Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Rowland Makati

  • Rowland Makati: I have fully adapted

    Rowland Makati: I have fully adapted

    Converted right back Rowland Makati reckons his growth path as a fullback has finally hit peak.

    The search for regular playtime necessitated a position change for the youngster from attacking midfielder to his current position since the start of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season.

    A season and a half later, Makati has gone on to claim 27 premier league games as a right back, or up front on the right channel, numbers that now excite the former Escalators and Vapor Sports player.

    Before that, Makati had only featured in two games for Simba wa Nairobi as an attacking mid in his first two seasons at the club.

    “I first had to learn the dynamics and the ropes of the new position. That has been a continuous process throughout last season and this season,”

    “But now I can say that, finally, I have fully mustered what is required to play in that zone and I now have to admit that I have fully matured and adapted to that role,”

    “That said, I wish to step up my performance and make more contributions for City Stars in terms of assists and goals for the interest of the team.

    Thus far, Makati has featured in half of the games in the current season – 17 of 34 – clocking 863 regular time minutes having earned ten starts and eight complete games.

    It’s an improvement from the ten games he earned last season.

  • Rowland Makati: I had been looking for that debut goal

    Rowland Makati: I had been looking for that debut goal

    Converted right back Rowland Makati is still all smiles after his maiden premier league goal handed Nairobi City Stars a much-needed 2-1 win against Nzoia Sugar on Sunday 24 September 2023 in Ruaraka.

    Makati pounced on a spilled ball after the Nzoia keeper had tamed a Samuel Kapen penalty to score the second and winning goal 17 minutes into the second half.

    “I had been waiting for that debut goal from my new position as a right back. I am happy it came, finally. But most importantly, I am super happy it brought us the first win of the season,” he said

    “We needed those points and I am glad that the entire team put in 100% to contribute to the win,”

    Makati, a former attacking midfielder, was only playing his 15th premier league game on Sunday. He reckons he has more to offer;

    “I believe there’s more to come from where that debut goal came from as the coach has been urging me to attack from my channel,” added Makati

    In scoring the winner on Sunday, Makati was named the MVP in the game and went on to earn a place in the team of the week after matchday four.

    Makati
    Rowland Makati celebrates his maiden league goal for City Stars on Sun 24 Sep 2023. It turned out to be the winner against Nzoia Sugar. City Stars won it 2-1
  • MD4: Nairobi City Stars 2 Nzoia Sugar 1

    MD4: Nairobi City Stars 2 Nzoia Sugar 1

    Two early second-half goals by Kelvin Etemesi and Rowland Makati saw Nairobi City Stars overturn a 1-0 first-half loss to see off Nzoia Sugar 2-1 in Ruaraka in a matchday four tie played in Ruaraka on Sunday 24 September 2023.

    Against the run of play, Nzoia Sugar opened the scores in the eighth minute through Emmanuel Osoro who fired from atop the box off an Obed Khakina cross from the right wing.

    Three minutes after the restart it was all square after Etemesi met Samuel Kapen’s quick throw ball to lob the Nzoia goalie from a tight angle.

    A minute after added time it was 2-1 after Etemesi earned a penalty. Kapen took it but the keeper had a save to it but Makati was quick on the rebound to score his maiden topflight goal. It eventually earned him an MVP accolade.

    That goal eventually earned Simba wa Nairobi the first season win which moved the team to five points, and tenth on on the 18-team log.

    Next up for City Stars is an away game against Sofapaka on Saturday 30 September 2023.

