Kisumu All Starlets Trainer Juma Said Reflects on Lackluster Attack after Disappointing KWPL Season
Playing this league without sponsorship is not easy at all. Most of our players are from distant places, and retaining them without a sponsor is not easy.
Notwithstanding the struggles, Kisumu All Starlets managed to maintain their position in the KWPL and finished just one position above the relegation zone. Photo / Citizen Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
Kisumu All Starlets trainer Juma Said has pinpointed a lack of attacking flair and general creativity as the main issues that have been responsible for the team’s poor performance throughout the 2024/25 Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL).
In a Citizen Digital interview, Said admitted that the team was not effective in front of goal for the entire season, and this saw them have a disappointing tally. He particularly cited their highest scorer, Monicah Etot, not rising to her usual scoring standards, which impacted them significantly in converting chances.
The girls gave their all, but we could not make scoring opportunities. Our top scorer, Monicah Etot, was not at her best, and that made it difficult to organize play in the final third,” Said illustrated.
Despite the problematic season, the tactician has already started planning on how to rebuild before the new campaign. He revealed that the club is set to make specific signings to strengthen parts of the team where the team is weak. The recruitment strategy includes signing new strikers to provide goal-scoring threats, a goalkeeper to strengthen defense, and central midfielders to improve creativity and pass distribution.
Financial constraints have also been a major hindrance for the Kisumu-based side. Said underscored that sponsorship leading up to the next season would stabilize and make the team competitive.
“Playing this league without sponsorship is not easy at all. Most of our players are from distant places, and retaining them without a sponsor is not easy. Entering a new season without a sponsor will even make it difficult for us,” the coach emphasized.
Kisumu All Starlets struggled with their season, being able to only finish a position above relegation. The narrow escape kept them in the top division but had the effect of highlighting the necessity for squad improvement and funding in a hurry.
In the coming days, Said hopes that with the reinforcements needed and proper funding, the squad can bounce back stronger and perform better in the next KWPL season. He was confident that preparation during the off-season will be able to fix the weaknesses that plagued the team, or at least on the attacking part, and ultimately have a better campaign.
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