WPL: Winning start for Vihiga, Bunyore as Zetech go top

Goals from Janet Bundi and Bertha Omita on either half of Women Premier League (WPL) defending champions Vihiga Queens’ match against Super Cup champions Ulinzi Starlets were enough to hand the former a 2-1 winning start to their 2023/24 campaign.

The WPL season opener was a repeat of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women’s Super Cup match played last weekend between the two sides at the Utalii Grounds with Ulinzi winning 2-0.

Vihiga had termed Sunday’s match a revenge mission and they delivered as Bundi put the side ahead in the 15th minute to head to the break with the slim advantage.

Omita’s goal came almost at the same time in the second half as did the first, as she doubled Vihiga’s advantage a minute to the hour mark. Ulinzi’s consolation came in the two minutes later through Siliya Rasoha but the military side’s search for an equalizer in the remaining minutes proved futile.

Ulinzi head coach Joseph Wambua praised his charges for a match well handled while taking a dig at the officiating as he claims the referees were solely to blame for the loss.

Rising Starlets annihilate Angola to move closer to World Cup

“My players really well but the referee failed us. We understand a few mistakes but when they stretch to more than 10 and are going against one side then that is problematic. The outcome of this match, in my opinion, was predetermined before we even stepped on the pitch,” Wambua opined while calling for better assigning of match officials as he revealed the center referee claimed to be new in the top tier.

Gaspo 0-1 Bunyore Starlets

Elsewhere, last season’s runners up Gaspo Women fell at home to visiting Bunyore Starlets courtesy of a 90+2 minute-Agnes Olesi goal who slotted home off of a Bracksides Itambo assist.

Nakuru City Queens 1-1 Wadadia

In another match Nakuru City Queens were held to a one-all draw by Wadadia FC at the ASK Grounds. After a quiet first half, Marceline Wafula put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute but their advantage was short-lived as Wadadia struck nine minutes later through Phelegona Akonaisisi for the stalemate.

Trans Nzoia Falcons 1-4 Zetech Sparks

Meanwhile, Zetech Sparks’ trip away in Kitale where they faced off with Trans Nzoia Falcons was very successful as the varsity side picked maximum points in a 4-1 outcome.

A Susan Nyumba hat-trick in the 6th, 8th and 37th minutes and Silvia Alwanga 14th minute goal handed Sparks a massive advantage as they headed to the break leading 4-1, Falcons having pulled one back through Leonida Nakhumicha in the 23rd minute. The second half remained goalless for the final score.