Left channel operator Herit Mungai Atariza is the last new face at Nairobi City Stars in this transfer window after joining on a one-season deal.
Mungai, at home as a left back as well as left wing, was last in the ranks of Nationwide side Coast Stima.
On receiving Herit, team coordinator Samson Otieno said;
“Herit hands the coach good options on the left both at the back and further up. He is a quality player and on behalf of City Stars we welcome him on board,”
“With his arrival, City Stars has officially closed transfer activities in the current window.” confirmed Otieno
On his part Herit, a former Kariobangi Sharks, Posta Rangers and Kibera Black Stars player made a brief comment;
“It feels great to join City Stars as the club has been my dream team since I was a young lad.”
Herit will don jersey no. 28 at Simba wa Nairobi.
Apart from Herit, other new arrivals during the ended transfer window includes midfielders Rowland Makati (Vapor Sports), Ronney Kola Oyaro (Kenya School of Gov’t) and Timothy Ouma (Laiser Hill).
Others are defenders Kenedy Onyango (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (Proline FC – Uganda), goal keepers Steve Njunge Ndungu (Wazito FC) and Elvis Ochoro (Hakati Sportiff).
Herit Mungai unveiled at Nairobi City StarsHerit Mungai unveiled at Nairobi City Stars by club CEO Patrick KorirHerit Mungai at Nairobi City Stars
His arrival reunites him with his former keeper trainer Zachary Onyango and keeper-mate Jacob Osano.
“Steve comes with loads of experience gained at Wazito and immediately becomes an important part of the team,” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
“Our goal keeping department was short of numbers but now with Njunge in, the count of keepers now improves to three besides Osano and teenager Elvis Ochoro.” added Samson
On joining Simba wa Nairobi, Njunge, a former Euro Juniors, National Youth Talent Academy and FC Talanta player, said;
“The team has a great vision, and I am happy to be part of it. I want to work hard to help City Stars maintain its status in the league.” said the soft-spoken keeper
Njunge will don jersey no. 23.
Steve Njunge with team coordinator Samson OtienoKeeper Steve Njunge completes moves to City Stars
Centre back Kenedy Ouma Onyango aka ‘Vidic’ is the latest arrival at Nairobi City Stars. He onboards from Kakamega Homeboyz on a two-year deal.
Onyango’s arrival beefs up head coach Sanjin Alagic backline that already has Edwin Buliba, Ugandan Yusuf Lubowa Mukisa, Wycliffe Otieno and Salim Shitu Abdalla.
“I believe I made the right choice to join City Stars. It’s a team with big ambitions, quality players, great coaching staff and run in a very professional way. It’s the right place to take the challange.” said Vidic after putting pen to paper at the club offices.
Team coordinator Samson Otieno, on receiving ‘Vidic’ said;
“He was key to Homeboyz last season where he featured in 20 of the 22 games played. I thank Homeboyz for allowing him to cross over to City Stars after releasing him from his contract,”
“Vidic is a solid stopper and certainly a good asset and acquisition who will add great value to our team. We welcome him to Simba wa Nairobi.” said Otieno
Onyango will done jersey 25 at City Stars.
Kenedy Onyango with club City CEO Patrick Korir. He has signed a two year dealKenedy Onyango with club City CEO Patrick Korir. He has signed a two year deal
It’s the end of an era as dead ball specialist Noah Abich (Noah Otieno Odhiambo) has called it a day as a footballer.
Abich Baba, as he is fondly referred to, has moved off from the pitch to take up a coaching role at Nairobi City Stars, his last duty station for the past two seasons.
His step-out from the pitch to the bench brings an end to an illustrious football career spanning close to 20 years.
His last league game for City Stars was a round 11 National Super League (NSL) game against Mt. Kenya United at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday 27 Oct 2019, a game that ended 1-1.
Abich arrived at Simba Wa Nairobi in April 2019 during the second leg of the transitional NSL 2018/19 season. He led from the front as the captain and scored eight times to top score for the club leading them to relegation survival.
In the 2019/20 season his mentorship and guidance saw the club promoted back to the Premier League to regain their premiership status lost at the end of the 2016 season.
“I wish to make it official that I have retired from football as a player. You can now refer to me as a coach as that is my new direction,”
“It’s been a long journey that has had highs and lows. I am now at a point where I want to give back by nurturing the next crop of players. I thank City Stars for allowing me to wind down my playing days and for ultimately giving me the opportunity at their technical bench to start my coaching journey at a high level.”
The transiting Abich has received adoration from City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno who said;
“He’s been a dedicated servant who gave his all on the pitch. We counted on him to survive relegation when the team needed an experienced hand in the 2018/19 season and he came through for us in a big way with important deliveries and goals. It is now our turn to hold his hand as he ventures into the other side of his career which is coaching.”
City Stars CEO Patrick Korir added his voice to Abich’s change-over;
“We thank him for his dedication and diligence to the team and will support him as he scales upward to coaching. He is part of a long term plan and we will endeavor to build his capacity as we go along.” he said
The former Thur Gem and Makokho Mixed Secondary School alumnus started his competitive football at Premiership side Nzoia Sugar before moving to Chemelil Sugar. He completed his sugar belt circuit with a move to Sony Sugar in 2006 for two seasons.
He arrived at Tusker thereafter and rested back-to-back Premiership titles in 2011 and 2012. Next was a short stint at Nakuru AllStars which led him to the ranks of AFC Leopards. Later on he sampled Kakamega Homeboyz, Mathare United, Sofapaka, Bandari and Nakumatt before making a bee-line for City Stars in 2019.
The former Kenya U20 and National team player bagged several individual awards in his playing career including being the best scoring Premiership defender at Sony Sugar in 2008 and at Mathare United in 2015. Not forgetting with City Stars at the end of the 2018/19 NSL season.
Abich who has lately been coaching youngsters at Zimmerman currently holds a ‘D’ license coaching Diploma and has a chance to learn from UEFA Pro coach Sanjin Alagic from Bosnia, the current head coach at City Stars.
Abich follows Arthur Museve to the City Stars bench. Museve ended his lengthy City Stars playing career at the close of the 2018/19 NSL season to take up a trainers’ role at the club.
Nairobi City Stars training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020. Noah Abich (front) has called it a day from playing
Nairobi City Stars training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020. Noah Abich (No. 17) is now retired
There’s almost a clear view to the next Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season after the league’s Governing Council issued tentative kick off dates for the 2020/21 season.
According to a communique, and barring any changes, the league will set off on Friday 20 November 2020.
According to the draft fixtures, Simba wa Nairobi will be ushered back to the KPL by five Western based teams that headline it’s first five fixtures.
City Stars will start off with a home game against Nzoia United before travelling to Zoo FC in Kericho for their second game.
A home match between Kisumu AllStars and Vihiga United – two teams fighting for one KPL slot -, an away fixture to Kakamega Homeboyz and a home game against Western Stima highlights the team’s first five games.
“With the tentative kickoff dates and draft fixtures out, we can now craft an elaborate pre-season plan and prepare accordingly,”
“The announcement by the league managers has brought lots of excitement to our camp. Looking at our first five fixtures we have five Western based teams to contend with. That area being a bed rock off football means we have our work cut out.” said team coordinator Samson Otieno
