Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Sofapaka

  • False start against Sofapaka

    False start against Sofapaka

    Nairobi City Stars went down 3-1 to home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021 in a 2021-22 FKF Premier League matchday one tie played in Wundanyi.

    Sofapaka carried a 1-0 lead to the break after a breakout Joe Waithira goal in the 40th minute off an assist from the left by Ambrose Sifuna.

    They doubled the lead through skipper Lawrence Juma in the 80th minute via a penalty he won after being adjudged to have been fouled by Kevin Okumu in the box. Juma had raced down a long throw from his keeper Kelvin Omondi from mid-pitch into the box.

    Substitute Timothy Babu Ouma pulled one back for Simba wa Nairobi in the 86th minute – his debut goal in the premier league – after chesting down a Kevin Chumsy Okumu delivery before firing low at the far post.

    In stoppage time an unmarked Alex Imbusia slammed ball home, off a fed from Waithira,  from the edge of the box to end the contest at 3-1.

    It was Sofapaka’s seventh win over City Stars in ten home games since year 2009.

    City Stars had two debutants; head coach Nicholas Muyoti on the touchline and left-back Dennis Wanjala who joined in the off-season from Nzoia Sugar.

    Next up for City Stars is an away game to newly promoted Kenya Police on Sunday 17 October 2021 at Ruaraka grounds starting 3pm.

    Lineups:

    Sofapaka: 35. Kevin Omondi, 20. Titus Achesa, 27. Stephen Okola, 6. David Nshimiramana, 11. Ambrose Sifuna, 10. Roy Okal, 66. Sebastian Sunday, 17. Alex Imbusia, 40. David King’atua, 16. Joe Waithira, 23. Lawrence Juma

    Unused subs: Namasaka, Bernard, Nixon Omondi

    Head coach: Kenedy Odhiambo

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (10. Peter Opiyo-60), 30. Anthony Kimani – Captain (20. Timothy Ouma-60), 32. Ezekiel Odera (9. Vincent Otieno-70), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 7. Rodgers Okumu (24. Erick Ombija-60)

    Unused: 16. Jacob Osano, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 3. Charles Otieno

    Did not travel: 21. Oliver Maloba, 6. Ronney Kola & 22. Wycliffe Otieno (all injured), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai, 14. Rowland Makati, 5. Michael Madoya, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa, 1. Elvis Ochoro,

    Head coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Yellow cards

    Sofapaka: 11. Ambrose Sifuna (34), 16. Joe Waithira (52), 20. Titus Achesa (65)

    Nairobi City Stars: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo (38), 19. Kevin Okumu (81)

  • Eight changes as City Stars return to Wundanyi

    Eight changes as City Stars return to Wundanyi

    Head coach Nicholas Muyoti has named his 20-man squad for the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season opener away to Wundayi against home team Sofapaka on Sunday 26 September 2021.

    Off-season signing Dennis Wanjala, a left-back, made the cut and is in line for his debut – just as coach Muyoti – for Nairobi City Stars.

    Wanjala is one of many changes from the 18-man squad that faced off with Sofapaka at the same venue back in January.

    Left-footed Herit Mungai, striker Ebrima Sanneh, forward Davis Agesa, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, attacking-mid Oliver Maloba, and winger Azizi Okaka, who has since left the club, are some of the players missing the trip.

    In their place are, other than Wanjala, left-footed John Kamau, utility back Edwin Buliba, field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, forward Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth, overall captain Calvin Masawa, as well as striker Nicholas Kipkirui and right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu.

    The January visit had seen Buliba and Muki miss out due to a thigh and shoulder injury, respectively, as Masawa, Kamau and Jamaica stayed back for tactical reasons. Chumsy and Kipkirui were yet to join the team.

    20-man squad to face Sofapaka on Sun 26 Sept 2021

    Goalkeepers: 23. Stephen Njunge, 16. Jacob Osano

    Defenders: 19. Kevin Okumu, 12. Edwin Buliba, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 15. John Kamau

    Midfielders: 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 24. Erick Ombija, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth,

    Not considered: 21. Oliver Maloba, 6. Ronney Kola & 22. Wycliffe Otieno (all injured), 27. Lennox Ogutu, 28. Herit Mungai14. Rowland Makati, 5. Michael Madoya, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 11. Davis Agesa, 1. Elvis Ochoro,

  • Chale samples the KPL, finally!

    Chale samples the KPL, finally!

    After clocking full minutes on the bench twice against Wazito and Ulinzi Stars, defensive mid Charles Otieno Oduro aka Chale, finally came off the dugout to earn his Premier League debut in Wundanyi as Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to Sofapaka in a round nine tie.

    Chale clocked 13 minutes in his first ever top flight game after coming on for Sven Yidah.

    He talked of the memorable game while in training during the week.

    “I had waited for this day and game and it finally came. I got to the pitch at a moment when the tempo was very high but I fitted right into it,” said the soft spoken Chale

    “It was a very exciting experience and I am looking forward to more games at this level.” he added

    Chale joined Nairobi City Stars back in 2017 following relegation from the top flight.

    He had been part of the club’s low and high tides – relegation survival at the end of the 2018/19 season and promotion the next season.

