Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has finally made it official that the Women Premier League (WPL) is reverting to its unified format after a season of playing in a zonal format. The information was in the public domain since the second leg of the 2020/21 league began but the federation was yet to confirm it.With the women’s division one leagues concluded, the winners of each zone gain promotion to the premier league to make it a 12-team competition. Ulinzi Starlets’ head coach Joseph Mwanza has welcomed the move saying it will be a new challenge and a better one for his side that has only experienced the league in its zonal format. Ulinzi won the 2019 division one league to gain promotion to the WPL against losing finalists Nakuru West Queens and third placed SEP Ladies. “Our season in the top tier has been confined to playing in Nairobi and Thika and that way players do not even get to enjoy the thrill that comes with away matches and showcasing their talent to a larger audience. I highly welcome the move and we are ready for the challenge that it brings,” said Mwanza. In their debut season, Mwanza’s charges managed a third place finish in zone A, won by Thika Queens with Gaspo Women coming in second place. With the top three teams in each zone heading to the playoffs, Ulinzi met division one rivals Nakuru and the Bernard Esitoko-coached women got their revenge, winning the meet to book a semis place. “It is a welcome challenge to play against zone B sides. Having a unified league also means the league will be more competitive and that’s a player and coach’s wish, to play amongst the best,” Mwanza added. The tactician is guiding his side in the FKF Women’s Cup semis against Kisumu All Starlets on 23 September. “This helps us beyond the Cup action. We will not be clueless as to how some of these zone B sides play when the league begins for the next season. We will have had experience with two already, Kisumu and Nakuru,” he added. Mathare Women, Makolanders and Kibera Starlets from zone A and Eldoret Falcons, Oserian Ladies and SEP Ladies from zone B are the teams relegated to division one.
