- The Kenya Lionesses defeated the Uganda Lady Cranes 49-0 in the final match of the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
- The match was played on Sunday, June 15, at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
- This win positions Kenya to potentially overtake South Africa for the top spot, provided the latter falters against Madagascar in their final match. Currently, Kenya boasts 89 points compared to South Africa’s 81.
The Kenya Lionesses, the national women’s 15s rugby team, wrapped up their 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign on a high note with a crushing 49-0 win over East African rivals, the Uganda Lady Cranes, on Sunday afternoon at Stade Makis in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
With this emphatic win, the Lionesses have secured a berth in the WXV 2 tournament, now scheduled for 2026 due to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place in England.
Kenya’s tries came from a host of standout performers: Natasha Emali, Sheila Chajira, Faith Livoi, Noleen Khaleyi, Naomi Amuguni, and Naomi Muhaji, while Stellah Wafula touched down twice.
Faith Nariaka also crossed the line, contributing to the rout, though only two of the tries were successfully converted.
This win positions Kenya to potentially overtake South Africa for the top spot, provided the latter falters against Madagascar in their final match. Currently, Kenya boasts 89 points compared to South Africa’s 81.
Kenya Lionesses dominate both halves in 49-0 rout of Lady Cranes
Kenya were on the offensive from the outset, dominating possession in the opening 15 minutes.
Despite some missed opportunities, their persistence paid off as Natasha Emali broke through with the first try, the result of a powerful maul that steamrolled from midfield into Uganda’s 22.
Emali peeled off and grounded the ball, putting Kenya 5-0 ahead. Sinaida Nyachio’s conversion attempt, however, was unsuccessful.
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Uganda’s woes were compounded when Proscovia Mukyala was sent to the sin bin following another incisive Lionesses attack deep in their territory.
Kenya capitalized on their numerical advantage, driving a scrum forward before Sheila Chajira dotted down to double the lead to 10-0, again unconverted.
Just seven minutes later, the Lionesses extended their lead through Faith Livoi. After a slick interchange with captain Edinah Ouma, Livoi powered over for a 15-0 advantage.
As halftime approached, Livoi was instrumental again, making a sharp break before offloading to Noleen Khaleyi, who added another try to take Kenya into the break leading 20-0.
Unfortunately, none of the first-half conversions found their mark.
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The second half saw more relentless pressure from the Lionesses. Naomi Muhaji crossed the whitewash within minutes of the restart, and this time, the conversion was successful stretching the score to 27-0.
Naomi Amuguni soon found a gap in the Lady Cranes’ defense and surged through to make it 32-0, although the conversion again went astray.
Stellah Wafula then inflicted further damage with a clinical finish, pushing the score to 37-0.
Kenya’s dominance continued when vice-captain Faith Nariaka finished a flowing move, with excellent support play from Livoi and Grace Okulu, for a 42-0 advantage.
Wafula capped off her performance with a second try, and Okulu added the extras to bring the final tally to 49-0.
Despite several more forays into Uganda’s half, the Lionesses couldn’t breach the 50-point mark. Nevertheless, their spectacular performance could be the deciding factor in the standings if South Africa stumbles in their final match.
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