Nakuru stun Wadadia as Vihiga extend winning streak

Nakuru West Queens have booked the remaining Women Premier League (WPL) zone B slot to the playoffs after thrashing Wadadia FC 6-0 in a highly one sided match played at the Nakuru Show Grounds. 

A hattrick from Stella Anyango, a brace for Diana Koskei and one goal from Emilly Wanjala assured the premier league debutants of maximum points that takes their count to 24 one shy of the second-placed Wadadia. 

With just one round left to the regular league conclusion, Nakuru can breath easy as the other threat to the slot before the Sunday matches, Kisumu All Starlets lost their match against Vihiga Queens. Trans Nzoia Falcons are fourth at 20 points and that leaves Nakuru's 24 points out of their reach with one match to go. 

"We did not have our full squad while we were playing Wadadia away and we lost 3-1 and that did not go down well with the players as they felt that was a match we should have won. This was a revenge mission for the players but I reminded them not to lose sight of the important thing which was qualifying for the playoff. I am happy that despite using very young players they did the job. I had a form three girl, Faith Keya, doing duty as the keeper today and she did well, picked a clean sheet. We still have a match to go but with the playoff lot sealed we shift our focus to preparing for that," said Nakuru head coach Benard Esitoko.

Zone B leaders and league holders Vihiga subjected their hosts Kisumu to a 3-0 beating, effectively ending their hopes for featuring in the playoff set to kickoff on June 19 with the quarters. Vihiga remain unbeaten in 13 matches.

Faith Marende broke the deadlock for the Alex Alumira-coached Vihiga in the 36th minute, feeding off a Janet Bundi assist for the opener. The goal was the only difference between the two sides as they headed to the breather. 

On resumption, Alumira made two changes, bringing in skipper Enez Mango for Topister Situma while Phoebe Oketch brought in the experience, replacing Maureen Ater. 20 minutes later, with the scoreline still standing, Alumira brought in teenage sensation Anne Norah for experienced Bundi. 

Substitute Oketch doubled the lead for Vihiga in the 73rd minute, throwing the opponent off as they had fought hard for an equaliser. With six minutes to go, Alumira made another double substitution, roping in Myline Awuor for defender Robai Kebedi and Ukiru Mideri for goal scorer Marende.

It was, however, Jentrix Shikangwa who scored the final goal in the 90th minute, with the assist coming from Mideri, for a 3-0 victory to break Kisumu's hearts and any hopes of making it to the knockout stage. 

In zone A, there were no surprises as Mathare Women went down 4-0 to Zetech Sparks with goals from Puren Alukwe, Elizabeth Khisa, Winnie Gatwenda and Yvonne Kavere.