Situma terminates contract with Vihiga Queens

Vihiga Queens lethal striker Topister Situma has terminated her contract with the Kenyan Women Premier League Champions, ending her nine-year stint with them.

Citizen Digital has learnt the Harambee Starlets attacker is headed to Tanzania Women Premier League giants Simba Queens.

In a letter seen by Citizen Digital, Topister who joined the Vihiga based club in 2014, requested to terminate her contract following non- payment of her dues.

Responding to the matter in a letter dated July 1, 2022 and signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Senelwa Ogada, Vihiga issued a release letter for the striker and wished her all the best in her future endeavors.

“This is to notify you that Nafula Topister (FKF001595) has been with the Vihiga Queens Football since 2014 to 2021/2022 season. Having cleared with all the club departments, we release her unconditionally,” read part of the letter.

Situma played her last match at the club on the last day of the 2021/2022 season on Sunday June 12, 2022 as they sunk Bunyore Starlets 2-1 at the Muboha Stadium to end the season unbeaten, reclaiming the title they had lost to rivals Thika Queens last season.

Vihiga CEO Mike Senelwa expressed his satisfaction with the player’s move, despite conceding her absence will be felt significantly.

“We were shocked to hear Situma asking for a termination letter being that she was one of our most disciplined and reliable players. We understand her as we haven’t payed her dues for some months but not the 29 months she was claiming. We really talked hoping that she would change her mind but she had made up her mind.

“She has left our team at the peak of her career and it’s sad because we were sure of securing her a place in Europe based on how the club has marketed itself not only in Africa but on the globe. Situma was very ripe for Europe but since she hasn’t told us where she is heading to we have no option but to wish her all the best,” said Senelwa.

The CEO however feels the move came out of external influence, and not necessarily Situma’s independent decision.

“I feel that it wasn’t her self-mind, I think it was a push from rival clubs which are thirsting for her. It’s our hope that wherever she is heading to she will grow her career,” added Senelwa

The player who hails from Webuye in Bungoma County and schooled at Archbishop Njega High School in Kakamega County, emerged the KWPL top scorer in the just concluded season with 17 goals and has been a crucial member of Vihiga helping them to clinch the CECAFA club championship which was held in Nairobi in 2021.

She was part of the team in the inaugural CAF Women Champions League which was held in November 2021 in Cairo, Egypt.

If Situma joins Simba, she will be the third Kenyan player to sign for the side after Bertha Omita who joined the team in 2020 and lasted for a season and Ex- Gaspo midfielder Corazone Vivian Aquino who signed a one-year deal on Wednesday, June 2022.

She is the fourth key player to exit Vihiga this year, after goalkeeper Lialian Awuor who joined French top tier side ASJ Soyaux-Charente, forward Jentrix Shikangwa who joined Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk and forward Tereza Engesha who moved to Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s Football of South Korea.