Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Peter Opiyo

  • City Stars roar past Sharks

    City Stars roar past Sharks

    Simba wa Nairobi beat host Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 in a round 19 Kenyan Premier League tie played at the Utalii grounds on Saturday 29 May 2021.

    A Peter Pinchez Opiyo penalty on 57 minutes and smasher from substitute Oliver Maloba in the 76th minutes had City Stars 2-0 up.

    But at the death, Daniel Sakari’s rebound off a Patilla Omoto’s penalty that had been initially saved by Stephen Njunge served up Sharks’ consolation in the game.

    Opiyo was later named the man of the match for his outstanding contribution from the mid of the pack.

    Inside ten minutes, City Stars had gone for goal three times but a Bolton freekick on four minutes went begging, a Kevin Okumu long lob soon after, and an Elvis Noor Ojiambo shot off a Rodgers Okuse Okumu delivery, both went straight to keeper Brian Bwire.

    On 22 minutes, Davis Agesa who scored the consolation during a 2-1 loss to Sharks in the first leg, almost got City Stars 1-0 up but, after some neat footwork, he crushed his shot off the far post.

    Three minutes later field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani drifted to the rightwing to send a weighted cross across goal. Ojiambo, filling in for suspended Sven Yidah, connected to it with a diving header only for the ball to weave marginally wide.

    A minute after the hour mark an Okuse through ball found Nicholas Kipkirui inside the box only for his quick header to slightly sail wide.

    The next minute, Sharks’ had their first real chance when Eric Juma, playing further up than usual, went for goal only to fire straight at Njunge.

    The next set of minutes to halftime saw Sharks throw away close to three corners as City Stars also wasted a freekick and corner as the game settled at 0-0 at the breather.

    At the start of the second half Sharks rested John Omondi who started the game ahead of the unavailable lead striker Eric Kapaito. His place was taken up by Julius Masaba to add punch upfront.

    Two minutes after restart Sakari flew into the City Stars box only to fire across goal. It received no connection.

    A few minutes later a more determined Sharks won back-to-back corners but, again, they were all wasted.

    In the 55th minute, a back pass from Boniface Onyango to his keeper went wrong as a racing Kipkirui grabbed it, after Bwire miscued it, and in reaction, he tackled the fast striker and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty. Opiyo went for it to score the games’ opener; his sixth goal of the season.

     

    Sharks could have leveled just three minutes later but after a great buildup, a ball around the penalty area just failed to get a quick placing by Alphonse Omija who was making his debut. Big stopper Kennedy Onyango scrambled the ball out of the area to save the day.

    At the hour mark, City Stars’ most fouled player Okuse was taken off for Maloba and eight minutes later Sharks brought in midfielder Shaphan Oyugi and Robert Onyango for Mokaya and James Mazembe who had been locked out from making his traditional high energy runs on the left flank.

    As Oyugi and Onyango walked in, Sharks forced back-to-back corners, but as had been the case from the first half, failed to turn either in.

    In between Maloba’s arrival and the Sharks’ duo changes, Ojiambo had a fabulous cross to Kipkirui in the box only for his header to, once again, fly wide.

    30 minutes into the second half, Sharks’ defender Alphonse Omija’s pass to skipper Patila Omoto, off a long byline pass from Boniface Onyango, went awry as he was disposed of the ball at the tip of the box by a charging Agesa who squared the ball into the box.

    Kipkirui made a dummy run for it and skipped over the ball to allow it to generously fall on a racing Maloba who, with a one-time shot, whacked the ball to the underside of the crossbar. It bounced inwards for City Stars to double the lead with the classic goal.

    Six minutes later, determined Sharks forced three back-to-back corners but they couldn’t account for any.

    City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic then opted to bring on defensive-minded Charles Otieno for skipper Muki to protect the lead.

    However, Sharks claimed a penalty when Kipkirui, in the wrong place at the wrong time, handled the ball in the box while helping to defend.

    Njunge saved Omoto’s initial kick but before any further reaction from City Stars, Sakari was on the second ball in a flash to fire what turned out to be Sharks’ consolation.

    The game then came to a close as Edwin Buliba and former Shark Ebrima Sanneh took up the places of Ojiambo and Kipkirui, respectively.

    With the win, the first ever at Utalii grounds, City Stars improved one up in the 17-team log to sit ninth with 23 points ahead of Wazito on goal difference. Sharks are still fourth with 31 points.

    Next up for City Stars in the premier league are two home games against Western Stima and Kakamega Homeboyz on 16 and 19 May 2021.

    Till then, the club will be busy with domestic Cup games.

