Anthony Kimani
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Kimani Njenga | ||
| Date of birth | 31 July 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Dagoretti Santos | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008-2009 | Nairobi City Stars | 32 | (2) |
| 2010-2014 | Sofapaka | 116 | (12) |
| 2015-2017 | Bandari | 48 | (13) |
| 2019-2020 | Nairobi City Stars | 23 | (3) |
| 2020-2023 | Nairobi City Stars | 77 | (11) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2010–2013 | Kenya | 10 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 June 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2019 | |||
Anthony Muki Kimani Njenga is a Kenyan former Kenyan midfielder[1] who last featured for Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi City Stars. He announced his retirement from professional football on 25 June 2023.[2]
Career
Muki, born and raised in Riruta in the periphery of Nairobi, was inspired to take up football by his elder sibling Francis Thairu.
He started off his football at Dagoretti Santos then Kenyatta National Hospital in the Kenyan second tier before joining World Hope F.C. in the Kenyan Premier League in 2008.
In 2009 he was signed by Sofapaka by opted to return to City Stars for regular football as he felt he 'was not mature enough' to compete with the more seasoned players at the promoted side.[3] He rejoined Sofapaka in 2010 and at the end of the season he was unanimously voted the Kenyan Premier League midfielder of 2010.
He stayed on at Sofapaka for another three seasons till the end of 2014.[4] During his time at Batoto ba Mungu - as Sofa are fondly known - Muki also won the best midfielder award during the 2013 GOtv Shield edition.[5][6]
He then crossed over to Coastal side Bandari[7] whom he served for two seasons before taking a break due to work-related commitments.[8][9][10][11] At the end of the season he led the side to the Domestic Cup.[12]
After two and a half years Muki came out of the woods to return to competitive football by rejoining Nairobi City Stars for the 2019 season.[13][14] He extended his stay at the club for two more seasons following promotion to the Kenyan Premier League at the end of the 2019-20 season.[15] He added yet another season thereafter,[16][17] for a third season in the top league, that would keep him at the club till the end of the 2022-23 season.
He called time on his career on Sun 25 June 2023 in the final game of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League against Gor Mahia F.C. in Kasarani Stadium.[18]
National team
While at Sofapaka in 2010 he earned his debut call to the Kenya National team Harambee Stars by head coach Jacob Mulee and went on to earn his first cap in an international friendly against host Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on 29 November 2010.
He featured for Kenya in the 2010[19] and 2012[20] Cecafa Senior Challenge Cups in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively. In total he earned ten caps.[21]
Coaching journey
In March 2023, Muki started acquiring his coaching badges by completing a CAF 'D' Diploma license course.[22]
Honors
Individual
- Sofapaka
- 2010 Kenyan Premier League - Midfielder of the Year
- 2012 Sofapaka vs Oserian MVP[23]
- 2013 FKF President's Cup - Best Midfielder
- 2015 FOYA - Best Midfielder nominee[24]
Club
- Sofapaka
- Kenyan Super Cup: 2010
- Kenyan Super Cup: 2011
- 2013 FKF President's Cup
- Bandari
References
- ^ Michezo Afrika, March 2, 2010: Up close with Sofapaka's Antony Muki Keymani
- ^ Standard, 27 Jun 2023 Nairobi City Stars captain Anthony 'Muki' Kimani retires after 17 years
- ^ Supersport, July 24, 2012: Sofapaka midfielder speaks out
- ^ Futaa, November 21, 2014: Bandari/Sofa open talks over midfielder
- ^ Goal, February 27, 2014: GOtv shield top performers feted at ceremony
- ^ Futaa, February 28, 2014: Kimani tributes team for GOtv Award
- ^ Radio Jambo, December 16, 2014: Bandari makes Sh350,000 Kimani acquisition
- ^ Yahoo, January 8, 2017: Bandari FC cut loose 'key' players
- ^ Kenyan Star, May 17, 2018: Anthony Kimani Released By Bandari, Granted Indefinite Leave
- ^ Goal, May 17, 2017: KPL side Bandari forced to release star midfielder
- ^ Futaa, November 17, 2017: Bandari FC explains midfielder absence
- ^ Michezo Afrika, December 13, 2015: Bandari crowned Shield Champions
- ^ Soka, August 27, 2018: Muki, Bageya back as city stars reshapes for NSL assault Archived 2019-12-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ People Daily, August 29, 2019: NSL sides net top KPL players before start of season
- ^ Goal, 25 Aug 2020 Experienced Kimani, Masawa among five to extend contracts with Nairobi City Stars
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 24 Aug 2022 Nairobi City Stars tie eleven players to lengthy deals
- ^ The-Star, 25 Aug 2022 Eleven players re-new contracts at City Stars
- ^ People Daily, 26 Jun 2023 Anthony Kimani retires after City Stars’ loss to Gor Mahia
- ^ Michezo Afrika, November 16, 2010: Coach Mulee names Harambee Stars squad for Cecafa
- ^ Michezo Afrika, November 21, 2012: Antony Kimani and Mangoli to captain Stars' Cecafa squad
- ^ Goal, September 1, 2010: Kenya Coach Picks Final 18 For Guinea Bissau Match
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 6 Mar 2023 City Stars midfielder Anthony Kimani urges players to consider enrolling for coaching courses
- ^ Futaa, September 30, 2010: Muki named MVP against Oserian
- ^ Soka25 East, November 18, 2015: 2015 KPL, Footballer of The Year Awards (FOYA) nominees.
External links
- Anthony Kimani at FoStats.com
- Anthony Kimani at Global Sports Archive