Coach Juma Saidi’s Kisumu All Starlets’ quest for a return to the Kenya Women Premier League top flight division had a boost upon resumption of the FKF Division 1 Zone B when the girls recorded easy pickings in a derby match played out at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.Facing an experienced KISPED Queens side, who also bear a host of former Starlets captains- coach Juma’s side scored in either half through on-song Monicah Etot and midfielder Lydia Ruth for a comfortable 2-0 victory. This, Juma says, is just what the team needs when beginning the second leg. ‘’The team had been used to top-flight football for a long time so this is a new frontier for them and I am pleased with how they’ve picked up from where they left in the first leg,’’ says the former Palos Ladies FC coach. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7822181##Starlets, who featured in the top flight between 2016 and 2023, went a tier down at the end of last season amidst biting financial constraints. This has only eased for the team that still seeks out occasional aid from fans and well-wishers within the County. “The major difference here in the second tier is that we get to travel shorter distances so the budget as compared to when we played in the premier league reduced considerably but we can still use some help,’’ he continues. Mulembe United, Kisumu All Stars to Revive Regional Classic in Round 18The side, which played its home matches at the Moi Stadium with alternative ground as Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, still boasts several long-serving players despite the many fresh faces in the team. Former Nyakach Girls forward and current captain Cynthia Atieno played the full ninety against KISPED over the weekend and so did scorer Ruth who still has the ‘Golden Boot’ in her sights. ‘’We had a very long holiday break which might have affected the team’s cohesion but players were advised to train individually while away,’’ says Lydiah of the team she features for in just the second season.Why long-serving midfielder Dennis Odhiambo pulled out of retirement to join Murang’a SealStarlets ended the first leg of the DIV 1 campaign with a resounding 5-0 humiliation of Gene Queens and Ruth says they were just picking up from where they left when KISPED came calling.‘’The first leg had ended on a high note for us so it was important that we keep up the pace if we are to have any real chance of going back up. KISPED are our sisters from the same city and they are a very good side. We gave them the respect they deserved but bagged the win. That should motivate my teammates ahead of the next matches,’’ a cheerful Ruth says.The team, managed by long-serving Team Manager Beryl Oketch, have their work cut out when they make the long trip to Kitale for their next fixture.
