Japan based Okello and Okumu included in Lionesses squad for Olympics repechage

Janet Okello and Grace Adhiambo Okulu have rejoined the Lionesses squad as they head to Monaco for the World Rugby Sevens Olympic Repechage, scheduled for 21-23 June.

The pair, who play for Japanese club MIE Pearls, were unable to participate in the third leg of the HSBC Sevens Challenger in Krakow, Poland due to club commitments.

Terry Ayesa and Phoebe Akinyi, who played in Poland, are not included in the Monaco squad. Instead, rookies Edith Nariaka and Freshia Oduor have been retained for the tournament.

The Lionesses are aiming for their third Olympic appearance, having competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and in Tokyo, Japan five years later.

They have been placed in Pool A alongside Argentina, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.

They missed an opportunity to automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after succumbing to a 12-7 defeat against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby Africa Women’s 7s Cup final played in July 2023 in Monastir, Tunisia.

Meanwhile, in Pool B, Uganda will play alongside Hong Kong, China, Paraguay, and Jamaica, while China, Poland, Mexico, and Czechia have been placed in Pool C.

Lionesses squad for Monaco

Sheila Chajira, Naomi Amuguni, Stella Wafula, Maureen Muritu, Christabel Lindo, Edith Nariaka, Grace Okulu, Sinaida Mokaya, Freshia Oduor, Sharon Auma, Janet Okello, and Judith Okumu.

Mwanja confident of Lionesses' abilities ahead of Olympics repechage

Lionesses Schedule

Friday, June 21

Kenya vs. Papua New Guinea | 5:20 pm

Saturday, June 22

Kenya vs. Samoa | 2:20 pm

Kenya vs. Argentina | 7:44 pm