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.
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 2-0Timothy Ouma in a game against Mt. Kenya United on Sat 14 Nov 2020 during a preseason friendly. It ended 0-0City Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma aka Babu faces off with KCB’s Rama Walumbe during a friendly on Wed 11 Nov 2020. KCB won 1-0Timothy 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
Nairobi City Stars eased past Betway Cup round of 64 after registering a 4-1 come-from-behind win over Mutomo Tigers at Kitui Stadium on Saturday 13 February 2021.
Evans Mutuse sent the hosts 1-0 up six minutes after restart and the response for Simba wa Nairobi was immediate as Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu grabbed an equalizer soon after.
Ebrima Sanneh then claimed a brace on either side of Davis Agesa’s goal to complete the comeback in the battle of the cats.
Watched by a sizeable crowd, the game received a wild cheer when Obagor Lubagakee had a sniff of goal eight minutes in.
Though the attempt forced City Stars keeper Jacob Osano to slip, it went just wide activating hope and belief for the Tigers.
Five minutes later a foul committed by stopper Wesley Onguso saw left back Johna Elijah send a freekick just wide as the hosts kept prodding the unsettled visitors.
A few minutes later Simba wa Nairobi winger Azizi Okaka sent a dangerous cross into the box that Vincent Jamaica Otieno failed to connect to.
Three minutes later action was on the other end but a goal attempt by an energized Johna Elijah dinked just past the crossbar to land behind the goal.
Between the water break and half time, skipper of the day Ezekiel Odera fluffed Bolton Omwenga’s cross while in the box. Moments later Omwenga curled a freekick just wide to leave the game tied at 0-0 heading to the breather.
Six minutes into the restart, an Issa Ibra cross from the right into the box, originally from a corner on the left, found an unmarked Mutuse who headed home at the near post past the City Stars defense that had assumed the ball had gone out. The cheer that followed from the crowd was deafening.
While the goal spurred the hosts many fold, it swung City Stars into high gear and three minutes later it was level at 1-1.
An Omwenga corner from the left received a low header-flick from Odera into the box for Babu to tap home for his first competitive goal in City Stars colors.
A triple substitution by City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic a minute after the leveler led to a complete turnaround in proceedings.
Strikers Ebrima Sanneh and Davis Agesa as well as winger Rodgers Okuse Okumu took up the places of Odera, John Kamau and Okaka, in that order.
Minutes later, Erick Ombija who had come on for Jamaica at the start of the second half, rifled a cross from Babu just above bar as City Stars piled on the pressure.
In the 70th minute, ten minutes after Ombija’s near-miss, it was a different tale as Sanneh leapt highest to power home a header off a long Onguso throw in to send City Stars 2-1 up.
With six minutes left, surefooted Okuse evaded three markers from mid pitch into the box to force a corner. Omwenga delivered it well for Agesa to head home at the near post to stretch City Stars lead to 3-1.
Two minutes to time returning right back Kevin Chumsy Okumu dropped a long ball in the box for Sanneh who, after a few twists and turns on defenders, fired home the final goal of the game to confirm City Stars place in the round of 32.
City Stars played a man less from the 65th minute after defensive mid Charles Chale Otieno was slapped with a straight red after being adjudged to have had a nasty challenge on Mutomo Tiger’s substitute Mustafa Chenge.
Lineups
Mutomo Tigers: 23. Maurice Ochieng (GK), 2. Susan Mwanzia, 3. Johna Elijah (9. Jano Mwendwa-81), 13. Mutua Nzila (14. Mustafa Chenge-59), 7. Michael Otieno (Captain), 15. Issa Ibra, 6. Avon Kyalo (16. Daniel Musembi-59), 8. Wilber Kinene, 11. Evans Mutuse, 10. Obagor Lubagakee
Unused subs: Laiber Saad, Elijah Mwangangi, 4. Stanley Mwende, Hamisi Salim, Issa Musa, Willy Ngonyo
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 26. Bolton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 19. Kevin Okumu, 3. Charles Otieno, 27. Azizi Okaka (7. Rodgers Okumu-55), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma (2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo-70), 15. John Kamau (11. Davis Agesa-55), 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth (24. Erick Ombija-46), 32. Ezekiel Odera – Captain (29. Ebrima Sanneh-55),
Not considered: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 10. Peter Opiyo, 21. Oliver Maloba, 4. Salim Abdalla (all rested), 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba (thigh injury), 18. Sven Yidah (thigh injury), 30. Anthony Kimani
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Cards: 20. Timothy Ouma-42 (yellow), Charles Otieno-65 (Red), Rodgers Okumu-84(yellow) – Nairobi City Stars//13. Mutua Nzila-76 (yellow) – Mutomo Tigers
Goals: Evans Mutuse (51) – Mutomo Tigers//Timothy Ouma (54), Ebrima Sanneh (70,88), Davis Agesa (84)-Nairobi City Stars
Match officials: Peter Baraza (Match Comm), Samuel Mwaura (Centre Ref), Michael Marwa (AR 1), James Waa (AR 2), Samuel Kyalo (Reserve Ref)
Wesley Onguso and Wycliffe Otieno chase the ball during a round 64 Betway Cup tie against Mutomo Rangers at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars won 4-1Kevin ‘Çhumsy’ Okumu of Nairobi City Stars against a Mutomo Tigers player during a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on Sat 13 Feb 2021. City Stars came from behind to win 4-1Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021
Attacking midfielder Oliver Maloba has been called up to the provisional National team Harambee Stars squad that will face Egypt and Togo in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers towards the close of March 2021.
