On the weekend Kangemi Starlets played their first premier league match as the Kenya Women Premier League (WPL) got underway on Saturday 18 December, facing Women’s Cup and Super Cup champions Ulinzi Starlets. However, anyone who had watched the outfit in the lower league would be forgiven for thinking they were witnessing an entirely different side that was thrashed 6-2 by the military side as Kangemi have lost almost all players that did duty in the lower division.“I took over the team about three weeks ago and I have had to sign new players, some who have no experience in any structured league. I am proud of their achievements in a tough first match in the top-flight against a team as experienced as Ulinzi. KENYA WOMEN PREMIER LEAGUE SATURDAY’S 18TH FULL TIME SCORES.—FT: Ulinzi Starlets 6 – 2 Kangemi Ladies.–FT: Thika Queens 2 – 1 Kayole Starlets.–FT: Transnzoia Falcons 2 – 0 Zetech Sparks.—FT: Vihiga Queens 3 – 1 Nakuru City Queens.— Bree Mo’ngina! (@beebree0) December 18, 2021 We are just getting started with the rebuilding and I am confident two or three matches in, the players will be settled and will be able to churn out better results. More importantly, having the courage to face more experienced opponents without being intimidated will be a good start for us,” said coach Turncliff Asiebella. From the team that did duty in the lower division under coach Joseph Orao, only three players were present for Saturday’s match with grapevine ripe that the team’s management is undergoing turbulent times and Asiebella has only been brought in to salvage an already sinking ship. “I have just been brought in recently and I cannot speak about what is happening in the team and given the opportunity to sign new players. My understanding is that the players that did duty in the lower division were set to play in the premier league as well but on matchday, they were not available,” explained the tactician. Ulinzi gun down Kangemi in eight-goal thrillerOn short notice, the coach did not have much time to get the quality of players needed for the competition expected in the top flight. “If I could add a few experienced players to the squad, we would be home and dry,” said Asiebella. “Most of these players have joined from schools and the county league and, while they are good tactically, they lack the experience of playing in the top flight which is what we need.”
