Anthony Kimani: Why I worked hard to guide City Stars back to FKF PL
By Collins Amanga, June 27, 2023Outgoing midfielder Anthony Kimani says he was obliged to help Nairobi City Stars return to the top tier after contributing to their relegation in 2016.
Kimani, who retired following his club’s 4-1 loss to Bandari, scored goals against City Stars in 2016 that he feels played a part in their relegation.
Anthony Kimani compelled
After the side got relegated, he felt compelled to guide his first premier league club back to where it belonged.
“In 2016, while at Bandari, I scored goals against City Stars that largely contributed to their relegation,” he told the club’s official portal.
“Being my first premier league club, I always felt obliged to return to City Stars and guide them back to where they belonged, and that is what informed my return in 2019,” he said.
After rejoining City Stars in 2019, Kimani played a crucial role in their success in the 2019/20 National Super League, scoring three goals and providing ten assists. At the end of that campaign, he was named the Club’s Most Valuable Player of the Season.
He helped the team gain promotion and considers it a mission accomplished.
“I will forever look back and say it was mission accomplished, as the team returned to the top league in 2020,” Kimani said.
As he departs, Kimani believes that the upcoming squad is stronger and capable of achieving better results. He is confident that the new set of players will contribute to the club’s rise once again.
“We may have struggled in the just-ended season due to a transition plan, but a new set of lads who came in have shown that they have what it takes to make the club rise once again,” he added.
Muki’s send off #simbawanairobi pic.twitter.com/Ui895bKq8T
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) June 25, 2023
Kimani expressed peace of mind knowing that the club is in good hands and is optimistic about serving the game in a different capacity off the pitch.
“The future of the club is in their good hands and it gives me peace and a good reason to call it a day from the pitch as I look to serve the game in a different capacity,” he concluded.
Kimani career
Having started his football career at Dagoretti Santos and later joining Nairobi City Stars (formerly World Hope) in 2009, Kimani gained experience and maturity before returning to Sofapaka.
His exceptional performances earned him recognition, including the Kenyan Premier League Midfielder of the Year award in 2010.
Kimani also represented Bandari for two seasons before taking a break from professional football due to work commitments.
However, he made a triumphant comeback in 2019, rejoining Nairobi City Stars and remaining with the team for two more seasons.
In addition to his club career, Kimani made appearances for the Kenyan national team, Harambee Stars, in the 2010 and 2012 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cups, earning ten caps for his country.
Kimani won the 2010 and 2011 Kenyan Super Cup, as well as the 2013 FKF President’s Cup. He also won the 2015 President’s Cup while at Bandari, as well as the 2016 Kenyan Super Cup.
Kimani went on to earn playtime in the last ten minutes of their match against Gor Mahia to register his 19th game this season and his 109th game in Nairobi City Stars colours across four and a half seasons – and 284th Kenyan Premier League match. In those games, Muki scored 38 goals.