The National team currently coached by Jacob Ghost Mulee will train twice each week from the second week of February for four weeks before upping the tempo in the month of March towards the two games.
“The Kenya National Senior Men’s Team (Harambee Stars) is scheduled to play Egypt and Togo in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers on March 25,2021, and March 28 ,2021 respectively.
“The above-mentioned player (Maloba) who is a member of your club has been invited in the provisional squad by the technical team in preparation for the aforementioned matches.” said a communique from the Federation to City Stars
The pacey ball player led City Stars to promotion with a personal contribution of five goals, six assists and six MVP awards. Thus far he has clocked all ten games into the 2020/21 Premier League season.
City Stars head coach Sanjin Alagic commented on his callup stating; “I am proud that his hard work has finally paid off as the National team scouts have now spotted him. We wish him all the best.”
Maloba becomes the latest player from City Stars to be considered for National team duty after keeper Elvis Ochieng Ochoro, midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma and striker Vincent Otieno Okoth who were called up to the provisional U20 team in November 2020 before the final squad was named for the CECECAFA U20 held in Tanzania.
Oliver Maloba on the ball as Davis Agesa looks on during a friendly against Mt. Kenya United at Dagoretti High on Sat 14 Nov 2020. It ended 1-1Oliver Maloba training at Camp Toyoyo in March 2020Oliver Maloba celebrates his goal, the second for City Stars in the season opening 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar FC at Narok Stadium on Sun 29 Nov 2020
After two sub shows in the opening games against Nzoia Sugar and KCB, Laiser Hill Academy alumnus Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu, will register his first Premier league start when Nairobi City Stars hosts Bandari at Kasarani on Friday 11th December 2020 starting 3pm.
Head coach Sanjin Alagic has trusted the promising teenager Babu to start out ahead of another teen Vincent Otieno Jamaica Okoth who was in the starting lineup against KCB. Jamaica will make the bench.
As Babu starts, his elder sibling Elvis Noor Ojiambo has dropped to the bench to gift Sven Yidah a first start for City Stars.
Save for those two starting changes, the rest of the starting cast remains as was against KCB
Anthony Muki Kimani wears the armband for a third straight game as he spearheads Simba wa Nairobi against his former club as Herit Mungai Atariza, Kenedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla and Azizi Okaka create the backline to shield keeper Steve Njunge.
Peter Pinchez Opiyo will play alongside Sven and Muki in midfield as tricky Oliver Maloba, Babu and Davis Agesa complete the attack line.
Jimmy Bageya, City Stars top scorer against Bandari with three goals (alongside retired Arthur Museve), headlines the bench power that also has overall team captain Calvin Masawa, utility back Edwin Buliba and roving winger Rodgers Okumu, both of whom made their KPL bow against KCB last Friday.
Teenage keeper Elvis Ochoro and striker Ezekiel Odera complete the bench.
Starting lineup vs Bandari: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 27. Azizi Okaka, 10. Peter Opiyo, 18. Sven Yidah, 20. Timothy Ouma , 30. Anthony Kimani (Captain), 21. Oliver Maloba, 11. Davis Agesa
Subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 8. Calvin Masawa, 32. Ezekiel Odera, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 12. Edwin Buliba, 19. Jimmy Bageya
Not considered: 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 3. Charles Otieno, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 24. Erick Ombija (injuries), 16. Jacob Osano (sickness), 5. Wesley Onguso, 15. John Kamau, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa
On Sunday 29 November 2020, Nairobi City Stars beat Nzoia Sugar 2-0 at the Narok Stadium in their opening game of the 2020/21 FKF Premier League season.
In that game, the first Premiership tie for City Stars in four years and ten days, one Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 19, started in the mid of the pack alongside Peter Opiyo for his top flight debut.
The lad signed to City Stars from Kibera Black Stars mid last year admitted to the magnitude and weight the game had on him.
“For me it was such a big game. I have to admit that I was very nervous before and during the game. It was the my first ever Premier League game and it was a very big one for me. It came with pressure,” said Elvis
His debut lasted 66 minutes before he gave way to Sven Yidah for his City Stars debut, but game number 98 in the Premier League.
Last Friday Elvis nailed another start as City Stars went on to lose 1-0 to KCB in the second game at Kasarani.
In his own words, he was more at ease in Kasarani than in Narok.
“It was the second Premier League game and there was little pressure compared to the first. I am now slowly coming to terms with playing the games at this level.” he added
As was the case in Narok, Elvis once again gave way for Sven in the second half in the game against KCB.
In the Narok game, his younger sibling Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu – the reigning Rift Valley Chapa Dimba MVP – also made his Premier League bow after coming on for Oliver Maloba.
He was a second half sub once again in the game against KCB.
