Harambee Starlets forward on target as Kibera floor Kayole to end winless start
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 16.11.25. | 17:10
The Kibera-based side had struggled to find their footing since the exit of coach David Vijago, who joined Kenya Police Bullets
Kibera Soccer Women secured their first win of the season after beating league newbies Kayole Starlets 2-1 on Sunday.
The two teams met in the only FKF Women Premier League (WPL) match of the day at the Kasarani Annex Stadium.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Kayole headed into the match on the back of an averagely good start to life in the top tier, having won two, drawn one and lost once.
Their opponents, on the other hand, had a poor start to the season, failing to register a single win in their first four matches.
The match started on a slow note, both teams struggling to control the game and losing possession easily.
Kayole overcame the poor start first, creating half chances, but lack of cutting edge in the final worked against their plan to score past Lucy Kisaga.
Kibera finally grew into the game and showed some slashes of brilliance through Faith Mboya and Anna Arusi, as the half-hour mark approached.
After a quick interplay on the right wing, Arusi was put through on goal in the 33rd minute, unleashing a shot but Pauline Kathuruh was equal to the task to prevent any harm.
Mboya also found had a sniff at the goal five minutes later, but saw her shot go over the bar as she tried to loop it over Kathuruh.
Kayole Starlets got a rare chance in the 44th minute when Magenta ‘Mata’ Ocharo picked a loose ball, drove into the box but could not beat Kisiaga in the one-on-one situation.
Kibera Soccer Women continued with their first half momentum into the second half and found their reward immediately after the restart, as Arusi connected well to a Yvonne ‘Master’ Idagiza ball and fired into the back of the net.
Kayole coach Mary ‘Busu’ Adhiambo introduced the team’s top goalscorer Ashley Shilwatso and Lindah Kihara for Valerian Nabwire and Shalin Otieno in a bid to restore parity and even take the lead.
Shilwatso announced her presence immediately by taking a long range shot which was punched by Kisaga, while Kihara shot wide moments later.
However, Kisaga could do very little in the 69th minute when Kihara slotted in from close range.
Kibera Soccer, who were initially on the back foot trying to defend their lead, once again came out in all attack after the goal, determined to reclaim the lead again.
Harambee Stars forward Mboya and Arusi were particularly asking all manner of questions to the Kayole Starlets defense marshalled by Foscah Kanenge.
As the final whistle was approaching, Mboya carried the weight of Kibera Soccer’s hopes, as she scored in the 91st minute, connecting well to a Nelly Kache assist sending her team’s fans into a frenzy.
With three minutes to play, Kibeta Soccer held on the lead with their lives to not only secure their first win of the season, but also their first under coach George Okallo, who took over from David Vijago who was in attendance.
With the result, Kibera Soccer Women have unhooked themselves from the relegation zone and moved to eighth on the league standings with five points.
Kayole Starlets, on the other hand, have suffered their second defeat of the season and are stuck at sixth with seven points.
Kenya Police Bullets are still at the summit of the league table with 15 points, two more than second placed Trinity Starlets, with Vihiga Queens closing the top three with 11 points to their name.
