Nakuru city queens have made history by getting to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) women’s cup finals.

The team which started in 2016 has been putting Nakuru on the map as far as women’s football is concerned.

Queens rose from playing at the regional level to be the only team from Nakuru playing at the FKF premier league level.

Speaking about the progress of the team, the club founder Bernard Esitoko notes that the team has picked up fast since most of them came together this year and managed to give an exemplary performance this season.

“I am grateful to the girls for the incredible performance they displayed this season. We toppled the best of the best,” says Mr Esitoko.

The coach adds that their game has improved with each season, stating that in last season’s women’s cup challenge, they were dropped off at the semi-finals, and this year managed to get to finals.

Finishing second in the cup, Queens will be getting Sh 200,000 from the federation which they plan to spend on logistics at the start of the next season and managing some of the club expenses at the moment.

The team’s captain, Melon Mulindi, describes the journey to finals as being a thorny path full of countless challenges.

“Ours is a story of resilience and determination hoping that one day we will play for international teams. This is what keeps us going,” says Mulindi.

The captain reveals to Mtaa Wangu that financial challenges have seen them lose some of their best girls to motherhood.

“Some girls sought refuge with men who could provide them with food, something they could not get at the club consistently, and essentials such as sanitary towels. The two may seem affordable but these are the essential things that have made us lose our best players,” adds Mulindi.

Elizabeth Muteshi, who was the top scorer of her team this season, says her wish is for the federation and the county to do all it can to amplify women’s football in the county.

Queens finished second in the FKF women’s cup and sixth in the 2022/2023 FKF premier league.

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