Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Ulinzi Stars

  • Calvin Masawa: Defensive seal the difference

    Calvin Masawa: Defensive seal the difference

    Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa reckons the club’s recent rise in games, win-wise, is directly attributed to defensive maturity that has seen the team shoot up to fifth in the standings.

    Nairobi City Stars had conceded in all games between matchday two and twelve, but has since dropped that tag to post three clean sheets – in identical 1-0 wins over Posta Rangers, Bandari, and Kakamega Homeboyz – in the last four games.

    Simba wa Nairobi has conceded just twice in the last five games compared to 13 goals shipped in from the prior set of five games.

    In sealing the backline, City Stars has managed to piece up five straight wins matching a rare record set in the 2020/21 Premier League season. The contiguous run adds up to another win to make it six triumphs in the last seven games.

    Masawa, City Stars longest serving player having joined back in the year 2011, talks up that improvement.

    “First I thank God for the far he has brought us. It wasn’t particularly a good start for us due to the fact cohesively we were not that good,”

    “We conceded a lot of goals although we were scoring in each game. We had to go back to the drawing board and come up with defensive strategies. That’s why we concede fewer goals, and of course, if you don’t concede chances of winning matches are high and the results can testify,”

    “That has brought confidence in every player and to the entire team,” added Masawa.

    City Stars started the season with a barren draw against Muhoroni Youth and had to wait till match matchday 13 in the 1-0 over the then log-leader Posta Rangers, to register the second clean sheet.

    Incidentally, that second clean sheet arrived when Masawa clocked his first full game since early June 2023, against Nzoia Sugar in Kasarani Annex.

    He has gone on to clock full minutes in three games thereafter, against Bandari, Ulinzi Stars, and Kakamega Homebyz to tally up 556 minutes this season in seven games.

    Calvin Masawa
    Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa in action on Sat 3 June 2023 against Nzoia Sugar during a matchday 32 tie in Kasarani Annex
    City Stars
    Nairobi City Stars skipper Calvin Masawa with the ball against KCB’s John Mwangi during a 22nd round FKF Premier League tie in Kasarani Annex on Wed 5 Apr 2023. KCB won it 1-0
  • MD15: Ulinzi Stars 1 Nairobi City Stars 2

    MD15: Ulinzi Stars 1 Nairobi City Stars 2

    Second-half goals by Vincent Owino and substitute Dennis Oalo turned around a game at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, as Nairobi City Stars came from behind to see off hosts Ulinzi Stars 2-1 during a matchday 15 tie played on Sunday 17 December 2023.

    Ulinzi had gone ahead in the 37th minute after skipper Boniface Muchiri fired home a one-time volley off a float from the right by Enosh Ochieng.

    But two minutes after the hour mark, City Stars were level when Vincent Owino got to the end of a flick by Mohammed Bajaber while in the box to tap in at close range past keeper Moses Wanyika.

    Ten minutes later, Oalo, who had barely been on the pitch for two minutes after coming on for Elvis Noor, headed home a pinpoint cross from the right by Samuel Kapen who had initiated the first goal with a throwin.

    Kapen was named the match MVP, and he went on to make it to the team of the week.

    With the win, City Stars moved to sixth-spot with a new tally of 24-points.

    Next up for Simba wa Nairobi is a year-ender away to Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, on Friday 22 December, 2023.

    Lineups

    Ulinzi Stars: 23. Moses Wanyika, 39. Alex Masinde, 44. Shannel Makwata, 12. Boventure Muchika, 16. Peter Wafula, 22. Rashid Issa, 29. Shambi Ibrahim (37. Elvis Nandwa-86), 24. Nicholas Omondi (20. Kelvin Thairu-86), 25. Enosh Ochieng, 14. Hillary Simiyu (11. Benjamin Murimi-75), 10. Boniface Muchiri – Captain

    Unused subs: 30. Stephen Ochieng, 15. Byron Odiaga, 2. Michael Onyango, 41. Faraj Ominde, 6. Omar Mwandaru,

    Coach: Anthony Kimani

    Nairobi City Stars: 1. Edwin Mukolwe, 12. Edwin Buliba, 4 . Timothy Muganda, 15. Wycliffe Omondi, 8. Calvins Masawa-Captain, 18. Clifford Ouma, 2. Elvis Noor (10. Dennis Oalo-70) , 19. Vincent Owino, 22. Samuel Kapen (30. Rowland Makati-89), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (20. Kelvin Etemesi-70), 3. Robinson Asenwa (11. Andrew Kisilu-79)

    Unused subs: 13. Elvis Ochoro, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 32. Sosthenes Idah

    Out: 5. Newton Ochieng, 6. Ronney Kola, 7. Pius Omachi, 17. Brian Mose, 21. Yuto Kusaba, 23. Julius Ombacho, 25. Brian Mzee, 27. Gilbert Abala, 31. Abuyeka Kubasu,

    Coach: Nicholas Muyoti

    Cautions
    Ulinzi Stars:
    Nairobi City Stars: 4. Timothy Muganda (32), 9. Mohammed Bajaber (64)

    Goals
    Ulinzi Stars: 10. Boniface Muchiri (37)
    Nairobi City Stars: 19. Vincent Owino (62), 10. Dennis Oalo (72)

    Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars during an FKF Premier League matchday 15 tie at Ulinzi Complex on Sun 17 Dec 2023. City Stars won 2-1
  • Head-to-head: Ulinzi Stars (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

    Head-to-head: Ulinzi Stars (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2023/24 FKF Premier League season

    For the 15th time in the Kenyan topflight, Nairobi City Stars will visit Ulinzi Stars, at the Ulinzi Complex, off Langata road, during a 15th round FKF Premier League game on Sunday 17 December 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

    It will be the second visit for Simba wa Nairobi to the Ulinzi Complex following the first back on 7 May 2023 during a 29th round match in the 2022/23 FKF Premier League season. It ended 1-1.

