Individual Brilliance, Data, Team Rebuilding: Diana Cherono Reflects on Vihiga Queens' Seas
The 2024/25 FKF Women's Premier League campaign may not have been the most memorable for Vihiga Queens in terms of silverware, but for Diana Cherono, it was a personal triumph. The forward closed the season with 10 goals, making her Vihiga’s top scorer and the 5th highest scorer in the league overall—a remarkable leap from her previous seasons.
“This was my best season so far. I scored more goals than I had in my previous two seasons combined,” she said. “In my first season, I scored just one goal, and in the second, I had two. This time, I managed ten, and I’m proud of that.”
For Cherono, the key was simple: time on the pitch.
“I had a lot more playtime this season, and that really helped me settle into games and contribute more. My teammates also played a huge role—they supported me and helped me reach my target,” she added.
Cherono Celebrating a Goal for Vihiga Queens
A Tough Season for Vihiga Queens
While Cherono thrived individually, the team had a turbulent start to the season. Vihiga Queens, one of Kenya’s most successful women's clubs in recent years, finished 5th on the log, far from the standards they’ve set in previous campaigns.
“It wasn’t the best season for us as a team. We had a difficult start because the squad was incomplete. Sometimes we couldn’t even raise a full team during training,” Cherono explained.
A wave of players had hit the squad exits, and several remaining players weren’t registered until the mid-season transfer window.
“There were a lot of changes in the squad, and it affected our chemistry. We were building from scratch in some cases,” she said.
The situation was compounded by financial difficulties, a common challenge in the local women’s game.
“Financially, things weren’t smooth, but we didn’t let that bring our morale down. We stayed motivated and kept pushing,” Cherono added.
The Data Edge: How the Tisini Partnership Helped
One of the bright spots of the season for Vihiga Queens was their partnership with Tisini. For Cherono, the introduction of data analytics into their day-to-day football life has been nothing short of transformative.
“The data helps me a lot. I use it to track my progress, set personal goals, and improve specific areas of my game,” she shared.
She recounted a particularly eye-opening experience after a match against Zetech Sparks.
“My numbers in attack during that game were not impressive—my shot accuracy, chance creation, and overall involvement were low. After reviewing the stats, I made a promise to myself to do better, and in the next game, my numbers improved,” she revealed.
Cherono says the data helps her not only evaluate individual performances but also prepare for matches and analyse team dynamics.
“It covers everything from crosses, defending, and shots on target to team metrics like total passes and chances created. It really opens your eyes to what you did right and where you need to work harder,” she said.
She encourages other teams in the league to embrace data as a critical tool for improvement.
“Tisini has changed how we look at the game. I would urge other teams to embrace data. It helps the team and, more importantly, helps individual players to grow.”
Looking Ahead
With her confidence soaring, Cherono is eyeing a bigger stage.
“I dream of playing football abroad when the right time comes. That’s the next big goal for me,” she stated.
For now, the focus remains on helping Vihiga Queens finish the season on a high. The team is still in contention in the FKF Women’s Cup, and Cherono believes they can go all the way.
“We still have something to fight for. The fans have stood by us, and we are grateful for that. We’ll do our best to bring the FKF Cup home for them.”
