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The 29-year-old goalkeeper's form has been key in helping City Stars escape the relegation places.
For Nairobi City Stars’ keeper, Stephen Njunge, it has not been plain sailing to establish himself as Nicholas Muyoti’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The former FC Talanta and Wazito FC custodian has had to endure stiff competition and injuries in order to regain his place as the first choice since joining Simba wa Nairobi in late 2020.
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14:00 - 04.05.2023
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Although his first season at City Stars was a success, keeping 11 clean sheets as the side finished seventh in 2020-2021 campaign, the second season was a nightmare, as he suffered a knee injury.
“We have been there. There are times where you are good and bad,” he said, “I suffered a knee injury in training last season, which kept me out for a while. It took me a while to get my mojo back, but now I am stronger than ever before,” he said.
While he was injured, Jacob Osano was on song for the side, keeping 13 clean sheets as Muyoti’s charges finished fifth in the voided 2021-2022 league season. Njunge credits hard work as the reason he regained his place.
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06:30 - 05.05.2023
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“It is all about hard work. That is why I am now back in the business.”
The 29-year-old insists that learning how to get along with your fellow goalkeepers is key, as friction can be created between two goalkeepers that are good enough to start. You have to learn to lower your ego and support the manager’s decision.
“You have to have support from your fellow goalkeepers. You need to create camaraderie with them in order to elevate your performances in training and in games.”
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17:00 - 03.05.2023
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City Stars currently lie 14th in the league standings, six points above the relegation places after a challenging start to the season.
It had to take them till Match Week Nine to register their first win of the season. Jacob Osano also lost form after his move to Ethiopian Coffee failed to bear fruit, which allowed Njunge to win his place back.
“The season has been tough. We signed almost ten players with little to no experience in the top flight. It hit us very hard, but now, they have come to grasp the fundamentals of playing in this league and now our results have improved.”
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14:00 - 04.05.2023
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Tusker were held to a 0-0 draw by Nicholas Muyoti's Nairobi City Stars on Wednesday.
After City Stars' 4-2 loss to Kenya Police FC in April, Njunge returned to the starting lineup against Vihiga Bullets and helped inspire the side to a 5-2 win. They then beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-1, before drawing two consecutive games 0-0.
Njunge looks at the positive side of things by saying the team has at least managed to keep two consecutive clean sheets. He cites centre-back Kennedy 'Vidic' Onyango's influence and leadership for helping achieve that.
“The backline has been stellar. If you look, only Vidic Onyango has experience and the rest are novices, but they are catching up well, they are willing to listen and have an incredible attitude in training and in matches.
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Vidic and I have been helping set the tone by passing our experience onto the younger guys."
Following the decision by FIFA to lift the ban on Kenyan football after a year, the national team returned to action for the first time in March, losing 2-1 to Iran. Head coach, Engin Firat called up Police’s Patrick Matasi, Zesco’s Ian Otieno, and KCB’s Bryne Omondi.
The department has been a long-standing problem for the national team, With Matasi famously making two comical errors against the Iranians. Njunge believes that it is still possible to break into the setup.
“Playing for the national team is every player’s dream. That is mostly what we work hard for. You never know who is watching. You have to be at your best and hope someone spots you!”
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17:20 - 17.04.2023
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City Stars will face Ulinzi Stars on Sunday. Njunge’s recent upturn will be key to helping them in their battle to survive relegation.
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