The odds were highly stacked against Kenya Lionesses as they started a campaign to qualify for the World Rugby Sevens World Series qualifiers slated for Los Angeles from May 3-4, 2025 where the four top teams shall automatically be elevated to core team status for the 2025/2026 season.

A path to LA meant a good performance in the Challenger Series, a second tier tournament introduced in 2020 to boost the development of rugby in six regions. This year, South Africa hosted the two opening tournaments where Kenya Lionesses faced a formidable competition from South Africa who dropped to tthe second tier tournament at the end of the 2023/2024 season.

In Contention

Besides South Africa, teams from the other regions such as Argentina, Czechia, Thailand, Colombia, and Poland, among were in contention. At the end of the three-leg series, the top four teams booked a ticket to LA.

In Cape Town, South Africa, Kenya Lionesses defied all odds to win the opening two legs which meant settling a continental rivalry with South Africa that has a solid program and were favorites. By winning the first leg, Kenya Lionesses signalled their intention of going all the way.

The rare feat in Cape Town was achieved against a myriad of problems back home. Players had not been paid allowances for over one year. Training was haphazard with no luxury for a camp, reserved for thee men’s teeam, Shujaa. Sponsors did not see any value in supporting the women’s team and instead backed Shujaa.

Mpesa Sponsorship

When Mpesa took a leap of faith to sponsor the team, the results justified the investment. For the first time, players were assured of their allowances and some even enjoyed semi-professional contracts! 

Winning the first tournament could have been seen as a lucky charm but Kenya Lionesses were on the podium one week later to wipe out the scorn on the faces of naysayers. In both tournamenets, they beat hosts South Africa by demonstraing a polished performance under the tutelage of Dennis Mwanja and Simon Odongo.

Mwanja had the audacity to foresee a win against South Africa at their backyard many months before it happened. South Africa had twice denied Kenya a win in Tunisia and Ghana.

With two wins under their belt, Kenya Lionesses headed to Krarakow, Poland for the defining moment where the top eight teams from the opening two tournaments battled for the four tickets to LA. Already, Kenya Lionesses who bagged 40 points from the opening legs had done enough to qualify but needed results to cement their place.

Good Start

A 12-0 win against Belgium in the opening match was a good start. Belgium had replaced Uganad who withdrew after the Uganda Rugby Union opted to compete at the Africa Women’s 15’s tournament in Ivory Coast. 

Thailand ended Kenya Lionesse’s unbeaten run winning 28-12 but the team bounced back to beat Colombia 12 to book their place to the cup semi-finals and the LA qualifier. Finishing second in Pool A saw Kenya Lionesses set up a date with none other than South Africa who won 22-10. 

Kenya Lionesses bounced back to turn tables on Thailand in the play-off winning 27-19 to clinch the bronze. The win also meant Kenya Lionesses won an overall historic Challenger Series by collecting 56 points, two ahead of South Africa who defeated Argentina 21-12 in the final.  

Not Surprised

The technical bench had predicted a good performance and were not surprised when Kenya Lionesses topped the log. Having two African teams heading to LA is a rare achievement. Kenya and South Africa shall be joined by Argentina and Colombia in LA where they face Brazil, China, Spain and Ireland in the play-off.

In the men’s category, Samoa edged out Chile to book one of the play-off slots. Portugal (the overall winners), Germany and Canada are the other qualifiers for the play-off in LA where they face Kenya, Uruguay, Ireland and USA.

Kenya Lionesses: Grace Okulu, Naomi Amuguni, Judith Okumu, Sharon Auma, Sheila Chajira, Diana Owino, Christabel Lindo, Moreen Muritu, Freshia Oduor, Stella Wafula, Phoebe Akinyi and Sinaida Nyachio. 

Challenger Series results, Krakow, Poland

Women

Pool A: Belgium, Colombia, Kenya, Thailand.

Colombia 12 Thailand 24, Kenya 12 Belgium 0, Colombia 19 Belgium 0, Kenya 12 Thailand 28, Kenya 12 Colombia 7, Thailand 12 Belgium 15, 

Pool B: Argentina, Czechia, Poland, South Africa.

Argentina 31 Czechia 7, South Africa 29 Poland 10, Argentina 24 Poland 12, South Africa 45 Czechia 0, South Africa 22 Argentina 0, Czechia 22 Poland 15.

Cup Semi  finals: Thailand 20 Argentina 21, South Africa 22 Kenya 10; Play-off: Thailand 19 Kenya 27; Final: Argentina 12 South Africa 21.

Fifth place semi-final: Colombia 26 Poland 24, Czechia 10 Belgium 19; Final: Colombia 0 Belgium 10.

Seventh place play-off: Poland 17 Czechia 24.

Final ranking: Kenya 56, South Africa 54, Argentina 48, Colombia 40, Thailand 36, Czechia 30, Poland 22, Belgium 20, Uganda 14, Hong Kong China 6, Samoa 4, Mexico 2.

Qualifiers: Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia.

Men

Pool A: Chile, Germany, Samoa, Tonga.

Chile 14 Samoa 26, Germany 33 Tonga 12, Chile 29 Tonga 7, Germany 10 Samoa 14, Germany 12 Chile 7, Samoa 12 Tonga 21, 

Pool B: Canada, Japan, Madagascar, Portugal.

Portugal 28 Japan 10, Canada 29 Madagascar 24, Portugal 19 Madagascar 10, Canada 40 Japan 10, Canada 17 Portugal 10, Japan 12 Madagascar 26, 

Cup Semi  finals: Germany 17 Portugal 24, Canada 5 Samoa 28; Play off: Germany 21 Canada 19; Final: Portugal 24 Samoa 19.

Fifth place semi-final: Chile 17 Japan 14, Madagascar 38 Tonga 17; Final: Chile 14 Madagascar 24.

Seventh place play-off: Japan 12 Tonga 45.

Final ranking: Portugal 52, Germany 50, Canada 48, Samoa 44, Chile 38, Japan 26, Madagascar 26, Tonga 21, Uganda 10, Georgia 8, Hong Kong China 7, Brazil 8.

Qualifiers: Portugal, Canada, Germany, SamoaWomen: Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia.