Vihiga Queens emerged triumphant as they defeated Nakuru City Queens 2-1, sealing their status as champions of the 2022/23 Kenya Women’s Premier League in a thrilling match at Nakuru showground.
A stellar performance by Anita Namata, who netted a double, propelled the Legacy Makers to their fifth league title in six years, making their upcoming match against Gaspo Women a mere formality.
With an impressive total of 52 points, Vihiga County-sponsored Vihiga Queens outshone their long-standing rivals, Gaspo Women, who settled for 48 points.
Coach Boniface Nyamunyamu expressed his joy over this remarkable achievement and dedicated the trophy to his players, highlighting their unbeaten run in the second half of the season.
“We faced challenges early in the season, battling injuries and inconsistency that cost us valuable points,” said Nyamunyamu, who boasts two previous WPL titles with Vihiga. “However, in the second leg, we regrouped and displayed a 100 percent record. This success was a result of the determination and encouragement provided by the technical bench to the players.”
He further emphasized the team’s resilience and hard work as the secrets to their success, showing confidence in their ability to outperform Gaspo Women in the tight title race.
Meanwhile, Gaspo Women’s hopes were deflated as they settled for draws in their last two matches, effectively ending their aspirations for the league title.
Despite fiercely competing with Vihiga throughout the season, Gaspo stumbled at a crucial juncture.
Nyamunyamu revealed that the team will now shift their focus to the upcoming Cecafa Club Champions League qualifiers scheduled for July in Uganda. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is expected to announce Vihiga as Kenya’s representative for the qualifiers immediately after the final match this weekend.
“Our attention now turns to Cecafa. We missed out on the showpiece last year due to FIFA’s suspension, but we are thrilled to be back where we belong,” exclaimed a delighted Nyamunyamu.
Vihiga Queens previously showcased their prowess on the continental stage by participating in the inaugural Caf Women’s Champions League in Egypt 2021, securing their spot after winning the qualifiers held in Nairobi.