    Lineups 

    Kariobangi Sharks: 30. Brian Bwire, 26. Boniface Onyango, 2. Tom Teka, 24. Daniel Sakari, 12. Douglas Mokaya (17. Shaphan Oyugi-69), 8. Patila Omoto (Captain), 10. Peter Lwasa, 5. Eric Juma, 14. John Omondi (22. Julius Masaba-46), 21. James Mazembe (9. Robert Onyango-69)

    Unused subs: 16. Brian Olang’o (GK), 6. Geoffrey Shiveka, 19. Joshua Maero, 27. Ibrahim Ochieng, 18. Reagan Odede,  29. Peter Oudu,

    Coach: William Muluya

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Stephen Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdalla, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Bolton Omwenga, 10. Peter Opiyo, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (12. Edwin Buliba-90), 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (3. Charles Otieno-85)), 7. Rodgers Okumu (21. Oliver Maloba-60), 11. Davis Agesa, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (29. Ebrima Sanneh-90)

    Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 28. Herit Mungai, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,  32. Ezekiel Odera

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima),1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 5. Wesley Onguso, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija & 18. Sven Yidah (both suspended)

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Yellow cards: Kariobangi Sharks – 12. Douglas Mokaya (67), 26. Boniface Onyango (86)//Nairobi City Stars – None

  • Herit one of four changes for Sofapaka clash

    Herit one of four changes for Sofapaka clash

    Head coach Sanjin Alagic has unveiled his 20-man list for to face Sofapaka on Monday 24 May 2021 in the 18th round Kenyan Premier League tie at Ruaraka starting 3pm.

    There are four changes from the lot that was named to face champions Gor Mahia last weekend.

    Peter Pinchez Opiyo who missed the game due to a knock has been passed fit to face Batoto Ba Mungu.

    He takes up a spot in the squad vacated by Erick Ombija who was red carded in the Gor game.

    Opiyo returns after missing two games. He had missed an earlier game against Tusker due to accumulated yellow cards.

    A second change sees the return of stopper Wycliffe Otieno who was rested in the last game. He takes the place of Nairobi City Stars longest serving player Calvin Masawa.

    Masawa, at Simba wa Nairobi since 2011, has been a regular in match day squads.

    The third change sees the entry of left footed Herit Mungai Atariza after missing the last six games.

    Herit, who last featured against Kakamega Homeboyz in February, replaces another left footer Wesley Onguso.

    One last change is in the goal tending sector where Kenya U20 consideration Elvis Ochoro Ochieng takes up the place of Jacob Osano.

    20-man squad to face Sofapaka

    Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 23. Steve Njunge

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

    Midfielders: 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani, 21. Oliver Maloba, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui , 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 29. Ebrima Sanneh

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 5. Wesley Onguso, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau, 24. Erick Ombija (suspended)

  • Sanjin sweats over Pinchez suspension

    Sanjin sweats over Pinchez suspension

    Nairobi City Stars will take on log leaders Tusker on Saturday 20 March 2021 without dependable midfielder Peter Pinchez Opiyo due to suspension.

    Opiyo, incidentally City Stars top scorer this season with four goals, was slapped with a fifth yellow card this season in the last game against AFC Leopards.

    The card was earned in the 61st minute after a challenge on a Leopards’ player deep in the City Stars territory.

    “That card really disturbed me. I didn’t expect to get one but hey, that’s the nature of the game. You have to be prepared to miss some matches.” said Opiyo

    For head coach Sanjin Alagic, his absence is a big blow but there is no choice but to dive into the brewers game without his lynchpin.

    “Absence of Pinchez in the match against Tusker, the leading team in table, it’s big blow for us, because he’s such a important player in our team. When you play against the best teams in the league definitely you need all your best players in the squad,”

    “But I don’t want to whine about that, we will try to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and get ready for the match to achieve a positive result.” said Sanjin

    Thus far, Pinchez had clocked the full 90 minutes in all the 15 games into the season and he emerged as City Stars most valuable Player in four games against Wazito, KCB, Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz.

    He scored in three straight January games against Wazito, Posta Rangers and Ulinzi Stars, then added a fourth against Western Stima in March.

    Nairobi City Stars
    Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal by Peter Opiyo as Simba wa Nairobi beat Western Stima at Moi Stadium on Wed 23 Feb 2021 in a round 13 Premier League game
  • Head to Head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

    Head to Head: AFC Leopards (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A)

    On Saturday 6 March 2021, Nairobi City Stars will be away to AFC Leopards in a round 15 Premier League tie at Kasarani starting 3pm.

    The two teams have met 18 times previously; twice in the 2005/6 season, and 16 times from the 2009 to 2016 seasons.

    Overall, Leopards has registered seven wins, City Stars six wins and the other five games have ended in draws.

    In nine away games, City Stars has managed one win over Leopards, drawn five and lost three times.

    Leopards first hosted a Robert Matano-coached City Stars (then World Hope) on 22 January 2006 at Nyayo Stadium, a game they went on to lose 1-0. Steve Biko scored the lone goal.

    It was double victory over Leopards that season as City Stars won the reverse game with another 1-0 win. Geoffrey Okoth’s goal at Ruraka was the difference.

    The last City Stars-Leopards Premier League meeting was back on 21 August 2016 at Afraha Stadium which ended 0-0. City Stars then got relegated from the Premier League at the close of that season.