    Lineups

    Nairobi City Stars: 1. *Edwin Mukolwe, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 32. Sosthenes Idah, 30. Rowland Makati, 25. Brian Mzee (16. Elvis Noor-85), 19. Vincent Owino, 10. Dennis Oalo-captain, 11. Andrew Kisilu, (5. Newton Ochieng-70), 22. Samuel Kapen (27. Gilbert Abala-70), 20. Kelvin Etemesi (17. Brian Mose-85)

    Unused subs: 8. Calvin Masawa, 9. Mohammed Bajaber, 13. Elvis Ochoro, 18. Clifford Ouma, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu

    Nzoia Sugar: 15. Bernard Onunga, 7. Elisha Wekesa, 21. Dimples Omamo, 6. Salim Murunga,17. Emmanuel Esekon, 12. Daniel Wafula (27. Joseph Wafula-64), 32. Noah Wafula (20. Victor Maliachi-64), 8. Harun Thomas-Captain, 14. Obed Khakina (9. Joseph Oyugi-75), 24. Ian Simiyu (10. Victor Haki-64), 22. Emmanuel Osoro (11. Mohammed Barisa-75)

    Unused subs: 39. Fred Shiundu, 3. Brian Wepo, 25. Aineah Ndete,

    Coach: Godfrey Oduor

    Cautions
    Nairobi City Stars: 25. Brian Mzee (70), 1. Edwin Mukolwe (86), 16. Elvis Noor (89),
    Nzoia Sugar: –

    Goals
    Nairobi City Stars: 20. Kelvin Etemesi (48), 30. Rowland Makati (62)
    Nzoia Sugar: 22. Emmanuel Osoro (8)

  • Rowland Makati: Injury derailed my season

    Rowland Makati: Injury derailed my season

    Rowland Makati, an attacking midfielder but lately turned right-back, had everything going for him till a collision late in FKF Premier League matchday 14 on 4 February 2023 against Gor Mahia in Kasarani brought his good run to a halt.

    Till then, Makati had been part of the matchday squad for all 14 games, from which he had earned nine starts, completing seven of them.

    The injury picked late in the Kasarani game kept him out of action for over a month and a half, and he only returned to the match day squad two months later, on 5 April, for matchday 22 against KCB.

    He is now angling for game time in the remaining three games this season.

    “I had a good start to the season earning vital and regular playtime till that game against Gor Mahia derailed my progression and my first real Kenyan Premier League season,”

    “I only made my debut in the top league last season after featuring in the final two games. Those games built me up for this one and it was going on very well till that game in Kasarani,”

    “I hope to gain some more playtime before we close this season, then seek more ad regular playtime next season.” added Makati

    Till his injury, Makati had clocked 712 minutes in the nine games played, and registered one assist.

    Rowland Makati against George Odhiambo of Gor Mahia in a matchday 14 FKF Premier League tie on 4 Feb 2023 in Kasarani
    Makati
    Rowland Makati during a friendly game against Bidco United at the Thika Stadium on 8 Nov 2020. It ended 1-1
  • Four changes against Posta Rangers

    Four changes against Posta Rangers

    Four changes have been made ahead of Nairobi City Stars historic 23rd round FKF Premier League clash with Posta Rangers set for Police Sacco Stadium, South C on Sunday 9 April 2023 starting 3 p.m.

    From the squad that faced KCB in mid-week, keeper Steve Njunge, defender Rowland Makati, and forward Mohamed Bajaber have been rested.

    Also out, for the first time since matchday two, is regular defensive-mid Clifford Ouma.

    The places of the four have been taken by defender Edwin Buliba and midfielder Vincent Owino who were both suspended from the last game.

    Keeper Elvis Ochoro is also in for City Stars first ever tie at the Police Sacco Stadium as well as flyer James Mazembe.

    Squad to face Posta Rangers 

    Goal Keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano,

    Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 15. Newton Ochieng, 17. James Mazembe, 19. Vincent Owino, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 30. Anthony Kimani

    Strikers: 9. Dennis Oalo, 22. Samuel Kapen, 24. Levis Okello, 32. Ezekiel Odera

    Out: 5. Timothy Muganda, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 17. Abuyeka Kubasu, 18. Clifford Ouma, 23. Stephen Njunge,  31. Mohammed Bajaber

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

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