The Kenya Lionesses triumphed over Samoa with a 20-5 victory in their Challenger Series debut. Captain Grace Okullo was instrumental, scoring three tries and leading her team to success. The Lionesses now shift focus to their next match against Poland, aiming for a top-four finish to qualify for the HSBC SVNS playoff tournament.
The Kenya National Women’s Rugby Sevens team, known as the Kenya Lionesses, commenced their Challenger Series campaign with a commanding 20-5 victory over Samoa on March 1, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa. After a period of intense defense from Samoa, Captain Grace Okullo maneuvered to the left wing and successfully scored the initial try of the match, although the subsequent conversion did not succeed, placing Kenya ahead 5-0.
As the match neared halftime, the persistent efforts of the Lionesses forced Samoa into a second yellow card. This resulted in Kenya capitalizing on the numerical advantage, with Grace Okullo scoring yet again, thus extending the lead to 10-0, which remained until halftime.
In the second half, Samoa managed to seize an opportunity off a defensive error from Kenya, with Malia Nikalau breaking through two defenders to score, reducing the deficit to 10-5. Nevertheless, the Lionesses continued to press their advantage, with Naomi Amuguni scoring an additional try, albeit unconverted, bringing the score to 15-5. Moments later, Grace Okullo completed her hat trick, cementing a decisive 20-5 lead that Kenya maintained until the final whistle.
Looking ahead, the Lionesses are set to confront Poland later today at 7:30 PM. Last year, they narrowly missed claiming the Challenger Series title, falling 19-12 to South Africa. Their goal for this series is to secure a top-four finish to qualify for the HSBC SVNS playoff tournament.
The top eight teams from the opening rounds of the series will progress to the third leg in Krakow, Poland, scheduled for April 11-12. Subsequently, the qualifying top four will participate in the HSBC SVNS playoff tournament set for May 3-4 in Los Angeles, vying for a spot in the prestigious HSBC SVNS circuit.
In summary, the Kenya Lionesses achieved an impressive start to their Challenger Series campaign with a 20-5 victory over Samoa, highlighted by a standout performance from Captain Grace Okullo. As they prepare for their next match against Poland, their ambitions for securing a top-four finish remain intact. The upcoming rounds are crucial for the Lionesses as they aim for qualification in the HSBC SVNS playoffs.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
