Former Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL) side Eldoret Falcons will be eyeing to return to top flight football when they face leaders Royal Starlets on a revenge mission this Saturday at the Eldoret ASK ground.
Four teams will be battling for promotion to the top flight women football as penultimate round will be played this weekend across the country in Division One Zone A and B.
Falcons, who lost their first match against Royal at their backyard, will be hoping to set revenge against Royal Starlets. With top four teams Royal, Gideon Starlets, Falcons and Solasa Queens tying on 19 points, each team has a chance to be promoted with two matches to go the final round next month.
Falcons’ head coach Joshua Ariko has set his focus to return to the league with the two tricky fixtures remaining.
“We have been praying that we play good football and return to the premier League. We have tricky fixtures but that will not stop us from returning,” said Ariko in Eldoret.
Last weekend, they beat fellow premier league side Vihiga Leeds 2-0 with Shatella Keita bagging a brace at home to increase their chances of promotion as they face leaders Royal this weekend to avenge the 2-1 loss in the reverse fixtures.
“We have a great opportunity to return to the top of the league and our weekend fixtures matter a lot to us now that we are fighting for one position of direct promotion,” he added.
After the Royal match, Falcons will be concluding the league against Solasa Queens from Eldoret in an Eldoret derby on 9th July.
Falcons, who were demoted from KWPL last season, remains the top team to return to the top flight women football.
Royal has so far played 13 matches, Falcons 14, Solasa 14 and Gideon 13 with Royal taking the lead due to goal difference.
Kitale based Royal enjoys better goal difference at 9 after, to lead the table touching the ground 12 times, winning 6, drawing 4, losing 2, after scoring 21 goals and conceding 12.
Second placed Gideon’s have also played 12 matches winning 6 drawing 4 and losing 2 with +3 goals after scoring 13 and conceding 10.
Solasa, who missed last season’s promotion on the last day, are third after playing 13 matches, winning 6, drawing 4, losing 3 with zero goals when they scored 16 and conecing similar scores.
Solasa and Falcons will be playing in their last game in an Eldoret derby next month in the final match of the second tier league.
The Eldoret based club has played 14 matches, winning 6, drawing 4 and losing 4 with -1 goal difference.
According to the rules, the first team from Zone A and Zone B will be promoted automatically while second placed teams will face off at the play-offs and the winner will be promoted. In total, three teams will be promoted at the end of the season.
Saturday Zone B fixtures
- Eldoret Falcons vs Royal Starlets- Eldoret ASK ground
- Nyuki Starlts vs SEP Oyugis- Shikomari Primary
- Oserian Ladies vs Gusii Starlets- Oserian Grounds
- Gideon’s Starlets vs Bungoma Queens- Opanga Primary
- Rongai Eaglets vs Solasa Stima Queens- Rongai grounds
- Vihiga Leads vs Bomet Starlets- Esirabe primary