Vihiga Queens targeting CAF Women’s Champions League return
Kenyan champions Vihiga Queens are determined to return to the CAF Women’s Champions League after securing back-to-back wins at the ongoing CECAFA regional qualifiers in Uganda.
Following their 3-1 opening victory over Zanzibar’s New Generations FC, Vihiga picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win against Rwanda’s AS Kigali Women on Wednesday courtesy of Bertha Omita’s goal.
“Our focus is to keep winning so we can emerge as champions and qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League in Ivory Coast,” said Vihiga coach Charles Okere Okoth.
Okoth said his squad are treating every match as a final given the competition’s strength. “We know what it means to be here and we are serious about our mission,” he added.
Vihiga will face Tanzania’s JKT Queens on Saturday in a clash that will determine who tops Group B. JKT also have two wins after beating New Generations FC 1-0 on Wednesday through Ester Mabanza’s goal.
Team captain Merceline Wayodi stressed Vihiga are working hard to return to the continental stage and emerge as regional champions.
Vihiga were inaugural CECAFA zone winners in 2021, qualifying for last year’s CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt where they failed to progress from the group stage.
In Group A, Djibouti’s FAD FC will face South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars on Friday before Uganda’s Kampala Queens take on table-topping Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.
With two wins from two matches, Vihiga Queens have proven their quality and determination to succeed on the continental stage once again.
The regional champions will represent CECAFA at the expanded CAF Women’s Champions League finals later this year. Vihiga are intent on rejoining Africa’s elite in Cote d’Ivoire as they target continental glory.