Nakuru City Queens team manager Bernard Esitoko has played down the threat posed by Ulinzi Starlets ahead of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women's Cup final this Sunday at Nyayo Stadium.
He said they no longer fear Ulinzi Starlets and their eyes are trained on winning the final on Sunday.
Nakuru edged out Kibera Soccer Ladies 3-2 in the semis at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology while the soldiers ran over Kisumu All-Starlets 3-0 in the other last-four match.
Ulinzi are the defending champions having won the inaugural edition in 2021. They are also the pre-match favourite based on their current form and past achievements.
"We know Ulinzi inside out because we gained promotion together in 2019. Both teams have won one match apiece this season and we can only hope for fireworks on Sunday," Esitoko said.
"We know football more than them. We will teach them tiki-taka with tactical flexibility also on show. We are not ready to lose and I believe we won't fight a losing battle."
Nakuru were eliminated in the semifinals in 2021 on home soil. Esitoko believes this is the time for giant killers (Nakuru) to win their first-ever trophy having stopped the likes of Gaspo Women and Thika Queens on their way to the final.
"We have navigated through some tough fixtures and even God knows this is our time. Ulinzi have the resources but we have God," Esitoko said.
Nakuru are in transition, having lost more than half of the players last season.
"We lost almost an entire team at the end of last season. The majority of the current players are fresh from school and reaching the finals is no mean feat for this young team," Esitoko maintained.
Nakuru will assess some of their players ahead of the final since some athletes picked up knocks against Kibera.
" We need to be watertight defensively, play our best, and make bold decisions when it matters most," Esitoko finalised.
