Ulinzi Starlets coach Oduor scents blood in Kenya Women Premier League

There will be everything to play for when Ulinzi Starlets and Vihiga Queens, two of Kenya’s most successful clubs, clash in Football Kenya Federation Women Premier League (FKF-WPL) on Sunday in Nairobi.

Vihiga Queens from Vihiga County are four-time Kenyan league champions, while Ulinzi, who are based in Kahawa Baracks in Nairobi, have won five cup titles – three FKF Women Cup titles and two Super Cup titles.

After a slow start to FKF-WPL title race this season, Ulinzi Starlets are out to bounce back in the title race when they host former league champions Vihiga Queens at Ruaraka Grounds in Nairobi on Sunday in one of four matches lined up for the weekend.

The meeting between Wadadia and Mombasa Olympic has been postponed.

Ulinzi Starlets coach Collins Oduor, who took over the mantle on December 10 following the dismissal of Stephen Ochollah, has braced himself for a tough encounter against the team from Vihiga County.

He  hopes to ride on the availability of all his players to bring down Vihiga United.

"There are no injuries in my camp, and all my players are available for selection, which is a good thing," he said on Friday after presiding over his team’s training session.

“The league is very competitive, and the title race is open. Any team can win the title.”

Since Oduor's arrival, Ulinzi Starlets have not lost a match. The team beat Wadadia FC 5-0, stopped Bunyore Starlets 2-0, and came from behind to hold Kisumu Allstarlets 1-1.

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They lie fifth in the standings table on 18 points, two behind fourth-placed Vihiga and four behind leaders Kenya Police Bullets and second-placed Kibera Soccer Women.

“Every season, teams are gunning for the title, and we want to start the second leg strongly. The girls are improving technically, and I instill self-belief in them. The league is a marathon, so we need to secure good results," he added.

A win for Vihiga Queens on Sunday will propel them to the top of the league, but that depends on the result of the match between Kenya Police Bullets  and Kisped Queens, which will be played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.

Ulinzi suffered a setback this month when star forward Eunice Mwangi crossed over to rivals Kenya Police Bullets in a swap deal involving midfielder Lydia "Ozil" Akoth. Akoth transferred to Yanga Princess of Tanzania.

On Friday, Kenya Police Bullets announced Mwangi’s arrival on social media with fanfare.

"She’s here—and she’s a bullet! Today, we proudly unveil the unstoppable Eunice 'YUYU' Mwangi, the smiling assassin now wearing our colors and ready to fire on all cylinders for us. She will be donning jersey number 25," Kenya Police Bullets posted on social media.

In another match, Kibera, who drew 1-1 with Mombasa Olympic two weeks ago, will host Bungoma Queens at Don Bosco Grounds in Nairobi on Sunday.

Zetech Sparks travel to Kisumu Allstarlets at Moi Stadium, while Bunyore Starlets entertain Trinity Starlets at Mumboha Grounds in Luanda, Vihiga County.

Elsewhere, Wadadia’s head coach, Rashid Sumba, has confirmed that the team has been dissolved following the suden departure of the team’s sponsor.

"The team has been dissolved as the sponsor has withdrawn. We have released five players to other teams. We had hoped that a solution would materialise, but now we have given up," Sumba, who spent over 10 years with the team, said.

Wadadia, an abbreviation for Women and Development Against Distress In Africa, is an Non Governmental Organisation that empowers marginalized women and girls to become advocates in the sphere of their mental health and socio-economic rights.

Currently, they lie bottom in the league with three points from five matches; one win, and four losses. They have four points from 11 matches with one win, one draw, and nine losses.

Weekend’s Fixtures

Saturday

Zetech Sparks vs Kisumu Allstarlets (Imani Stadium, Ruiru 11am)

Kisped Queens vs Kenya Police Bullets (Moi Stadium, Kisumu 1pm)

Sunday

Ulinzi Starlets vs Vihiga Queens (Ruaraka Grounds, Nairobi 11am)

Kibera Soccer Womens vs Bungoma Queensn (Don Bosco Utume, Karen 11am)

Bunyore Starlets vs Trinity Queens (Mumboha Grounds, Luanda 2pm)