Two young prospects, Rowland Makati and Ronney Kola, will join second-tier side Nairobi Stima FC on loan for the first part of the 2020/21 season, commencing mid-November 2020.
The pair were identified during the Chapa Dimba Nairobi regional finals held at Jamhuri High School before securing moves to the club from lower-tier sides Vapor Sports (Makati) and Kenya School of Government (KSG) (Kola).
The loan move is aimed at providing the duo with valuable match experience and aiding their development.
“Following recommendations from Head Coach Sanjin Alagić, the two players will join Nairobi Stima to gain competitive experience,” said Team Coordinator Samson Otieno.
“The coach believes their growth will benefit from regular game time in the NSL, which offers a strong platform for development given their progression from lower leagues,” he added.
Head Coach Sanjin Alagić also expressed confidence in the players’ potential:
“The two are quality players with a bright future. After a season in the NSL, we expect to reintegrate them into the squad as we prepare them for Premier League football.”
Both Makati and Kola joined Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason on long-term contracts.
After a forced 7-months break due to the corona virus pandemic, Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic has returned to lead the club through an elaborate pre-season ahead of the upcoming Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season.
The Bosnian left the country in mid-March for his homeland Sarajevo due to the novel virus that disrupted the rest of the National Super League (NSL), as well as all other leagues.
In spite of that disrupt, he had done enough as City Stars were patched at the helm of the 19-team NSL log with 64 points from 28 rounds of play with a ten-point buffer that eventually got the team promoted earning a place back in the top flight after a four-season respite.
“It’s great to be back as it has been a long time out without football,” started the UEFA Pro coach
His return coincided with the announcement of kick off dates for the new season, as well as release of draft KPL fixtures.
From the league schedule, City Stars will play five Western based teams in its first five fixtures starting with a home game in Nairobi against Nzoia United.
“We are happy to be back in the Premier after four years and we can’t wait to get the season started with our first game against Nzoia United. We want to prepare for that first game like it’s a final then take it game by game after that,”
“Our target in our first season back is to make City Stars a stable Premier League outfit, one that will develop young players to a national level with the aim of transferring some players to clubs abroad. We will stay focused and humble,”
“Last season the club restructured and became very stable and organized and we are happy to continue with what we started then into the new seasons. We want fans to be aware of this and we are asking them for their support as we journey back into the Premier League.” Added Sanjin
Teenage midfielder Timothy Ouma from Laiser Hill Academy has joined Simba wa Nairobi on a long term deal.
Ouma, also known as Babu – same as another new signing Rowland Makati – is the reigning Chapa Dimba Rift Valley Most Valuable Player, an accolade bestowed on him in early March 2020 at the Kericho Green Stadium after he led Laiser Hill’s comeback to finish off dreaded Kapenguria Heroes for the regional title.
During the final, that Laiser Hill went on to win on post match penalties after a 1-1 regular time stalemate, Ouma endeared himself to City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic who witnessed the epic final.
Prior to the tournament in Kericho, Ouma had been accompanying his sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo for City Stars training on his school off days.
“I had been training with City Stars occasionally and I was blown away by the coaches’ approach,”
“I was asked to return after school and I am more than elated to have been considered and handed a contract ahead of the next season,” said the excited Ouma
Adding his voice to Ouma’s arrival at the Simba wa Nairobi den was team coordinator Samson Otieno;
“He proved himself early when he attended our training sessions. Only schooling kept him away from us but he has since concluded his studies and can now focus on football,”
“His qualities are in no doubt and we believe he will fit in well in the soonest time possible with the rest of the squad. We welcome him onboard. ” added Otieno
In mid-March 2020, after coming on as a substitute, Gambian Ebrima Sanneh aka Tallboy, made a gravity defying leap at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho, to hand Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 win over Nairobi Stima in the process handing Simba wa Nairobi the clearest of views to the Kenyan Premier League after four seasons.
The winning goal, his ninth of the season, took City Stars to the 64-point mark after 28 rounds of NSL play. It was his 30th overall goal for City Stars making him only the fifth player at the Kawangware outfit to achieve that milestone.
His 11 goals – including one against Sony Sugar on the final day of the 2015 KPL season ensured the team survived relegation.
His goals in a stellar debut KPL season ultimately earned him the second runners-up New Young Player of the year award besides nomination to the Player of the Year category.
After detours to KRA, Kariobangi Sharks and St. George’s in Ethiopia, Sanneh was back to save Simba wa Nairobi in the shortened second leg of the 2018/19 season from an unthinkable relegation to the third division with seven crucial goals.
