City Stars aim to bounce back after KCB setback

Kenya Premier League newcomers Nairobi City Stars’ confidence is far from being rattled despite being at the receiving end of a 1-0 loss in the hands of KCB last Friday.

Henry Onyango’s goal with a minute left before the interval was enough to hand Simba wa Nairobi their first defeat of the season at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Friday afternoon.

Club director Samson Otieno said his charges have since then promptly switched their attention to their next game against Bandari on Friday.

He says the team will stick to their one game at a time approach as they aim to return to winning ways.

“KCB is a seasoned team who can be viewed as title contenders given their bright start and losing to them is not a shocker to us by any means.

“We knew we could lose a game at some point so we are glad it came against worthy opponents and early in the season so that we can plan for the games ahead.”

The Hope Center-based side’s focus is now trained on Bandari United on Friday, and he believes the team is up to the task.

“Bandari is also another very good since given their experience in the top division.

“At the moment the coach is focused on the strategies the team will deploy to come back with all the points come Friday.”

Elsewhere, preparations are underway for the burial of long-serving team manager Neville Pudo who passed away on Friday last week

“The plans are on and we are waiting for the family to decide on his burial date as well as the budget so that we can help them where we can.

“Pudo was an invaluable member of our organization and we are ready to give him a send-off that befits his huge stature,” he added.

Pudo who has been with Hope Center-based side since 2014 was an integral cog in the team’s sensational return to Kenya big-time soccer last season following their relegation in 2016.

He is a former striker at Black Mamba and Kenya Breweries (now Tusker). Back in May 1978, he was part of Jonathan Niva coached Kenya National team squad that featured in the Presidents Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia alongside the hosts, South Korea and Pakistan.

Part of his highs at City Stars included being named the Premier League team manager of the year at the close of the 2015 season and leading the club back to the top tier in 2020 after four seasons in the lower reaches.