13. Francis Ambani, 8. Kelvin Mwavali, 4. Joseph Otieno

    Coach: Edward Manoah

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Levis Opiyo, 8. Calvins Masawa (Captain), 4. Salim Abdalla, 24. Cornelius Mwangi, 28. Kevin Okumu (17. Noah Abich), 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (21. Oliver Maloba ), 30. Anthony Muki Kimani, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 11. Davis Agesa (16. Vincent Otieno), 26. Ebrima Sanneh

    Unused Subs: 1. Ronny Kagunzi, 15. Peter Wainaina, 10. Nahashon Thiongo, 22. Wycliffe Otieno

    Yellow cards; Cornelius Mwangi, Anthony Kimani

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

  • Maloba, Gateri ruled out of season opener

    New Coach Sanjin Alagic will kick off the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) season without two key players David Gateri and Oliver Maloba as City Stars prepare to host Shabana at the Hope Centre on Sunday 1 September, 2019.

    Gateri suffered a back injury in the team’s last preseason friendly at Moi Stadium, Kisumu against Western Stima on Wednesday 21 August, 2019 and is yet to fully recover while Maloba picked an injury on Friday 30 August, 2019 as the team drilled for the upcoming game.

    “Gateri back is still a problem and will have to sit out for another two to three weeks to fully recover. He will be given specialized attention during this period,” said Coach Sanjin

    “For Maloba he aggravated his ankle in training and will miss the weekend game. We expect him back for the next game next weekend.” He added

    With Gateri out Heritier and Jimmy Bageya will contest a place on the left wing as Davis Agesa and Nahashon Thiong’o go for the right wing where Maloba has been featuring in during pre-season games.

  • Nairobi City Stars sign twelve new players ahead of the 2019 season

    Nairobi City Stars sign twelve new players ahead of the 2019 season

    Nairobi City Stars have signed nine new players and welcomed back another three ahead of the 2019 National Super League season which officially kicks off next month.

    The players joining the Kawangware based side includes former Thika United and Mathare United goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, left back Wesley Onguso from Posta Rangers, centre back Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdala from AFC Leopards, defender Cornelius Mwangi from Modern Coast Rangers, winger Nashon Thiong’o from Mt. Kenya United,  Defensive midfielder Elvis Ojiambo  from Kibera Black Stars and  Erick Ochieng from Wazito. 

    Others include budding teenage striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno from Hakati Sportiff, Wycliffe Otieno who once featured for Kariobangi Sharks as well as the trio of Stephen Mueni from Modern Coast Rangers, Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani and Jimmy Bageya who are all returning to the club. 

    The players, a mix of fresh talent and seasoned players are expected to give a new lease of life to the team as the new season starts in September this year. 

    The newcomers join the 15 retained from last season who include; keepers Ronny Kagunzi and Vincent Khatili, defenders Edwin Buliba, Kevin Okumu, Calvins Masawa, Noah Abich, Victor Okulu and Augustine Ochieng, midfielders Oliver Maloba, Peter Wainaina, Charles Otieno, David Gateri and Heritier Luvualu, strikers Ebrima Sanneh from Gambia and Davis Agesa. 

    The club, acquired by the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) earlier in the year, is now focusing on a top finish in the second tier  to enable them earn promotion to the Kenyan Premier League next season for a return to the top tier since being relegated at the close of the 2016 season. 

    “The new players are expected to bring renewed energy and inertia to the team to enable them finish in a good position. With the new players, we are confident we will greatly improve our performance from last season as we eye a return to the Premier League next season,” said the club’s Chair Jonathan Jackson during a team meet-up. 

    Adding his voice during a team’s luncheon, the club’s CEO Patrick Korir said;

    “Most of the new and returning players have had weeks to join- in with the players retained from last season during the last six weeks of preseason. We expect that lessons picked along the way and during friendly games played will give the team the right momentum into the season.”

    Nairobi City Stars will host powerhouse Shabana at the Hope Centre on Sunday 1 September, 2019 starting 3pm in their 2019/2020 season opener. 

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