    In between that game and the upcoming one, City Stars has met AFC Leopards just once during a preseason friendly game at Hope Centre on 10 August 2019. The latter won it 1-0 thanks to an opportunistic goal by Vincent Oburu in the second half.

    Coaches

    Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will lead City Stars on Saturday against Leopards.

    He’ll be the 13th City Stars coach to face Leopards after Matano (2 games), Oliver Page (1), Ken Odhiambo (4), Gideon Ochieng (2), Bai Malleh Wadda (1), Charles Omondi (1), Tim Bryet (1), Robinson Ndubuisi (1), Paul Nkata (1), Gabriel Njoroge (1), John ‘Bobby’ Ogola (1) and Richard Tamale Pinto (1).

    Sanjin joined City Stars prior to the 2019/20 season and led the side to promotion to the Premier League after four seasons out.

    Sanjin will be up against Belgian Patrick Aussems who recently joined the club.

    Recent form

    The two teams come to the game on the high of recent back-to-back wins.

    Leopards is basking from straight wins over Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani (1-0) and Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu (2-1) as City Stars are on three game wining streak over Zoo FC (2-1), Western Stima (2-0) and Mathare United (2-0).

    Leopards is up fourth in the 18-team log with 25 points from 12 games as City Stars is ninth with 19 points from 14 games.

    Venue

    Rather interestingly, in all previous 18 Premier League meetings, Leopards and City Stars have never met at MISC Kasarani. The Saturday duel will be the first at the venue.

    They two previously played at Nyayo Stadium (ten times), Hope Centre (once), Mumias Complex (Once), City Stadium (4), Ruaraka (once) and Afraha Stadium (once).

    For City Stars, it will be their first visit to MISC Kasarani since 30th October 2016 where they lost to Homeboyz 3-1 to earn relegation after 12 seasons in the top flight.

    Top scorers

    In the previous 18 games, City Stars has outscored Leopards 16-15 goals and only just twice have there be no goals (0-0 draws).

    The scorers have been diverse but a brace for Dan Sserunkuma in a 3-0 win at Nyayo Stadium in May 2012 makes him the top scorer for City Stars against ingwe.

    Likewise, braces by Hugo Nzangu and Bernard Mang’oli in identical 2-1 wins over City Stars in Apr 2011 and Jul 2015, both at Nyayo, make them Ingwe’s top scorers against Simba wa Nairobi.

    Player links

    Across the two clubs, a list of players have been on the other side and will be up against their former employers.

    Stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla, flyer Azizi Zizzou Okaka and mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo were at ingwe at different times before joining Simba wa Nairobi.

    Recently acquired defenders Tedian Atuto Esilaba and Stephen Inganji, as well as Said Tsuma were a part of City Stars, but are now at ingwe.

    Summary

    KPL Games: 18 (Leopards wins -7, City Stars wins – 6, Draws – 5)

    City Stars vs AFC Leopards (Away games)

    22-Jan-06: AFC Leopards vs World Hope, Nyayo Stadium, 0-1 (W)
    22-Aug-09: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
    18-Apr-10: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, City Stadium, 1-1 (D)
    21-Aug-11: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
    13-Jul-12: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-0 (L)
    18-Aug-13: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-1 (D)
    12-Apr-14: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Mumias Complex, 1-1 (D)
    19-Jul-15: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-1 (L)
    21-Aug-16: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, Afraha Stadium, 0-0 (D)
    06-Mar-21: AFC Leopards vs City Stars, MISC Kasarani, ??

    Top scorers

    vs City Stars: Bernard Mang’oli, Hugo Nzangu – 2 each
    vs AFC Leopards: Dan Sserunkuma – 2 goals

  • Four City Stars players make Week 13 TOTW

    Four City Stars players make Week 13 TOTW

    Four Nairobi City Stars players made it to the Team of the week (TOTW) at the close of round 13 games played on Wednesday 23 February 2021.

    Keeper Steve Njunge and centre back Kenedy Onyango both made it to the first elven of the week while left back Balton Omwenga and striker Erick Ombija were added on to the reserve list.

    In the Wednesday games, City Stars hit home team Western Stima 2-0 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu to earn a successive league triumph to move from 13th to tenth with 16 points in the 18-team log.

    Ombija scored once off a corner from Omwenga as Peter Opiyo added a penalty before half time to complete the win.

    Onyango and Njunge worked tirelessly in the second half to ward off the hosts to the very end.

    Beyond being named in the team of the Week, Njunge has been nominated in a short list of three players for consideration as Player of the Week.

    In the last set of games, in round 12, Kevin Chumsy Okumu made the reserve list of the TOTW.

    Chumsy scored on his debut for City Stars on Saturday as Simba wa Nairobi powered to a 2-1 win over Zoo FC at Kasarani to end an eight-game winless streak.

    Nairobi City Stars
    Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu made the Week 12 TOTW after scoring on his debut as Nairobi City Stars saw off Zoo FC 2-1 at Kasarani on Sat 20 Feb 2021
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