Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Rowland Makati

  • Four changes against KCB

    Four changes against KCB

    Return of experienced Anthony Muki Kimani and forward Ezekiel Odera are part of four changes made as Nairobi City Stars gears up for a repeat show against KCB during a matchday 22 FKF Premier League tie in Kasarani Annex on Wednesday 5 April 2023 starting at 3.15 p.m.

    The two are making a return after skipping the last two games against Wazito and Mathare United.

    The duo will be joined by left back Dennis Decha Wanjala who missed the Mathare tie due to illness, and right back Rowland Makati who was forced out of the last seven games due to injury. He last featured against Gor Mahia in early February.

    The four take up the places of defender Edwin Buliba and midfielder Victor Owino who both saw red in the last game against Mathare United, on-loan James Mazembe who is not permitted to play against his parent club KCB, and defender Timothy Muganda who takes a rest.

    Squad to face KCB

    Goal Keepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

    Defenders: 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa,  14. Rowland Makati, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 6. Ronney Kola, 11. Andrew Kisilu, 15. Newton Ochieng, 18. Clifford Ouma, 20. Kelvin Etemesi, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

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

    Out: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 5. Timothy Muganda, 7. Pius Omachi, 10. Peter Opiyo, 12. Edwin Buliba, 17. James Mazembe, 19. Vincent Owino, 21. Syllvanoes Abuyeka,

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

  • Makati: I always stand corrected

    Makati: I always stand corrected

    Nairobi City Stars new-found right back Rowland Babu Makati has taken stock of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season as it nears the half way mark.

    The natural attacking midfielder, now in his third season with Simba wa Nairobi, is now a fully-fledged fullback 2, a position he assumed since pre-season.

    Makati notes personal improvement by the day, and by the games, in the position he shares with City Stars longest serving player Calvin Masawa.

    “On a personal note, I feel that I have greatly improved. I keep learning after each game and firmly believe I am no longer making the mistakes I used to make earlier,”

    “I can attribute that to regular playtime and my ability to take in positive advise from my team-mates and coaches. I always stand corrected,”

    Team-wise, Makati is alive to the fact that the team has not had the best of runs.

    “It’s not been the best start to the season as we have lost quite a number of games and conceded in most of them,”

    “I am optimistic though that it’s just a bad phase and it’s a matter of time before things shape up. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.” added the former Escalators and Vapor Sports player

    Makati was named in Simba wa Nairobi’s squad for the first 14 league games but had to miss out on game 15 against Kenya Police due to an injury sufered in the previous game against Gor Mahia that may also keep him out of the remaining two first leg games against Kakamega Homeboyz and Ulinzi Stars.

    Of the 14, he earned nine starts and completed seven on his way to clocking 712 minutes. He was named MVP in the away game to Bandari.

    Rowland Makati
    Nairobi City Stars right-back Rowland Makati in action against Kariobangi Sharks in Kasarani Annex during the Elite Cup tournament in Sep 2022
    Photo Credit – Hassan Mandevu
    Makati
    Rowland Makati during a friendly game against Bidco United at the Thika Stadium on 8 Nov 2020. It ended 1-1
  • New role for Rowland Makati

    New role for Rowland Makati

    He came to Nairobi City Stars as a midfielder, as an option in the offensive or attacking positions, but two seasons later, Rowland Makati is now a fully-fledged right back.

    In the three months preceding the 2022-23 FKF Premier League season, Makati, a former Escalators and Vapor Sports player, has meta morphed from a forward role to a full back, and he enjoys it;

    “I used to play as a right back for my local team though I always preferred to play in midfield,”

    “When the coach (Muyoti) told me he wanted to try me as a right back I quickly obliged. And with the help of my teammates, I am fitting into my new role gradually,” said Makati

    Simba wa Nairobi head coach Nicholas Muyoti acknowledges his transition, though he points out some areas of improvement;

    “Makati is growing in confidence. We have seen a lot of improvement since he started playing as a right back,”

    “His tracking back is very good just needs to work on his crosses and covering. He is adapting well to the position and has a bright future.”

    As a right back, Makati featured in 11 of 18 games in pre-season clocking 856 minutes.

    He earned his maiden top-flight start as right back in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League clash against Bidco United in Nyayo Stadium on Sunday 20 November 2022, a game City Stars went on to lose 2-0.

    He will be contesting the right-back position with his mentor, and City Stars longest serving player, Calvin Masawa.

    Rowland Makati
    Nairobi City Stars right-back Rowland Makati in action against Kariobangi Sharks in Kasarani Annex during the Elite Cup tournament in Sep 2022
    Photo Credits – Hassan Mandevu
  • Premier League debut excites Makati

    Premier League debut excites Makati

    Finally, it came. Kenyan Premier League debut for Rowland Babu Makati.

    After sitting out 32 games into the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season, forward Makati made his top-flight bow on Monday 6 June 2022 against AFC Leopards in Thika Stadium during match day 33.

    Makati came on in the 63rd minute for Mohammed Omar Bajaber who had earned his first Premier League game.

    Speaking after the game Makati did not hide his excitement after his maiden entry to the Kenyan top-flight.

    “This makes me happy that I am finally a Premier League player. Patience has brought me this far and now that the debut has come, I want to earn more games and I will work even harder to feature in very many more,” he said

    Prior to the debut, Makati made the bench three times, the first in mid-December against KCB, and twice in May against Kenya Police and Gor Mahia.

    Speaking on Makati’s achievement, head coach Nicholas Muyoti hopes the former Escalator FC lad can replicate what he saw against Leoaprds in the season ender against FC Talanta on Sunday 12 June;

    “Makati did well in his first match in the Premier League. Let’s hope he does better in the final match.”

    Makati joined Simba wa Nairobi in August 2020 from third tier side Vapor Sports on a long-term deal.

    He spent the entire 2020/21 season on loan at second-tier side Nairobi Stima where he scored five goals and provided seven assists.

    Makati
    Rowland Makati at the Thika Stadium on 8 Nov 2020
  • Agesa, Makati in for Gor Mahia duel

    Agesa, Makati in for Gor Mahia duel

    Forwards Rowland Makati and Davis Agesa have been included for a matchday 32 tie against Gor Mahia in Kasarani on Sunday 29 May 2022 starting 3 pm.

    The two take up the places of stopper Salim Abdalla and winger John Kamau who were part of the last squad that faced KCB in the last league game.

    Agesa missed the last two games against Tusker and KCB while Makati had not made the squad against the two games plus the previous one gainst Tusker in Ruaraka.

    From the squad that faced Gor Mahia in the first leg, changes are five. Other than Salim and Kamau, those that will miss out include keeper Stephen Njunge, Peter Opiyo, and Charles Otieno.

    Other than Makati, new considerations include Elvis Ochoro, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, Elvis Noor Ojiambo, and Mohammed Bajaber

    City Stars squad to face Gor Mahia

    Goalkeepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano

    Defenders: 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 28. Herit Mungai

    Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 5. Michael Madoya, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 14. Rowland Makati, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 30. Anthony Kimani, 31. Mohammed Bajaber

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

    Out: 3. Charles Otieno, 4. Salim Abdallah, 6. Ronney Kola, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 10. Peter Opiyo, 15. John Kamau, 21. Oliver Maloba, 23. Stephen Njunge, 24. Erick Ombija, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 29. Augustine Kuta

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