Anthony "Muki" Kimani Njenga is a Kenyan former Kenyan midfielderMichezo Afrika, March 2, 2010: Up close with Sofapaka's Antony Muki Keymani who last featured for Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi City Stars. He announced his retirement from professional football on 25 June 2023.Standard, 27 Jun 2023 Nairobi City Stars captain Anthony 'Muki' Kimani retires after 17 years
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.Supersport, July 24, 2012: Sofapaka midfielder speaks out 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.Futaa, November 21, 2014: Bandari/Sofa open talks over midfielder 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.Goal, February 27, 2014: GOtv shield top performers feted at ceremonyFutaa, February 28, 2014: Kimani tributes team for GOtv Award
He then crossed over to Coastal side BandariRadio Jambo, December 16, 2014: Bandari makes Sh350,000 Kimani acquisition whom he served for two seasons before taking a break due to work-related commitments.Yahoo, January 8, 2017: Bandari FC cut loose 'key' playersKenyan Star, May 17, 2018: Anthony Kimani Released By Bandari, Granted Indefinite LeaveGoal, May 17, 2017: KPL side Bandari forced to release star midfielderFutaa, November 17, 2017: Bandari FC explains midfielder absence At the end of the season he led the side to the Domestic Cup.Michezo Afrika, December 13, 2015: Bandari crowned Shield Champions
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.Soka, August 27, 2018: Muki, Bageya back as city stars reshapes for NSL assault People Daily, August 29, 2019: NSL sides net top KPL players before start of season 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.Goal, 25 Aug 2020 Experienced Kimani, Masawa among five to extend contracts with Nairobi City Stars He added yet another season thereafter,Mozzart Sport, 24 Aug 2022 Nairobi City Stars tie eleven players to lengthy dealsThe-Star, 25 Aug 2022 Eleven players re-new contracts at City Stars 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.People Daily, 26 Jun 2023 Anthony Kimani retires after City Stars’ loss to Gor Mahia
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 2010Michezo Afrika, November 16, 2010: Coach Mulee names Harambee Stars squad for Cecafa and 2012Michezo Afrika, November 21, 2012: Antony Kimani and Mangoli to captain Stars' Cecafa squad Cecafa Senior Challenge Cups in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively. In total he earned ten caps.Goal, September 1, 2010: Kenya Coach Picks Final 18 For Guinea Bissau Match
Coaching journey In March 2023, Muki started acquiring his coaching badges by completing a CAF 'D' Diploma license course.Mozzart Sport, 6 Mar 2023 City Stars midfielder Anthony Kimani urges players to consider enrolling for coaching courses
Honors Individual Sofapaka 2010 Kenyan Premier League - Midfielder of the Year 2012 Sofapaka vs Oserian MVPFutaa, September 30, 2010: Muki named MVP against Oserian 2013 FKF President's Cup - Best Midfielder 2015 FOYA - Best Midfielder nomineeSoka25 East, November 18, 2015: 2015 KPL, Footballer of The Year Awards (FOYA) nominees.
Club Sofapaka Kenyan Super Cup: 2010 Kenyan Super Cup: 2011 2013 FKF President's Cup Bandari 2015 FKF President's Cup Kenyan Super Cup: 2016
References
External links Anthony Kimani at FoStats.com