Lynette Matheka @PeopleSports11
Women Premier League (WPL) side Gaspo believe their fight for a maiden title got a huge boost after the weekend matches where they picked maximum points without kicking the ball after Nyuki Starlets failed to honour their fixture.
The walkover, however, was not the only good news for the Kiambu-based club but the score result in a match between holders Vihiga Queens and former champions Thika Queens who played a 3-3 draw was also a blessing to Gaspo.
The shared spoils stopped Vihiga in their tracks as a win would have seen them move three points clear of second placed Trans Nzoia Falcons and Gaspo who are tied at 42 points. Gaspo coach Edward Githua is confident his side stands a big chance to lift the title this season if they can hold their own and win the remaining second leg matches.
“If we win all our matches we will lift the title. At 42 points, just a point behind the leaders, wins against the top two sides will guarantee us the title, so long as we do not drop points against any other team,” said Githua.
The side has reinforced their playing unit with six new additions among them two Tanzanians, Nainangwa Mwaipopo and Madeline Sylvester a winger and a forward respectively. Four more players Lysette Anyango, Linda Nanjala, Teresia Rundu from Mathare and Purity Jeptoo also joined the side.
“We were looking to get the signatures of several key strikers among them Mercy Airo and Mercy Achieng from Kisumu All Starlets and Thika Queens respectively but the offers did not go through. However, we are better than we were in the first leg and are ready to push ourselves to the last match,” added Githua.
The tactician, however, decried poor officiating in the league saying it was giving undue advantage to some teams and watering down the quality of the league. “Some officials are being openly biased while officiating but our complaints have fallen on deaf ears as no one thinks this is serious,” said Githua.
Vihiga’s head coach Alex Alumira is, however, not alarmed by the weekend results as he boasts of still being in the lead and have a game plan for the remaining matches to clinch their third consecutive league title.
“I cannot blame my players for their display as they gave their all. Eleven of them had travelled from Nairobi where they had been undergoing intensive training with the national team and fatigue played a huge part in that result,” said Alumira.
He added, “The draw has not affected our title defence as we picked a crucial one point. If we had lost, I would have been worried. Last season we won the league by just one point so that draw is equally important for us.”
