In an eleven penalty thriller following a one-all draw in regulation time, Ulinzi Starlets were crowned champions of the inaugural Women’s Premier League Super Cup played on Sunday 7 November at Utalii grounds. Three missed penalties for Thika Queens saw the soldiers grab the opportunity to win 9-8 on most-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This is Queens’ second trophy since joining the top tier. “It was not an easy match. Thika are a good side and we had to fight hard for this win. We had prepared well for any eventuality. Being a knockout stage, we had prepared for the penalty shoot-out and that worked in our favour. We still have a few things to work on but I am confident the squad I have will fight for the title,” said Ulinzi tactician Joseph Mwanza.On her part, Thika’s Benta Achieng blamed the officiating claiming that the equaliser was scored from an assist where the ball had already run of play and that demoralised her side.”My players gave their all but we still have room for improvement. We need to work on our concentration and be able to remain focused in the match regardless of the score line. I’m am confident the team will bounce back and defend the title,” said Achieng. 🏆CHAMPIONS! Reigning cup champions Ulinzi Starlets edge reigning league champions @ThikaQueensFC on penalties following a 1-1 draw to clinch the inaugural Women’s Super Cup ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League Season. 👏 https://t.co/GUyteH6o1n— Kenya Footy (@kenyafooty) November 7, 2021 The two sides locked horns for a barren draw in the first half and things remained unchanged in the first 20 minutes of the second half.It was Thika who broke the deadlock in the 66th minute as Ulinzi conceded from a corner kick as Rebecca Okwaro rose above the Ulinzi defence to head home sending the Thika bench to a frenzy. Ten minutes later Ulinzi made things level with a Lucy Nato tap-in to the top of the net from close range. Nato was feeding off a Neddy Atieno assist. Atieno had to fight through a double team defence to put Nato through for the equaliser. Things remained unchanged for remaining minutes of the match and the match had to be decided in post-match penalties. The coin toss gave Ulinzi the chance to be first on the spot and that’s where things got interesting. PenaltiesThika Queens: ✅ ✅ ✅❌✅✅✅✅✅❌❌Ulinzi Starlets: ✅ ✅ ✅✅❌✅✅✅✅❌✅— FKF Women Premier League (@FKF_WPL) November 7, 2021 Atieno was first on the spot and her shot was saved in the first attempt but she was given a lifeline when the referee adjudged the Thika keeper to have stepped off her line. Her second shot gave Ulinzi the lead. “Being the captain and one of the most experienced players in the team missing that penalty was already a blow to anyone who would come to the spot after me. So when I got a second chance I have to give it my all and the team morale was restored,” says Atieno.Maureen Shimuli came to the soldiers rescue saving Juliet Andido’s penalty which was Thika’s fourth to give Ulinzi a chance to bring the match to close with their fifth penalty.New signing Lucy Akoth had the responsibility of winning the match for the soldiers and her walk to penalty spot reeked of pressure and a lack of composure, and understandably so, she had a team’s dream on her shoulder.Thika’s shot stopper Mishi Mbaru was at hand to stop Akoth on her tracks and Hadima Nuru scored Thika’s fifth to sent the match to sudden death.Four penalties into the shoot-out it was still anyone’s game but Sophia Adhiambo had her penalty saved, sending the Thika side into celebratory mode oblivious of of fact that they still had a penalty shot to play. Adhiambo’s miss had left the door wide open for Thika to begin the season with a trophy.This time round all the responsibility lay squarely on Diana Simiyu. With Shimuli beaten, Simiyu sent her penalty shot to the crossbar and it was Ulinzi’s time to celebrate as they had gotten another lifeline.The keepers had to step on the hot seat, with all ten players having gotten a chance on the spot and Shimuli was up first. Mbaru stood no chance as Shimuli sent her shot, expertly, to the right of goal for Ulinzi’s ninth in eleven.When her turn came, it did not occur to her that she had no choice but to take the penalty and Mbaru attempted to beckon one of the teammates to bear the responsibility but the referee would have none of it.Shimuli was ready for her and she punched the ball over the top net and many did not even see where the ball landed as the Ulinzi fan-base ran towards goal, lifting Shimuli shoulder-high as they celebrated winning their second trophy since joining the top tier women’s league.
