Aluoch on the hot seat as WPL returns

Former Harambee Starlets caretaker coach and player Ann Aluoch will be on the touch line as Mathare Women host Ulinzi Starlets at the Camp Toyoyo grounds on Saturday, 22 May, as the Women Premier League (WPL) makes a return after the suspension on sporting activities was lifted. 

Aluoch was appointed head coach in March, just before the league was suspended and this will be her first time on the touch line in that capacity. 

She takes over from Mary Adhiambo who has been at the helm of the club since 2018. In a season that has seen the slum girls struggle and are at the verge of relegation, Aluoch has been entrusted with turning Mathare's prospects around.

"We have prepared for the match against Ulinzi the best way we could. After the suspension on sporting activities was lifted we went back to training and managed to hold at least two sessions a week. The players are ready to go. We know the task ahead will be no walk in the park. We need to win all remaining four matches in order to escape relegation but the stats are against us. We are not giving up but in the event we get relegated, my duty will be to return the team to the premier league as soon as possible," said Aluoch ahead of the weekend clash. 

Aluoch under no pressure as she takes over head coach role at Mathare

After facing Ulinzi who are on a mission to maintain second place in zone A ahead of the playoffs, Aluoch's charges have to face the zone's leaders Thika Queens, third-placed Gaspo Women and Zetech Sparks who are also fighting for a playoff spot, before the regular season concludes. 

Ulinzi head coach, Joseph Mwanza, on his part says the team is now focusing on maintaining their playoff position while working to get their match fitness back ahead of the playoffs and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women's Cup matches slated for August after the league concludes. 

"We played a few friendly matches, including one against the national team, as part of our preparations for the league resumption. These games were important for my players to regain their match fitness. We are ready for this match and for the remaining fixtures to the playoffs," Mwanza offered. 

Other zone A encounters will see relegation battling Makolanders host title hopefuls Thika Queens while Zetech take on Kayole Starlets in Ruiru. On Sunday, Kibera Soccer Ladies host Gaspo Women in the only zone A fixture of the day.  

The former champions, Thika, are looking to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches and against a Makolanders side that has struggled this season, the odds favour the Benta Achieng-coached Queens. 

In zone B, Trans Nzoia Falcons host SEP Ladies at Kenyatta Stadium on Saturday as Nakuru West Queens welcome Kisumu All Starlets at the Nakuru show grounds. 

Saturday Fixtures

Mathare vs Ulinzi (Camp Toyoyo-11am)

Makolanders vs Thika (Stima Club-12pm)

Trans Nzoia vs SEP (Kitale -12pm)

Nakuru vs Kisumu (Nakuru-12pm)

Zetech vs Kayole (Ruiru-12pm)