Kenya’s representative in the inaugural CECAFA championship Vihiga Queens FC will move to residential camp in Nairobi from tomorrow (Wednesday) to adequately prepare for the regional competition.
Coach Alex Alumira took his players through the last training at Kidundu stadium before departing to Nairobi for residential training ahead of the championship that kicks off on 17th July 2021 in Nairobi.
Vihiga Queens who are sponsored by County Government of Vihiga were selected by FKF to represent the country in the inaugural championship after winning the Kenya Women Football Premier League title in 2019.
Speaking after the training, Alumira said the management has organized for one week training in Nairobi before they are handed over to FKF to take charge of further preparations and other logistics.
He said they will retreat to the camp in Nairobi to enable his players acclimatize with the city and access better training facilities ahead of the championship.
He said his players were in upbeat mood and recovered from the shocking defeat in the Premier League semi finals playoffs in the hands of Gaspo FC in Nakuru last weekend.
He revealed that they needed Sh5 million to Sh6 million for adequate preparations before the championship.
He said the money would be for motivation of players, purchase of training equipment, gym and physiotherapy services among others.
The Coach said this will be the first international championship for his players adding that they were rearing to go.
He noted that CECAFA will be a tough championship adding that out of the 11 teams that will represent their Nations they expect tough opposition from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda opponents.
He assured Kenyans that his players were determined to have the trophy remain in the country.
Captain Enez Mudeizi expressed confidence that they will win the championship adding that they had prepared well.
She said they wanted to win the championship to redeem themselves from the shocking defeat in the playoffs that saw them relinquish the Premier league title.
Terry Engesha the team’s all-time top scorer added that the international championship will give players opportunity to showcase their talent to scouts from clubs oversees.
Engesha who lost a penalty that saw them lose Premier league title said her dream to play football abroad was still alive and was hopeful that she would be in the right shape to attack scouts for top clubs in the region and beyond.
Club CEO Mike Senelwa thanked County Government for the support and assured football fans that Queens will win the title and fly the country’s flag high.
