Gor Mahia Queens, the women’s team of Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) giants Gor Mahia, are set to embark on a highly anticipated journey as they make their debut in the Women National Super League (WNSL). After breaking ties with Acakoro Ladies, the team is now eyeing promotion to the FKF Women Premier League (FKFWPL), which is the top tier of women’s football in Kenya. The club’s ambitions are high as they seek to establish themselves as a dominant force in women’s football, similar to their male counterparts who have a storied history in Kenyan football.
Under the guidance of head coach Francis Ocholla, the Gor Mahia Queens are ready to make a mark in the upcoming season. Ocholla, who has been instrumental in preparing the team for their debut, is confident that the team has the potential to perform exceptionally well. In an interview, he expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress during training and emphasized that the players are in excellent physical and mental shape. “We’ve been doing well in training, and all the players are in great shape physically and mentally,” he said.
The team is set to face Bandari Queens in their opening fixture of the WNSL, and this match will serve as a crucial test of their capabilities as they make their debut in the league. The fixture is expected to provide valuable insights into the team’s strengths and areas that require further improvement. “Our upcoming match against Bandari Queens will be a great opportunity to assess our team as we make our NSL debut,” Ocholla noted.
The primary goal for Gor Mahia Queens this season is to secure promotion to the FKF Women Premier League. To achieve this, the team must perform consistently well throughout the WNSL campaign. Ocholla has outlined his strategy for achieving this goal, which includes reinforcing certain areas of the squad during the upcoming transfer window. Specifically, he has identified the need to sign more attackers and defenders to strengthen the team. “As a new team, it’s important for us to reinforce certain areas. We’ll be looking to sign more attackers and at least two defenders when the transfer window opens. Our ambition is to secure promotion to the KWPL next season,” explained the tactician.
The club’s current lineup does not include any players from Acakoro Ladies, the team with which Gor Mahia had previously entered into a partnership. This partnership, formed in June 2023, led to the rebranding of Acakoro Ladies as Gor Mahia Queens. However, the club has since moved on from this arrangement, and the current squad is entirely new. Ocholla confirmed that no player from the former Acakoro Ladies team is part of the current lineup, stating, “We’ve completely moved on from Acakoro. No player from that team is in our current lineup. This is a fresh start, and from the friendlies we’ve played so far, we see a lot of promise.”
The decision to form a women’s team and rebrand it as Gor Mahia Queens was influenced by the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Club Licensing requirement. This regulation mandates that all clubs participating in CAF inter-club competitions must include a women’s team within their structure. The partnership with Acakoro Ladies was a direct response to this requirement, and it allowed Gor Mahia to meet the licensing criteria.
The women’s team, however, is not merely an administrative formality. Gor Mahia Queens are determined to carve out their own identity and establish themselves as a competitive force in women’s football. The team’s management and coaching staff are focused on long-term success and building a team that can compete at the highest level. Ocholla, in particular, is optimistic about the team’s future, noting that the friendlies they have played so far indicate a great deal of potential within the squad.
The club’s decision to break away from Acakoro and form a completely new team is a significant move. It signifies the beginning of a new era for women’s football at Gor Mahia, and the club’s leadership is committed to ensuring that the team succeeds. Ocholla’s focus on strengthening key areas of the squad through transfers is a clear indication of the club’s ambition. The team is not only focused on immediate success in the WNSL but also on building a foundation for future success in the FKF Women Premier League and beyond.
In terms of player recruitment, Ocholla’s comments suggest that the team will be looking to add quality in attack and defense. This is likely to be a key factor in the team’s push for promotion, as the coach has already identified areas that need strengthening. The transfer window will therefore be an important period for the club, as they seek to bring in players who can help them achieve their objectives.
Gor Mahia Queens are also looking to draw inspiration from their male counterparts, who have a long history of success in Kenyan football. The men’s team has won numerous titles, both domestically and regionally, and the women’s team is keen to emulate this success. The idea of building a strong, successful team in the women’s league is part of the club’s broader vision to become a dominant force in both men’s and women’s football in Kenya.
One of the key challenges facing the team is the need to establish cohesion among the players, given that the squad is newly formed. However, the coaching staff is confident that the players are adapting well to the team’s style of play and that they will continue to improve as the season progresses. Ocholla has praised the players’ efforts in training and their commitment to the team’s goals. He believes that with continued hard work and the right reinforcements, Gor Mahia Queens can achieve their target of promotion to the FKF Women Premier League.
The team’s journey in the WNSL is expected to be a challenging one, but the management and coaching staff are determined to guide the team through the difficulties that come with being a new team in a competitive league. The focus will be on achieving consistent performances throughout the season and ensuring that the team is well-prepared for each match.
The upcoming fixture against Bandari Queens will provide a good test of the team’s readiness for the WNSL. A strong performance in this match could set the tone for the rest of the season and give the team the confidence they need to push for promotion. The coaching staff will be looking to assess how well the players have adapted to the tactical system and whether any adjustments need to be made ahead of future matches.
While the team is focused on the immediate goal of performing well in the WNSL, there is also a broader vision for the future of women’s football at Gor Mahia. The club’s leadership is committed to supporting the women’s team and ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed. This includes not only player recruitment but also investment in infrastructure, training facilities, and support staff.
The creation of Gor Mahia Queens marks a significant step forward for women’s football in Kenya. It is a clear indication that major clubs in the country are beginning to take women’s football seriously and are willing to invest in its development. For Gor Mahia, the formation of a women’s team is part of a broader strategy to grow the club’s brand and expand its reach within Kenyan football.
In the long term, the success of Gor Mahia Queens could have a positive impact on the growth of women’s football in Kenya more broadly. By providing a platform for talented female players to showcase their skills, the team can inspire more young girls to take up the sport and pursue careers in football. This, in turn, could help to raise the standard of women’s football in the country and increase its visibility on both the national and international stage.
As the team prepares for their debut in the WNSL, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding Gor Mahia Queens. The players and coaching staff are ready to face the challenges that lie ahead, and they are determined to make a strong start to the season. With their sights set firmly on promotion to the FKF Women Premier League, the team is ready to embark on what promises to be an exciting and transformative journey for both the club and women’s football in Kenya.
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