Nairobi City Stars confirms that Head Coach Salim Babu has departed the club following the expiry of his contract, having opted not to renew in order to pursue other interests.
Coach Babu initially joined the club in January 2025 for the second leg of the 2024/25 season as a replacement for Nicholas Muyoti, and subsequently signed a short-term contract for the 2025/26 season, which has now expired.
Simba wa Nairobi expresses its sincere appreciation to Coach Babu for his professionalism, commitment, and contribution during his tenure. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Scottish-trained Eugene Ochola, a UEFA-certified coach and current member of the technical bench, will take charge on an interim basis.
For just the third time in the Kenyan Premier League, Nairobi City Stars will host Nzoia Sugar, this time in a 32nd-round tie on Saturday 3 June 2023 in Kasarani Annex starting at 3.15 pm.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) May 31, 2023
The two have never faced off in Kasarani Annex which becomes the third venue in as many matches.
During the first-ever meeting between the two in any competition, on 29 November 2020, in the opening game of the 2020/21 season, Simba wa Nairobi hosted Nzoia Sugar in Narok and won 2-0.
In the next game, an eighth-round clash in the 2021/22 season played on 8 December 2021, City Stars hosted Nzoia in Ruaraka, a game that ended 0-0.
City Stars heads to the game on the high of a 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in the last game played in Nyayo Stadium on Monday while title-chasing Nzoia Sugar is smarting from a 1-0 home loss to bogey team Kariobangi Sharks.
Even then, tablewise, City Stars sits 15th on the 18-team log with 33 points, 27 points behind the third-placed Nzoia Sugar.
KPL home games vs Nzoia Sugar-2: Nairobi City Stars wins (1), Draws (1), Loses (0)
Home games hosted by City Stars
29 Nov 2020: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, 2-0 (W)
08 Dec 2021: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, 0-0 (D)
03 Jun 2023: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar, ??
Between the first leg and the reverse game, there will be a new coach in charge of the host team, hence a new approach.
Salim Babu has since taken over from Ibrahim Shikanda who was in charge of the December game.
For City Stars, there are no changes as Nicholas Muyoti is still the man at the helm. He was once Sudi-based, and he will be up against a team he handled during his formative years as a coach.
Other than Muyoti, Dennis Decha Wanjala will also be returning to his former home for the Sunday tie. The left-back crossed over in the offseason from Nzoia Sugar to join Simba wa Nairobi.
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) February 3, 2022
Heading to the Sudi game, Nzoia sits 16th in the 18-team log with 11 points while City Stars is third with a 20-point buffer on 31-points.
Form-wise, Nzoia head to the game on the back of two away draws against FC Talanta (2-2) and league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz (1-1) as City Stars carry a similar 1-1 draw over Homeboyz and a 1-0 away win over Kariobangi Sharks.
Who wins this one?
Summary
City Stars away games vs Nzoia Sugar; Wins (1), Draws (0), Loses (0). Total – 1
25-06-21; Nzoia Sugar vs Nairobi City Stars, 0-1 (W)
13-02-22; Nzoia Sugar vs Nairobi City Stars, ??
City Stars left back Bolton Omwenga taking on Nzoia United centre back Elvis Ronack during a round 21 premier league game in Narok on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0Elvis Ronack eyes the ball on Nicholas Kipkirui’s during a Nzoia United – Nairobi City Stars game at Narok Stdium on Fri 25 June 2021. City Stars won it 1-0Nairobi City Stars skipper Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani skipping away from Nzoia Sugar left-back Vincent Mahiga during an 8th round FKF Premier League match on Wed 8 Dec 2021 in Ruaraka. It ended 0-0
