Newly appointed Vihiga Queens' captain Mercyline Wayodi wants senior players to give the new signings the necessary support to enable them to settle down at the club quickly.
Wayodi, 27, was last week appointed to replace Enez Mango who left for two-month trials in Norway.
Speaking for the first time, the journeywoman said there must be unity of purpose on and off the field for the legacy-makers to continue their dominance both locally and internationally.
"We have a lot of new young players some of whom will be playing in the top tier for the first time this season. They can only get better under the guidance of the experienced players," Wayodi said.
"Our system is robust and the players will definitely settle in quickly. We still have last season's winning mentality heading into the new season but obviously, there's pressure for us to perform because of the high-profile departures."
"I know the shoes I am filling are big but my experience over the years coupled with support from everybody associated with the team will make us achieve our objectives."
The dynamic midfielder's career took off at Jera High School in Ugenya. She joined Wadadia in 2014 and captained the team the same year.
She played for Oserian for three years (2015-2018) before dumping the Naivasha side for Kisumu All-Starlets. She became the shining light at the lakeside club before joining Queens in 2021.
"I will do everything possible for the badge. The call was massive but...yeah..responsibility gravitates to the person who can shoulder them and I am ready."
Mango, Vivian Nasaka and Topista Situma decamped the Legacy Makers at the end of last season while Tereza Engesha, Jentrix Shikangwa and Lilian Awuor left mid-way.
Considering most players who were recruited by former coach Alex Alumira have left, coach Boniface Nyamunyamu faces the herculean task of rebuilding the team.
"Our rivals are looking at us as a weak team but they are misguided if what I have seen so far in training is anything to go by. Everybody is entitled to their opinion but again that plays to our advantage."
Vihiga have won four Women's Premier League titles in the last five years and bagged the Cecafa Club Championship trophy in 2021 in Nairobi.
They managed one win in the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in Egypt also last year.
