The Kenya Lionesses began their Challenger Series with a 20-5 win against Samoa, spearheaded by captain Grace Okullo. After a strong first half, they maintained their lead into the second half, sealing their victory. The team aims for a top-four finish to qualify for the HSBC SVNS playoff tournament as they prepare to face Poland next.
The Kenya National Women’s Rugby Sevens team, known as the Kenya Lionesses, achieved a commendable start to their Challenger Series campaign with a 20-5 victory over Samoa on March 1, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. The match commenced with captain Grace Okullo scoring the inaugural try on the left wing, giving Kenya an early 5-0 advantage despite a missed conversion attempt.
As halftime approached, the Lionesses maintained their pressure, which led to Samoa receiving a second yellow card. Exploiting their numerical superiority, Grace Okullo scored yet again, extending Kenya’s lead to 10-0, a margin they upheld until the halftime break.
In the second half, Samoa managed to narrow the gap to 10-5 when Malia Nikalau evaded two defenders to score. However, the Lionesses quickly resumed control; Naomi Amuguni scored another unconverted try, bringing the score to 15-5. Grace Okullo completed her hat trick shortly thereafter, pushing the score to 20-5, which Kenya safeguarded to secure their victory.
The Lionesses are now scheduled to encounter Poland later that day at 7:30 PM. Following a narrow defeat to South Africa in the previous year’s Challenger Series final, they aim for a top-four position in the overall standings to qualify for the HSBC SVNS playoff tournament. The leading eight teams from this event will progress to the Challenger Series third leg in Krakow, Poland, on April 11-12.
In summary, the Kenya Lionesses made a strong impression at the Challenger Series opener, demonstrating skill and resilience to defeat Samoa 20-5. With their next match against Poland, the team seeks to not only enhance their standings but also secure a place in the prestigious HSBC SVNS playoff tournament. Their performance sets a promising tone for the remainder of the series.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
