The women’s national rugby 7s side, Kenya Lionesses, have booked their spot in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 after beating Uganda 19-0 in the semifinals of the 2024 Rugby Africa Women’s 7s Cup ongoing in Accra, Ghana.
Tries from Judith Auma, Christabel Lindo and Grace Adhiambo saw the Dennis Mwanja-coached side progress to the main cup final which meant they would finish the tournament inside the top three positions guaranteed a spot to the Challenger Series which provides the promotion pathway to the top tier Sevens Series.
Having had a perfect run in the tournament with wins over Mauritius, Madagascar and Ghana from the group stage to the quarterfinals, the Lionesses carried that rich vein of form against Uganda and started asserting pressure right from kickoff, forcing the Ugandans to retreat deep into their 22-metre line.
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The Ugandans did well to weather the harsh conditions facing them, but it would not be for too long as they got a warning sign four minutes in when Sinaida Mokaya managed to breach their defense only for her try to be wiped off after the officials discovered a knock on.
Their defensive prowess was undone shortly after as Judith Auma touched down under the posts from a 5m scrum that came as a result of the Kenyans once again applying high pressure to the Ugandan ladies, Kenya taking a 7-0 lead at the break following a successful conversion by Mokaya.
With Uganda reduced to six, Kenya made their numerical advantage count as Christabel Lindo attacked some gaping space in front of her to extend Kenya’s lead to 12-0.
A brilliant move from the scrum saw Grace Adhiambo break the lines after an inch-perfect offload from Sinaida before touching down under the posts to seal the 19-0 win following a successful conversion.
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Kenya Lionesses renew rivalry with South Africa
Kenya will now face South Africa in a repeat final of the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s 7s Cup.
In that match, South Africa won 12-7 to deny the Lionesses a direct spot to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
South Africa demolished Madagascar 42-0 in the second semifinal to set up the clash against Kenya.
Uganda and Madagascar will clash the remaining ticket to the 2025 Challenger Series when they meet in the3/4th place playoff.
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