In a repeat of the season-opening Super Cup, Women Premier League (WPL) champions Thika Queens face Cup winners Ulinzi Starlets in a match that has all the ingredients of a thriller. Thika head to the match on the back of a draw against Zetech Sparks while the soldiers played for a similar result away to Nakuru Queens last weekend. However, the league defending champions have an upper hand if the standings are anything to go by as they are two points above Starlets at 10 from three wins and one draw in five matches. Ulinzi, on the other hand, are fifth on the log at eight points, having played for two wins and as many draws. Their only loss came in the hands of Vihiga Queens a match that was a repeat of the Women’s Cup final. The two sides, however, will parade slightly different squads to those they had in the Super Cup with new signings taking centre stage for the soldiers. Coach Joseph Mwanza is missing the services of striker Lucy Mukhwana, keepers Maureen Shimuli and Mejuma Kombo as well as Lucy Nato and Joan Naitutu. “I am impressed by how the young players have taken to their new roles and are performing. While it is a heavy task they are settling in well and I expect them to give 100 percent in the Thika match knowing what is at stake. With both teams coming off draws in our last outings, it is evident we will all be gunning for maximum points. I am confident the training we have had through the week will come in handy in our quest for maximum points,” coach Mwanza offered. Thika who find themselves in somewhat unfamiliar territory in fourth place after five matches are hoping not to repeat the mistakes they made against Zetech as a win gives them a chance to go second, if Trans Nzoia do not pick maximum points in their encounter, for the night before the match pitting the top two sides Vihiga and Gaspo on Sunday. “Complacency played a huge role in the draw in our last match and we have to be careful not to fall under the same trap. We head to the match on the back of a loss in our last meeting with Ulinzi but we have spoken to the players and they are confident of turning the tables. We have identified areas of weakness and worked on them, well aware that the team we face is slightly different from the squad we played in the Super Cup. Our target is to get the maximum points,” said Thika’s team manager Granton Mganga. Saturday Kangemi Ladies vs Zetech (Ligi Ndogo)Kisumu All Starlets vs Bunyore Starlets (Kisumu)Trans Nzoia Falcons vs Nakuru Queens (Kitale)Wadadia vs Kayole Starlets (Mumias Complex)SundayUlinzi Starlets vs Thika Queens (Ruaraka) Vihiga Queens vs Gaspo Women (Mumias Complex) are
