Nairobi City Stars defender recounts unexpected league debut

Nairobi City Stars center back Brian Opinde says finally getting some Premier League minutes under his belt is going to massively impact his career.

The youngster, signed by Simba wa Nairobi in the offseason, made his league debut on Monday, 28 October against defending champions Gor Mahia before making his second appearance last weekend.

Having made the matchday squad in City Stars’ previous five games against Sofapaka, Mara Sugar, AFC Leopards, Sofapaka, and Kakamega Homeboyz, Opinde finally got his chance when he came on for left-back Robins Asenwa in the second minute of second-half added time.

Then, City Stars were leading K’Ogalo 2-1, and the former Langas Superstars man had to stay solid to hold on to the win.

That he did, thereby helping Nicholas Muyoti’s side to their first win of the season.

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Speaking to the club’s media about his feeling, Opinde said: “It was a very good experience. I wasn’t quite expecting my debut to come then. But when it did, it made me happy as we went on to defend a lead for the first win of the season.”

On the impact of his league debut, he added: “It impacts massively on my career, and now that it has come and gone, I look forward to many more league games.”

On Sunday, Opinde made his second cameo off the bench when he came on to replace Rogers Wasega with a few minutes remaining in his side’s 1-0 victory over Shabana.

In earning his maiden league game against Gor Mahia, Opinde follows in the footsteps of Pius Omachi, who earned his debut against the same side in February 2023, Asenwa and Abuyeka Kubasu (September 2023), and Shem Odinga (February 2024).

Overall, Opinde became the 24th City Stars Premier League debutant under coach Muyoti since the 2021-22 FKF Premier League season.