Tereza Engesha's brace was all Vihiga Queens needed to beat Ulinzi Starlets 2-0 in an exhilarating Kenya Women's Premier League fixture at Utalii Grounds, Ruaraka on Tuesday.
Vihiga redeemed themselves by exacting revenge on their opponents who edged them 2-1 in the finals of the Football Kenya Federation Women's Cup earlier in September.
Queens' coach Boniface Nyamunyamu said the heartbreaking Cup loss motivated his charges to prove a point in Tuesday's match. The away victory, he added, has boosted their morale even as they battle to reclaim the title they lost to Thika in the preceding season.
"I'm happy we have won away from home. There was a commitment, dedication and decision making was spot on. The girls have grown in leaps and bounds and the Caf Champions League experience came in handy. The result will further boost the morale of the squad."
As Nyamunyamu celebrated the win, his counterpart Joseph Mwanza rued the clear-cut chances his charges squandered especially in the second half.
"We have to accept the results but we aren't happy with the home loss. We wasted chances and we got punished. We have to polish our finishing. The second goal was a result of miscommunication between the goalkeeper and the defence. Vihiga played well and deserved the three points," said Mwanza.
Tereza Engesha opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a thunderous free-kick to underline Vihiga's dominance. Vivian Nasaka's sloppy back pass three minutes later, found Lucy Mukhwana strategically placed, but the lanky Ulinzi forward could not beat Lilian Awuor in goal.
A pinpoint pass from Merciline Wayodi in the 20th minute picked out on-rushing Jentrix Shikangwa whose angled shot was parried away by Ulinzi custodian.Ulinzi's sloppy defending saw Engesha evade her marker but her resultant enticing cross was headed wide by Shikangwa.
Engesha grabbed her second goal nine minutes after the restart after rounding off Khwaka Valentine to poke into an empty net. Queens thwarted Ulinzi's efforts with Awuor making four impressive saves to deny Mukhwana and company.
Elsewhere, Nakuru Queens hammered Wadadia 3-0 while Bunyore Starlets registered a 2-1 win over defending champions Thika Queens.
Zetech Sparks bounced back to winning ways with a resounding 6-2 win against Kisumu All Starlets who suffered their second consecutive loss.
