Kenya Lionesses forward reveals how family support shaped her rugby success
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 30.11.25. | 17:13
While to other fans it was just a try, for Amuguni’s family, that was a dream, pride, and sacrifices bursting into life
On Sunday, 16 November, the RFUEA Grounds were shaking with tension as the Kenya Lionesses were just two matches away from qualifying for the prestigious HSBC SVNS Series Division Three.
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First up was a familiar rival, Uganda, a team that had pushed them to the brink at the Safari 7s final in October, losing narrowly 14-10.
The semifinal clash was everything it promised to be: physical, fast, and emotional.
The scoreboard was locked at 10-10, and the clock was running out. Kenya needed a moment of brilliance.
Naomi Amuguni delivered it.
Spotting a pocket of space, she scooped up the ball and tore through Uganda’s defense to ground the decisive try that sent fans into a roar.
The crowd rose to its feet, chanting her name. In one of the stands, loudest of them all, sat her entire family, witnessing the moment their own helping Kenya punch a ticket to the Africa Women’s 7s final.
While to other fans it was just a try, for Amuguni’s family, that was a dream, pride, and sacrifices bursting into life.
Mozzart Sport caught up with the Kenya Lionesses forward, who opened up about her family that has stood behind her from the day she first touched a rugby ball.
Amuguni’s path into rugby began with a dare from her sister Sylvia Amuguni, who also played for Mwamba RFC.
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“I started playing in 2018. My sister, Sylvia Amuguni, is the one who inspired me. I actually wanted to start earlier, but my mum asked me to finish school first, and I did.
After campus, I finally began playing. Sylvia challenged me and told me to pick up from where she left off. She also played for Mwamba, so I wanted to follow that path,” she offered.
If there is one constant in Naomi’s rugby journey, it is the sight of family members occupying whole rows in stadiums whenever she is playing.
“My family members are my biggest cheerleaders. My extended family, everyone, my mum, my sister, my brothers, my nieces, my nephews, they all show up for my games.
They never miss. It always feels incredible because, even though you are representing yourself and your team, you know there’s someone out there genuinely rooting for you. Their support means everything,” she averred.
The Amugunis cheering squad moves as a unit. She said that her family is a pillar of emotional strength that has carried her through major tournaments like the HSBC World Rugby 7s qualifiers, Olympics qualifiers, Africa Women’s 7s, and more.
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On her side, Sylvia admitted that she lit a torch that her younger sister would carry and elevate. She spoke about Naomi not just as a former rugby player, but as a deeply proud elder sister.
“She is Africa’s best player. I do not know what others think, but as a family, we rank her very highly,” Sylvia said. “She has made the name ‘Amuguni’ so famous. I am her elder sister, and I am always proud of her,” she said.
For Sylvia, watching her sister succeed is witnessing a family legacy being written in real time.
“We support her because this is what she loves, and she is truly talented. For every match, the whole family turns up to watch her play. It is amazing to see her out there being her best self. She makes us incredibly proud,” she said.
