Defending Champions Ulinzi Starlets and Kibera Soccer Ladies won their respective Football Kenya Federation ,FKF Cup, semi final matches played Saturday at Dandora Stadium,Nairobi.
Ulinzi Starlets clinched the place in the final after laboring to a 4-2 win against Kenya Police Bullets FC through penalty shoot out after 1-1 draw in regular time.
Kenya Police Bullets went ahead in the 64th minute through Lydia Akoth’s penalty. Ulinzi however drew level shortly after through Lucy Akoth.
Both sides failed to find the winner and penalty kicks were taken to decide the victor. Ulinzi Starlets Goalkeeper Phiona Ariko saved Mercy Njeri’s penalty to send her side through.
‘’Tactically we ensured that we did not give them the space to dominate which was crucial to our win today.The journey is not yet over Kibera soccer ladies is equally a good side and we will do all our best in the final’’ remarked Ulinzi Starlets head coach Joseph Mwanzia.
Kenya Police Fc head coach Beldine Odemba blamed lack of mental steeliness from her side for the loss.
‘’We got back stronger in the second half but went down mentally and failed to comeback in time hence the loss.They came prepared for the penalties looking at the way they played today’’.
In another semi final played at the same venue Kibera Soccer Ladies came from behind to beat Zetech Sparks 2-1.
Zetech took the lead through Yvonne Kavere’s penalty, but Kibera turned the tide in the second half as Lillian Mmboga and Stella Odhiambo scored a goal a piece to hand their side the win.
‘’I motivated the players and made changes in the second half which brought us the goals.we dominated the second half and sepite losing a penalty we were able to keep our heads up and went past our opponents who were equally good’’ said Kibera Soccer Ladies Head coach David Bujego.
The final is scheduled June 16th .
