Women Premier League (WPL) Cup winners Ulinzi Starlets face league holders Thika Queens on the weekend as they look to maintain second place on the log. The Joseph Mwanza-coached side head back to Thika Stadium on Sunday 8 May with a target of getting their first point at the venue. The soldiers lost 2-0 to Thika at home in their debut season at the top tier league. Thika looking to bounce back in Ulinzi testHowever, Mwanza is fielding a slightly different squad to the one that lost to Thika last season. The hosts have also made changes to their lineup and this is likely to be a different game to the one witness then. Additionally, the soldiers head to the match buoyed by victories in the last two meetings against the holders. Ulinzi won the inaugural Super Cup title, beating Thika on post-match penalties and compounded that victory with a 1-0 win in this season’s first leg encounter. “We have prepared well for this clash, well aware that Thika is a tough side. Coming off a loss, they will come hard at us and we have to be in our best form. Ulinzi Starlets refuse to give up on the WPL title raceI am fielding a young squad, with an average age of 22 and some are not as experienced. That, however, will be no excuse. Thika have also made a few changes to their squad since we played them in the first leg but we know what to expect and are ready,” offered Mwanza. The soldiers will miss the services of skipper Diana Shakava who is out on other military duties but the tactician maintains that her leadership on the pitch will not be missed as they have already adapted to her absence. “Any team should be able to perform at their best despite the absence of any player whether due to injury or otherwise. Shakava is out for the rest of the season, her last match was against Kangemi Ladies, and we have had toadjust to that,” Mwanza added. The military side is looking to bag maximum points that moves them to 36 points as they hope Gaspo Women can hold runaway leaders Vihiga Queens.
