Why FKF Women's Premier League kick-off date was pushed forward

The 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League will kick off on Saturday 7 October 2023 and not next week as earlier planned.

Initially, the campaign was set to start on Saturday 23 September 2023 but with the new changes, it means it will start two weeks later.

According to FKF, the postponement will pave the way for the Harambee Starlets' upcoming engagement where they take on Cameroon in the 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (WAFCON) first-round qualification match.

Starlets are scheduled to depart for Cameroon on Tuesday 19 September play the Indomitable Lionesses on Friday 22 September in Douala then travel back for the return leg set to be staged in Nairobi four days later

Should Starlets emerge as the aggregate winners of the two-legged qualifier, they will face either Gabon or Botswana in the second round, scheduled between 27 November and 5 December with the winner in the second round securing automatic qualification for the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

But before the league kicks, the season’s curtain-raiser, the FKF Women Super Cup, will feature a clash between the 2023 FKF Women’s Cup champions, Ulinzi Starlets FC, and the reigning FKFWPL 2022/23 champions, Vihiga Queens FC a week earlier on Saturday 30 September 2023.

The adjustment in the schedule has been made to accommodate the ongoing preparations of the Harambee Starlets for their Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon which features a significant number of players from both Ulinzi Starlets and Vihiga Queens who are currently on national team duty.

Kipyegon, Omanyala lead Kenyan contingent in chasing Diamond League glory on Saturday

In the first round, defending champions Vihiga Queens will begin their title defense against Ulinzi Starlets, their second match in a week after the Super Cup meeting, while last season’s runners-up Gaspo FC will host Bunyore Starlets at Stima Club.

League debutants Bungoma Queens will face off against league returnees, Kibera Soccer Ladies. Meanwhile, Soccer Assassins, also newcomers to the top tier, will take on Kenya Police Bullets. These newly promoted teams will be eager to retain their top-flight status for another season.

Round One matches

Nakuru City Queens FC vs Wadadia FC - A.S.K Grounds|Nakuru

Trans Nzoia Falcons FC vs Zetech Sparks FC - Ndura Sports Complex|Kitale

Vihiga Queens FC vs Ulinzi Starlets FC - Mumias Sports Complex|Mumias

Gaspo Women FC vs Bunyore Starlets FC - Stima Club|Nairobi

Bungoma Queens FC vs Kibera Soccer Ladies - Sudi Stadium|Bungoma

Kenya Police Bullets FC vs Soccer Assassins FC - Police Sacco Stadium |Nairobi