by Agnes Amondi

The Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL) returns this weekend after last week’s FKF Women’s Cup and enters into the sixth round. All but four premier league sides will play at the round of 16 in the domestic cup competition including Ulinzi Starlets.

The military formed outfit are on a five game unbeaten run stretching back to their only loss of the season last month. This was a 2-1 loss against Thika Queens in the opening weekend of the league and since then, they’ve accumulated all 12 points. Going into gameweek six, they lie second in zone A, just three points adrift table toppers Thika Queens.

With this impressive start, Ulinzi’s head coach Joseph Wambua is keen on sustaining the winning momentum when they play Gaspo Women this weekend. Further, he admits that so far they have surpassed their season’s expectations but would not be carried away by the good fortunes.

“Coming into the season, our target was and still is a spot in the top three. We currently lie in second, which is only a manifestation of good preparation. The competition is tough so we’d like to try our best to maintain our current position. If possible, contend for the top spot,” Wambua noted.

“Gaspo haven’t started the season well but its still a very good team. A bad run doesn’t mean they can’t win. In fact, they have very good players who can produce match winning performance. That said, we are ready and will be gunning for nothing else but maximum points,”

The tactician will be shy of three first team players who sustained injuries in their FKF Women’s Cup fixture against Moving the Goal Post (M.T.G) and in a league match at Makolanders. Apart from that hiccup, the rest of the squad is available and eager for the tie. The gaffer noted all his players have now managed to shake off the rustiness they accrued due to the long break ocassioned by the coronavirus pandemic, and are now settled.

In other matches lined up in zone A, Kayole Starlets will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after a 7-0 defeat in the hands of Thika Queens, when they host Makolanders at the Stima Members Club in Nairobi.

At Ligi Ndogo grounds, Kibera Soccer Ladies will entertain league leaders Thika Queens as Zetech Sparks welcome strugglers Mathare United Women at Ruiru grounds.

In zone B, Eldoret Falcons and Oserian Ladies face S.E.P Girls and Trans Nzoia Falcons respectively. Both lost their last fixtures before the break and will seek to make amends. Meanwhile, top of the table Vihiga Queens will be aiming to extend their perfect start at home against Kisumu All Starlets. Wadadia tackle Nakuru West Queens at the Mumias Sports Complex.