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Optimism reigns at Gaspo as team relishes 2019 feat

Friday, May 8th, 2020 23:41 | By
Lilian Akinyi of Gaspo FC (right) vies for the ball against Mathare United’s Judith Atieno during a past WPL match at the Komarock MYSA grounds. Photo/PD/RODGERS NDEGWA

Last year remains the most successful season in the history of Gaspo Football Club during its  short spell in the Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL).

After finishing in position five during the 2018 season, their debut year in KWPL, Gaspo staged a sterling performance the following year to finish second behind defending champions Vihiga Queens.

In 2019, they lost only four matches, registering a single draw and recorded a run of 23 victories to post a 70 points haul, only six shy of champions Vihiga.

Founded in 2005 and officially registered with Football Kenya Federation (FKF)  in 2011, the Gatundu-based side went unbeaten in 2017 FKF Women’s Division One to earn promotion to KWPL in 2018 and head coach Isaac Maluki revealed that they had three well executed plans that saw them emerge league runner’s up last year.

“Gaspo’s achievements in 2019 is credited to three major things. First one is a strong supportve and well knowledgeable staff. Second is good recruitment of players and their dedication both in training and during league matches.

Lastly and most importantly, having a good hierarchical structure. With a good hierarchical structure coupled with the two, any team can achieve and be dominant,” Gaspo FC head coach Isaac Maluki told People Sport.

He says Gaspo went for taalented and experienced players like Harambee Starlets custodian Vivian Akinyi, her twin sister Sharon Aluoch and youngsters Quinter Atieno, Lilian Akinyi and Ester Nandika as well as another Harambee Starlets heavyweight Mary Kinuthia from Thika Queens, Everline Naliaka (Spedag) and Hellen Nzilani in 2018 with Corazon Acquino being another gem that did alot in last year’s (2019) campaign.

Their outstanding performance in 2019 could not go unnoticed as they also received praises from league title winners Vihiga Queens head coach Alex Alumira.

“The truth of the matter is, last season, Gaspo brought in something new. Breaking the Vihiga-Thika dominance is commendable.

That is what pushed all of us to work harder and our national team immensely benefitted from this healthy competition. KWPL is a very sweet league but very funny.

Imagine in 2018, Trans Nzoia Falcons lost only one match but were not champions. That’s how competitive the WPL is!” lauded Vihiga Queens coach Alex Alumira.

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