After defeating Zanzibar's New Generation FC 3-1 in their Sunday CECAFA Women Club Championship debut, Vihiga Queens have turned their attention to their second group match against Rwandese Champions AS Kigali.
The four-time Football Kenya Federation, Women's Premier League champions, scored in the match on Sunday at the Omondi Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, through Babirye Winnie, Ruth Khasokha, and Martha Amunyolet as the legacy builders made their ambitions in the competition apparent.
Amina Hemed scored the New Generation's consolation goal in the 20th minute.
Charles Okere, the head coach of Vihiga, praised his team for their performance and vowed to maintain their momentum against AS Kigali in their upcoming game.
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Kigali was defeated 2-1 by Tanzania's JKT Queens, a team that plays at a high level.
"I commend my girls for the exciting game and the strong character they showed to ensure we earned every point. We want to win every group game to advance to the knockout stage.
However, he praised their rivals' advancement since their previous tournament encounter.
"Despite the victory, we gave up a needless, cheap goal. It was a defence and goalkeeping error, but I'll fix it before our next game.
"New Generations have significantly improved. They only allowed three goals tonight after giving up eight goals to us in the previous championship match, which was played in Nairobi in 2021.
But Okere advises Vihiga to exercise caution before the match against AS Kigali, a team they need to learn more about.
Although we saw their most recent game, and I don't know much about our upcoming opponents, AS Kigali, I believe they can be defeated," he added.
"We know JKT as a tough side having dethroned Simba to emerge Tanzanian Champions. They have talented players, but to us, we are here to win the title," added Okere.
Vihiga will play JKT on August 19 to finish their group fixtures following the encounter in Kigali.
In other games played on Saturday, CBE of Ethiopia defeated Burudi's Buja Queens 2-1, and in group A, the hosts Kampala Queens defeated South Sudan's Yei Joint Stars 3-0.
After participating in the inaugural Women's CAF Champions League, hosted in Egypt in 2021, Vihiga Queens are aiming for a second qualification.
Due to Kenya's continued FIFA suspension from international football due to political meddling, the country was not represented in the tournament's second iteration, hosted in Morocco last year.
