Kisumu All Starlets put in a solid performance over their FKF Women’s Super League from Mombasa, Mombasa Olympic, winning 3-2 in a hotly-contested overall title clash at the Dandora stadium on Saturday 8th.Starlets, having already conquered all in Zone B, needed a Monica Etot brace sandwiched between a Rose Orao strike to wrestle the title away from an equally strong Zone A leaders Olympic. The two, had however, already secured promotion into the top flight Women’s premier league and both made a gallant comeback having previously featured at the top level.Junior Starlets on brink of historic World Cup qualification after Burundi first-leg triumph Lydia Ruth, playing in Coach Juma Saidi’s midfield, has seen a dream come true. Just one season ago, she had been part of the squad that faced the chop from the top flight having been only part of the team for a half a season.“It does feel good to be back. I cannot say I enjoyed my entry into the team much because it was a difficult time, and we struggled a lot. Coming back up after just one season however heals the heartbreak we endured that time,’’ she says.Coach Saidi didn’t overhaul his unit after relegation but instead, just added a little punch to his forward line and a few wanting areas. This was needed to maintain team cohesion, he says.“The drop down was just a chance to regroup and come back stronger in the premier league. We had been up for a while and maybe got a little comfortable but I told the girls that with commitment we could do it in just one season,’’ Juma, who has been Starlets’ coach since its inception eight years ago, says.Ruth, on her side, admits that a change in the attitude will go a long way in ensuring Starlets don’t falter at the top level once again. Her single season there allowed her a glimpse of what to expect upon return.##NAJAVA_MECA_8148131##“The opposition remains the same and we now know better than to underestimate even the ones deemed lesser teams. As for the top contenders, we have engaged with some in the cup competitions more recently and gave them proper challenges. I am confident that we are up to the task on this,’’ she continues.Starlets achieved this mean feat in the absence of long-serving team manager Beryl Oketch who, while away on medical leave, couldn’t hide her elation in the team’s Super League triumph.“I had faith the girls would come through on this,’’ she says. ‘’It’s a vow they made when we dropped down and all through the season, they have consistently worked towards this. I am very pleased but not surprised.’’NSL: Mombasa Elite, Kajiado pick vital wins in survival battleAs the Kisumu side makes its return to the grand stage, they will be joined by City rivals KISPED Queens who enter the WPL for the first time. The local super league rivalry now enters a premiership status with both teams sharing the Moi Stadium Kisumu for their home matches.KISPED, having finished second in Zone B, dispatched Kayole Starlet 1-0 in their promotion playoff match briefly before Starlets claimed the overall title.
