Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Steve Njunge

Njunge, Opiyo resume training

Goalkeeper Stephen Njunge and mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo are back in training after layoffs stretching to weeks due to injury.

The two returned to the pitch last week and have been training on the sidelines of the rest of the team.

Opiyo has been out of action with a groin injury while Njunge was sent to the sidelines due to a knee injury.

“They are both back and have started light training albeit on the side of the rest under close monitoring. This is a start and with time they should be able to join the rest,” said team physio Brian Otieno Odongo

The players shared the joy of leaving coming off their lonely rest and recuperation program away from the rest of the lot.

“I feel much better now and I am happy to be back amongst my teammates who I had missed very much,” said Opiyo

“I am now concentrating on rehab. At least now I can move and run around. Hopefully, soon I will return to full fitness,” said Njunge

Both Opiyo and Njunge have not been considered for any game since matchday 24 against Bandari in mid-March 2022.

While Njunge has been ruled out of the season ending in mid-June this year, Opiyo is hopeful to grab playtime before then.

With the two back in training, the only other players out are striker Eric Ombija who is nursing a knee injury, Oliver Maloba, and Ronny Kola.

Mid kingpin Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo celebrates one of his two goals against Mathare United on Sat 11 Dec 2021 in Ruaraka. City Stars won 2-0

May 24, 2022
Injury slows down trio

Nairobi City Stars trio of Peter Opiyo, Vincent Jamaica Otieno Okoth,, and Erick Ombija have been slowed down by recent injuries.

As per updates from team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, the three are being closely monitored as they recuperate from their varied ailments.

“Vincent is out for a while due to tendinitis suffered during a friendly in Ng’ong. Ombija is out with a knee injury that occurred in training while Opiyo is on rest after sickness,”

“Vincent and Ombija will soon start light training as we monitor Opiyo’s progress,” said Odongo

Both Jamaica and Ombija have missed the last three games while Opiyo has been out of the last league games.

While highlighting the state of the three, Odongo gave an update on two other players who have been on the injury list.

“Steve (Njunge) has already kicked off rehab as well as Ronny Kola. In a matter of weeks they will be good to go.” said Odongo

Both Njunge and Kola were kept out of action due to knee injuries.

May 7, 2022
Njunge out for the season

Goalkeeper Stephen Njunge Ndungu has been forced to sit out the rest of the season due to a recent knee knock.

Njunge injured his knee as City Stars took on second-tier side Kibera Black Stars in a friendly game last week in Ngong Vapor. He had to leave the field of play as early as the eighth minute following a collision with an opponent.

According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, Njunge has been advised by the Doctors to stay out for a while to fully recover.

“Examinations were done on him and it was found out that he strained his knee. Active rest for three months has been recommended with treatment and medication for full recovery to be achieved,” said Odongo

On his part, Njunge said; “I feel really sad as that this has happened at a time when I wanted to contribute to the team as we head towards season-end. I pray for a faster recovery.” said Njunge

City Stars head coach Nicholas Muyoti is disturbed at the realization that his top keeper is now out for a few months.

“It is very sad to lose him at this point of the season. I wish him a quick recovery. His presence had a good effect on (Jacob) Osano and I hope (Elvis) Ochoro will step up and give competition.” said Muyoti

Till the injury, Njunge had made the Simba wa Nairobi squad in 20 of 25 games played in the current FKF Premier League season.

Nairobi City Stars keeper Steve Njunge warming up ahead of a round 22 Premier League game against Nzoia United at the Narok Stadium on Fri 25 June 2021

Keeper Stephen Njunge initiates play against Posta Rangers during a 7th round Premier League game on Fri 8th Jan 2021 at Kasarani. The game ended 1-1

April 14, 2022
Stephen Njunge: It’s an improved season

Lead City Stars keeper Stephen Njunge is urging his team mates to concentrate a little more even though results so far into the season stand the team in good stead.

18 games into the 34-game season, Simba wa Nairobi sits second on the log with 32-points, five off leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

The placing hands Njunge the firm belief that the league title is within City Stars sights.

“Compared to last season we’ve had a much improved season. I’d say that so far it’s been a good season,” said the soft spoken shot stopper

“Even then we need to learn to finish off our games early. I ask for improved concentration as that will improve our results further and give us a better chance to gun for the title.”

In the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season, Njunge was the only City Stars player to feature in all 33 games.

He clocked the full 2,970 minutes and registered 11 clean sheets that earned him a runner-up keeper of the year that was accompanied with a Kshs 300,000 bounty.

Njunge has made the squad for 15 of the 18 matchdays into the 2021/22 season.

Nairobi City Stars keeper Steve Njunge warming up ahead of a round 22 Premier League game against Nzoia United at the Narok Stadium on Fri 25 June 2021

Keeper Stephen Njunge initiates play against Posta Rangers during a 7th round Premier League game on Fri 8th Jan 2021 at Kasarani. The game ended 1-1

Keeper Steve Njunge during a the Western Stima game at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Wednesday 23 February 2021 during a match day 13 Kenyan Premier League tie. Simba wa Nairobi won the game 2-0

February 15, 2022
Ochoro in squad for Tusker face-off

For the first time this season, budding goalkeeper Elvis Oblak Ochoro has made the squad for a league game, this time for the showdown against champions Tusker at Ruaraka on Sunday 16 January 2022 starting 3 pm.

Ochoro, a former Kenya U20 trialist, takes up the place of Steve Njunge who takes a worthy rest after making the squad in all 13 games into the season.

Ochoro joins Jacob Osano who has been between the posts for the last 12 straight games.

Other than Ochoro, the other change from the squad that took down FC Talanta 2-1 in the last league assignment is bully Davis Beast Agesa.

The Beast takes up the slot of defender Herit Mungai who takes a rest.

From the lot that last faced Tusker at the same venue in late July 2021, winning 1-0, changes are seven

Other than Ochoro’s entry for Njunge, the defense line will have three new faces; Lennox Ogutu, Salim Shitu Abdalla, and Dennis Decha Wanjala in place of Bolton Omwenga who has since left the club, Wycliffe Otieno, and Herit who has taken a rest.

Elvis Noor Ojiambo and Azizi Okaka, who has since left the club, are the midfielders who are out and in their places Rodgers Okuse Okumu, Oliver Maloba, as well as two former Tusker players Michael Madoya, and Peter Opiyo.

The added midfielders buffer the frontline that sees Nicholas Kipkirui and Vincent Otieno Okoth miss out on yet another game against Tusker.

20-man squad to Tusker FC

Goalkeepers: 16. Jacob Osano, 1. Elvis Ochoro

Defenders: 26. Dennis Wanjala, 19. Kevin Okumu, 4. Salim Abdallah, 8. Calvin Masawa, 12. Edwin Buliba, 27. Lennox Ogutu,

Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani-captain, 20. Timothy Ouma, 18. Sven Yidah, 3. Charles Otieno, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 21. Oliver Maloba, 5. Michael Madoya, 15. John Kamau, 10. Peter Opiyo, 11. Davis Agesa,

Strikers: 32. Ezekiel Odera, 24. Erick Ombija,

Out: 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 6. Ronney Kola, 23. Stephen Njunge, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 14. Rowland Makati, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 17. Nicholas Kipkirui, 28. Herit Mungai,

January 15, 2022

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