Ulinzi Starlets and Nakuru City Queens face off in FKF Women Cup final

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FOOTBALL Ulinzi Starlets and Nakuru City Queens face off in FKF Women Cup final

Festus Chuma 07:00 - 04.06.2023

The Soldiers ran over Kisumu All-Starlets 3-0 while Nakuru eliminated Kibera Soccer Ladies 3-2 in the last four.

Ulinzi Starlets and Nakuru City Queens will battle for the right to be crowned 2023 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women Cup champions on Sunday afternoon.

The match will be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, with kickoff at 2 pm.

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Ulinzi Starlets will be seeking to retain their crown, having won the 2021 edition when they won 2-0 against their top-flight rivals Vihiga Queens.

The defending champions advanced to the final following a 3-0 success over Kisumu, All Starlets, while Nakuru City Queens beat Kibera Soccer Ladies 3-2 in their matches on Wednesday.

Ulizni Starlets began their campaign on a positive note with a 1-0 win over Gusii Starlets in the Round of 32 before humiliating Soccer Sisters 18-0 in the Round of 16.

In the quarterfinals, they met Kisped Queens in a match that they easily won 3-0 to progress to the semis.

At the last four, Ulinzi Starlets showcased their intentions early in the game when Fasila Adhiambo found the back of the net in the third and 14th minutes before Mary Ojenge buried the game in the 93rd minute for her team's place in the final.

Ulinzi Starlets coach Joseph Mwanzia believes it is time for his team to accomplish the mission by winning the trophy.

"We will have to fight for the title, we lost the league title and we have to finish the season in style. That is the only business we have at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday," Mwanzia said in a post-match interview.

On their part, Nakuru City Queens cruised past Young Bullets in style as they walloped them 6-1 in the first round of the competition.

Bernard Esitoko's charges met Gaspo Women FC in a match in which they came from a goal down to force out a 1-1 draw and win the tie 5-4 on penalties to progress to the quarterfinals.

In the last eight, the wounded Nakuru unleashed attacking football against Thika Queens to win 2-0 to sail to the semis, where they met Division One outfit Kibera Soccer Ladies.

"We have navigated through some tough fixtures and even God knows this is our time. Ulinzi have the resources but we have God," coach Esitoko told reporters.

"We need to be watertight defensively, play our best, and make bold decisions when it matters most."

Before the final, Kisumu All Starlets and Kibera Soccer Ladies will compete in the 3rd place playoff match.