Murunga focused on Lionesses' future after superb Safari 7s show

Kenya Lionesses tactician Paul Murunga has expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in the Safari 7s that was played at the RFUEA Grounds over the weekend.

The Lionesses fielded two teams; Kenya Lionesses and Lionesses Cubs which all performed well in the tournament.

Lionesses ended their campaign in second position, losing their title to Uganda Lady Cranes after a narrow 15-12 loss. The East African derby was a repeat of the 2023 Africa Women's 7s semifinals where the Lionesses pounced 26-0 over the Cranes to proceed to the final.

It also transported the audience to the 2023 Elgon Cup final played at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu on November 11 where the Lionesses whitewashed their opponents 87-3 to clinch the title.

Coach Bling still in awe of Kenya 7's success

Lionesses Cubs on the other hand claimed third position after a 31-7 win over Tropics 7s in the third-place playoff.

Reflecting on the exciting weekend, coach Murunga highlighted that his charges' performance symbolized a new era in women's rugby in the country. Given his track record and the success he has achieved with the men's team in the past, his words only spell success for the fast-rising Lionesses.

Murunga was the assistant coach when Kenya 7s went on to win that historic title in Singapore in 2016. He will be looking to propel the Lionesses to greater heights.

They were also enjoying a wealth of experience having graced the WXV3 tournament and the Africa Women's 7s tournament. They edged out Colombia 25-3 in their final WXV3 match to retain their status and finished second in the Africa Women's 7s tournament-cum-Olympic qualifiers.

"It is a new beginning in terms of next generation of girls in rugby," Murunga, a former Kenya 7s tactician posited.

The team was also missing the services of some of their key players like speedster Sharon Auma, talented scrum half Judith Okumu, Stellah Wafula, Christabel Lindo, and Grace Okulu who were out with the Elephants in the 2023 Rugby 10s Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.

"Fielding two teams at Safari 7s and finishing second and third is a good thing in terms of depth, considering five of our girls are in Capetown for 10s and Janet is in Japan," coach Murunga told Mozzart Sport.

The Lionesses also contributed to the team that finished fourth in the women’s rugby sevens competition at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago earlier in August, a feat Murunga was proud of.

"Three 17-year-old girls went to the U18 Commonwealth Games in Trinidad. That shows how serious we are In terms of building the girl's game," he concluded.

The Lionesses will go back to the drawing board, keen to prepare for the repechage tournament penciled for next year, in an attempt to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.