Immediate former Vihiga Queens skipper Merceline Wayodi made a huge leap of faith this week, saying adieu to her team-mates at the multiple premier league champions and crossing the border to Kampala Queens. It was a move not much anticipated, and took everyone by surprise. But the combative midfielder knows exactly why she had to move.‘’I felt like I needed a new challenge, that’s why. New challenges sometimes are good for growth, they push you and make you work extra hard,’’ says Wayodi- a title winning captain at her former club.Wayodi joined Vihiga from Kisumu All Starlets and in her two seasons there- took her midfield role like fish to water- ensuring they won two titles back to back. They never tasted defeat in one of those conquests. She doesn’t feel she has won everything as deemed by the public, and gives deserved credit to Vihiga for the opportunity to serve the Kenyan giants.‘’At Vihiga Queens I did my best while there. Won two premier league titles with the team, one as a captain and the other- playing through an undefeated campaign. It was a pleasure playing there,’’Parents over the moon as students finally receive Talanta Hela money’’It was not easy as it seems, we worked for those titles and were rewarded with the ultimate prize at the end,’’ she continues.Harambee Starlets midfielder Merceline Wayodi 🇰🇪 has joined Kampala Queens from Kenya’s Vihiga Queens.Wayodi signed a two year contract with the FWSL champions. pic.twitter.com/k243kOopP2— SINAN 🇺🇬 (@SinanRajub) February 8, 2024 Wayodi has appeared in the continental scene twice with Vihiga and despite her new station being present in both tourneys, the two clubs never quite met on the field. But she did her homework while there so she says.‘’I have never played against any Ugandan opposition while at Vihiga Queens. During the regional CECAFA Club championships we didn’t happen to be in the same group. But I was able to watch Kampala Queens play two of their matches,’’ adds the 26 year old.Known for her combative approach in the midfield, Wayodi- who has also received various nods from the national team in recent times, says her first order of business is to settle as fast as she can in Kampala. It’s a new city for her, and an entirely new environment with new teammates. Once this is done, it’s all about work for her.‘’Kampala offers a new challenge and I am keen on settling in as fast as I can so acclimatisation comes easy when we take to the field,’’ she concludes.Kampala Queens were the 2022-23 FUFA Women’s Premier League champions and have a penchant for attracting top players from the East African region. Wayodi is just one of their latest additions as they forge a team strong enough to match up the other big clubs in the continent. They are the women’s side to regional giants Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC.##NAJAVA_MECA_7863339##Back home, Wayodi’s absence at Vihiga has already started biting as the team fell 1-0 to title rivals Kenya Police Bullets FC, a result that sets them back three points behind Bullets who now comfortably occupy top spot
