Kenya’s women’s rugby 7s team, the Lionesses, launched their Olympic qualification campaign with a resounding start, securing victories in both matches on the second day of the Repechage tournament in Monaco.
The Lionesses demonstrated their prowess by defeating Samoa with a commanding score of 31-5. They continued their winning streak by edging out the Pumas of Argentina 19-17 in an electrifying match at the Stade Louis II.
Janet Okello, hailing from Japan, spearheaded the Lionesses’ attack, scoring an early try. Freshia Oduor followed up with a successful conversion, giving the Kenyan team an early lead.
Argentina responded quickly with Marianela Escalante crossing the try line, and Sofia Gonzalez’s conversion tied the game.
As halftime approached, Judith Auma scored, giving the Lionesses the lead once again, thanks to the strategic guidance of coach Dennis ‘Ironman’ Mwanja.
The Pumas fought back fiercely, with Maria Brigido Chamorro scoring a try to even the score, and then adding another to give Argentina the lead.
The match’s climax came in the 13th minute when Oduor scored a decisive try. Grace Adhiambo’s conversion of the subsequent penalty sealed the victory for Kenya, marking their second triumph over Argentina in just over a month.
The two teams are set to face each other again in the quarterfinals on Sunday, with the Lionesses aiming to continue their victorious momentum.
