Kenya Police have entered into an agreement to acquire Women’s Premier League side Thika Queens in a bid to align with the CAF requirements.
The development comes hardly a day after it emerged that it will be compulsory for clubs plying trade in the Kenyan Premier League to have a women’s team from next season.
Only four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars had an established women’s team and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the other teams will meet the requirement as stipulated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“This groundbreaking partnership marks an exciting chapter in the history of both clubs. Kenya Police FC, a renewed institution with a rich footballing heritage and Thika Queens, a highly respected women’s football club, have come together to foster unity, inclusivity and enhances opportunities for players, staff and fans alike,” read part of the agreement.
Clubs bidding to participate in the CAF inter-club tournaments will also be required to have a women’s side before being allowed to feature in the lucrative competitions.
This means that the trio of Tusker, Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz who are all salivating at continental football will have to make such moves if they are to be cleared to play in the CAF matches.
The winner of the league will play in the CAF Champions league with the domestic cup champion getting the license to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Tusker who are rivalling Gor Mahia in the league title race are set to play Homeboyz in the Mozzart Bet Cup final.
Having struck the deal, Thika are expected to shift base to Nairobi and are likely to change their name.
The four-time WPL champions finished fifth with 35 points in the concluded season.