• Newly appointed skipper Marceline Wayodi hopes to emulate her predecessor Mango who capped off her stellar career with four-time league titles as much as some players are still searching for full fitness.
• With the exception of Phoebe Owiti, the team does not necessarily have star names but instead they have players who, buoyed by their previous success, are expected to play to their full potential.
Image: /FILE
Vihiga Queens women's team are obsessed with success. At the moment, there is no team in the country that can beat them or even in the East and Central Africa region if their performance in the last one year is anything to go by.
Every coffee in the bars smells beautiful, each dessert tastes better because it captures the positive energy of the fans and the team as a whole.
After thorough preparations which have seen the team play friendly matches with men's sides in the county league, as well as Division Two teams, Boniface Nyamunyamu's charges, are aiming for their fifth title in six years.
The Women's Premier League season serves off on December 3 with the Legacy Makers taking on Kangemi Ladies, Kayole Starlets and Zetech Sparks in the opening three matches.
The club's chief executive officer Mike Senelwa deserves huge credit for entrusting Nyamunyamu with the task of setting up a team that yearns for more glory.
The youthful tactician has one league title under his belt with the county-sponsored side in his full season at the club after taking over from the experienced Alex Alumira who managed three gongs on the bounce (2017, 2018 and 2019).
The departures of Tereza Engesha, Jentrix Shikangwa, Enez Mango, Lilian Awuor, Topista Situma, Winfrida Seda, and Vivian Nasaka have immediately been overcome, thanks to a team that is as precise as a Swiss watch.
Despite the high turnover of players, the same aggression, cynicism, and ability to run for 90 minutes remain intact for Vihiga.
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In spite of injuries to Philis Mideri and Seda last season, the four-time champions maintained their momentum in an unbeaten season courtesy of 15 clean sheets from Diana Tembesi who was a mainstay in goal.
Newly appointed skipper Marceline Wayodi hopes to emulate her predecessor Mango who capped off her stellar career with four league titles as much as some players are still searching for full fitness.
"I know the shoes I am filling are big but my experience over the years coupled with support from everybody associated with the team will make us achieve our objectives," 27-year-old Wayodi presumed in a past interview.
The journeywoman who had stints at Wadadia, Oserian and Kisumu All Starlets before teaming up with Vihiga added: "I will do everything possible for the badge. The call was massive but...yeah..responsibility gravitates to the person who can shoulder them and I am ready."
At the moment, Vihiga are even stronger than Joseph Mwanza's Ulinzi Starlets, Joseph Oyoo's Thika Queens and Benard Kitolo's Zetech Sparks. With the exception of Phoebe Owiti, the team does not necessarily have star names but instead, they have players who, buoyed by their previous success, are expected to play to their full potential.
The Mumias Sports Complex in Western looked like Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu last season.
Vihiga found it easy to unlock the toughest of defences in their backyard and despite visiting tricky venues, they showed all of their spirits.
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Several reasons have been cited for Vihiga to continue their dominance despite rivals tipping them to falter.
JANET BUNDI AND MOURINE ATER.
Bundi is perhaps the best signing for Vihiga in recent seasons especially after joining from Eldoret Falcons in 2020.
The veteran utility player's ability to keep calm and deal with pressure has helped the all-action athlete to make such a significant impact in WPL.
Her adaptation period is over. Now is the time for Bundi to show why she has been trusted by all the coaches at Vihiga. Her ability to play as a wingback as well as on either side of the flanks makes her a weapon.
"Mobility and experience are invaluable in her game. She can play a number of positions; defensively she's astute and the killer instinct in the final third makes her the first name on the team sheet. She is adept to all formations that we have employed and now is her time to guide the juniors," Nyamunyamu reckons.
Ater who has also been linked with a move away from Vihiga has been indispensable in forging a formidable understanding with Bundi.
The diminutive midfielder christened the 'Queen of Assists' was the reason Vihiga romped to the 2021 Cecafa title unbeaten.
She popped up with five goals while creating a further six to underline her importance to the side. She was ever-present last season too—pulling strings tirelessly at the heart of the midfield.
Her vision and ability to hold onto possession made Vihiga an exciting team to watch.
