Poor preparations and unpaid allowances came to haunt the Kenya team that finished third at the just concluded Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Kenya beat Cameroon 39-17 in the play-off of a match which hung in the balance as players nearly declined to take to the pitch because of unpaid allowances for more than nine months. A change of heart mainly because of the perceived consequences saw Kenya surprisingly put a good effort against the physical Cameroonians. 

Speaking exclusively to SNA from Antananarivo, Paul Murunga, the Kenya coach explained the preparations were not ideal when compared to the last time when Kenya finished second and qualified for the WXV tournament. Also, this time, Kenya missed the services of experienced players who were in the 7s team which is due to travel to Poland for the Challenger Series. 

Financial constraints

Kenya irregularly trained for two months for the Africa Cup because of financial constraints. The coach who included 13 new players in the team also cited lack of depth as a major hindrance in Madagascar. “We wanted to win the first match,” he stated. 

In this match, Kenya started well but crumpled in the second half against Madagascar who scored at death for a narrow win. “Madagascar played an intense game in the second half and our substitutes were not impactful,” Murunga admitted. The loss badly affected the team’s morale as they faced South Africa. 

They bounced back and “played with heart” to beat Cameroon. In this match, Rose Atieno scored two tries while Terry Ayesa, Hellen Achieng, Mitchelle Akinyi and Diana Awino added one each. The win was a big morale booster for the team who lost 22-29 to Madagascar in the opening match and 5-63 to South Africa. 

By virtue of finishing third, Kenya, who could drop down in the next rankings, missed a ticket to the WXV competition to be played in Dubai. But, Murunga looked on the bright side by admitting he was disappointed not to have qualified for the final against South Africa but said the team was full of promise. “The main aim has been to build enough depth,” he stated.  

South Africa win

South Africa won the Africa Cup by beating Madagascar 47-17 to book a ticket to the next Rugby World Cup in England. Louis Koen, the South African coach was relieved and is keen to welcome back some of the players who were unavailable as they begin preparations for the big task ahead. 

Nolusindiso Booi, the captain, was impressed by the packed stadium. “I wish we could have a crowd like this back home. I have never lifted a trophy in such an atmosphere,” she added. On their way to the title, South Africa dropped only 22 points and scored 165.   

Results

South Africa 47 Madagascar 17, Kenya 39 Cameroon 17, South Africa 63 Kenya 5, Madagascar 12 Cameroon 5, Madagascar 29 Kenya 22, South Africa 55 Cameroon 0.
Kenya squad: Rose Otieno, Knight Otuoma. Natasha Emali, Naomi Jelagat, Hesla Khisa, Mitchelle Akinyi, Maureen Chebet, Enid Ouma, Winnie Awino, Anne Ochieng, Terry Ayesa, Faith Livoi, Esther Juma, Diana Owino, Diana Omosso, Mitchelle Otieno, Jane Chanya, Sheila Wesa, Nolin Khaleyi, Diana Kemunto, Mitchelle Alivitsa, Hellen Anyango, Carol Nyamwamu.