Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Wycliffe Otieno

  • Sven Yidah talks up improved season

    Sven Yidah talks up improved season

    Defensive midfielder Sven Yidah opines that Nairobi City Stars’ good run in the current FKF Premier League season is due to a good coach, and a more confident and unchanged squad.

    According to Sven, those three factors that have led to a better approach to matches hence improved results and placing on the table.

    Having played 17 games and halfway through the season, Simba wa Nairobi is placed second with 31 points, three off log leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

    “Last season, some of the players featured in the premier league for only the first time. Now they have matured and are more confident and they know exactly what is required from them on and off the pitch,”

    “The management has also helped a great deal by maintaining last season’s team and bench. That helps a lot as team chemistry has been maintained,”

    Further, Sven drummed up the influence brought about by head coach Nicholas Muyoti, a former Kenya captain.

    “We have a coach who’s a legend not only in the league but also at the National team level. His experience is really helping us,”

    “Having played in this league, Muyoti understands how the system works and how the grounds are. Moreover, he has played with some of the coaches in other teams making it easier for him to pick their philosophy,”

    “Muyoti’s combination with former City Stars captains on the bench such as (Arthur) Museve, (Noah) Abich, and (John) Amboko is turning out to be of great value,”

    “All these are part of the reasons why we are placed second on the table,”

    Beyond team performance, Sven, now in his second season with Simba wa Nairobi, is happy with his own progression.

    “This season is much better compared to last season. Then I was new and only knew two former Kariobangi Sharks players; Wiked (Wycliffe Otieno) and (Ebrima) Sanneh, as well as Shitu (Salim Abdalla), my former teammate at Ligi Ndogo,”

    “I had also not worked with anyone in the technical bench as well as in the management team. All those were new challenges and learning process. This season is much better as I am treading on familiar ground,”

    “I have played more minutes compared to last season a time like this and contributed more to the team which points to individual progress.” concluded Sven

    Thus far, Sven has started all 17 games and has gone on to complete 15 of them on his way to clocking 1,519 minutes of a possible 1,530 minutes. He has scored twice and provided an assist.

    At the same point last season, Sven had clocked 1,224 minutes having featured in 16 of 17 games. He completed eight games and came off the bench three times. He had a goal and an assist.

    City Stars, Sven
    Sven Yidah going for goal in the 36th minute against F Talanta in Kasarani Annex on Sat 8 Jan 2022. His goal added to Muki’s for City Stars to register a 2-1 win
    Nairobi City Stars
    Spoiler Sven Yiday 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
    Sven Yidah up against Bandari’s Collins Agade on Fri 11 Dec during FKF Premier League round 3 game at Kasarani. City Stars won 2-0
  • Wycliffe Otieno back to his boots

    Wycliffe Otieno back to his boots

    After five months out, from two cratches to a single one, limping in sandals, then to training with sneakers, stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno has finally reacquainted himself with his soccer boots.

    In mid-August 2021, while going for a corner in Ruaraka in a game against Mathare United, Otieno landed awkwardly and dislocated his ankle.

    That dislocation kept him out from featuring in any game in the current 2021/2022 FKF Premier League season.

    “For the first time in five months, I finally got to wear my soccer boots this week and even attended full training,”

    “It’s been a long and patient journey to get here and I am glad that I can put on my boots once again and train with the team,” said Wycliffe

    According to team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, it’s a matter of weeks and Wycliffe will be up for selection for games.

    “He has fully healed and back to full training. In a matter of weeks, he will be ready for games once he attains the much-needed match fitness.”

    Wiked has been a key component in the City Stars backline as evidenced by the 2,000 and 1,069 minutes he registered in the 2019/20 National Super League (NSL) and 2020/21 FKF Premier League, respectively.

    With Wiked out, Salim Shitu Abdalla, Edwin Malebo Buliba, Kenedy Vidic Onyango, and Lennox Ogutu have been interchangeably contesting the center half positions in the last 16 games played thus far this season.

    Wiked, City Stars
    Nairobi City Stars stopper Wycliffe ‘Wiked’ Otieno challenges Ulinzi Stars right back Brian Birgen to the ball during a Betking Premier League match day 25 on Sat 17 Jul 2021 at the ASK Showground. City Stars won 2-0
    Nairobi City Stars, Betway Cup
    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 4-1
    Wycliffe Otieno in a game against Mt. Kenya United at Dagoretti High on Sat 14 Nov 2020
  • Season over for City Stars quartet

    Season over for City Stars quartet

    There’s just about a week and a half to the wrap of the 2020/21 Kenyan Premier League season but already, the season is over for four City Stars players.

    Flyer Rodgers Okuse Okumu, mid lynchpin Peter Pinchez Opiyo, defensive-mid Ronney Kola, and stopper Wycliffe Wiked Otieno are, due to injuries, forced to focus on recovery and rehab with a view of chasing fitness for next season.

    According to the fixtures, Nairobi City Stars has two games on the cards against Posta Rangers and KCB on 14th and 21st August 2021, respectively, to conclude the season.

    Given the recovery and rehabilitation plans for the quartet by team physio Brian Otieno Odongo, the season would have since lapsed before they achieve full fitness.

