Kisumu All Starlets' head coach Juma Said believes strategic signings and financial backing will be crucial if the side is to improve in the 2024/25 Kenya Women’s Premier League campaign.
The remarks come after Kisumu All Starlets survived relegation by a whisker. The tactician admitted that the team’s attacking frailties contributed to their underwhelming performance, particularly citing the dip in form of key striker Monicah Etot as a major concern.
“The girls played well, but we did not maximise our chances because our main striker Etot was not in her usual form. It made the coordination upfront difficult,” he noted.
The Kisumu County side, who finished just a place above the drop zone, struggled to find consistency in the final third throughout the season, with Said lamenting a general lack of creativity and finishing power among his forwards.
Despite a spirited mid-season run that saw them register surprise wins over Zetech Sparks and Bunyore Starlets, All Starlets lost steam in the closing stages, picking just two points in their final five fixtures to end the season nervously above the relegation cut.
A leaky defence and missed chances under pressure often cost them valuable points. Looking ahead, the coach said the club is already planning for the new campaign, while hoping to reinforce across key areas to bolster the squad.
“We are hoping to bring in new players—especially strikers, a goalkeeper and central midfielders—so that we can build a more competitive side,” he said.
But even as he prepares to strengthen the team on the pitch, Said underscored the urgent need for sponsorship, warning that another season without financial support could derail their ambitions.
“It is very difficult to play in the league without money. Most of our players come from far, and so we just need finances to sustain them. Going into the new season without a sponsor will be a great challenge to us,” he stressed.
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
