- Vihiga qualified for the first ever edition in 2021
- They did not participate last year due to Kenya’s FIFA suspension
- Coach Charles Okere is optimistic they can qualify again
Kenyan Women Premier League champions Vihiga Queens are optimistic of bagging a ticket to the third edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League, as they head out to Uganda for the CECAFA regional qualifiers.
Vihiga qualified for the first ever edition of the tournament in 2021 after winning the qualifiers that were staged in Nairobi, but didn’t defend their title last year, won by Simba Queens of Tanzania, due to Kenya’s suspension by FIFA.
And now, the Kenyan champions are looking to ‘reclaim what is theirs’ as they charge up in Kampala. They take on Zanzibar’s New Generation in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Kampala.
“We have really prepared well for the tournament. Everyone is looking sharp and the confidence with the team is very good. We have looked at areas we thought we were not very sharp in and we have corrected,” said coach Charles Okere.
Okere, also the Tusker Youth FC head coach has been brought into assist the team, just like he did in 2021, with their usual coach Charles Nyamunyamu ineligible to stand on the touchline as he does not hold the requisite coaching licenses.
Success from 2021 in Nairobi
Vihiga Queens coach Charles Okere during a training session
Okere remembers vividly their success in 2021 and though the squad has hugely changed, with most of the players who won the title then leaving, he believes they still have a good squad.
“We have strengthened a bit with a few new players but I believe we have a good squad. It is just up to us as a coaching team to find the right combination and get them to win. I am confident that we can do it,” said the tactician.
He added; “Our target is to go on and clinch the title because we want to play in Africa again. The players know the opportunities that it opens up for them and we will fight for that.”
Meanwhile, home girls Kampala Queens and Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank (CBE) were off to a winning start on the opening day of the tournament.
Kamapala thrashed South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars 3-0 while CBE came from a goal down to beat Burundi’s Buja Queens 2-1, both games played at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
Kampala use home ground advantage
Kampala City Queens celebrate their win in the CECAFA regional CAF WOmen’s Champions League qualifiers
Hosts Kampala were in no mood to let off in their first game, with star player and national team icon Fazila Ikwaput netting a hattrick.
She opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a deft left footed effort before doubling her tally a few minutes later after the Yei defense went to sleep.
In the 67th minute, she was first on the scene after the Yei keeper had spilled Shamirah Nalugya’s stinging effort and she made no mistake bundling the rebound into the net.
In the early kick off, Ethiopia’s CBE, perennial podium finishers in the tournament, had to dog deep to come from a goal down and beat Buja.
Kenyan international Topister Situma had given the Burundians the lead which they took until halftime.
However, the Ethiopians turned the table in the second half with Aregash Tadesse levelling, before skipper Loza Abera scored the winner 16 minutes to time.
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