Kenya’s Lionesses to Take on Madagascar in Opening Match of Africa Cup

Kenya Lionesses will kick off their Africa Cup campaign against hosts Madagascar on May 18. The team will then face South Africa in their second match before concluding the preliminary round with a tricky tie against Cameroon.

Head coach Dennis Mwanja spoke of his team’s preparations on Thursday, stating that they have been hard at work since January and are just polishing up on a few areas. Mwanja expressed confidence that the team will be competitive and take each game at a time as they seek to win the week-long championship.

Mwanja described the Indian Ocean Islanders as tricky opponents due to their small stature but quick movements, noting that they have won against the Lionesses in previous matches. Regarding South Africa, Mwanja acknowledged that the game will be tough but added that the gap between the sides is narrowing.

The coach is expected to name his 28-man squad next week and anticipates intense competition for places. Despite not being able to play friendly matches against Brazil or Poland due to a lack of funds, Mwanja is optimistic about the team’s long-term goal to qualify for the Rugby World Cup in 2025.