Lilian Awuor made a judgement call and collected a ball she felt was well within her goalkeeping jurisdiction but the referee blew his whistle and just like that, Women Premier League (WPL) defending champions Vihiga Queens were reduced to ten players with about half an hour to play in their playoff semis encounter against Gaspo Women. The holders held their own for the remaining minutes but the matches ended ina one all draw sending them to the dreaded spot kicks where Gaspo carried the day with a 5-3 win to book a slot in the WPL playoff final. Thika Queens, on their part, could not pass up the opportunity for a Kiambu Derby as their experience came to play when they faced debutants Nakuru West Queens in the other semi final, picking a 4-1 win to set up the final clash against Gaspo. The playoffs, taking place at the the Nakuru ASK Showgrounds, will now produce a new champion when the final is played on Sunday 27 June, with three-time champions, Vihiga Queens eliminated. Vihiga Queens 1-1 Gaspo (4-5 post match penalties)In the first semi final pitying Vihiga against Gaspo, Jentrix Shikangwa almost netted the lead goal for Vihiga Queens in the 8th minute but missed the target by inches. Her counterpart, Terry Engesha made a delivery into the area in the 12th minute however it was cleared off.Two minutes later, Elizabeth Wambui lead a counter attack for Gaspo but failed to hit the target, maintaining the scores at 0-0.Another attempt from Shikangwa in the 16th minute landed right at Judith Osimbo’s safe hands. Gaspo managed to get the lead In the 21st minute, following a bad foul done on Shery Angach in the spot, awarding them a penalty, that Corazone Aquino sent to the back of the net.A counter attack steered by Engesha one minute later, saw the ball hit the crossbar. In the 28th minute however, Shikangwa managed to head in the equalizer for Vihiga Queens from an awarded freekick, leading to the halftime scores closing at 1-1.After the breather, Winnie Kanyotu in an attempt to regain the lead in the 50th minute shot the ball wide. In the 53rd minute, Angach got a hold of the ball and skilled past the Vihiga Queens defense to pass the ball to Aquino in an attempt for goal, however, the attack was halted with the linesman raising his flag indicating an offside.
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Ten minutes later, Vihiga Queens was reduced to ten women after their goalkeeper was sent off. Two minutes to stoppage time, Engesha almost nicked the winning goal had it not been for Osimbo’s quick save.With the scores closing at 1-1, the match was sent to penalties in which Osimbo, saved Engesha’s penalty attempt giving Gaspo an upper hand. Aquino bagged the winning goal that saw Gaspo proceed to the league’s final playoff.Nakuru West Queens 1-4 Vihiga Queens Meanwhile, Mwanahalima Adam opened the scores for Thika after skilling past the Nakuru West Queens defense shooting on target in the 5th minute. Following a timely pass into the area, her teammate, Esse Akida dived to head in the second goal for Thika Queens in the 24th minute.At the brink of stoppage time, Thika Queens got their third goal through Lydia Akoth’s goal closing the half-time scores at 3-0.After the intermission, Nakuru Queens managed to pull one back leading the scores to read 3-1.However, Thika Queens arm band holder, Mwanahalima Adam bagged her brace sealing the scores at 4-1.The finals will be played on Sunday 27 June 27 starting from 2 PM at the Nakuru ASK Showgrounds.
