Challenges and adversities: Madira Soccer Assassins' season recap

The 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League season has been fraught with setbacks and missed opportunities for the Madira Soccer Assassins, as they grapple with the harsh realities of competitive football.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, head coach Francis Muhambe reflected on the team’s recent performances, lamenting their stroke of bad luck in a 1-0 defeat against the formidable Wadadia.

Muhambe attributed part of the loss to arriving late, which he believes hampered their preparation and allowed their opponents to gain an early advantage.

Player shortages have plagued the team throughout the season. Muhambe revealed the necessity of fielding tired players from Junior Starlets, who were exhausted from extensive travel commitments. This compromise in squad depth proved costly, as fatigue likely contributed to their inability to compete effectively in crucial matches.

“Arriving late for the match contributed to our defeat against Wadadia. The issue of fatigue also played a role, as most of our key players featured for the Junior Starlets in the recently concluded U-17 World Cup Qualifiers,” Muhambe said.

The team sits at the bottom of the Women's Premier League standings, with only 13 points from 16 matches. With just two games remaining, their fate hangs precariously in the balance, with relegation a looming possibility.

Despite these challenges, Muhambe remains optimistic about the team's resilience and determination to salvage their season. He emphasized the need for improved preparation and recruitment strategies to bolster squad depth and competitiveness in future campaigns.