Zetech Sparks have in the last two matches broken the status quo beating Women Premier League (WPL) champions Thika Queens and Gaspo Women to move to within a point of breaking into the top five.As their fairytale second leg continues, coach Bernard Kitolo has set an ambitious target of finishing in the top three as he looks to build a championship-winning squad for next season.#KWPL Match Highlights||Win for Zetech Sparks as they beat Thika Queens 2-1 at Gems Cambridge on Sunday 1 May,2022.Match Highlights:https://t.co/NTEqoldOgq#sp99#sp99news#womenfootball— Soccerpower99 (@soccerpower99) May 2, 2022 The varsity side has a chance to go fifth at 30 points when they host Kangemi Ladies on Saturday 7 May at the Gems Grounds. Kitolo maintains that no complacency will be allowed as Kangemi have proved a tough nut to crack recently, most notably denying Gaspo maximum points on the weekend in a goalless draw. “Our biggest undoing in the first leg was our goalkeeping. We conceded flimsy goals but addressing the issue with the return of Valentine Kwaka and Stella Anono recovering from a recurring injury to boost the efforts of Consolata Wanjiku has helped us stabilize. Our other departments are in perfect sync and that has translated to the good results in the last five matches or so. We know it will be no mean feat but we have set our sights on the top three,” offered Kitolo.Thika looking to bounce back in Ulinzi testThe tactician says it is a joy to watch his charges play according to his philosophy of keeping the ball, recovering the soonest after losing possession and playing forward passes as they press for a goal.In their next match, Kitolo is hoping the same tactics work against a Kangemi side that proved no pushovers in the first leg. Sparks came from behind three times to win 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.“Lapses in goalkeeping, were at the centre of our struggles against Kangemi as we conceded easy goals from attempts made from yards off, taking advantage of Wanjiku’s height. We, however, have to be careful as Kangemi are fighting relegation and are going hard at teams,” added Kitolo.The road to the FOURTH KWPL title is getting CLOSER!#VihigaQueens#LegacyMakers pic.twitter.com/gIcks0Ha6P— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) May 4, 2022 The side will still miss the services of top scorer Puren Alukwe who has been unavailable in the last two fixtures, mourning her late father. “We miss her skills upfront. Her contribution would have been a big boost but we have to give her time to go through this peacefully. We expect her back against Vihiga Queens,” Kitolo explained.
