The 2020–21 Kenyan Premier League season was Nairobi City Stars' 19th year in existence and the 13th season in the top flight of Kenyan football. It was the first season back in the top flight since relegation at the end of the 2016 season.The Star, 1 May 2020 City Stars welcome promotion to Kenyan Premier League
To have earned promotion, City Stars topped the second tier NSL league by March 2020 with 64 points from 28 games after posting 22 wins, four draws and two losses before the league was cut short by the novel corona virus. In spite of that, and as per the rules governing Kenyan football, the team nonetheless got promoted by the Football Kenya Federation after topping the table by the end of the first leg.Nation, 4 Jul 2020 City Stars deserve promotion, says club CEO
The team was coached in the 2020–21 season by Bosnia and Herzegovina-born Sanjin Alagic who arrived in the offseason of 2019 to take over from John Amboko and ultimately got the team back to the top flight at the first time of asking.Citizen, 21 Oct 2020 Bosnian coach Alagic back to lead City Stars in PL
Prior to the season, Sanjin lost the services of some players who were key to his promotion campaign; Goalkeeper Levis Opiyo,Nation, 23 Jul 2020 Gor Mahia finally get their man right back Kevin Okumu,Citizen, 20 Aug 2020 Wazito sign Okumu from Nairobi City Stars and winger David Gateri all opted to peruse greener pastures as defender Noah AbichStandard, 18 Oct 2020 Freekick king Abich 'Baba' calls time on his football career chose to hang his boots. That allowed the entry of new players including centre-back Kenedy Onyango from Kakamega Homeboyz, defensive midfielder Sven YidaThe Star, 8 Sep 2020 Defensive midfieder Yidah joins City Stars from Sharks from Kariobangi Sharks, goalkeeper Stephen Njunge from Wazito and a set of rookies including Timothy Ouma.The Stars, 26 Aug 2020 City Stars continue strengthening as teenager Ouma signs long-term deal
City Stars kicked of the season with a great misfortune after receiving the news that their team manager Neville Pudo, who missed a pre match meeting ahead of matchday 2 game against KCB, was found dead in his house.Citizen, 2 Dec 2020 City Stars TM Neville Pudo is dead Overall, the season had its unique challenges as it was significantly affected by the impact of the novel COVID-19 with strict restrictions and health protocols to be observed leading to empty stadiums.
The team played 33 of 34 games in the season after one club - Zoo FC - was withdrawn from the league by the Federeration following orders from FIFA for alleged match fixing. Consequently, a matchday 12 game played at Kasarani Annex in February 2021 in which City Stars won 2-1 with goals from Kevin Otieno and Erick OmbijaNation, 20 Feb 2021 City Stars edge Zoo to end poor run was expunged from the league. Nation, 4 May 2021 Zoo FC expelled from FKF-PL for alleged match fixing
The club reached the quarterfinal of the Domestic Cup after falling 1–0 to Bidco United in Ruaraka having gone past Mutomo Tigers 4–1 in Kitui in the round of 64, edging out Fortune Sacco 1–0 in the round of 32 in Kianyaga, and seeing off Ulinzi Stars 2-0 in the round of 16.Nation, 10 Jun 2021 Bidco edge City Stars to reach FKF Cup semis
At the end of the season, goalkeeper Stephen Njunge who tended goal in all 33 matches played was feted as the joint second best keeper in the league after registering eleven clean sheets as Noah Abich was named runners-up team manager of the year. City Stars, 15 Sep 2021 Njunge, Abich feted at Gala night
Technical Bench {|class="wikitable" |- !style=background:#001489;color:#FFFFFF|Position !style=background:#001489;color:#FFFFFF|Staff |- |Head coach|| Sanjin Alagic |- |Assistant head coach|| Nihad Nalbantic |- |First assistant coach|| John Amboko |- |Goalkeeper coach|| Zachary Onyango |- |Team manager|| Noah Abich |- |Trainer || Arthur Museve |- |Team Physio|| Brian OdongoCity Stars, 4 Nov 2020Brian the new physio |- |Kit Manager|| Joseph Andere