    “Peter Opiyo suffered a sprained ankle of the ligament in the 90th minute during an away match against Vihiga United at the ASK Showground on 21st July 2021,”

    “He was to return to full training on 1st August but upon review, it was necessary to hand him a further two to three weeks full rest to heal fully,” said Brian

    Nairobi City Stars
    Peter Pinchez Opiyo celebrates his goal off a freekick against Ulinzi Stars in a round 8 Premier League tie at Utalii on Sat 16 Jan 2021

    “Okuse picked a chest/lung injury in the game against Wazito (30 June). He underwent immediate medical attention and featured in the next game against Bandari, Gor Mahia, and Vihiga United. He later complained of pain and difficulty in breathing during stress training and had to take total rest for a period of three weeks beginning August. A review will follow after that period,”

    “Wiki landed awkwardly and had an ankle dislocation in the most recent game against Mathare United on 7 August at Ruaraka and had to exit the pitch around the 34th minute,”

    “He was rushed to hospital and checked as that match went on and returned for a review three days later. He is expected to sit out for a month before returning to action,” added the team physio

    Wiked, City Stars
    Nairobi City Stars stopper Wycliffe ‘Wiked’ Otieno challenges Ulinzi Stars right back Brian Birgen to the ball during a Betking Premier League match day 25 on Sat 17 Jul 2021 at the ASK Showground. City Stars won 2-0

    “Ronny Kola has got injured while turning out for Nairobi Stima where he is on a season-long loan. Upon checking it was revealed that he has torn ligaments on one of his knees. With the application of the right procedures, he is expected to be fully fit within three months’ time.”

    Away from the quartet, there’s an opposite tale as some players who were out injured are returning to full fitness.

    Striker Ebrima Sanneh who had been out with an ankle sprain is now back to full fitness. He was a second-half substitute in the recent loss to Mathare United.

    Nairobi City Stars
    Ebrima Sanneh celebrates one of his two goals for Nairobi City Stars during a 4-1 win over Mutomo Tigers in a round 64 Betway Cup tie at Kitui Stadium on saturday 13 February 2021
  • City Stars trio in TOTW 29

    City Stars trio in TOTW 29

    Three Nairobi City Stars players; defender Wycliffe Otieno, keeper Stephen Njunge and midfielder Timothy Babu Ouma made it to the team of the week after round 29  games.

    To make it to the best 11, the trio aided Nairobi City Stars to a 1-0 win over log leaders Tusker at Ruaraka on Friday 30 July 2021.

    Ezekiel Odera scored the lone goal in the 53rd minute after getting to the end of a long ball by teenager Ouma.

    Babu, as Ouma is fondly known, clocked his first premier league 90 minutes in that game and came out as the man of the match.

    While Ouma made a debut in the team of the week, Wycliffe was making a return while Njunge made his sixth appearance. He registered his eleventh clean sheet against Tusker.

    “I am really happy for them in being recognised in the list of the best.” said head coach John Amboko

    Fresh from that accolade, the trio and company will look up to their next assignment against AFC Leopards on Tuesday 3 August at Ruaraka starting at 3.15 pm.

  • Five changes against champions Gor Mahia

    Five changes against champions Gor Mahia

    There will be five changes from the squad that faced Ulinzi Stars last weekend when Nairobi City Stars lineup for points against champions Gor Mahia at Ruaraka on Saturday 17 July 2021 starting 3 pm.

    After sitting out two games against Bandari and Ulinzi due to injury, stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla returns to squad. He replaces utility back Edwin Buliba who was an unused substitute against Ulinzi.

    Forward Davis Agesa is also back after skipping the Ulinzi game to replace Vincent Jamaica Otieno.

    After sitting out one game, defensive mid Charles Chale Otieno and winger Rodgers Okuse Okumu are back as like-for-like replacements for two dependable players Sven Yidah and Oliver Maloba who are in the Kenyan U23 squad that travelled to Ethiopia for the U23 championship.

    It will be the third time that Sven will miss a league game for City Stars this season, it will be the first time for Maloba.

    While Chale was rested against Ulinzi, Okuse was out recuperating from an injury suffered in the previous game against Bandari.

    The last change is the inclusion of reserve keeper Jacob Osano who swaps places with Elvis Ochoro.

    From the squad that faced Gor in the final game of the first leg in mid May 2021, the changes are four; exit of Maloba, Sven, Buliba and striker Ebrima Sanneh.

    Winger Azizi Okaka, stopper Wycliffe Otieno, attacking mid Timothy Noor Ouma and mid kingpin Peter Opiyo – who was injured then – are the new inclusions after missing the first leg clash that Gor won 1-0.

    20-man squad to face Gor Mahia

    Goal keepers: 16. Jacob Osano (GK), 23. Steve Njunge (GK),

    Defenders: 26. Balton Omwenga, 5. Wesley Onguso, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 4. Salim Abdalla, 8. Calvin Masawa, 19. Kevin Okumu, 22. Wycliffe Otieno,

    Midfielders: 30. Anthony Kimani, 3. Charles Otieno, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 20. Timothy Noor Ouma, 27. Azizi Okaka,

    Strikers: 17. Nicholas Kipkirui , 24. Erick Ombija, 11. Davis Agesa, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

    Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 18. Sven Yidah & 21. Oliver Maloba (out on U23 CECAFA duty), 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 15. John Kamau, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 12. Edwin Buliba,

     

    City Stars, Muki, Gor Mahia
    Simba wa Nairobi skipper Anthony Muki Kimani shielding the ball off Gor Mahia’s debutant Frank Odhiambo in a round 17 clash at the Utalii grounds on Sun 16 May 2021. Gor won 1-0
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