Vihiga Queens now brace for African success

Kenyan Women’s Premier League champions Vihiga Queens are excited at the prospect of featuring in the inaugural Confederations of Africa Football (CAF) women’s club champions league set to kick off next year. 

Team tactician Alex Alumira says the introduction of the competition gives his side a chance to compete at a different level from what they are used to locally. 

“It was about time that we had this for the women’s game too.  This competition helps both the playing and technical units of the team to gauge our levels.

We have dominated the local scene, winning three consecutive titles. The continental competition gives us a new challenge and a platform to shine beyond our home league,” said Alumira. 

While the format of qualification for the final for each zone is yet to be unveiled,  Alumira believes his side will be Kenyan representatives as the title holders. 

“The competition has been set for the second half of every year. Therefore we are operating under the assumption that we will be playing in the inaugural tournament.

I have faith in my squad as currently constituted to fight it out for the slot to the final.

These players have fought to win the club three local titles and, while we will need international experience, it will be fair to use the same squad on the new competition and give the few that do not have that exposure the chance,” he added. 

He continued, “Despite the league having been suspended and no team training allowed yet, the players know the fitness levels expected of them when we resume and are working towards that on their own.

We just provide the programmes and drills to work on. We will hit the ground running once things open up and we might not have time to start shaping players from scratch.” 

CAF confirmed eight clubs will take part in the final tournament. Each of the six zones will produce one club while an additional team will be picked from a wild card to join a team from the host country.

The zone with the hosts will produce two teams for the maiden edition but one in future editions of the event.

The zone with the defending champions will also produce two teams after the inaugural edition. 

“Each of the six CAF zones will organise qualifiers to determine the finalists for the eight-team tournament.

The eight qualified teams will be drawn into two groups of four teams each in accordance with the regulations,” CAF announced on its website.