The task for Kenya Lionesses in Krakow, Poland is daunting but not impossible. It is a situation they have been in before and thrived. But, the arithmetic in Poland is clear.

They must reach the final to have any realistic chance of boarding that flight to Madrid, Spain in the next two weeks as one of the top teams at the conclusion of the three-leg tournament. The top four teams proceed to Spain to duel with the bottom four teams in the World Rugby Series to have a crack at cementing their place as a core team next season. Among the teams bottom four teams in the Series are Japan, Spain, Brazil and South Africa. 

Coach Dennis Mwanja is aware of what this tournament in Poland means for Kenya. The task is further compounded by unpaid allowances, a baggage most national teams are grappling with. Just last week, the Kenya women’s 15’s team almost failed to play a bronze-medal match against Cameroon in the Africa Cup. 

Destiny in their hands

Speaking to Sports News Arena from Poland, Mwanja said the destiny was in their own hands. As much as other results could determine Kenya’s fate, Mwanja is focusing on the team playing one game as a final each time. “It is crucial to get good results,” he stated. 

The absence of two players who are based in Japan could be a motivating factor for the players in Poland, the coach added. “It is a chance to put their hands up,” Mwanja observed.

Kenya has been drawn in a tough Pool C that has Belgium, Mexico and hosts Poland. The first match is against Poland before tackling Belgium and Mexico. One interesting fact is that this tournament and the men’s category in Munich, Germany shall be played concurrently to ensure credible results. 

Kenya Lionesses: Sheila Chajira (captain), Judith Okumu, Christabel Lindo, Stella Wafula, Naomi Amuguni, Terry Ayesa, Sharon Auma, Sinaida Nyachio, Phoebe Akinyi, Maureen Muritu, Freshia Oduor, Edith Nariaka.

Pools in Krakow, Poland       

Women

Pool A: China, Czechia, Hong Kong China, Thailand

Pool B: Argentina, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Uganda

Pool C: Belgium, Kenya, Mexico, Poland.

Order of play: Thailand v Hong Kong China, China v Czechia, Uganda v Paraguay, Argentina v Papua New Guinea, Poland v Kenya, Belgium v Mexico, Thailand v Czechia,  China v Hong Kong China, Uganda v Papua New Guinea, Argentina v Paraguay, Poland v Mexico, Belgium v Kenya, Hong Kong China v Czechia, China v Thailand, Paraguay v Papua New Guinea, Argentina v Uganda, Kenya v Mexico, Belgium v Poland.

Standing after two tournaments

China 40 (270), Argentina 34 (147), Belgium 26 (106), Uganda 28 (-68), Kenya 24 (23), Poland 22 (103), Thailand 18 (28), Hong Kong China 11 (-48), Czechia 9 (-25), Paraguay (6 (-136), Papua New Guinea 5 (-88), Mexico 3 (-312). 

Draw for the playoff in Madrid, Spain

Women

Pool A: Japan. Spain, Challenger 1, Challenger 4.Pool B: Brazil, South Africa, Challenger 2, Challenger 3.