    From the previous 14 visits to Ulinzi, City Stars has managed three wins and as many losses. The other eight games have ended in even Stevens.

    In what denotes close encounters, Ulinzi Stars has outscored City Stars 13 goals to 12 in the previous 14 games as hosts.

    The home team comes to the game with a 1-1 draw against Muranga SEAL while Simba wa Nairobi heads to it fresh from a 1-0 win over Bandari last weekend.

    City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti will be up against his Ulinzi counterpart Anthony Kimani who joined the side at the start of the season from Bandari.

    Table-wise, City Stars sits eighth in the 18-team log with 21 points, four clear of Ulinzi Stars who are 12th with 17 points.

    Who wins this one?

    Summary

    KPL (away) games to Ulinzi: 14; City Stars wins (3), Ulinzi Stars wins (3), Draws (8)

    1-Apr-06; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)
    13-Oct-07; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)
    4-Oct-08; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
    7-Nov-09; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
    24-Apr-10; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    16-Oct-11; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
    12-Aug-12; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    22-Jun-13: Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
    26-Jul-14; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    23-May-15; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    15-May-16; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 3-0 (L)
    10-Jul-21; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-2 (W)
    18-Apr-22; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
    07-May-22; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    17-Dec-23; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, ??

  • Debut goal spurs Levis Okello

    Debut goal spurs Levis Okello

    Substitute Levis Okello struck at the death to earn Nairobi City Stars a share of the spoils during a 1-1 draw with Ulinzi Stars on Sunday 7 May 2023 in Ulinzi Complex, Langata, in a match day 29 Premier League tie.

    Okello had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes after being thrown into action in place of Elvis Noor Ojiambo in the 88th minute.

    He fired home a layup to the top of the roof after getting to the end of James Mazembe’s headed ball in the box.

    “I went in and did what I was asked to do which was to get the goal(s),”

    “I am happy to have opened my account at City Stars, and even happier that the goal made sure we left the field of play with an important point after missing many chances during the first half,”

    “The goal inspires me to even work harder and to fetch more to help the team move further up the table.” added Okello

    Okello arrived at Simba wa Nairobi in March during the mid-transfer window for the second leg, on loan from Kakamega Homeboyz.

    Levis Okello
    Levis Okello celebrates with teammates his added time goal – his first for City Stars – against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, on Su 7 May 2023. The game ended 1-1
    Levis Okello
    Levis Okello celebrates his added time goal – his first for City Stars – against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Complex, Langata, on Su 7 May 2023. The game ended 1-1
  • Head-to-head: Ulinzi Stars (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2022/23 FKF Premier League season

    Head-to-head: Ulinzi Stars (H) vs Nairobi City Stars (A): 2022/23 FKF Premier League season

    For the 14th time in the Kenyan topflight, Nairobi City Stars will be away to Ulinzi Stars, for the first time ever, at the Ulinzi Complex, off Langata road, during a 29th round FKF Premier League game on Sunday 7 May 2023 starting at 3 p.m.

    It will be another first between the two as, in the last such game, Ulinzi Stars hosted City Stars in Ruaraka. A late Oliver Maloba strike earned City Stars a hard-earned 1-0 win.

    From the past 13 encounters away to Ulinzi Stars, City Stars has managed only three wins and has lost as many times. The other seven games have ended in draws.

    City Stars head to the game on the back of a 0-0 draw against champions Tusker while Ulinzi carries a 1-0 win over AFC Leopards from their last fixture. Simba wa Nairobi has an extra bounce going to the game as they are buoyed by two straight wins in their last two trips to Ulinzi.

    City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti will be coming up against his Ulinzi counterpart Bernard Mwalala who was, incidentally, his understudy at Kakamega Homeboyz.

    Headed to the game, City Stars sits 14th in the 18-team log with 28 points. Ulinzi Stars is sixth with 43 points.

    Who wins this one?

    Summary

    KPL (away) games to Ulinzi: 13; City Stars wins (3), Ulinzi Stars wins (3), Draws (7)

    1-Apr-06; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)
    13-Oct-07; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-1 (D)
    4-Oct-08; Ulinzi Stars vs World Hope, 1-0 (L)
    7-Nov-09; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
    24-Apr-10; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    16-Oct-11; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-2 (W)
    12-Aug-12; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 2-1 (L)
    22-Jun-13: Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-0 (D)
    26-Jul-14; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    23-May-15; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 1-1 (D)
    15-May-16; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 3-0 (L)
    10-Jul-21; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-2 (W)
    18-Apr-22; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, 0-1 (W)
    07-May-22; Ulinzi Stars vs City Stars, ??

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