Ulinzi Starlets' captain Diana Shakava has called on the team to shoulder defensive responsibility in order to register more clean sheets after managing none in the last three matches.
The soldiers edged out Kisumu All-Starlets 2-1 at Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Saturday to return to winning ways after 2-2 and 1-1 draws with both Gaspo and Zetech Sparks respectively derailed their title ambitions.
While the Super Cup champions look forward to the Kayole Starlets match this weekend, Shakava thinks it's the responsibility of every player to contribute on both ends of the pitch.
Scoring has also been a problem for the Joseph Mwanza-coached side who are in their second season in the top-tier league.
Ulinzi moved to fourth in the Kenya Women's Premier League standings with 19 points—nine points adrift of table-topping Vihiga Queens who have 28.
"We need to defend as a unit if we have to avoid conceding easy goals. We have registered no so good results in the past matches but we need a mean defense to make us a tough team for the opposition," Shakava warned.
"Honestly, we have the best defense but some mistakes are uncalled for and we are working on that. Teams have sharp strikers with the ability to put our defenders under pressure and score. So sometimes the mistakes are not entirely on defense because football is a team sport."
She added: "The lack of clean sheets is worrying though but we will take one match at a time."
Shakava replaced Neddy Atieno as skipper after the latter took a break from football to work with the retired justice Aaron Ringera-led Caretaker Committee.
Ulinzi, who won the FKF Women's Cup, are bracing themselves for a faultless second leg. Shakava is of the opinion that the current squad can still overturn their inconsistent run to put themselves in contention for the title that already looks like it's Vihiga's to lose.
"We still aim to carry the trophy this season and those who have already ruled us out must watch out. I have confidence in the current squad and there's still a lot to fight for."