He then led the them back to the Premier League fold the next season with nine game winning goals. Four single goals and a brace guaranteed five wins while three of his other goals, coupled with those from other players, delivered another three wins.
At the close of the disrupted 2019/20 season (due to corona virus), he extend his stay at the club for a further two years.
The header per excellence landed from Gambia’s big wigs Real de Banjul aka City Boys in July 2014 to Nairobi City Stars when his uncle Bai Malleh Wadda was coach.
He talks to us of his arrival from City Boys to City Stars, false hope and promises, despair that paper work – lack thereof – that followed, his first season in the KPL, missed opportunities to ascend to better paying clubs and leagues, and just why it never happened at Kariobangi Sharks and Ethiopia’s St. George’s, his side hustle, and why City Stars is where he finds his peace.
City Stars: Give us your background – your early school life in Gambia.
Sanneh: I finished all my academics back in Gambia up to high School but dropped out after because I wanted to pursue football to the fullest.
I discussed this with my parents to allow me to concentrate on football because I was overly passionate about it. To be honest I never concentrated in school because of football.
City Stars: You won the league title with Real de Banjul in 2014 at an early age. Share with us your glory days
Sanneh: I started my football with a team in Gambia called Luniburg FC which was a regional league full of budding youth most of whom are now in Europe.
From there I then moved to Signatic in the lower division. And because I was very young I only played selected matches. But the coach (Ansumana Jammeh) really believed in me because he knew my potential.
The following year the team got relegated and that turned out to be a blessing is disguise because most players left which gave me the chance to play. I ended up scoring 14 goals and it is from there that I got called up to Gambia U17 team. I ended up making the team and I recall going for games in Senegal as well as Nigeria.
I then got scouted by Real de Banjul which is arguably Gambia’s biggest team. This is after Modou Lamin Beyai talked to the club CEO Willy Abraham.
There I found the who is who which limited my play. Fortunately, the coach liked me too and he gave me some games and by the end of the season I had scored just about four times.
In the second last game (against Hawks) Real de Banjul had been chasing the league against rivals Gamtel. I came in very late in the second half and scored once that (alongside goals by defender Bubacarr Sanneh) sent the team seven points clear and to the 12th GFA First Division title.
That goal made me happy and it completely changed my life and football career. It gave me the name in Gambian football.
City Stars: Tell us how you arrived at City Stars and how your early days at the club football were
Sanneh: Winning the Gambian League title gave me the chance and ticket to come to Kenya to seek better opportunities.
But what I was promised by City Stars before I came left me surprised and extremely disappointed. I almost went back to Gambia because of stress. I never saw the apartment and money that I was promised.
I was thrown to stay with two other people on Jogoo Road but luckily my uncle worked at the UN here in Kenya and I ended up moving in with him for a year and four months before finding my own place.
My issues were more as, since arriving (in July 2014 on a six-months loan), I never played football that season due to lack of a work permit. Only training and not playing was frustrating.
I only got to play after three months into the 2015 season. I think I outdid myself after i started because I had never played in the KPL. I scored the goals every week and in most games that saw the team beat the relegation red zone on the last day.
City Stars: At the end of your first KPL season in 2015 your goals ensured City Stars survived relegation and your contribution got you nominated for the Player of the Year and earned you the runners-up New player of the year award. Share the feeling.
Sanneh: I was so happy with my performance and goals and the same was shared with my team in Gambia as well as Peter Jabuya (Chairman).
It earned me nomination to the New Young Player of the Year as well as Best Player of the Year which left me very excited.
I ended third in the first category and missed out on the other but all that left me more than elated.
More importantly knowing I helped the team survive relegation let me in a high state.
City Stars: At the end of the 2015 season you were a wanted man. Are there any big moves that you let go? And why?
Sanneh: Yes. After 2015 I had to leave the team. I had been scouted by big clubs after my first season with Nairobi City Stars.
I had an offer from Zambia’s Zesco United and there were interests from all top Kenyan clubs. But I rejected all of them as I was sure (I thought) I would sign a contract with Zesco.
Unfortunately, things never worked out which really disappointed me and I ended up signing with KRA on the last day for the transfer window for a year to redeem myself.
City Stars: You have played for two other clubs in the KPL. How were your experiences in those two teams?
Sanneh: At KRA, work permit issues came to haunt me again and just as was the case at City Stars I ended up training and not playing for up to six months. I only featured in the last eight games where I scored six times before season end.
While at KRA I got a chance and offer to join promoted Kariobangi Sharks. Sharks was a team I really admired because of the style of football they played and the way they were very organized.
