Former Women Premier League (WPL) champions and Kenyan representatives to the inaugural Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League (CL) Vihiga Queens are dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s with seven days left to the CECAFA qualification competition. Coach Alex Alumira is enjoying the benefits of a fit squad, fresh from competing in the WPL playoff where they got eliminated in the semi final by losing finalists Gaspo Women. #VihigaQueens#LegacyMakers pic.twitter.com/qwX5Q5Umnv— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) July 9, 2021 “All the players are in good shape. Terry Engesha who had an injury heading into the playoffs is now fully recovered and we are all focused on the ultimate prize, a ticket to the inaugural CL. The players are using this chance to redeem themselves from the national title set back. They are out to prove they just had a bad day in office. This is the only chance we have of playing in the CL next season now that we lost the WPL title, going all the way to win the title and that’s our focus, even as we look to take it one step at a time,” said Alumira. @Vihigaqueens Player Roles..5. STRIKERS#VihigaQueens#LegacyMakers pic.twitter.com/pemy7j6A2B— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) July 9, 2021 Earlier this week, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) assigned national team coach Charles Okere to aid Vihiga Queens in their preparations a move Alumira has welcomed. “It is just that this was made public but there are many coaches behind the scenes helping us. As coaches we help each other and are working together to see the team prosper as at this point, Vihiga Queens are flying the country’s flag. Okere’s involvement is high welcome,” said Alumira. In the run up to the qualifiers, Alumira had intimated that a chance to strengthen the squad would go a long way in helping them get the desired depth for such a championship but has not been possible. “There’s always strength in numbers and more depth would have been better. However, we are comfortable with the squad as currently constituted. This is a championship-winning squad and I believe in them to deliver. We have 21 players and 17 of them have international exposure so we are not badly off or worried about the competition and approach to matches,” the tactician offered. Rwanda withdraw from CACAFA competitions citing Covid-19″There is not so much we can do in the remaining week,” he continued. “We are working on the mental preparedness and using our intel on the group stage opposition to come up with working approaches to the matches. We expect to be in action on the opening day but until the schedule comes up, we keep working with qualification in mind.” Vihiga Queens are pooled in group C of the CECAFA CAF Champions League Qualifiers alongside Scandinavia WFC of Rwanda and FAD Club of Djibouti. Rwanda, however, are reported to have pulled out of the competition siting Covid-19 related restrictions.
