Nairobi City Stars, who finished last season strongly in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), have encountered an unexpected rough start to their 2024/25 campaign. After three matches, City Stars are winless, sitting 16th in the standings with just two points. Head coach Nicholas Muyoti has attributed the team’s early struggles to the difficulty new players are having in adjusting to the squad and meeting the high expectations set by last season’s performance.
While the team has underperformed thus far, Muyoti remains optimistic that the squad will bounce back after the international break. In this article, we explore the reasons behind City Stars’ slow start, Muyoti’s plans for recovery, and the team’s outlook for the rest of the season.
City Stars’ Slow Start in the FKFPL
Nairobi City Stars were expected to build on their strong finish from the previous FKFPL season, where they secured a respectable sixth place with 50 points. However, the start to the current campaign has been anything but smooth for Muyoti’s side. After three rounds of matches, City Stars have drawn once and lost twice, leaving them 16th in the 18-team league.
The season opener saw City Stars draw 1-1 with Bidco United, a result that seemed a fair reflection of both teams’ efforts. However, things took a downward turn in the subsequent matches. City Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mara Sugar FC, a newly promoted side, and followed it up with a 2-1 loss against FKFPL giants AFC Leopards.
These early results have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, given City Stars’ ambition to push for a top finish this season. The team’s lackluster attacking performances have been a particular point of focus, with the side struggling to convert possession into goals.
New Signings Yet to Meet Expectations
According to coach Nicholas Muyoti, one of the primary reasons for the slow start is the integration of new signings, who have not yet lived up to expectations. After losing key players during the transfer window, including prolific attacker Samwel Kapen (now with Gor Mahia) and Dennis Wanjala (who joined Tusker FC), City Stars brought in several new players to fill the gaps. However, the team has struggled to gel with these additions.
Muyoti explained that the new players have had a challenging time adapting to the club’s playing style and the intensity of FKFPL matches. “It has been a slow start no doubt, and one of the reasons is because our new players have not lived up to expectation yet,” Muyoti said.
The coach emphasized that while the team has faced difficulties, the early-season matches have been a learning experience for both the new recruits and the existing squad. He expressed confidence that with more time, the players will settle into their roles and improve their overall performance.
Muyoti’s Confidence in Post-Break Turnaround
Despite the underwhelming start, Muyoti is optimistic about City Stars’ chances of turning the season around. He sees the international break as an opportunity to regroup, work on weaknesses, and allow the team to come back stronger.
The coach identified City Stars’ attack as the primary area needing improvement. “Our attack has been lethargic, and this is one area we will take time to work on before the league resumes,” he revealed. The team’s inability to break down defenses and create enough goal-scoring opportunities has been one of the main reasons behind their winless start. Muyoti believes that addressing these issues during the break will help the team get back on track.
The international window also provides a much-needed mental reset for the players. Muyoti stated that the first three matches have offered valuable lessons for both the coaching staff and the squad. The team will use the break to reflect on what went wrong and how they can improve in key areas such as midfield creativity and finishing.
Key Departures Impacting Performance
City Stars’ struggles this season can also be traced back to the significant player departures they experienced during the off-season. The loss of Samwel Kapen, their top scorer last season, has left a notable gap in the attack. Kapen’s departure to Gor Mahia was a major blow for the team, and his ability to score crucial goals is sorely missed.
Additionally, the exit of Dennis Wanjala to Tusker FC weakened the team’s defensive stability. Wanjala had been a crucial part of the backline, and the new defenders brought in to replace him have not yet provided the same level of assurance.
Muyoti acknowledged the impact of these departures but stressed that the new signings have the potential to step up and fill the void left by these key players. He is confident that with more time and proper guidance, the new players will begin to perform at the level expected of them.
Lessons from the First Three Matches
Nairobi City Stars’ first three matches have served as a wake-up call for the team, highlighting the need for improvement in various areas. The team’s attacking inefficiency has been glaring, as they have only managed to score two goals in three games. Additionally, defensive lapses have cost the team crucial points, particularly in the losses to Mara Sugar and AFC Leopards.
Here are the league standings after wrapping up Matchweek 4.
Team yako iko wapi hapa?#FKFPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/usMqyBvUna
— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) September 30, 2024
Muyoti insists that the lessons learned from these early matches will benefit the team moving forward. “Three matches is a good time for us to pick enough lessons to move forward,” he said. The coach is using the break to work on the tactical adjustments needed to get the team back to winning ways.
The Road Ahead: Hopes for a Comeback
With the international break providing time for reflection and improvement, Nairobi City Stars will look to restart their FKFPL campaign with renewed focus. Their next matches will be critical in determining whether they can recover from their slow start and climb up the league standings.
Fans will be hoping that the new signings settle in quickly and that the team can rediscover the form that saw them finish last season strongly. City Stars have the potential to be competitive this season, but it will require a collective effort from both the new and existing players to reach their goals.
Muyoti’s optimism, coupled with the talent in the squad, gives hope that City Stars can turn their season around. The team’s performance after the international break will be crucial in determining whether they can meet their ambitious targets for the season.
 Nairobi City Stars Ready to Bounce Back
Nairobi City Stars’ slow start to the FKFPL season has raised concerns, but coach Nicholas Muyoti remains confident in the team’s ability to turn things around. The challenges posed by integrating new players and dealing with the loss of key contributors have been significant, but Muyoti believes the squad will improve after the international break.
With lessons learned from the first three matches and a focus on improving their attacking play, City Stars will aim to bounce back in the coming fixtures. While the road ahead may be tough, there is hope that City Stars can regain their form and make a strong push up the league standings.
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