To be honest it wasn’t good for me at Sharks. The things I expected (not money) never worked out. It just didn’t happen and injuries never helped. I struggled for play time and got very stressed. I had expected to fit in and play good football and earn a bigger move elsewhere but unfortunately all that never happened.
From Sharks I traveled to Ethiopia where I trained with St. Georges for some time. After a few months I realized things were not working out and I was back in Kenya.
City Stars: In 2019 you returned to City Stars while the team was at its lowest. Why so?
Sanneh: Upon return to Nairobi, chair Jabuya called me up to tell me the team was struggling and in relegation danger. And that the team had found a sponsor (Jonathan Jackson). He explained to me their grand plan to return to the Premier League.
I happily returned because City Stars is where it all started for me in Kenya and it’s a club that has been so welcoming to me. City Stars is where I had so many friends and it’s a home to me. I always receive the love and respect here, hence my return.
City Stars: which player(s) have inspired you the most?
Sanneh: Michael Olunga in Kenya. I always want to follow in his footsteps because he is a very good player, a very good striker with a clean heart and is very disciplined.
Ousman Mbele Senghore in Gambia; he is the one who inspired me the most while playing in Gambia. He is one of the biggest talent in Gambia. It’s just that he doesn’t have the chances to go abroad to play better football
City Stars: name the most inspiring coaches you’ve worked (work) with
Sanneh: Ansumana Jammeh in Gambia; he is the one who gave me the chance (Signatic FC). He made me believe in myself in Gambia when I was a very young player. He gave me the chances to play in the team. That is what has made me come this far
Tarek Siagy (Gambian U17 coach. Egyptian) – He really helped me a lot. Because he gave me the chance to join the U17 team and really encouraged me and gave sound advice when I joined Real de Banjul
Sanjin Alagic – he helped me a lot in my career at City Stars. He showed me so many things I had never thought of. Especially about how to approach my weaknesses.
City Stars: As a striker, mean defenders come your way. Who are some of those that caused you nightmares?
Sanneh: The defenders I can identify who gave me tough times in the KPL were Musa Mohammed and Shitu (Salim Abdalla). They were good in the air, had the physicality and were good on one-on-one situations.
City Stars: What’s your side hustle?
Sanneh: I sell quality shoes and I have very specific clients whom I deliver to
City Stars: One day you will retire from the game. What will you venture into?
Sanneh: I will return to school and learn more about business with a view of going fully into it as I love to buy and sell stuff
Gambian striker Ebrima Sanneh in a past game for City Stars against Coast Stima at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 8 Feb 2020
Ebrima Sanneh contesting the ball against a Vihiga Bullets player at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 18 Jan 2020
Ebrima Sanneh hugs coach Sanjin Alagic after scoring winner against Nairobi Stima on Sat 14 Mar 2020 at amp Toyoyo
Ebrima Sanneh at Toyoyo on Sat 14 March 2020
Sanneh in action in Oct 2019 against Migori Youth at Camp Toyoyo
Ebrima Sanneh in a game against FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo on Sat 8 Nov 2019. He scored a late penalty for a 1-0 win
Were he to venture into acting, Nairobi City Stars center back Wycliffe Otieno Onyango would easily pick up a villains role, almost certainly.
Packing up 80kgs in a six-foot frame, Wycliffe – not too much of a talker – tags along with a mean face, a clean shave accompanied with a Rick Ross-like beard.
Not to be mistaken tough, hiyo ni sura ya kazi tu (work mode)! Wycliffe is nonchalant, and as cool as a cucumber.
The Upper Hill School alumnus was part of the crop of players called in to restock Nairobi Stima in mid-2012, after spending time with Kenya School of Law (Thola Glass).
After three dutiful years, he was roped in by Kariobangi Sharks in mid-2015 whom he lead to Kenyan Premier League promotion at the close of year 2016 and to the domestic Cup – a ticket to continental football – in 2018.
With his good omen in tow, he arrived at Simba wa Nairobi, in mid-2019, to form the ‘Wall of Nairobi’ with Salim Shitu Abdalla at the heart of City Stars defense, a partnership that turned out to be one of the best defenses in the NSL. The net effect? It immensely contributed to the team’s promotion back to the Premier League after four years in the cold.
He sat out the first City Stars game of the season against Shabana then made the bench in the next three games. 20 minutes in the fifth game against Coast Stima endeared him to coach Sanjin Alagic and after that, for the next 22 games, he clocked the full 90 minutes to improve his appearances to 2,000 minutes (82.3% of playtime) with one Man of the match award.
The articulate gentle giant, whose preference is possession football, speaks to us . . . .
