Veteran Nairobi City Stars midfielder Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani has retired from professional football.
Kimani announced his retirement on Sunday prior to the 2022-23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League last match of the season between Nairobi City Stars and Gor Mahia at Moi Stadium, Kasarani bringing an end to a 17 years football career.
Kimani played 10 minutes against Gor Mahia to mark his 19th game of the just concluded season, his 109th match for Nairobi City Stars across four and a half seasons.
In total, Kimani played 284 KPL matches, scoring 38 times.
Besides, he featured in 24 games in the second tier during City Stars’ promotion season, the 2019-20 National Super League, scoring three times and providing 10 assists to chalk up the most valuable player gong.
Nairobi City Stars Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir said: “More than often, we never know when a Kenyan player retires. Muki did the most honourable thing in stepping forward to say goodbye to what has been part of his life for more than a decade and a half. It was the most honourable thing to do and I wish more retiring players can take his cue.”
“We thank Kimani for bringing maturity and adding his vast experience to the City Stars setup since 2019 and for guiding the team back to the KPL after five seasons in the cold. He was a dedicated servant and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” added Korir.
Kimani first featured for City Stars, then known as World Hope, in the 2008 Premier League season, before moving to Sofapaka for the first leg of the 2009 season. He was back at City Stars for the second leg before returning to Sofapaka in 2010 until the 2014 season. He then moved to Bandari in 2015 for three seasons before taking a break from the game.
Prior to 2008, Kimani had featured for Dagoretti Santos, as well as Kenyatta National Hospital in the Nationwide League.
“In 2016, while at Bandari, I scored goals against City Stars that largely contributed to their relegation. 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,” Kimani told the club’s website.
“I will forever look back and say it was mission accomplished, as the team returned to the top league in 2020,” said Kimani.
“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. 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.
Incidentally, after promotion, Kimani, donning the armband as captain, scored City Stars’ first top-flight goal during a historic game against Nzoia Sugar, leading Simba wa Nairobi to a memorable 2-0 win.
During the highlight of his career, Muki was called up to the national team Harambee Stars and was capped 10 times between 2010 and 2012.
In preparation for life after football, Muki recently started his coaching journey and underwent a CAF ‘D’ Diploma.