Leaders Kenya Lionesses out to finish strong in HSBC Challenger Series
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 27.03.25. | 18:32
The top four teams from this decisive leg will advance to the playoffs in Los Angeles, where they will battle for a coveted spot in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
Kenya 7s women’s national team; Lionesses, will be out to finish what they started when they line up for the third Challenger Series slated for Friday, 11 to Sunday, 13 May in Krakow, Poland.
The superb ladies are fresh off an impressive performance in South Africa, where they won the opening two legs.
They currently top the log with 40 points, six better than second-placed South Africa. They won the opening leg after defeating Argentina 17-12 before seeing off South Africa 17-0 to win the second leg.
That performance has seen them firmly position themselves as strong contenders for HSBC Series qualification.
Speaking on their preparation so far, coach Dennis ‘Ironman’ Mwanja was confident of his charges’ abilities heading to the crucial leg.
The top four teams from this decisive leg will advance to the playoffs in Los Angeles, where they will battle for a coveted spot in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
“We have worked hard to be in this position, and now it’s about finishing the job. The players understand what’s at stake, and we are ready to give our all,” Mwanja noted.
The team has been drawn into Pool A, where they will face Belgium, Colombia, and Thailand as they seek to secure a place in the high-stakes playoffs in Los Angeles.
The Lionesses faced off with the Belgians in their first game of the second leg of the series in Cape Town, dismissing them 17-5 courtesy of Grace Adhiambo’s hat-trick.
They then mauled Colombia 12-5 to secure passage into the final, where they brushed aside South Africa for their second straight crown in the series.
Although Mwanja’s charges have yet to face Thailand in the series, they would do well to be wary of the Southeast Asians. Thailand finished fifth at the last leg in Cape Town, beating Uganda 14-7 for the win.
After Krakow, attention shifts to Los Angeles for the playoffs on May 3-4, where Kenya stands a good chance of a first-ever World Rugby Series qualification.
