Kenya Women Premier league (KWPL) champions Vihiga Queens will start their title defence, targeting a hat-trick against Vihiga Leeds in an all Vihiga derby as 2019 fixture is released by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
But focus will be on debutants Nyuki Starlets and Kibera Queens Academy as the league kicks off on 24th February.
Vihiga Queens won the 2017 title before defendinmg in 2018 and they will beseeking a hat-trick after finishing the 2018 league unbeaten in the 16 team format.
As they make their maiden appearance, Nyuki and Kibera were the winners of the Division One Zone B and A respectively to make their debut in the top flight women football in the country.
Edgar Akhoya, the Nyuki football team was optimistic that they will perform well at the league due to the team preparedness knowing the challenges and top teams they will be facing in the league.
The Kakamega based team won the Zone B side unbeaten to claim the title and they will be playing Kibera on 30th in the play-off to determine the overall winner nationally.
“We are all prepared to face any team in the league. My girls are ready for the league set for next month,” said Akhoya.
Before travelling to Afraha stadium in Nakuru for the play-offs, Nyaki will be conducting trials on 26th January to select some players to strengthen the team ahead of the kick-off.
“Because many of my players are students, we will be conducting our trials, to select about four players to strengthen some areas in our team. We need determined players to come for the trials,” said Akhoya.
“We want to win against Kibera Queens Academy to stump our authority in the league. The unbeaten run did not come easy as others think,” added Akhoya.
The team is mainly made up of Ibinzo girls students who lost to Bishop Njenga Girls in the weekend’s Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom football tournament at Bukhungu stadium.
But the loss was not genuine according to Akhoya played under protest. He claims that his victory was stolen from them.
“If Safaricom wants to develop football, they should tame such corruption in football. We protested the match because the team was ineligible to play at the final,” claimed Akhoya.
Nyuki and Kibera replace Baringo Starlets and Mombasa Olympics who were demoted to the lower league.
Day one fixture with all matches kicking off at 1pm.
- Kisumu AllStars vs Trans Nzoia Falcons (Moi Stadium, Kisumu)
- Wadadia vs Eldoret Falcons (Mumias Complex)
- Vihiga Queens vs Vihiga Leeds (Mumias Complex)
- Makolanders vs Thika Queens (Camp Toyoyo)
- Gaspo Women vs Kibera Academy (Ruiru Grounds)
- Kayole Starlets vs Matahre United Women (Camp Toyoyo)
- Soccer Queens vs Nyuki Starlets (Ruiru Grounds)
- Spedag vs Oserian ladies (Camp Toyoyo)
Teams that will compete at the 2019 season are:
- Vihiga Queens
- Thika Queens
- Trans Nzoia Falcons
- Eldoret Falcons
- Gaspo Youth
- Oserian Ladies
- Makolanders
- Kisumu All Starlets
- Wadadia
- Mathare United Women
- Spedag
- Kayole Starlet
- Vihiga Leeds
- Soccer Queens
- Kibera Girls Soccer Academy
- Nyuki Starlets