City Stars; Share with us your schooling background, from Primary to High school
I went to Daima Primary School in Huruma. I didn’t quite play school football in primary to be honest…the school wasn’t so much into football labda zile za breaktime na PE lessons.
City Stars; In high school that is where potential if fully noted and noticed. Was that the same for you? How far did you go with high school football?
I went to Upper Hill high school for my secondary school education. My time there was a bad one for football in the school as my arrival coincided with the departure of Mr Orero, the deputy principal then.
To add salt to the wound, my departure from the school coincided with the re-arrival of Mr Orero, this time as the principal of the school, something that heralded the school’s emergence as a dominant force in the school games. So yeah, I never quite played “meaningful” football in High School.
City Stars; From High schools there is that transition to league football. Share with us your formative steps to club football.
After High School, I first joined Thola glass/Kenya School of Law in the second tier before moving to Nairobi Stima in the mid-season transfer period.
City Stars; In mid-2015 you landed at fast rising Kariobangi Sharks. Talk to us about that step up.
Yeah, I joined Kariobangi Sharks in 2015 during the mid-season transfer window. They had a very interesting project that they thought I would fit into very well and what can I say, I was sold.
City Stars; Still on Sharks, in December 2016 you were in the squad that ended Nzoia’s unbeaten home run to earn promotion to KPL. Share with us that feeling as well as your debut season in the topflight
Yeah beating Nzoia on the final day of the season to clinch promotion to the KPL was awesome. We had a very decent squad for our debut season so I settled in quite fast. The transition was seamless I would say.
City Stars; After Sharks you kind of ‘disappeared’ from football. Injury?
Yes. It was an injury enforced break. I sat it out for a whole season doing rehabilitation. Thank God it was a short season. But it was a very tough time for me. Working alone is very difficult especially for us footballers as we are used to a team setup and working in a group all the time.
Thankfully, City Stars had faith in me and gave me an opportunity even though I wasn’t even at 100% when I joined. The coach was patient with me. Something that I am very grateful for
City Stars; You arrived at City Stars in mid-2019 at a time when the club was going through rigorous changes from the office to the team setup up. Talk to us about your early days at Simba wa Nairobi.
Yes. Very positive changes. The project that was underway at Simba wa Nairobi was irresistible and I felt I could rediscover myself and grow with the club as it sought to re-establish itself as a force in Kenyan football.
City Stars; After a slow start you established yourself at the club and with Shitu formed a formidable defensive pair; the best in the NSL. Talk to us about your partnership
Hahahaa..” The walls of Nairobi”…it’s a good partnership. I have a good relationship with Salim on and off the pitch. We learn a lot from each other and compliment each other well.
But we also have well able center backs in (Edwin) Buliba and Teddy (Esilaba) who are constantly pushing for a starting berth at the heart of the defense. We benefit a lot from this competition as there’s no room for complacency. I believe the four of us can play in any pairing and it would still be a decent partnership.
City Stars; In January you opted to stay on at City Stars for a further one year to the end of next season. What informed your extension?
I opted to extend my stay at the club because of the progress of the project and I also feel that I’m growing. There is a lot to come from the club n I want be a part of it.
City Stars; Other than being a header clearance specialist you dribble and play ball from the back. Is that your normal style of play?
I wouldn’t say that I have a particular style of play. I am very adaptable and would fit into most systems and philosophies of the game although, I must admit, that I am a sucker for a possession-based style of play.
City Stars; On a one v one, name the striker(s) you never want to come up against
I would say the combination ya (Meddie) Kagere and (Jacques) Tuyisenge ilikuwa moto (too hot!). Those guys were relentless.. They chased every ball for the entirety of the game. They never gave you space to breath as they were constantly pressing and making those runs into the spaces behind. You had to be alert for the whole ninety minutes when playing against them.
Hahahaha.. But bring them on. I fancy a challenge. I enjoy playing against top strikers that give you problems to solve for the entire game.
City Stars; You have played under numerous coaches. Name some of those that have positively shaped your football.
I have learnt different elements of the game from different coaches that that I have played for. I’m always open-minded and yearning to learn and challenge myself. Every coach has their way of viewing the game and you just have to try and see it the way they do because they are the ones who come up with the blueprint of how the team will play.
City Stars; Lastly, you are very eloquent and a good orator. When you retire shall we see you as a football anchor, analyst?
Hahaa.. Maybe. I fancy that I’d make a good sports anchor if I get the opportunity, but I believe it goes beyond just being eloquent. It is one of the options, along with coaching, that I’m seriously looking at once I hang my boots.
