Ready to roar: The Lionesses upbeat ahead of women’s Confederation of African Rugby tourney

By ERICK OCHIENG’

Buoyed by the success of the men’s national sevens rugby team, the women’s outfit, The Lionesses, have vowed to emulate their male counterparts.

The Lionesses, who are preparing for next month’s Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Women’s Sevens tournament to be hosted at Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium, are confident of posting good results.

To achieve this objective, the team has stepped up its training at the Nairobi’s Kenya Harlequins grounds, along Ngong Road ahead of the tenth edition of the championships on April 12.

The players, who are hopeful that the efforts they are putting in training will translate into impressive results, are eager to move the country from a third place finish, after losing 17-0 to Zimbabwe in 2011 and 12-0 to Uganda in 2013 edition held in Tunis, Tunisia, to the top.  

Acting vice captain, Camilyne Oyuayo, is confident of making it to the finals like in the 2012 edition in Tunis where they lost to the hosts 14-10 to bag silver.

“We are committed to training every other day. We hope that the Hong Kong Sevens that the team will attend before the tournament will sharpen and inspire us for the continental championships. Our dreams are valid,” she says.

Earned call up

Doreen Remour, an all rounder in the game, is glad   to have earned a call up again with the Kenya Lionesses squad after suffering a nagging injury, which forced her out of training in 2012.

“I resumed training late last year. I’m glad I led this team to the Dubai Sevens finals, I am looking forward to do the same in the CAR championships this year,” said Remour, who admitted to FeverPitch that rugby has given her lots of opportunities to travel.

“We are currently polishing our defence tactics,” says Remour, who further admits that the challenge of women’s rugby is keeping fit throughout the year.

Morocco withdrew

Other players in training are Philadelphia Olando, Mary Otieno, Janet Owino, Stacy Awuor, Rachel Odhiambo, Irene Atieno, Celestine Masinde, Mary Musieka, Kate Abilla, Clementina Atieno, Nandwa Linda Makokha, Sheila Chajira and Laventer Atieno Oguta.

So far, eight teams including Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Namibia have confirmed their participation.

“The teams are expected to arrive in the country early April in readiness for the one-day continental event,” said Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee.

A total of 12 matches will be played during the tournament leading to the Bowl, Shield, Plate and Cup Finals.

Kenya were  successful in their bid to host the International Rugby Board (IRB)-sanctioned tournament last month following Morocco’s withdrawal on logistical grounds.

“As a union we have in place a clear strategy to expand and promote women’s rugby at grassroots and national level. Our efforts in this regard will no doubt gain a considerable boost, as we host some of Africa’s leading women’s rugby teams next month,” he said.

As part of the efforts to promote the sport, the IRB, in partnership with the CAR will also conduct an intensive two-day clinic for rugby coaches from the continent, ahead of the tournament. —[email protected]