Fireworks expected this season with heavyweights Vihiga, Thika and Ulinzi all gunning for glory
The 2021/2022 Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL) season action will begin this weekend with all six matches scheduled to take place across the country.
The new season will see the league revert to a unified league of 12 teams after being split into two zones due to financial challenges.
Fireworks are expected this season with Kayole beating all odds to survive relegation, Vihiga Queens winning Cecafa Women’s Cup, Ulinzi Starlets lifting the FKF Super Cup and FKF League Cup, and Nakuru City Queens making it to the semifinals playoffs in their debut season.
Mainstays Wadadia, Trans Nzoia Falcons, Kisumu All Starlets, Gaspo, Zetech are all also positioning themselves well through excellent signings with super-talented newcomers Bunyore Starlets and Kangemi Starlets joining the league.
Thika Queens won the league last season unbeaten and are raring to go.
The Benta Achieng-coached side Thika Queens are expected to mount a strong opposition in a bid to retain their title while the Bonface Nyamu Nyamu led Vihiga Queen’s side are keen to reclaim the league title, having won it three-time back-to-back in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and coach Nyamu Nyamu is already but cautiously plotting for their rise to glory again.
Thika Queens will kick off their title defence Kayole Starlets in a match pencilled at Thika Stadium while Vihiga Queens will be hosting Nakuru City Queens at Mumias Sports Complex from 3 pm.
“The team is ready and a win for that first match will be a good show, bearing in mind that it is the first match so we need to approach it with a lot of caution because all the teams are ready to battle for the championship,” Vihiga Queen’s coach Boniface Nyamu Nyamu told People Sport.
Gaspo Women FC who are also a household name in the league will travel to the lakeshores of Victoria to take on Kisumu All-Starlets in a 3 pm match scheduled at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
“Our preparations are good and we’re ready for the league kickoff. Our target this season is to become the league champion,” Gaspo Women FC chairman and team manager Edward Githua told People Sport.
In other matches, newcomers Kangemi Starlets start life in the top-tier league with a tough match against second term Ulinzi Starlets at Ligi Ndogo Nairobi, Trans-Nzoia Falcons will be hosting Zetech Sparks at ASK Showground, Kitale while on Sunday Wadadia will be welcoming debutantes Bunyore Starlets at Mumias Sports Complex in what’s a newfound local derby, and the two league comers have promised to lay down a marker in their debut season.
