FKF Women's Cup Semis: Wambua Confident Of Flooring Kisumu All Starlets

 

Ulinzi Starlets tactician Joseph Wambua Mwanza is optimistic about their chances of gunning down Kisumu All Starlets in the FKF Women's Cup semifinals scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) in Nakuru County.

The soldiers stormed into the semifinal following their 3-0 win against Division One Zone B leaders Kisped on Sunday at Moi Stadium in Kisumu, courtesy of a brace by Neddy Atieno and a third goal from Sophia Adhiambo.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Wambua urged his charges to avoid complacency before kick-off.

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"Because we are the defending champions, we are not under any pressure going to the match. We have prepared well, and I have no major injury doubts.

"We shall not underrate them because reaching this stage means they bundled out great teams.

"We will give them the respect they deserve, but one thing that I'm confident about is retaining our title."

Ulinzi, who finished third in the just-ended Kenya Women's Premier League (KWPL) campaign, got a walkover after their opponents, the Kayole Starlets, staged a no-show in their last match of the season on Sunday, thus handing them a welcome one-week break from the action.

"I believe my girls have had a good rest, and that is an advantage to us.

"I want to thank my players for the determination they have put so far in reaching this stage and I will be happy if they will give me a win which will take us to finals," he added.

All Starlets, who will play in Division One following their relegation from the top tier in the just concluded Kenyan Women Premier League season, sailed through to the semis after humbling Royal Starlets 2-0 thanks to goals by Rose Mary Oraro and Faith Ogeda at the Ndura Stadium in Kitale.

Their clash will be preceded by the first semifinal fixture pitting Division One side Kibera Girls Soccer against Nakuru City Queens at the same stadium (RVIST) at noon.

Kibera overcame Regional League outfit Kahawa Queens thanks to a resounding 7-0 scalp at the Ruaraka Grounds to book their semifinals slot, while Nakuru saw off former KWPL champions Thika Queens 2-0.

Ulinzi Starlets won the inaugural tournament after overcoming the reigning Premier League champions Vihiga Queens 2-0 at the Nakuru Show Grounds in Nakuru County in 2021, with lethal striker Fasila Adhiambo being crowned the tournament's best scorer with six goals.    BY CITIZEN DIGITAL