Players Squad information Players and squad numbers last updated on 19 May 2024. Appearances include all competitions.Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players only hold one non-FIFA nationality. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%; width:100%" |- !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| No. !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Player !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Nat. !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Positions !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center; max-width:3.5em"| Signed in !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center; max-width:4em"| Contract ends !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Signed from !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Apps. !style="background:#001489; color:white; text-align:center;"| Goals |- ! colspan=11 style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"| Goalkeepers |- | 1 | Elvis Ochoro | | GK | 2020 | 2025 | Hakati Sportiff | 0 | 0 |- | 16 | Stephen Njunge | | GK | 2020 | 2022 | Wazito | 32 | 0 |- | 16 | Jacob Osano | | GK | 2020 | 2022 | Nairobi Stima | 4 | 0 |- ! colspan=11 style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"| Defenders |- | 4 | Salim Abdalla | | CB | 2019 | 2022 | AFC Leopards | 26 | 1 |- | 5 | Wesley Onguso | | LB / CB | 2019 | 2021 | Posta Rangers | 4 | 0 |- | 8 | Calvin Masawa (Overall captain) | | LB / RB | 2019 | 2022 | Nairobi City Stars | 5 | 0 |- | 12 | Edwin Buliba | | RB / CB | 2019 | 2022 | Nairobi City Stars | 10 | 0 |- | 19 | Kevin Okumu | | RB / RW | 2021 | 2023 | Wazito | 22 | 1 |- | 22 | Wycliffe Onyango | | CB | 2019 | 2022 | Kariobangi Sharks | 17 | 0 |- | 25 | Kenedy Onyango | | CB | 2020 | 2022 | Kakamega Homeboyz | 31 | 0 |- | 26 | Bolton Omwenga
| LB | 2021 | 2022 | Biashara United | 22 | 2 |- | 28 | Herit Mungai
| LB / LW | 2021 | 2022 | Posta Rangers | 18 | 0 |- ! colspan=11 style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"| Midfielders |- | 2 | Elvis Noor | | CM / DM | 2019 | 2022 | Kibera Black Stars | 28 | 0 |- | 3 | Charles Otieno | | DM | 2019 | 2022 | Nairobi City Stars | 12 | 0 |- | 10 | Peter Opiyo | | CM / DM | 2020 | 2022 | Altyn Asyr | 25 | 8 |- | 18 | Sven Yida | | DM | 2020 | 2022 | | Kariobangi Sharks | 28 | 1 |- | 20 | Timothy Ouma | | AM | 2020 | 2023 | Laiser Hill Academy | 26 | 0 |- | 21 | Oliver Maloba | | AM | 2019 | 2022 | | Nairobi City Stars | 25 | 2 |- | 27 | Aziz Okaka | | RB / RW | 2020 | 2022 | | Sony Sugar | 14 | 0 |- | 30 | Anthony Kimani | | CM / AM | 2019 | 2022 | Bandari | 29 | 4 |-0 |- ! colspan=11 style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"| Forwards
| 7 | Rodgers Okumu | | LW / RW | 2020 | 2022 | Coast Stima | 25 | 2 |- | 9 | Vincent Okoth | | ST / AM | 2019 | 2022 | Hakati Sportiff | 9 | 0 |- | 11 | Davis Agesa | | RW / LW / ST | 2018 | 2022 | Nairobi City Stars | 29 | 5 |- | 15 | John Kamau
| LB / LW | 2020 | 2022 | Tusker FC | 7 | 0 |- | 17 | Nicholas Kipkirui
| LW / ST | 2021 | 2023 | Gor Mahia | 19 | 4 |- | 24 | Erick Ombija
| ST | 2020 | 2022 | Gor Mahia | 27 | 3 |- | 29 | Ebrimah Sanneh | | ST | 2019 | 2022 | Kariobangi Sharks | 14 | 2 |- | 32 | Ezekiel Odera | | ST | 2020 | 2022 | AFC Leopards | 24 | 4 |- ! colspan=11 style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"| Out on loan |- | 6 | Ronney Kola | | DM | 2020 | 2025 | KSG Ogopa FC | 0 | 0 |- | 14 | Rowland Makati | | AM | 2020 | 2024 | Vaport Sports | 0 | 0
Off season transfers In Offseason DatePos.PlayerFromRef. 19 August 2020 MF Rowland Makati Vapor Sports City Stars, 19 Aug 2020 Makati joins in from VaporThe Star, 19 Aug 2020 Midfield prodigy Makati,19, joins City Stars 20 August 2020 MF Timothy Ouma Laiser Hill Academy City Stars, 20 Aug 2020 Chapa Dimba MVP confirmed at City StarsDaily Sport, 20 Aug 2020 City Stars sign Ouma, Babu 1 September 2020 DM Ronney Kola KSG Ogopa FC City Stars, 1 Sep 2020 Kola arrives from KSG 3 September 2020 GK Elvis Ochoro Hakati Sportiff City Stars, 3 Sep 2020 Keeper Elvis boards from Hakati 4 September 2020 ST Erick Ombija Gor Mahia City Stars, 3 Sep 2020 Ombija joins City StarsPepeta, 6 Sep 2020 Gor Mahia striker crosses over to City Stars 7 September 2020 DM Sven Yida Kariobangi Sharks City Stars, 7 Sep 2020 Sven Yidah arrives from SharksStandard,, 7 Sep 2020 Nairobi City Stars complete signing of defensive midfielder Yidah from Kariobangi Sharks 9 September 2020 DF Yusuf Mukisa Proline FC City Stars, 9 Sep 2020 Mukisa joins Simba wa NairobiNation, 9 Sep 2020 City Stars sign Ugandan defender 22 October 2020 CB Kenedy Onyango Kakamega Homeboyz City Stars, 22 Oct 2020 Onyango lands at City StarsCitizen, 20 Oct 2020 City Stars snap up defender Onyango 27 October 2020 GK Stephen Njunge WazitoCity Stars, 27 Oct 2020 Njunge confirmed at City StarsThe Star, 28 Oct 2020 Former Wazito goalkeeper Njunge joins City Stars 2 November 2020 LW Rodgers Okumu Coast StimaCity Stars, 2 Nov 2020 Okumu shores up at City Stars 3 November 2020 LB Herit Mungai Posta RangersCity Stars, 3 Nov 2020 Herit the final signing
Out DatePos.PlayerToRef. 1 July 2020 GK Ronny Kagunzi Free agents CB Tedian Esilaba 1 July 2020 GK Levis Opiyo Gor Mahia City Stars, 20 Jul 2020 Keeper Levis Opiyo moves onNation, 22 Jul 2021 Opiyo exits City Stars, set to join Gor Mahia MF Eric Ochieng Mt Kenya United City Stars, 11 Feb 2021 City Stars players on the move LW David Gateri Bidco United City Stars, 11 Feb 2021 City Stars players on the move RB Noah Abich Retired City Stars, 15 Oct 2020 Bench role for Abich 1 August 2020 RB Kevin Okumu Wazito City Stars, 21 Aug 2020 Chumsy says byeCitizen 20 Aug 2021 Wazito sign Okumu from Nairobi City Stars
Loans out
offseason
DateUntilPos.PlayerToRef. 1 October 2020 August 2021 MF Rowland Makati Nairobi Stima F.C.City Stars, 7 May 2020 Makati, Kola head out on loan MF Ronney Kola
Mid season transfers In DatePos.PlayerFromRef. 4 February 2021 LB Bolton Omwenga Biashara United City Stars, 18 Feb 2021 Omwenga joins City StarsThe Star, 5 Feb 2021 Leftback Omwenga joins City Stars 12 February 2021 RB Kevin Okumu Wazito City Stars, 12 Feb 2021 Chumsy returnsThe Star, 17 Feb 2021 Chumsy excited to be back at Nairobi City Stars 18 March 2021 ST Nicholas Kipkirui Gor Mahia City Stars, 18 Mar 2021 Kipkirui joins Nairobi City StarsNation, 21 Mar 2021 City Stars to unleash Kipkirui on leaders Tusker
Competitions Overall record
Premier League
Results summary
Results by round
Score overview
OppositionHome scoreAway scoreAggregate scoreDoubleAFC Leopards 2-10-1 2-2Bandari2-01-1 3-2Bidco Utd 1-2 0-0 1-2Gor Mahia1-10-11-2Kakamega Homeboyz1-00-21-2Kariobangi Sharks1-22–13-3KCB0-30-10-4Mathare United2-00-22–2Nzoia Sugar2–0 1-03-0Posta Rangers2-21-13–3Sofapaka3-00-13-1 Tusker2-2 1-03-2 Ulinzi Stars1-12-03-2Vihiga United1-10-01-1Wazito0-11-21-3Western Stima2-12-04-1 Zoo FC2-1-2-1
Matches
The tentative league fixtures were announced on 13 August 2020,Ground Sports, 15 Aug 2020 FKF Premier 2020/2021 League To Kick-Off SoonPeople Daily, 18 Nov 2020 ‘New top flight season delayed by a week’ but the actual ones were set out on the 23rd of November the same year.City Stars, 23 Nov 2020 Revised KPL fixtures released
Betway Cup
Statistics Appearances {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; width:100%" |- ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| No. ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| Pos. ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| Player ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| Premier League ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| Betway Cup ! style=background-color:#001489;color:#FFFFFF| Total |- | 1 | GK |align=left| Elvis Ochoro ||0||0||0 |- | 2 | MF |align=left| Elvis Noor ||25||2||27 |- | 3 | MF |align=left| Charles Otieno ||10||1||11 |- | 4 | DF |align=left| Salim Abdalla