After completing the 2020/21 Premier League season at Nairobi City Stars goal-less, center-half Kenedy Vidic Onyango was a worried man.
But that changed in the third game of the 2021/22 FKF Premier League season when he opened the scores to lead Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-1 beating of Wazito at the Thika Stadium.
Vidic, donning the armband from the 67th minute following the substitution of field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani, powered in a header in the 76th minute, off a freekick from new signing Dennis Decha Wanjala, to activate the scoresheet.
On Thursday 21 October 2021, Nairobi City Stars put aside six straight losses to Wazito FC, to register a 3-1 win at Thika Stadium during a match day three tie in the 2021/22 FKF Premier League.
All four goals were scored within a 13-minute blitz towards the end of the game.
“This was a game where the first team to score would go on to win it,’ added field skipper Anthony Muki Kimani
“That explains why we had an early purpose and were in their box severally within the opening minutes of the game. But their keeper (Lazarazu Bixente) did very well saving most of our attempts and keeping them in the game,”
“After the early misses, we had to regroup to score that first goal that eventually got us to the first-ever win,”
“Last season Wazito did a double on us and this time we were more than determined to stop that trend from the seasons before.” added Muki
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) October 21, 2021
Stopper Kenedy Vidic Onyango scored the opening goal on 76 minutes – his maiden goal at City Stars – with a power header off Dennis Wanjala’s freekick.
That opened the floor for Timothy Babu Ouma to double matters just two minutes later in what was his third goal in as many matches.
Rodgers Okuse Okumu added the final one a minute to time. Eric Ombija provided assists for the last two goals.
Wazito’s consolation came between the second and third goals via Michael Owino who had a touch to Amos Asembeka’s long shot in the 81st minute.
Muki clocked the first 67 minutes in the game. He handed over the armband to Onyango after Charles Chale Otieno took up his place on the pitch.
Center-half Lennox Ogutu finally got to the pitch in Nairobi City Stars colors during a third-round 2021/22 FKF Premier League clash against Wazito on Thursday 21 October 2021 at Thika Stadium.
Lennox partnered Kenedy Onyango at the heart of defense starting ahead of regular Salim Shitu Abdalla who was unavailable for the game.
“It felt nice earning my first game for City Stars and leading to the team to a historic (3-1) win,”
“I am now looking forward to earning many more games for Simba wa Nairobi.” added Lennox
Ogutu, signed from Mathare United in the offseason, missed out on the first game of the season against Sofapaka.
He made the squad for the second game against Kenya Police but was an unused substitute.
Nairobi City Stars ended a streak of six straight league losses to Wazito with a convincing 3-1 win at the Thika Stadium on Thursday 21 October 2021 during a third-round 2021/22 FKF Premier League tie.
Kenedy Vidic Onyango’s maiden goal for Simba wa Nairobi set the tone for Timothy Babu Ouma’s third goal in three straight games, and one more from speedster Rodgers Okuse Okumu, all in the last 13 minutes of the game.
Vidic got to the end of Anthony Muki Kimani’s freekick for the opener in the 76th minute before Babu – later named the match MVP – chested down a pass from substitute Erick Ombija to fire at the far post three minutes later.
Okuse dashed to confirm the ball over the line with a header after getting to the end of an Ombija chip over keeper Bixente.
Wazito scored their consolation through substitute Michael Wise Owino whose header, off a flick from Vincent Oburu, sandwiched City Stars second and third goals.
City Stars had lost all previous six league games to Wazito – four in the National Super League (NSL) in the 2017 and 2019 seasons, as well as home and away games in the ended 2020/21 Premier League season.
For the game, and from the lot that saw off Kenya Police 2-0 in the last encounter, City Stars introduced debutant Lenox Ogutu to partner Vidic at the back in place of the unavailable Salim Shitu Abdallah.
With the recent win, City Stars shoots up from ninth to sixth on the log with six points as Wazito remains stagnated at 15th spot with a single point.
Nairobi City Stars: 16. Jacob Osano, 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 27. Lennox Ogutu, 26. Dennis Wanjala, 18. Sven Yidah, 30. Anthony Kimani (3. Charles Otieno-67), 11. Davis Agesa (9. Vincent Otieno Okoth-82), 17. Nicholas Kipkirui (7. Rodgers Okumu-32), 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 32. Ezekiel Odera (24. Erick Ombija-67)
Unused subs: 23. Stephen Njunge, 12. Edwin Buliba, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Mike Madoya, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 22. Wycliffe Otieno (both injured) 1. Elvis Ochoro, 4. Salim Abdalla, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 15. John Kamau, 21. Oliver Maloba, 28. Herit Mungai, 29. Ebrima Sanneh
For the second time in a year, but in different seasons, Nairobi City Stars will host Wazito on Thursday 21 October 2021 in a third-round FKF Premier League season at the Thika Stadium starting 3 pm.
Last season, City Stars hosted the same side at Ruaraka in a 23rd round 2020/21 Premier League tie that Wazito went on to win 1-0.
It will only be the third meeting in the Premiership between the two, and City Stars will be keen on a different result considering Wazito completed a double of wins last season.
Wazito is still under the watchful eyes of coach Francis Kimanzi.
Into the game, City Stars sits ninth on the log with three points from their recent 2-0 win over Kenya Police as Wazito is 15th with a single point earned from the first two games of the season.
