Nairobi City Stars

Tag: Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa

Onguso, Okaka leave upon contract expiry

Left-back Wesley Onguso and winger Azizi Okaka have left Nairobi City Stars after running down their contracts.

The exit of the two at the end of the season brings the total number of departures to four adding on to left-back Bolton Omwenga who has since been released to join Tanzania’s Kagera Sugar, and defender Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa who left on mutual consent.

Onguso joined City Stars in July 2019 while in the second-tier National Super League (NSL) and was critical to the team promotion to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) at the end of the 2019/20 season.

He renewed his contract for one more season after promotion running it down to the end.

Okaka joined the City Stars stable in January 2020 for half and a full season. He arrived for the second leg of the 2019/20 NSL and is now leaving after a full Premier League season.

Lubowa arrived in September 2020 on a two-year deal but has now returned home to Uganda after reaching an agreement with the club.

“We thank Onguso, Azizi and Lubowa for the services rendered to the Nairobi City Stars for their commitment to the club in the ended year that had great challenges of its own,” said club CEO Patrick Korir

“I cannot thank Onguso and Okaka enough for all their professionalism and dedication that led the club to promotion back to the top tier after four seasons, and Lubowa who added punch to the squad after that elevation,”

“Onguso, Okaka, and Lubowa are all great people and I wish them all the very best in their future ventures. Once a Simba wa Nairobi always a Simba wa Nairobi.” concluded Korir

Onguso who was readily available for comment said;

“It has been a superb two seasons that have been with the family of Nairobi city Stars, sometimes it’s not easy to say goodbye to my teammates who are part of my family,”

“But since it’s the end of my contract, we’re parting ways as a family where a father gives a son a leeway to start his family,”

“As for me, it was great working with City Stars hopefully to meet some other time. City Stars will be my home ever. I wish Simba wa Nairobi a great season ahead.” added Onguso

Replacements for the departing players have since been sought and will be announced in due course upon completion of formalities.

Azizi Okaka in past game at Camp Toyoyo

Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa joins Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal
Photo – Courtesy

September 6, 2021
Injury update; Muki out, Shitu back

After featuring in all eight Premier League games into the 2020/21 season, skipper Anthony Muki Kimani is set to sidelines for at least two weeks after hurting his shoulder after an awkward fall in training on Tuesday.

According to team Physio Brian Otieno Odongo, Muki suffered type 1 tear on the shoulder as well as ligament team and will be out for a fortnight.

“His latest injury sets him back two weeks which makes him unavailable for games during that period,”

But as Muki is forced to sit out, dependable stopper Salim Shitu Abdalla returns after a minor knock that kept him out of the last game against Ulinzi Stars.

“Shitu strained his ankle against Posta Rangers game at Kasarani and as a precaution we had to rest him against Ulinzi. He is now available for upcoming games,” said Brian

Beyond Shitu, only two other players are being attended by Brian; defenders Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa and Calvin Masawa.

“Mukisa had a calf tear and Masawa quads tear. Both have kicked off rehab and are both progressing very well.

Defensive mid Charles Chale Otieno who was on his radar in the other week was discharged and made the bench against Ulinzi Stars.

January 20, 2021
Nairobi City Stars squad for the 2020/2021 Premier League season

Nairobi City Stars will navigate the first leg of the 2020-21 FKF premier league season with a total of 29 players: three (3) goal keepers, nine (9) defenders, 12 midfielders, and five (5) strikers.

A total of eleven new players onboarded in the offseason and this includes goalkeepers Elvis Ochoro (Hakati Sportiff) and Stephen Njunge (Wazito FC).

Defenders Mukisa Lubowa Yusuf (Proline FC) from Uganda, left back Herit Mungai (Posta Rangers) and centre-back Kenedy Onyango (Kakamega Homeboyz) all joined Simba wa Nairobii.

Midfielders; Rowland Makati (Vapor Sports), Timothy Ouma (Laiser Hill Academy), Ronney Kola (KSG Ogopa FC), Sven Yida (Kariobangi Sharks) also joined the club in the offseason as well as flyer Rodgers Okumu (Coast Stima) and striker Erick Ombija (Gor Mahia).

