Shikangwa inspires Vihiga Queens to CAF Women’s Champions League

Kenya's Vihiga Queens celebrate after scoring agaisnt Simba Queens of Tanzania 2-1 during the Inaugural edition of the CAF Women Champions League CECAFA Qualifiers match against Yei Joint Stars of Sudan at The Nyayo National Stadium. Sept 6, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Jentrix Shikangwa scored a brace to inspire Vihiga Queens to a 2-1 win over Central Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers played at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

The win saw the former FKF Women Premier League champions to qualify for the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League set for Cairo, Egypt later in the year.

This was sweet revenge for the Kenyan representatives who lost 4-2 to CBE during the group stage. 

Shikangwa gave Vihiga the lead at the half hour mark after pouncing on a loose ball in the box from Violet Wanyonyi’s cross from the right wing.

Despite trying hard to get an equalizer, the Vihiga defense stood tall and held on for a 1-0 lead at the break.

In the final half, CBE came out more aggressive with long balls in the opening minutes, a resilience that saw them rewarded in the 57th minute when poor communication between the goalkeeper and her defenders saw Makoha deflected a free kick into her own net.

Wanyonyi and Shikangwa would hit the goal post twice in an attempt to find the winner with time winding up.

Just with a minute of the added time remaining and the game looking set for extra time, Wanyonyi would be fouled in the box and Shikangwa stepped up to score the penalty that put Vihiga through.

“I am happy players followed instructions especially after losing our first game against them. We just had to twerk the defense a little bit tin make it tighter and it paid off today”

“We are going to plan, rectify our problems and train very hard ahead of the finals in Cairo, Vihiga Queens will be ready for Champions League,” said Vihiga Queens assistant coach Boniface Nyamunyamu.

Speaking after the win, Shikangwa said she was happy her goals helped her team reach the Champions League.

“I was very hungry for goals today and I am happy with the two goals. We are now going back to the drawing board to train hard,” said the Harambee Starlets striker.