Kisped Queens seek stability ahead of Ulinzi clash

KIsped Queens/ HANDOUT

Kisped Queens will aim to steady their debut top-flight campaign when they host title-chasing Ulinzi Starlets this weekend at Kisumu Mamboleo Stadium.

The fixture brings together a side still learning the demands of the Kenyan Women’s Premier League and a team navigating squad disruptions while keeping their championship ambitions intact.

Kisped head coach Minjis has urged his players to show greater consistency and resilience following a turbulent January, which saw a mix of honoured fixtures and boycotted matches disrupt the team’s rhythm.

“This is our first season at the highest level, and the opening leg has been a sobering learning experience,” Minjis said.

“We did not achieve the results we had hoped for. Inexperience and fatigue have been major obstacles, and frequent travel and a demanding schedule have stretched the players physically and mentally.”

Despite these challenges, the Kisumu-based side has shown improvement in recent outings, demonstrating better organisation and sharper decision-making.

Minjis stressed that the lessons learned from competing against seasoned opponents will be crucial going into the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi Starlets travel west with their title ambitions intact, despite missing several key players.

Five of their squad have been called up to national duty with the Rising Starlets, while others are sidelined through injury or have departed after recruitment into the military.

“I congratulate the girls; it speaks volumes about this team,” said head coach Collins Ochieng of his players’ national call-ups. “At the moment, my greatest challenge is Kisped. I take every match as a final.”

The Starlets are second on the league table with 26 points following a 2–0 victory over Kibera Soccer Women on January 18 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Defending champions Kenya Police Bullets top the standings with 28 points, while four-time champions Vihiga Queens sit third with 25 points.

Trinity Starlets and Zetech Sparks occupy fourth and fifth places with 24 and 21 points, respectively.

Elsewhere this weekend, Madira Soccer Assassins face Kisumu All Starlets at Nyang’ori Grounds in Majengo, Bungoma Queens host Trinity Starlets at Bungoma National Polytechnic, and Kayole Starlets welcome Gideon Starlets at the EABL Tusker grounds.

On Saturday, Zetech Sparks host defending champions Kenya Police Bullets at Zetech University grounds, while Vihiga Queens travel to Marist University grounds in Karen to face Kibera Soccer Women.