Ulinzi Starlets shift focus to WPL title as action gets underway

Ulinzi Starlets have won the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup and Super Cup twice since gracing the country’s top tier women’s league but the Women Premier League (WPL) title has remained elusive for Joseph Mwanza Wambua’s charges.

As they begin their hunt for the WPL gong on Saturday 7 October away to holders Vihiga Queens, Wambua is hoping for a positive start to their campaign.

The match will be a repeat of last Saturday’s Super Cup clash that saw the military side pip the league champions 2-0 to lift their second title and open the season with silverware, a feat the tactician hopes will be motivation as they head to the Mumias Complex.

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Starlets, however, go to battle with a slightly tinkered squad as some of their key players are expected to join Recruits Training School (RTS) this week and thus will miss the next six months of action.

While coach Wambua has kept this information on who is leaving under wraps, arguing that he can only reveal the identities of those unavailable later this week, sources privy to this information indicate that the side is likely to miss the services of midfield maestro Sherly Angachi and goal poacher Mercy Airo among others.

“Winning the Super Cup is great motivation for the team but the league is a different ball game. There are a lot of challenges as teams have prepared well so it will not be an easy run. All the other 11 teams have recruited well so we have to be prepared for each encounter,” the tactician offered.

To make up for the players set to be away, the tactician has acquired the services of three new players led by Wadadia’s Rita Ojwang who comes in to strengthen Starlets’ midfield.

Six matches are on the cards this weekend as the league gets underway with Nakuru City Queens hosting Wadadia FC while Zetech Sparks play away to Trans Nzoia Falcons.

Last season’s runners up Gaspo Women host Bunyore starlets while newly promoted Bungoma Queens take on the returning Kibera Soccer Sisters. Kenya Police Bullets hosts newbies Soccer Assassins.

All matches are tentatively scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday.