Ulinzi Starlets will beef up their squad with players from high school ahead of the new season, coach Joseph Mwanza has said.
Mwanza, who guided the soldiers to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) women’s Cup title last month, maintained that he has a complete squad at the moment that needs no tinkering but he is still keen on building for the future.
“We expect all our players to report to pre-season training next week without fail,” Mwanza said.
“We have no plans to recruit big names or accomplished signings because we expect none of our players to leave before the 2023/2024 season starts. We are scouting junior players from high school and we intend to maximise on the ongoing school games to tap fresh talent as we focus on the future,” he added.
Mwanza expects his charges, who annihilated Nakuru City Queens 3-0 in the Cup finals, to pick up from where they left when the season finally serves off.
“We have a big squad. We are retaining everyone unless the situation changes when pre-season resumes,” he added.
Mwanza believes the players deserve enough rest ahead of another grueling season after a busy season.
Ulinzi played many matches last season—juggling between the league matches and Cup assignments and this was a tough balancing act.
The soldiers finished third in the league, accumulating 42 points to finish 10 points behind eventual champions, Vihiga Queens.
“Enough rest is part of mental and physical preparedness that players deserve. We hope when we start, the players will be 100 percent ready to play and deliver for the sake of the badge.”
