Boost for Nairobi City Stars as trio return

Nairobi City Stars have been handed a major boost after three of their players made a return.

Shem Odinga, Clifford Ouma, and Edwin Buliba have all returned ahead of the City Stars' Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against Ulinzi Stars on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

"Defensive midfielders Shem Odinga and Clifford Ouma, as well as centre back-cum-right back Edwin Buliba, are back in Nairobi City Stars squad ahead of a matchday 28 FKF Premier League tie against Ulinzi.

"While Cliff and Shem are back after skipping a game and two games, respectively, Buliba is making a return since January, having missed eight games.

"Cliff and Shem are like-for-like plugins for suspended Brian Mzee and Elvis Noor Ojiambo, while Buliba comes on for centre-back Wycliffe Omondi, who is also suspended. Save for the three changes, 17 other players who were in the winning squad that saw off FC Talanta 3-0 in the last encounter," City Stars confirmed.

Simba wa Nairobi have said their match against the 2010 Premier League champions is special.

"Historic in the sense that City Stars has never set foot at the newly opened artificial-turfed Dandora Stadium for a game of any kind.

"It will be the 14th time in 15 Premier League seasons that City Stars will be hosting Ulinzi," the club said.

Head-to-head stats

According to the club's update, Simba wa Nairobi has managed only two wins over Ulinzi Stars in the previous 13 home games. Five have ended in draws and six in losses, including the last encounter at Kasarani Annex in February 2023.

Ulinzi Stars will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after conceding a 1-0 loss to Tusker in their previous game. On the other hand, City Stars hope to continue their winning streak after a 3-0 victory against Talanta.

The match at Dandora will be played in the mid-week after it was postponed following a heavy downpour in Machakos, where Kenyatta Stadium was initially set to host the game.