Four-time FKF Women’s Premier League champions Vihiga Queens revived their hopes of a historic place in the semi-final of the inaugural edition of the CAF African Women’s Champions League after beating Morocco’s AS FAR 2-0 in Cairo on Tuesday night.
The victory was an emphatic one as Vihiga put themselves in a good spot for the last four after initially losing their first game of the competition by a solitary goal to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
Head coach Charles Okere was delighted with the victory saying it gives them renewed confidence.
“It was a very tricky match for us. We collected ourselves well after the loss, we talked and planned to win this match. Our players were nervous in the last match, but today they were more focused and well composed, this is the secret to today’s win,” the tactician said.
The victory puts Vihiga Queens second in Group B with three points, three behind Mamelodi who remained top after inflicting a second consecutive loss on Rivers Angels, beating them 1-0.
Vihiga Queens players celebrate one of their goals against AS FAR
Vihiga will book a slot in the semi-finals if they beat Rivers in their next match on Thursday and AS FAR fail to pick maximum points against Mamelodi in the corresponding match.
“Our next match is very important for us to win as we want to be in the semi-final. The girls have their confidence up and everyone is looking forward to giving their best,” further added coach Okere.
Against AS FAR, Vihiga knew only victory would put them in a good position of attaining their semi-final target and they had a good start to the match.
They got into the lead in the ninth minute when Violet Wanyonyi broke the deadlock when she reacted quickest after the AS FAR keeper Khadija Er Emichi spilled a ferocious left footed shot from Jentrix Shikangwa.
The Kenyan girls continued to dominate and took the slim 1-0 advantage to the break.
In the second half, they started with as much pace and they doubled their tally just five minutes into the game when Shikangwa scored her first of the tournament.
The teenage striker did well to throw her leg on the way as Hanane Ait Elhaj tried to make a clearance inside the box and the ball ricocheted to loop over the keeper and hand Vihiga their second of the evening.
They jealously guarded this slim lead till the final whistle as they put themselves in prime position for a place in the last four.
Vihiga Queens’ Terry Engesha in action against AS FAR
Striker Terry Engesha was named woman of the match after her brilliant performance for the Kenyan and East African representatives.
“It was a very hard game and we had to win it as we lost our first one, so we achieved our plan today. We will prepare well for the next match to continue our journey in this tournament. We have seen them play and we know it will not be easy but we are ready for it,” Engesha said after the match.
Meanwhile in Group A, host side Wadi Degla will be looking to bounce back after their loss to Ghana’s Malabo Kings when they take on Ghana’s Hassacas Ladies in their final group match. A loss will see Degla exit the competition as they are placed third in the group.
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