They are the new kids on the block and the Vihiga County derby will never be the same again as they promise to give their big sisters Vihiga Queens a run for their money. Bunyore Starlets, earned promotion to the Women Premier League (WPL) after emerging top in the 2021 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One zone B league. They will be part of the 2021/22 12-team league set to revert to the unified format, but first, a clash against zone A winners Kangemi Starlets who have also gained promotion to the top tier.#Kenya Women’s Cup 🇰🇪 🏆Bunyore Starlets defeat Oserian Ladies on penalties 5×4 on penalties after a 0x0 draw pic.twitter.com/Zrqa6JEr4G— karl rothwell (@karlyboy71) February 27, 2021 The two sides lock horns for the first time on Saturday 2 October 2021 at Nakuru Show Ground in a playoff match that will determine the Division One champion. On their way to the top tier of women’s football in the country, Bunyore, lost two matches to Solasa and Royal Starlets in a turbulent season that was disrupted by Covid-19 related stoppages. “We joined the women’s division one league in 2018 after three years of playing in tournaments. The team was created as a tool for keeping girls in the area busy and help instilling life skills and keep them away from societal vices. In 2019 we narrowly missed promotion after finishing third in zone B behind Nakuru Queens and SEP Ladies. We made a point to fight for our place in the 2020 league that was never to be but here we are,” explained Moses Mabwa, the club’s chairperson adding that they are ready to fight for the division one crown on Saturday. FULL TIME..Bunyore Starlets 0:1 Vihiga Queens Football CLUB #VihigaQueens#LegacyMakers— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) September 19, 2021 The feat of gaining promotion for the self-sponsored side has not come easy. The chairperson admits to struggling to have the team honour matches in the first leg of the league. “It has not been easy. It was made tougher by our involvement in the inaugural FKF Women’s Cup as that meant travelling far. It will get tougher financially now that the WPL is unified but we are hoping to get sponsors,”Vihiga Queens and Ulinzi Starlets chase first local title of the season”We had the Vihiga County Sports Fund come to our rescue in the second leg but they cannot foot our entire budget for a season since we have more teams depending on the same fund,” offered Mabwa. In addition to giving the players a platform to achieve their dream of becoming professional footballers, Mabwa says the club has offered college sponsorships to seven of their players and being in the top tier league will open more opportunities for the players.
