NAIROBI, Kenya, February 19 – Kenya Police Bullets assistant coach Hussein Habib was full of praise for fringe players who gave a good account of themselves in Sunday’s 6-0 walloping of Embu Queens in their FKF Women’s Cup round of 16 clash in Embu.
Habib said the players have proven they deserve to be in the starting XI and is relishing the tough competition for places in the days to come.
“For us, we believe that everyone in the team is capable of being part of the first 11. Every time you get an opportunity, the onus is on you to work hard so that you can start the next game. All of the players in this team have an equal opportunity to get into the starting XI,” Habib said.
The gaffer made six changes to the team for the domestic cup competition, bringing in Diana Wacera, Gin Mulati, Sharon Juma and Mary Nthambi, among others.
Even with a much-changed line-up, the law enforcers did not seem to miss a beat as they put their hosts to the sword with four goals in the first half.
Mercy Masika fired the first salvo with a ferocious shot in the 19th minute before Diana Wacera added a second, four minutes later.
Masika collected her second of the afternoon soon after substitute Mercy Njeri made it 4-0 in the 43rd minute.
Two more goals in the second half from Lucy Kwekwe and Lucy Gwatenda condemned the already ‘bullet-riddled’ Embu Queens to elimination while confirming the law enforcers’ passage into the next round.
Coach Beldine Odemba’s have been in a class of their own in the maiden season in women’s football as they also sit atop the FKF Women’s Premier League with 31 points and an unbeaten record.
Diverting his attention to their perfect league run, Habib admitted they are taking it one game at a time, careful not to let complacency creep in their approach to every game.
“Every game we are taking it seriously…we see it as preparation for how we are going to perform in our next game. It has not been an easy match because we had a much-changed line-up for today but all in all they have delivered,” he said.
Bullets will join five other teams in the quarters of the FKF Women’s Cup including Ulinzi Starlets, KISPED Queens, Nakuru Queens, Milima Queens and Royal Starlets.