"She is the example of a selfless athlete who is eager to learn in each training session. She was talented when she joined in 2017 but she has matured into the full package."
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BONIFACE NYAMUNYAMU
Many doubted his ability to steer the team in the long term but Nyamunyamu has slowly silenced his critics and won over Vihiga's adoring fans after delivering the title in typical champions style.
Eyebrows were further raised when Charles Okere was named Vihiga's coach in the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League in Egypt 2021 with Nyamunyamu as his understudy. Nyamunyamu has seamlessly filled the gap left by Alumira.
He is a meticulous man and a tactical genius who knows how to get the best from his team. After losing Mideri to injury, Nyamunyamu utilized both Nasaka and Bundi in the right-back position and it enhanced the team's creativity.
Nyamunyamu also preferred Tembesi in goal after the departure of Awuor, a decision that paid dividends as the 25-year-old former Wiyeta girls player dutifully grabbed her chance.
INTELLIGENT TRANSFER STRATEGY
The signing of dynamic midfielder Wayodi is perhaps the greatest example to demonstrate Vihiga's ability to find the best players without spending much.
Wayodi joined Vihiga in 2021 and has settled quickly. Her contributions made her a favourite for the armband despite only playing for one season.
Vihiga have also roped in the trio of Keith Kerone, Monsari Wansato and Diana Cherono from Solasa Queens while Edith Asangire, Ivy Makokha and Eunice Nsia will play crucial roles in the team's push for more silverware.
Ugandan imports Anita Namata and Adnan Birunji are shrewd additions. The latter was acquired from Gaspo while the former came from She Corporate FC who ply their trade in the Uganda Women's Premier League.
"We had to plot a different path with the transfers. There was no need for big-name acquisitions but we went for quality, flexibility and players who can fit into our system properly. We needed to be careful because apart from Engesha, the club hasn't benefited from the players that have moved abroad," Nyamunyamu said.
Phoebe Owiti
She is the unsung hero at the heart of the defence. Owiti needed to quickly adjust to a center-back role after finding stiff competition in the attack.
Owiti was a fixture last season and despite not being technical, her speed and athleticism are her best traits.
Her aerial presence makes her an asset in the opposition box. She is also a dangerous player with power and pace and a physical defender who gives nothing against attackers. Her physical strength is so impressive that she is frightening for opponents who line up alongside her in the tunnel.
Owiti remains Vihiga's most experienced player currently. "She had to adjust to playing in defence. She found the going tough when she joined from Magadi Secondary School in Kisumu but had to be patient. She's one of the top defenders in the league and a clean player with the fewest yellow cards because she has demonstrated her ability to control her aggression and movement," Nyamunyamu pointed out.
Vihiga warning
Despite undergoing transition, Nyamunyamu has warned rivals to rule them out of the title challenge at their own peril.
Even though they are still polishing their act, Nyamunyamu feels Vihiga are still the team to beat. "Some coaches who I can not name have already ruled us out of the title race before we even kick the ball. But I promise them that they will be in for a rude shock. I understand them saying Ulinzi and Trans-Nzoia Falcons are the teams to watch. Well...they are entitled to their opinion but all I can say is they must be prepared for a grueling season."
Avoiding injuries will be key for Vihiga with the tactician worried about lack of depth. "Injuries occur when players under-train. We have a lean squad and that is why we are praying for good health for the outfit. "
He also urged Vihiga fans to rally behind the team in both good and bad times, especially, during this transition period. He added that normalcy can only resume if Fifa lifts Kenya's suspension. He, however, challenged the authorities to burn the midnight oil to resolve the quagmire.
"Women's football has been neglected but I believe it is the right product for any corporate keen to invest in sports.
"The discipline is fast gaining popularity and I am sure if everything is handled well, our girls will grace the World Cup before Harambee Stars counterparts.
"Equally, we need sponsors to run the league. It's only last season that we were impressed by the prize money from the FKF Caretaker Committee while previously we received peanuts."
Whether Vihiga will maintain their standard remains to be seen but the first three matches will be a barometer of what to expect this season.
The transition comes with its challenges but Vihiga have risen to the occasion before.