Vihiga Queens are three-time champions, but Thika Queens dethroned them to lift last season’s Women Premier League (WPL) title which was played in a zonal format with playoffs for the top three in each zone. Vihiga did not reach the final, losing to Gaspo Women in the semis but with this season’s league back to a unified format, the Boniface Nyamunyamu-led side have gone all out to reclaim their crown. With eight matches left to play this season, the CECAFA club champions have taken a nine-point lead at the helm and look well on their way to clinching a fourth league title, considering they are yet to lose a match. A win away from home. Thanks Trans Nzoia Falcons Ladies Football Club for the 3 points and the 3 Goals 🤝FULL TIME..TransNzoia Falcons Ladies Football Club 0:3 Vihiga Queens Football CLUBJanet Moraa ⚽⚽M.Ater ⚽We are #VihigaQueens, the #LegacyMakers! pic.twitter.com/zEc5x5Uvy2— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) April 17, 2022 In second place is Gaspo who have 29 points. A draw in their latest match against nemesis Thika Queens allowed Vihiga to stretch their lead back to nine points. Victory for Gaspo would have taken their points to 31, keeping Vihiga seven points ahead. However, Thika, out to clinch second place themselves had other plans and they held their arch-rivals to a goalless stalemate to share the spoils. Seven or nine points ahead, the runaway leaders look well poised to win the league and many believe their victory against Trans Nzoia Falcons on Sunday might have sealed it for them. However, coach Nyamunyamu is not joining that band-wagon yet. “Yes, we are title contenders but we can’t say we are champions in waiting yet. It still is early days and with eight matches left, anything can happen,” he offered. “We are definitely fighting for the win and there is no complacency on our part. Every match in the remaining fixtures is a final for us.” The exit of some key players this season has not dampened Vihiga’s spirits and they remain the team to beat. Top scorer Terry Engesha, Gentrix Shikangwa and shot stopper Lilian Awuor landed pro deals this season and unavailable for the second leg. Lorna Nyarinda had also been missing in action since January. The depth in the Vihiga Team, has,however, helped the side continue churning good results despite the exits. “Nyarinda has not been in team camp since January. She last played against Zetech Sparks in Nairobi after leaving Harambee Starlets camp. For now, she is not in my team plans since she has not shown the eagerness to stay with the rest in Vihiga where the team is based,” Nyamunyamu reveals. The tactician has been impressed by his mid-season signings. Despite being young, Nyamunyamu says they have made an impact and will keep getting better as they experience football at the top tier. “Of the three only Shirlyne Ikalakala, a defender from Wiyeta is yet to make her debut. She alongside schoolmate Shirlyne Opisa who has featured in a few matches, including our latest match against Trans Nzoia, have, however, gone back to school. Keeper Caren Bosibori and attacking midfielder Immaculate Wangari are the other two and they have so far been impressive for their level of experience,” the tactician adds. For Vihiga to bottle this, they would have to lose a few, while the title chasers Gaspo Women, Ulinzi Starlets and Thika Queens will have to register better results to close the gap, a daunting task in a league this closely contested for other sides but Vihiga.
