How Vihiga County is becoming a talent hub

Vihiga Queens' Jentrix Shikangwa and Tadesse Aymeku (left) of CBE during the Inaugural edition of the CAF Women Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers final match at The Moi International Sports Center Kasarani. Sept 9, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Football fans in Western Kenya will have a full plate of action following the promotion of two teams from Vihiga County to the Premier League.

Vihiga Bullets earned an automatic promotion to the FKF Premier League after finishing as runners up in the 2020/21 National Super League season. Bullets are likely to feature with neighbouring Vihiga United in FKF PL this season if they beat Kenya Police in today’s promotion play-offs return leg at Utalii Grounds. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Mumias.

Just like Bullets, Bunyore Starlets have joined newly crowned CECAFA Regional Qualifiers champions Vihiga Queens in the Kenya Women Premier League (KWPL).

Vihiga Bullets, formerly known as Nakuru AllStars, was bought by ex-Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga three years ago.

While Bullets are set to make their FKF PL debut against Bidco United at Bukhungu Stadium on September 25, Vihiga Queens are preparing to represent the East African region in the inaugural Women’s CAF Champions League in Egypt later in the year. 

Queens beat Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 2-1 in the finals.

On the other hand, Bullets gained promotion to the top tier following a 2-0 win over Kibera AllStars in the final match of the season to finish second on the table standing with 64 points, eight behind champions FC Talanta.

But it is the recent promotion of Bunyore Starlets that has made Vihiga County become a hotbed of talent.

However, the bad news is that Bullets will have to hire another coach after their veteran coach Edward Manoah resigned barely a week before making their FKF PL debut.

Manoah has so far helped three teams earn promotion to top-flight football (Kakamega Homeboyz, Vihiga United and Vihiga Bullets).