Benta Achieng joins Madira Assassins

Two-time Women Premier League (WPL) winner with defunct Thika Queens Benta Achieng has been appointed Madira Soccer Assassins coach for a period of two years.

Making the announcement on social media, the Vihiga County-based team has indicated that the tactician will take up the job in the ‘next few days’

“The management of Madira Soccer Assassins wishes to confirm the appointment of coach Benta Achieng' on a two-year deal. Benta adds wealth of experience having won the Kenya Women Premier League twice with Thika Queens and also having served the national team as an assistant coach. We wish her all the best as she embarks on her duties in the next few days,” the short statement made on Monday 23 October reads.

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The side was promoted to the top-tier league this season, making their debut on Sunday 22 October away to Kitale-based Trans Nzoia Falcons, a match they won 5-0 thanks to Valerie Nekesa who shot right to the top of the Golden Boot race scoring four times as Jane Hato, the national U20 captain adding the fifth.

Achieng’s last station was at Thika Queens in the just-concluded season, having rejoined in May to take over from Fred Majani who held the head coach position on an interim basis following the exit of Richard Kanyi.

The former midfielder has had on-and-off stints at Thika, first working under Kanyi as an assistant coach cum player before assuming the head coach role. She was on the touchline when Thika fell to Vihiga Queens in 2017, the latter winning their first league title in a playoff hosted at Camp Toyoyo.

Unlike in her previous workstation, Achieng joins a school-based side and will rely exclusively on Madira Girls’ students in her quest to conquer her opponents in the top-tier league.

Her side produced seven of the U20 players that did duty in the second round of the U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Angola and are expected to feature in the final round of qualification against Cameroon.