Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Sanjin Alagic

  • Teen Timothy Ouma comes in for praise

    Teen Timothy Ouma comes in for praise

    Teenager Timothy Ouma Noor aka Babu has received a heavy pat on the back from Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic.

    The youngster, current reigning Chapa Dimba Rift Valley MVP, is an offseason acquisition from Laiser Hill Academy who plays as creative or attacking midfielder.

    Into the current season, the Kenya U20 callup who ended up missing CECAFA U20 last year due to lack of a passport, has featured in all but one of the 15 games played in the Premier League.

    “Babu has made amazing progress, day to day he looks better and gaining more experience in professional football. He’s only a teenager, so I’m very careful with minutes and playing time he gets,” said Sanjin

    “But I believe he’s huge potential and that’s reason he has played almost every match this Season. I worked for many years in youth football so I’m the coach who likes to give opportunity for young talent and I believe that sometimes in your life you just need to get opportunity in right moment to achieve your dreams. I’ll try to help this boy to achieve his dreams.” added Sanjin

    Speaking to our news desk, Babu talked up his steady progression in the top flight league.

    “I have really grown in those games. Initially I wasn’t getting enough minutes but thereafter the playtime graduated which has really helped in the growth,” he said

    He marked his Premier league debut in the season opener against Nzoia Sugar in Narok in late November 2020 after coming on for Oliver Maloba in the 83rd minute.

    In the 15 games played so far, Ouma has earned starts in games against Bidco United, Vihiga United and Sofapaka and is looking forward to a full game. Just once against Posta Rangers did he miss on playtime as he did not come off the bench.

    As he looks forward to a big game against Tusker on 20th March, Babu revisits the last game against AFC Leopards which he reckons was one of the toughest he’s played in the league.

    “I came on when the tempo and the pressure was really high. I would have been elated had we won it, but . . ” said the lad who replaced Sven Yidah in the 79th minute in that game.

    In scaling up from high school to City Stars, Babu joined his elder sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo at Simba wa Nairobi. They both contest for minutes in the mid of the park.

    Timothy Ouma
    City Stars forward Timothy Ouma up against Bandari left back Siraj Mohammed during a 3rd round FKF PL match at Kasarani on Fri 11 Dec 2020. City Stars won 2-0
    Timothy Ouma
    Timothy Ouma in a game against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020 during a preseason friendly. It ended 0-0
    Timothy Ouma
    City Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma aka Babu faces off with KCB’s Rama Walumbe during a friendly on Wed 11 Nov 2020. KCB won 1-0
    Timothy Ouma
    Timothy Ouma aka Babu on the ball against Bidoc United at Kasarani in a fourth round Premiership tie at Utalii grounds in Dec 2020. It ended 0-0
  • Sanjin sweats over Pinchez suspension

    Sanjin sweats over Pinchez suspension

    Nairobi City Stars will take on log leaders Tusker on Saturday 20 March 2021 without dependable midfielder Peter Pinchez Opiyo due to suspension.

    Opiyo, incidentally City Stars top scorer this season with four goals, was slapped with a fifth yellow card this season in the last game against AFC Leopards.

    The card was earned in the 61st minute after a challenge on a Leopards’ player deep in the City Stars territory.

    “That card really disturbed me. I didn’t expect to get one but hey, that’s the nature of the game. You have to be prepared to miss some matches.” said Opiyo

    For head coach Sanjin Alagic, his absence is a big blow but there is no choice but to dive into the brewers game without his lynchpin.

    “Absence of Pinchez in the match against Tusker, the leading team in table, it’s big blow for us, because he’s such a important player in our team. When you play against the best teams in the league definitely you need all your best players in the squad,”

    “But I don’t want to whine about that, we will try to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and get ready for the match to achieve a positive result.” said Sanjin

    Thus far, Pinchez had clocked the full 90 minutes in all the 15 games into the season and he emerged as City Stars most valuable Player in four games against Wazito, KCB, Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz.

