Vihiga Queens, Kibera lock horns in FKF Cup final
Ann Arusi (right) of Kibera Soccer Women fights for the ball with Noel Amutata of Vihiga Queens during and FKF Women’s Premier League match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on March 30, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Last year, Kibera lost to Starlets (2-0), while Vihiga lost to Starlets 2-1 during the inaugural edition in 2021.
- The two teams last met in a league match that ended in a 1-1 draw on March 30, 2025 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
After narrowly missing out on the Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League (FKF-WPL) title in the 2024-25 season, Vihiga Queens and Kibera Soccer Women will face off in the final for the fourth edition of the FKF Women's Cup at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on Saturday from 2pm.
Kibera, who finished third in the league with 41 points in 21 matches, eliminated defending champions Ulinzi Starlets 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the quarterfinals.
They also defeated FKF-WPL champions Kenya Police Bullets 2-0 and National Women Super League (NWSL), sides Sunderland Samba (2-0), and Gaspo Women (6-0) in the round of 16 and 32, respectively.
Four-time FKF-WPL champions, Vihiga, finished fourth with 38 points, reached the final by defeating Bungoma Queens (2-1) in the semifinals, and Divison One sides Eldoret Falcons (4-1) in the quarterfinals, Iron Ladies (5-1), and Gene Queens 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the round of 16 and 32.
Both teams are making their second appearance in the finals. Last year, Kibera lost to Starlets (2-0), while Vihiga lost to Starlets 2-1 during the inaugural edition in 2021.
The two teams last met in a league match that ended in a 1-1 draw on March 30, 2025 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. Vihiga lost the first leg match 2-0 at Wolves Den Grounds in Kajiado County last year.
Vihiga, the FKF-WPL's most successful team, failed to secure the league title for the second consecutive season, losing out to Kenya Police Bullets and shifting their focus to the cup.
Their struggles followed the departure of four key players: 2023-24 FKF-WPL Golden Boot winner Tumaini Waliaula (Sirenes Grevena, Greece), midfielders Maureen Achieng Ater (East Bengal FC, India), Sophy Akinyi (Lakatamia, Cyprus), and Emily Morang'a (Kenya Police Bullets) at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
Coach Boniface Nyamuhnyamu recruited five players from Nyakach Girls High School, also known as Plataea Queens, namely goalkeeper Mercy Awino, defender Christine Adhiambo, forward Saum Musungu, and midfielders Maureen Eseli, Mercy Akoth, and Anita Nnantume, as well as Noel Aruko from Princess Queens (Tanzania).
"Inexperience of the new players, many fresh from high school, hindered their performance, particularly in the first leg, after they officially joined the team post-exams," Nyamuhnyamu explained.
“Despite aiming for the league title, the team struggled due to the short recruitment period and the players' lack of league experience. The players joined the team in the second leg, and they have proved that they are on the right track, and that is why we are in the final,” he added.
The Western Kenya-based side will be banking on striker Martha Amunyolet, who finished as the second-top scorer in the just concluded 2025 Cecafa Senior Women's Championship with four goals, just one goal behind Tanzanian international Opa Clement.
Despite also missing the league title, after leading for most of the season, Kibera still attained some notable achievements.
Goalkeeper Vivian Shiyonzo shared the Golden Glove award with Annedy Kundu of Bullets, both keeping 13 clean sheets in 21 matches.
Additionally, striker Faith Mboya finished as the league's second-highest scorer with 15 goals in 11 matches, despite joining mid-season from Sunderland Samba of the NWSL.
Midfielder Abubakar Medina, fresh from a national team assignment, will also be another player to watch. Shiyonzo and Mboya also did national duty in Dar es Salaam.
“Vihiga Queens is a very tough team. The last time we faced them, we won narrowly through a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. This is a big game, and we are not leaving anything to chance; we are determined to win. We are mentally and physically prepared for the game. Our players are highly motivated, and winning this match would mean a lot to the team,” said Kibera coach David Bujego.