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Women Premier League debutantes, Society Empowerment Project (SEP) Oyugis are warning that they are not there just to make up the numbers

 SEP Oyugis founder and chief executive Festus Juma is confident the side will be a force to reckon with in the local league despite being newbies at the stage.  

 Juma says that his charges are ready to upset the form book and win titles regardless of who they are up against at the zone and playoffs. 

The team is in Zone B of the WPL, whose format was reverted to zonal at the beginning of the season in March, alongside three-time title holders Vihiga Queens among others.  

 Before the league was suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak in March, Oyugis had picked their first top flight victory in a 2-1 win over Eldoret Falcons. Only one round of the league was played before the suspension. 

 “It has not been a smooth journey to the premier league but my players knew they had what it takes to compete with the best on the stage.  

“Despite winning the first match,  we all felt that the squad didn’t do its best and were preparing for a better performance in subsequent matches. 

“As we wait for action to return,  our resolve remains the same. We are here to compete and win titles,” said Juma. 

 The Homabay County-based side gained promotion to the top tier after finishing third in the 2019 Division One league playoffs. 

They faced off with Moving the Goal Post for the third slot.  With Leeds United,  Nyuki Starlets and Spedag already relegated,  three teams were promoted. 

 Juma’s charges had been participating in community based organisation tournaments as he had no desire to join federation run leagues. 

But a federation official approached him after the team took part in the Chapa Dimba tournament in 2017 and convinced him to register. And the journey to the top has just begun.