The Kenya Lionesses started their Women’s Rugby Africa Cup campaign on a high note, securing a thrilling 29-20 victory against hosts Madagascar at the Andohatapenaka Stadium in Antananarivo on Saturday.
Both Grace Odhiambo, playing as a centre in Japan, and scrum-half Judith Akumu showcased their skills with two tries each, while fullback Ann Goretti added a conversion.
Kenya’s dominance was further reinforced by a penalty try, allowing them to establish a 17-3 lead at halftime.
In the same championship, which also serves as the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Africa qualifier, South Africa dominated Cameroon with an overwhelming 87-0 victory at the same venue.
Madagascar began the match with fierce attacks that earned them an early penalty, taking a 3-0 lead. However, the Lionesses quickly found their rhythm and responded with precision.
Odhiambo’s impressive offload enabled her to break through the defence and score her first try. She later showcased her skill again, evading the Malagasy defence for her second try, although Goretti missed the conversion.
The Lionesses not only secured a penalty try from a scrum in the Malagasy 22-meter zone, extending their lead to 17-3 but also gained a numerical advantage when one of their opponents received a yellow card.
Madagascar managed to score a converted try, reducing the deficit to 17-10, before Akumu contributed her first try as the hosts fought back for their second try. The Lionesses maintained their lead at 22-15 before Akumu completed her brace, with Goretti successfully converting.
The Lionesses extended their lead to 29-15 before Madagascar scored a consolation try, but it was not enough to alter the outcome of the match.
Next, the Kenya Lionesses will face South Africa on Wednesday at the same venue, followed by their final contest against Cameroon on May 28 in the round-robin tournament.
The winner of the tournament will not only secure a spot in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England but also qualify for the 2024 World Rugby Tier One Championships. The second-placed team will earn a place in the World Rugby Tier Three Championship.
To develop women’s 15s rugby, World Rugby has established four competitions: the Six Nations, Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three Championships.
The Kenya Lionesses qualified for the Division One Championship by emerging victorious in the Pool “B” competition, defeating the Uganda Lady Cranes 23-3 in the decisive match on November 2 last year in Kampala.
They had previously triumphed over Zambia with a score of 36-17. South Africa claimed victory in Pool “A,” Madagascar topped Pool “C,” and Cameroon emerged victorious in Pool “D.”
