By Erick Ochieng
Nairobi City Stars (NCS), formerly World Hope have unveiled 11 new signings, including two foreign nationals, at their Hope Centre in Kawangware.
Among them is American Josh Westermann, a 25-year-old centre back formerly of Cleveland City Stars in the US and a stint with South Africa’s Battswood.
Ugandan, Jimmy Bagaye, who honed his skills at Young Entebbe Academy before playing for Gor Mahia for a couple of years.
Also joining Oliver Page’s NCS are George ‘ Viduka’ Odari from KCB, David Ojwang and Steve Biko have also from Gor.
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CITY ARMY: Nairobi City Stars new signings (from left) George Odary, Jimmy Bageya and Josh Westermann stand next to coach Oliver Page after being introduced to the fans at the Hope Centre, Wednesday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD] |
Others are Vincent Otieno (Agro) and goalkeeper Victor Omondi (Mathare Youth) who replaces retired custodian Christian Nkulikiye.
Great players
Signed from Petra Boys Youth Academy are Ginalo Waihinya, Collins Ochieng, Peter Odhiambo and Erick Onyango.
Robert Mbugua and Steward Ogira, who recently graduated from NCS Under-20 team, are also among the new signings. Though Page retained 17 players from his old squad, he expressed disappointment with the departures of Anthony Kimani and Levy Mwaka who left for Sofapaka and Silas Aluvisia who moved to Tusker.
"They were great players but people have to move on," Page said.
The club unveiled new merchandise, a blue Jersey.
Meanwhile NCS are sharpening their claws a head of this weekend premier league kick off.
Attractive Football
Newly signed German coach, Oliver Page, who took over the team last December said the team is well tuned for their opening match against AFC Leopards on Sunday.
"The boys finished their load work a fortnight ago and are now scaling down with some light training.
"I have worked on the tactical and technical approach and things are quite positive," Page, who took over from Bobby Ogolla, said yesterday.
The former Bayer Leverkusen player said his priority is developing and playing attractive football in his first season.
Running parallel with football are several initiatives NCS has embarked on to make the players valuable. Steve Rigby, the club general manager, said the management has started educating the players on entrepreneurship skills for them to save for the future.
The players are also engaged in a community outreach programme dubbed ‘Serving the City, Changing the World’ to improve the surrounding neighbourhood.
Drug abuse
The side has also partnered with the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse where players will be involved in educating the community about dangers of drugs as part of social responsibility.
Ambassadors in Sport took over the club late last year from yet another faith-based organisation, Hope International. Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno was installed as the honorary Vice-President. Musa currently plays for South
Meanwhile NCS secretary Peter Jabuya has warned they will put Leopards to the sword on Sunday at Hope Centre.
"I have been reading a lot about Leopards but am wondering if they will convert it to real football on Sunday. We are well prepared and teams will see our true colours. The message is, we will not be shaken on our backyard," said Jabuya.
