•Madira, who were promoted to the top tier after winning the FKF Women Division One Zone B title, are facing challenges owing to age restrictions imposed by FKF.
•He highlighted the struggles they face in recruiting experienced players, often relying on talents from primary schools in the Western and Nyanza Region.
Image: MARTIN OMBIMA
Madira Soccer Assassins head coach Francis Muhambe is calling upon Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to reconsider the age limit for registering players in the Kenya Women's Premier League.
Madira, who were promoted to the top tier after winning the FKF Women Division One Zone B title, are facing challenges owing to age restrictions imposed by FKF.
Muhambe expressed disappointment saying: ''FKF have let us down because we had a young girl aged 14 years in Divison One but we couldn't register her in the league because of the age. I don't understand it. In fact, three players don't have the cards in my team. This is disadvantageous to us."
The team is a project of the Vihiga County Government and dates back three years. He highlighted the struggles they face in recruiting experienced players, often relying on talents from primary schools in the Western and Nyanza Region.
''When we started, we wanted to experiment if the Youngsters can reach a higher level. We started in county, region, Division One and here we are in the league," Muhambe noted.
''Madira were formulated a few years ago and we have been struggling to get quality and experienced players. For us, experience is based on the number of times you have been exposed to high-level matches and this determines how we fair on in this league," he added.
Muhambe, who guided Assassins in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) games, said they scout players from Nairobi with the help of Harambee Starlets' assistant coach Ann Alouch.
''We work hand in hand with Alouch who scouts players from Nairobi and brings them to the team. A good example is our midfielder Jerrine Adhiambo was scouted from Nairobi," he added.
Explaining their unique team name, Muhambe revealed that "Soccer Assassins" originated during their regional matches, symbolising their determination to outplay opponents
''Whenever the girls were involved in friendly matches; they would use the words 'Assassins' to psyche themselves up. The name eventually stuck with us and we had no choice but to adapt it," said Muhambe.
Despite the challenges, the team made an impressive debut by defeating Trans Nzoia Falcons 5-0 in their opening match on Sunday.
Top scorer Valerie Nekesa, who also excelled in the Fifa U20 Women's World Cup qualifiers for Rising Starlets, scored four of the goals.
Captain Jane Hato who also doubles up as Rising Starlets captain, scored the fifth goal.
Muhambe said:''In the first half Trans Nzoia were way better than us. The partnership of Adhaimbo and Nekesa brings us goals. Adhaimbo was not at her best in the first half but after speaking to her, he was able to up her game. She was able to assist Nekesa's goals and get three points."
Despite a good start to the season, Muhambe believes their true season goals could be determined after facing Zetech Sparks on Saturday.
''Zetech is a very well organised team and beating them will determine our goal this season,'' he said.
Muhambe emphasised the tough competition in the league, singling out formidable opponents like Ulinzi Starlets, Vihiga Queens, and Kenya Police Bullets.