Mathare United Ladies team would have wished for FKF Women’s Premier League (WPL) promotion, but a final day draw served by Hildana Queens on the road saw them finish third on the log, hence missing the promotion playoff spot on goal difference.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsWhile Anne Aluoch’s girls battled out the draw in Mwatate, elsewhere, Bandari Queens closed in and snatched the promotion slot with a final-day victory.Right winger Veronica Mwangi says the team feels like it let everyone down.Harambee Stars duo miss Sunday action in Europe”We had the goal of earning promotion this season, so the team did not take it well. All the work and effort put in was based on this goal, so when we didn’t make it, the whole team felt disappointed.The spirit remains high, though, and we will work towards it next season,” says Mwangi.A division won by Kayole Starlets, the FKF Women’s Super League (WSL) Zone A proved to be a tough run for all promotion hopefuls.##NAJAVA_MECA_8947836##Mathare finished level on points with Bandari and have already identified a few areas to work on before they can make a full charge at the title next season.”There are several areas that we will have to work on, and one of them is to boost the squad depth. Proper training equipment will condition our players to match the standard of this league,” says Mwangi, adding that officiating in the lower tier can do with a little improvement.”The officiating was largely not in our favour last season. In some matches, including the last one, the officials were clearly not impartial, and this resulted in us not doing well.”Mozzart Bet shares love with Kakamega-based Sukari Deaf FCMathare are one of the few teams in the lower tier to honour all fixtures last season, a feat commendable by a mile. Mwangi feels this is mainly due to the well-laid-out structures at the club.”The Mathare United name is a very lucrative brand, and from what we’ve seen last season, I can say every aspect of the club has been handled in a professional way, from how players are handled to the recruitment process. The fact that we can honour all our matches without manipulating matches also speaks volumes about our reputation. This makes the team look attractive not just to players but also to potential sponsors,” she says.##NAJAVA_MECA_8947835##Their male counterparts play at the top, the FKF Premier League, and are in the battle of their lives to stay up. Initially written off in the first leg, the Slum Boys have gradually dug themselves out of a very deep hole.Mwangi, even though admitting that they would want to mirror their male counterparts, knows they have a long way to go. It all starts in the pre-season.”With the help of the management, the team is keen on earning promotion to the WPL next season. We have plans to start our pre-season preparations early so that we can get conditioning and also get the right squad for the task ahead. President Ruto’s son George declares loyalty to AFC LeopardsA good boost on the bench will also help in planning and execution,” she continues.Mathare managed a total of 28 goals for the whole of last season, Jerrine Adhiambo bagging the most (12), and duly kept guard at the back.The most the team conceded in a single match was just two goals. Veronica feels that if they can add more to the tally, they will not have problems waiting for them on the final day of the season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8947834##”This coming season, we hope to be more clinical in front of goal and to reach at least 40 goals or more. If we add more goals, we won’t have problems finishing off games. We, as forwards, will have to improve in this regard. It’s the one way we have to adopt for us to get to the top,” Mwangi concludes.Coach Anne Aluoch’s girls have a brief rebuilding period as teams head into the transfer market in search of fresh blood for their units.Gor Mahia star reveals how he will utilize Ksh 100K Mozzart Bet Cup awardMathare, yet to lose a key player, will, however, need to bolster their squad as even tougher teams relegated from the top flight join the Super League.
