Vihiga Queens coach Boniface Nyamynyamu insists that they have achieved their first-leg targets despite drawing 2-2 with newbies Bungoma Queens on Sunday.
Timona Zareti grabbed a brace for Bungoma while Tumain Waliaula and Maureen Ater scored for the visitors
The Vihiga County-sponsored side have won six matches and drawn twice, to lead the Kenya Women's Premier League standings with 20 points.
The league-defending champions have opened a seven-point gap against second-placed Ulinzi Starlets who have played a game less. Vihiga will play Nakuru before the year ends and Wadadia early next year before the first leg comes to a conclusion.
"We have achieved the objectives that we had set from the start of the season. The idea was to not lose a match and the results are a testament of the hard work and dedication put in by the players," Nyamunyamu said.
"The momentum is vital because the second leg is always tough. We don't need to look over our shoulders but we just need to focus on ourselves and deliver because we are Vihiga."
Even though Nyamunyamu said dropping two points on the road was a blow to his side, he accepted the fact that their away form needs to improve.
"Just like our home ground is a fortress, we need to collect maximum points in the away matches. We dominated Bungoma and had two goals ruled out by the referee but we can only blame ourselves for spanning numerous chances," Nyamunyamu added.
"Bungoma gave us a run for our money. Being new and getting a vital point against Vihiga is not the easiest of tasks. However, they proved equal to the task. If they play that way in subsequent matches, they stand a chance of maintaining their top-flight status."
Waliaula, signed from Bungoma Queens last season, has hit the ground running after scoring seven goals in eight matches. She is tasked with filling the void left by the departed trio of Jentrix Shikangwa, Topista Situma and Tereza Engesha.
"She has proved a bargain for us. She can only get better because she has all the attributes needed from a striker. Going forward, we have to maximise our chance."