Two players; – Makati and Kola – will however head out on loan at second tier side Nairobi Stima to seek work experience over the season.

Last season’s captain Noah Abich, who has since retired from playing, drops to the bench to become an apprentice to coach Sanjin joining former City Stars players John Amboko and Arthur Museve.

Full 2020/21 Squad & jersey numbers

Goal keepers: 1. Elvis Ochoro, 16. Jacob Osano, 23. Stephen Njunge

Defenders: 4. Salim Abdalla, 5. Wesley Onguso, 8. Calvin Masawa, 17. Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa, 22. Wycliffe Otieno, 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 25. Kenedy Onyango, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza

Midfielders: 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo, 3. Charles Otieno, 6. Ronny Kola, 7. Rodgers Okumu, 10. Peter Opiyo, 14. Rowland Makati, 18. Sven Yidah, 19. Jimmy Bageya, 20. Timothy Ouma, 21. Oliver Maloba, 27. Azizi Okaka, 30. Anthony Kimani,

Strikers: 9. Vincent Otieno, 11. Davis Agesa, 24. Erick Ombija, 29. Ebrima Sanneh, 32. Ezekiel Odera,

Technical Bench:

Head coach – Sanjin Alagic, Assistant head coach – Nihad Nalbantic, First assistant coach – John Amboko, Second assistant coach – Noah Abich, Goalkeeper coach – Zachary Onyango, Team manager – Neville Pudo, Trainer – Arthur Museve, Team Physio – Brian Odongo, Kit Manager – Joseph Andere

November 10, 2020
Mukisa joins Simba wa Nairobi

Ugandan defender Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa is the latest player to join Nairobi City Stars. He arrives from Uganda top tier side Proline on a two-year deal.

Mukisa returned to Simba wa Nairobi to actualize his signing in the current window after a move at the first time of asking in January 2020 failed to materialize.

“Mukisa is a utility back who is comfortable as a left, centre or right back. He is however coming in to fill the right back position vacated by Kevin Okumu,”

“We are certain his arrival will solidify our back line. I welcome him to Simba wa Nairobi.” said City Stars team coordinator Samson Otieno

Mukisa, is a former Uganda U20 captain who also featured for SC Villa and Proline Academy. He won the Ugandan league title with Vipers in the 2015/16 season.

Back in the years he captained Proline Academy which toured England – courtesy of Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand – and returned with 2-0 and 3-2 wins over Manchester Academy and West Ham Academy, respectively.

He featured for Proline at the Cecafa Club Championship and CAF Confederations cup in 2019. He had the following sentiments after being confirmed a Nairobi City Stars player.

“I’m excited to join both the City Stars and Jonathan Jackson Foundation family,”

“We have been in contact for the past six months and I came over in January and trained with the team in Nairobi. I was impressed by the playing unit, coach, structures and feel good atmosphere around the team,”

“Now we have managed to get the deal and I wish to thank the CEO Patrick Korir and Coordinator Samson Otieno for the efforts to get me over there,”

“City Stars has a great history and is known for grooming Ugandan talents such as Danny Sserunkuma, Bruno Sserunkuma and Jimmy Bageya, among others, and I am happy to be part of this group. With the performances from last season, I’m certain the team will have a good season in both the Kenyan Premier League and domestic cup.” said the 27 year-old

Mukisa becomes the third player to join the main team after striker Erick Ombija from Gor Mahia and defensive mid Sven Yidah from Kariobangi Sharks.

The trio join four developmental players Rowland Makati from Vapor Sports, Timothy Ouma from Laiser Hill Academy, Ronney Kola Oyaro from Kenya School of Government (KSG) and keeper Elvis Ochieng Ochoro from Hakati Sportiff all signed in recent weeks.

Yusuf Mukisa Lubowa and Proline team mates with Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester in 2008
Photo – courtesy

September 9, 2020