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Nairobi City Stars' surge to the top fueled by newfound defensive prowess with three clean sheets in recent victories.
Nairobi City Stars captain Calvin Masawa has reflected on the team's impressive defensive turnaround, which has seen them climb to fifth place in the league standings.
The Simba wa Nairobi, had a shaky start to the season, conceding goals in every match from matchday two through twelve.
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However, the tide turned dramatically with the team posting three clean sheets in their last four games, including 1-0 victories over Posta Rangers, Bandari, and Kakamega Homeboyz.
This remarkable defensive improvement is starkly highlighted by the fact that they conceded just twice in the last five games, compared to 13 goals in the previous five.
"First, I thank God for how far He has brought us. It wasn’t a particularly good start for us, as cohesively we were not that good,” said Masawa.
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“We conceded a lot of goals, though we were scoring in each game. We had to go back to the drawing board and come up with defensive strategies. That’s why we concede fewer goals, and of course, if you don’t concede, chances of winning matches are high, and the results can testify,” he added.
Masawa's leadership and experience have been pivotal in this transformation.
Joining City Stars in 2011, he is the team's longest-serving player.
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His return to full fitness and form, marked by his first full game since early June 2023 against Nzoia Sugar in Kasarani Annex, coincided with the team's upturn in fortunes.
Since then, he has played full minutes in three subsequent games, bringing his total to 556 minutes this season across seven games.
The team's contiguous run of five straight wins has matched a rare record set in the 2020/21 Premier League season, with another win adding up to six triumphs in their last seven games.
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This streak began with a significant 1-0 win over the then league-leader Posta Rangers on matchday 13, marking the team's second clean sheet of the season.
“That has brought confidence to every player and to the entire team,” Masawa concluded.
City Stars' journey from a struggling start, marred by defensive vulnerabilities, to a team boasting a solid backline and consecutive wins, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the players and coaching staff.
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The team's fans will undoubtedly be buoyed by this resurgence, with hopes high for the remainder of the season.
As they prepare for their upcoming clash against Talanta, the mood in the camp is optimistic.
With their captain leading from the front and a solid defensive strategy in place, the Nairobi City Stars are poised to continue their impressive run, rewriting their story with each game they play.
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