by Agnes Amondi

After the FKF Women’s Cup break on the weekend of January 30 & 31, the Kenya Women’s Premier League resumed for its sixth round.

With the league due to go for its mid season break, here are four talking points from the weekend’s matches as well as the season so far

Thika Queens strengthens dominance in zone A

Thika Queens is the only side in zone A that still has a clean record. The former WPL champions have won all six of their matches this season. With the league going for its mid season break as from February 15, with one more game week, they might just maintain this streak.

On Sunday, Thika went on rampage against Kibera Girls Soccer as they bagged eight goals. Catherine Githae netted a brace in the 2nd and 57th minutes as Rachael Otolo (25th), Mwanahalima Adam (36th), Fauzia Omar (58th), Wincaate Kinyua (67th), Sarah Chalovu (67th) and a Ruth Muruka error, rounded up the goal fest for the visitors.

Kibera’s Irene Namale 23rd minute equaliser only proved to be a consolation for the hosts.

This massive win comes after Thika put seven goals past Kayole Starlets in game week 5 to take the goal difference to 22. Also, it overhauled its points tally to 18 at the summit, six more than second placed Ulinzi Starlets.

As early as now, I think its safe to pick Thika Queens as Zone A champions, unless a monumental collapse happens in the second half of the season.

Gaspo Women picking up the winning rhythm

After back to back losses in the first two games of the season – 2-1 against Thika Queens and 5-1 against Kayole Starlets – Gaspo Women are now picking up the points.

A slim 2-1 victory on Sunday against newcomers Ulinzi Starlets in second, sees the Isaac Maluki coached side closing in on second spot. Only two points separate the two as Ulinzi retained second place with 12 points and Gaspo on 10 points in third.

This was their first consecutive win and should they challenge Thika for the top spot, maximum points is what they’ll need.

Mathare United Women, Oserian Ladies and Eldoret Falcons staring hard at relegation

All the three clubs are yet to win a single match this season.

Mathare United only scored its first goal of the season on Sunday against Zetech Sparks, but was still not enough to put on any points on board for them, as they registered a 3-1 defeat away at Ruiru. This is a team that has previously flirted with relegation but managed to overturn results in the second part of the season. Should the rot go on, Mathare could face the axe for the first time since the KWPL began.

For Oserian and Eldoret Falcons, this could come true as well. Although the former got its first point of the season against Trans Nzoia Falcons on Sunday in a 1-1 draw, its still far from safe for them. The climb to seventh for Oserian might serve as a mental boost for the players as Falcons remain hunting for its first point.

KWPL newbies exhibit survival form

Ulinzi Starlets, SEP Oyugis and Nakuru West Queens are the new entrants to this season’s top flight league. The trio have produced fairly good results so far that could see them stay in the top tier.

Ulinzi in zone A are the pick of the bunch. They lie second only behind run away leaders Thika Queens. They recorded only their second loss of the campaign against close competitors Gaspo, with their first in the hands of Thika Queens.

The military outfit have won four – 3-1, 5-1, 9-0 & 1-0 against Kibera Girls Soccer, Kayole Starlets, Mathare United Women and Makolanders respectively. Their head coach Joseph Wambua eyes a top three spot that would assure them a place in the championship knock out. It’s highly possible that they’ll make the cut.

At the same time, SEP Oyugis and NWQ are in mid table in zone B. The former have amassed nine points so far from three wins and three losses. They leap frogged the latter to fifth spot after a 2-1 victory over Eldoret Falcons on Sunday.

NWQ have a similar record except that they’ve drawn two, and lost two. The latest defeat (3-1) came when they hosted Wadadia at the Mumias Sports Complex on Sunday. As a result, they slide to sixth on eight points which puts them in a precarious position. The third bottom placed side might be on the chop as it will go for a relegation playoff against the other similar ranked team in zone A to determine who stays up.

Soka25east.com