Nairobi City Stars upbeat ahead of Mara Sugar duel as FKF Premier League picks pace

Ulinzi Stars and Nairobi City Stars during FKF Premier League at Dandora Stadium on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

As the FKF Premier League rolls into matchday three, Nairobi City Stars are set for an exciting clash against Mara Sugar on Saturday at Awendo Green Stadium. The match, kicking off at 3 p.m., marks the first-ever meeting between the two sides, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter.

City Stars will make two key changes from the squad that drew 1-1 with Bidco United last weekend. Left-backs Rogers Wasega and Stephen Bulugu are out, with Wasega earning a call-up to Kenya’s U-20 team ahead of CECAFA duty, while Bulugu misses out due to a slight injury.

Their spots have been filled by new signing Brian Opinde and defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma.

Despite these changes, the rest of the squad remains intact as Simba wa Nairobi seek their first win of the season. Coach Nicholas Muyoti will be looking to lead his side to victory against Mara Sugar, a newly promoted team that has already caused a stir in the league.

Mara Sugar stunned Kakamega Homeboyz 3-0 in their opening match at the same venue and will look to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 loss to Bandari in Mombasa. They sit sixth on the league table with three points, two ahead of eleventh-placed City Stars.

While this will be their first competitive meeting, there’s a small connection between the clubs: City Stars signed defender Timothy Muganda from Mara Sugar at the start of the 2022-23 season. However, the two sides are entering unfamiliar territory, which sets the stage for an intriguing contest.

Though City Stars haven’t faced Mara Sugar before, they are no strangers to the Awendo Green Stadium, having played there 11 times between 2005 and 2016 against now-defunct Sony Sugar FC. Historically, City Stars registered two wins, four draws, and five losses at the venue, with their most recent victory in 2014 under coach Paul Nkata.

As Muyoti seeks to break the winless streak this season, he’ll be up against George Midenyo, Mara Sugar’s coach and a former City Stars player and coach. Both sides are hungry for a victory, and with no prior head-to-head history, the result is anyone’s guess.

Meanwhile, Posta Rangers will face off against KCB at Thika Stadium while Mathare United play Sofapaka at Police Sacco Stadium.

AFC Leopards will complete the day’s matches with a late kick off match against Bidco United at Thika Stadium from 4pm.