Kayole Starlets forward sets sights on Golden Boot after Harambee Starlets ouster
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 11.04.26. | 16:06
Only two goals separate her from the league's leading scorer, Police Bullets' Margret Kunihira
It may look as though Lindah Kihara just burst onto the scene, like her own club, Kayole Starlets, out of nowhere and into the conversation, but that would be a naive assessment.
She has been around for a while, at least, stealthily laying down her mark, and she now seems ready to go for the kill this season.
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The on-song forward caught the attention of the Harambee Starlets bench, training in national team colours as Kenya prepared for the FIFA Series tournament, but failed to make the final cut.
"The last time I was called to the national team, I had an injury in the early days of training and could not continue. This time, I gave my all to make it," says the lanky forward.
Kihara, who has featured for the two top teams in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) standings, Kenya Police Bullets and Ulinzi Starlets, says she has not worked this hard before.
"I’m having one of my best seasons at Kayole because I have been working a lot on the scoring part. I had an agreement with the coaches to at least score in each match, and even though that hasn’t been the case, I’ve hit double digits already," Kihara, who is second on the top scorers’ log, added.
She could have joined any other team when she left Police Bullets at the end of last season, but something was cooking in Kayole that she says attracted her. A new face in the Premier League, but with an ambitious template for success.
"A lot of teams approached me to sign for them, but I opted for Kayole, solely, because of their project. It is a team with young and promising players who are hungry for success," continues Kihara, further revealing that a reunification with coach Mary Busu Odhiambo was irresistible. Busu coached Kihara in the national U20 team years ago.
Kihara does not, however, think it is all her doing. They push together as a team, and her experience upfront means the more chances they create, the more goals she will score.
"We have experienced some tough matches, but I always push my teammates to supply more balls upfront because the more chances we create, the more goals we get. It has been like that every other match day," continues Kihara.
The Harambee Starlets will get a chance to square off against Australia, India and Malawi during the FIFA Series tournament. Beldine Odemba’s charges have been in camp for a while, sharpening ahead of the tourney, and Kihara was delighted just to be there.
"It was a good experience to be called to the provisional squad. It was a fantastic experience being in the camp with other top players in the country. Everyone was working hard, and I have learned a lot," an elated Kihara says.
Only two goals separate Kihara from the league's leading scorer, Police Bullets' Margret Kunihira. Four matches remain, and Kihara intends to go for the onslaught when action resumes.
"This season, my target was to hit double digits, and I have done so. With four matches remaining, I believe I can add more goals. The race is tight, but again I believe in myself and my teammates who have enabled me to reach this far in the Golden Boot chase," she concludes.
Kayole, despite starting the season on a high- as most newbies do, slumped a little midway through the season and now sit seventh on the log, a safe place from the drop zone and having already matched up to the big guns in the league, will be looking to end the season a high as they can- with the help of Kihara of course.