    He scored in three straight January games against Wazito, Posta Rangers and Ulinzi Stars, then added a fourth against Western Stima in March.

    Nairobi City Stars
    Nairobi City Stars players celebrate a second goal by Peter Opiyo as Simba wa Nairobi beat Western Stima at Moi Stadium on Wed 23 Feb 2021 in a round 13 Premier League game
  • No change against AFC Leopards

    No change against AFC Leopards

    It will be the same 20 players that faced Mathare United at Kasarani on Tuesday that will come up against AFC Leopards on Saturday 6 March 2021 at the same venue from 3pm. 

    It is the third straight game that head coach Sanjin Alagic has maintained the same 20 players.

    They were all part of the past two league games that Simba wa Nairobi won with identical 2-0 margins over Western Stima and Mathare United.

    20-man squad to face AFC Leopards

    Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa,19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

    Midfielders: 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani,21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 3. Charles Otieno, 10. Peter Opiyo, 7. Rodgers Okumu,

    Strikers: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

  • Sanjin: Chumsy, Bolton have improved City Stars flanks

    Sanjin: Chumsy, Bolton have improved City Stars flanks

    In the ended mid transfer window, Nairobi City Stars roped in two fullbacks Bolton Omwenga and Kevin Chumsy Okumu on loan from Wazito.

    Left back Bolton arrived from Tanzania’s Biashara United while right back Chumsy returned from Wazito whom he joined late last year after serving City Stars for four years.

    Their arrival of the two versatile fullbacks has fixed City Stars vulnerability on either flanks to the delight of head coach Sanjin Alagic.

    Bolton, a former Nzoia Suar, Kariobangi Sharks and KCB left back was a miss in the last transfer window as he went to Tanzania while Chumsy opted for something new hence his move to Wazito.

    Months later, they were both a part of Simba wa Nairobi.

    “We knew it from beginning of the season that we’ll suffer in those two positions if we didn’t bring in quality players. Unfortunately, even with a clear plan, we were not able to sign the players we wanted as our target Bolton left for Tanzania and Chumsy went to Wazito,”

    “Now they are here and they have brought really positive impact on our flanks. They are quality players with the ability to play good both defensively and offensively with quality crosses,”

    “They have adapted very well in our playing style in such a short time.” added Sanjin

    Bolton came off the bench to make his debut in an away game against Kakemega Homeboyz while Chumsy earned his first Premier League game in City Stars colors against Zoo where he scored on his debut.

    With both players on the pitch, City Stars has now registered four straight wins over Mutomo Tigers in the Domestic Club, Zoo FC, Western Stima and lately against Mathare United.

    Bolton and Chumsy were the only additions to the squad in the mini transfer window that lasted the entirety of February 2021.

    Nairobi City Stars
    Bolton Omwenga in training with City Stars after his arrival from Tanzania’s Biashara United
    Nairobi City Stars
    Kevin ‘Chumsy’ Okumu in action during a round 64 Betway Cup clash against Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. He had an assist as City Stars won the duel 4-1
  • No change against Mathare United

    No change against Mathare United

    The 20-man squad that travelled to Kisumu mid week to face Western Stima remains as is ahead of the upcoming game against Mathare United at Kasarani on Tuesday 2 March 2021 starting 3pm.

    Head coach Sanjin Alagic has put faith in the same lot that delivered a 2-0 win over Western Stima on Wednesday for the upcoming round 14 Premier League tie.

    The 20 will be contesting starting berths in the game that was pushed from Sunday to Tuesday to unavailability of a venue in Nairobi to host the game.

    Utility Azizi Okaka, striker Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, left back Herit Mungai Atariza are some of the players that will all sit out the Mathare game.

    20-man squad to face Mathare United

    Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa,19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

    Midfielders: 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani,21. Oliver Maloba, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 3. Charles Otieno, 10. Peter Opiyo, 7. Rodgers Okumu,

    Strikers: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

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