S. OchiengLionesses hoping to roar past Colombia in crucial tie
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.08.21. | 14:10
The Lionesses can book their place at the RWC 2021 Final Qualification Tournament if they beat Colombia in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The Kenya women’s national 15s rugby side, Kenya Lionesses are set to determine their fate when they take on Colombia Women in a crucial Repechage Qualifier match scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the familiar Nyayo National Stadium.
At stake, is a chance for the Felix Oloo coached side to keep alive their dreams of gracing the 2021 Rugby World Cup by qualifying for the last of the qualification tournament - The Repechage – where four teams are set to battle for a single spot in the prestigious tournament that was postponed to 2022.
The Technical Meeting is underway ahead of the @rugbyworldcup Repechage match taking place tomorrow. The @kenyalioness and @fecorugby Management teams are in attendance together with the Match Commissioner, Referee Manager, Head of Security, and Tournament Director. pic.twitter.com/JQ2PTbpGxa
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) August 24, 2021
Since the original RWC 2021 Final Qualification Tournament play-off against Colombia was postponed back in April 2020, Lionesses have not recorder a win in the four build up matches they have played heading into the game. Losing twice to Madagascar women in the 2021 Rugby Africa Women’s Cup before tasting defeat again against Springbok women twice, losing 66-0 in the first match and 29-22 in the second.
The @kenyalioness landed safely early this morning from their two-test series in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Focus now shifts to the Rugby World Cup Repechage Qualifier match on the 25th of this month. pic.twitter.com/giNl8z9YTm
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) August 18, 2021
Going into the match against Colombia, Oloo is however optimistic that the matches against South Africa where Kenya showed character especially in the second test will egg on the team to sealing a place in the Repechage.
“Getting beaten by South Africa was probably a blessing in disguise because it creates more hunger amongst the players leading up to the Colombia game which is that we have to win,” Oloo is quoted on Rugby World Cup’s website.
One more sleep and our @kenyalioness take on @fecorugby at 3:00pm EAT tomorrow at the Nyayo National Stadium.
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) August 24, 2021
The winner of this match will progress to the @rugbyworldcup Repechage. pic.twitter.com/c5nOPcM7No
As part of plans to plot Colombia’s downfall, head coach Oloo has already pinpointed areas where Kenya will look to capitalize on to get the win that secures progression to the four team Repechage tourney.
“They have very big forwards so we are working hard to see how we can neutralize them and use that to our advantage. We know their strengths and we are going all out to play our very best until the final whistle,” the coach added.
Zimbabwe’s Precious Pazani takes charge of the match at Nyayo National Stadium. She will be assisted by fellow Zimbabwean Talent Gandiwa and Uganda’s Sauda Adiru.
The match kicks off at 1500EAT.
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