     

    Nairobi City Stars
    Charles ‘Chale’ Otieno getting closer to full recuperation after months of rehab
    Nairobi City Stars
    Charles Otieno at Wundayi during a match day 9 tie against Sofapaka on Sat 23 Jan 2021. He made his KPL debut as the hosts beat City Stars 1-0.
  • Sanjin speaks after Sofapaka tie

    Sanjin speaks after Sofapaka tie

    On Saturday 23 January 2021 Nairobi City Stars went down 1-0 to host Sofapaka at the Wundanyi Stadium in a round nine Premier League game. 

    Ambrose Sifuna’s goal in the 73rd minute off a diagonal ball from Michael Kibwage was the separator in the game.

    Speaking to our news desk, Simba wa Nairobi head Coach Sanjin Alagic talked of some of the factors the led to the fall in Wundanyi.

    “The pitch surface was very poor which did not allow us to play our game and develop our playing style. The players did not adapt well to the ground especially in first half and that was reason for many simple mistakes and nervousness in the team,”

    “After making some subs in the second half by bringing on Oliver (Maloba), Elvis (Noor), (Ebrima) Sanneh and Charles (Otieno) it brought us stability and improved our performance,”

    “After Sofapaka scored, we managed to create 3-4 amazing chances to score but we missed all those chances in front of goal which is not possible to miss,”

    “A few minutes before the end I was surprised that referee didn’t award us a clear penalty when Maloba was brought down in the box,”

    “We will now focus on our next match with Sharks and hopefully we start to win games because we deserve to have more than 10 points with the very good performance what we showed this year.” summed the Bosnian

    City Stars takes on Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 30 January at Kasarani (outer) starting 3pm.

    Nairobi City Stars
    The technical bench during a match day 9 premier league tie against Sofapaka in Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021
    Nairobi City Stars
    Coach Sanjin Alagic and his City Stars players at Wundanyi on Sat 23 Jan 2021 during a match day 9 against Sofapaka. The hosts won the game 1-0
  • Defeat in Wundanyi

    Defeat in Wundanyi

    Home team Sofapaka handed visiting Nairobi City Stars a 1-0 defeat in a round nine Premier League game played at Wundanyi Stadium on Saturday 23 January 2021.

    Ambrose Sifuna came off the bench to volley home a cross ball in the 73rd minute on the left for the lone goal of the game as Sofapaka registered a ninth win over City Stars in 17 encounters since year 2009.

    As early as the second minute Isaac Mitima’s smacked a long ranger that City Stars keeper Steve Njunge forced out for a fruitless corner.

    That duly informed the visitors the intent of the hosts who had loads of chances in the first half to take the lead.

    Six minutes later stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla was called upon to clear a dangerous header from Sofapaka skipper Elli Asieche.

    On 17 minutes City Stars striker Erick Ombija saw his aim for goal off an assist by Sven Yidah fall on the safe hands of custodian Simon Masika.

    Despite the chances created for the rest of the half it ended barren at the break.

    At the hour mark, Mitima had his header from Nixon Omondi’s cross fly just wide. But 13 minutes later all changed when a Sifuna met a long diagonal ball delivered by stopper Michael Kibwage to one-time it home from a tight angle.

    City Stars had the ball at the back of the net in the 83rd minute when substitute Oliver Maloba fed Davis Agesa to tap home. It was however called for offside to the dismay of the visiting team who also felt they should have been awarded a late penalty.

    With that overturn, Sifuna’s goal for Sofapaka turned out to be the separator in the game.

    With the win Batoto ba Mungu moved up to eighth on the 18-team log with ten points to sit just behind City Stars on goal difference.

    Up next for Simba wa Nairobi is a home game against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 30 January 2021 starting 3pm.

    Lineups

    Sofapaka: 99. Simon Masika, 22. Michael Bodo, 28. Nixon Omondi (11. Ambrose Sifuna – 65), 23. Isaac Mitima, 12. Michael Kibwage, 3. Willis Obayi, 14. Brian Nyakhan, 66. Sunday Ikekhai, 50. Kepha Aswani (55. Paul Kiongera-54), 17. Elli Asieche-Captain (4. Mohammed Kilume-85), 20. Titus Achesa

    Unused subs: 35. Kevin Omondi, 2. Brian Maganya, 25.Sammy Imbuye, 19. Michael Kramor, 27. Stephen Okala, 10. Roy Okal

    Coach: Ken Odhiambo

    Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, , 10. Peter Opiyo, 32. Ezekiel Odera (29. Ebrima Sanneh-80), 18. Sven Yidah (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-77), 20. Timothy Ouma (21. Oliver Maloba-46), 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (3. Charles Otieno-77), 11. Davis Agesa,

    Unused subs: 16. Jacob Osano, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 27. Azizi Okaka

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 5. Wesley Onguso, , 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa (muscle tear), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 8. Calvin Masawa (thigh injury), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 15. John Kamau, 30. Anthony Kimani (shoulder injury, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth

    Coach: Sanjin Alagic

    Yellow cards: Salim Abdallah – 53, Erick Ombija -71 (Nairobi City Stars)

    Goals: 11. Ambrose Sifuna-73 (Sofapaka)

    Match Officials: David Kakunyi (Match Comm), Broke Fide (Centre Ref), Aden Tichicha (AR1), Churchil Omondi (AR2), Dancan Ogosi (Reserve Ref)

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