Kisumu All Starlets are eager to start the new season on a high after a raft of signings coupled with a thorough pre-season, according to team manager, Beryl Oketch
The lakeside club have beefed up their squad with the acquisition of midfielders Everlyne Adika, Lavine Achieng, Modesta Rabat and Sharon Atieno, who is expected to provide the much-needed defensive steel that has been missing previously.
"We have had the best preparations we all wanted because we didn't break camp after the league ended. We only took a break during the election period and players returned immediately after," Oketch said.
"The players we have brought on board are very familiar to us. Adika and Modesta trained with us the entire second leg while Achieng was under our radar during the school games. So the technical bench knows the attributes of the players they have."
Kisumu experienced a sluggish start to the 2021-22 season and were staring at relegation during the second tier after a raft of poor results restricted them to the bottom three for the better part of the season.
An upturn in fortunes in the last four matches, however, saw Catherine Nabiswa-captained side evade the drop in the ultimate match of the season.
"Everyone had written us off and relegation looked inevitable but the girls bounced back when it mattered most."
"No excuses this time because the players have gelled together and we expect them to produce results though football is about three outcomes. We did not have a proper pre-season in 2021 and our struggles were well documented."
Meanwhile, Nabiswa has been ruled out until at least January after breaking her leg in a friendly match in July.
The ball-playing defender went under the knife and has been given a six-months break as recuperation begins.
"Nabiswa is a big loss. She damaged the ligaments in her right leg and is out until next year. Her leadership at the back will be missed and her space must be filled."
