After close to seven weeks, big unit Timothy Muganda returned to the Nairobi City Stars starting lineup, with a difference.
Muganda last started a game against Gor Mahia on 17 September 2023, in Kasarani during match day three, and 48 days later, was back on the same scene as the team captain, for the first time while at City Stars. He led Simba wa Nairobi to a 3-2 win.
“Wearing the armband against AFC Leopards came with absolutely no pressure. I was easy with it,”
“Remember previously I was at Soy United where I was the regular captain. I got used to the responsibilities that come with captaincy,”
According to head coach Nicholas Muyoti, command was required at the back and that role fitted the very vocal Muganda.
“We needed command at the back and thought giving him the armband would inspire him. We hope that it motivated him in that game, and that it will do the same in the games to come,” said Muyoti
On the game itself, Muganda was excited with the triumph that ended a two-game losing streak.
“It was a very important win considering we had had a patch recently. We had a good game approach that worked for us that delivered the win though we had to endure a nervy ending,”
“The win gives us confidence and we can now go to the next set of games on a high.” he added
After matchday three against Gor Mahia in mid-September, Muganda went on to miss the next five games but returned for the Muranga SEAL tie on 1 November as a substitute.
He completed the Leopards match in what was only his 15th Kenyan Premier League appearance.
Timothy Muganda wore the armband for Nairobi City Stars against AFC Leopards on Sat 4 Nov 2023