Kenya Lionesses captain Grace Adhiambo (centre) in action against Ghana. [Rugby Africa]
Kenya Lionesses made a dream start in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup assignment after humbling hosts Madagascar 28-5 in their opening match played over the weekend at Stade Makis in Antananarivo.
As qualifiers for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, to be hosted in Australia, Kenya needs to win the round-robin competition, which also involves defending champions South Africa and Uganda, to advance to the global final.
Phoebe Akinyi, Faith Livoi, Stellah Wafula and Sinaida Mokaya all crossed over the white wash in the revenge win. Madagascar stunned Kenya 29-22 last year during the 2025 Rugby World Cup qualifiers that South Africa won.
To make it to the World Cup, Lionesses, who are coached by Simon Odongo, must now beat South Africa Women's Springboks on Wednesday.
South Africa and Kenya Lionesses are currently level on five points each, but South Africa tops the table on a superior point difference of 55.
The Springbok Women scored 62 points and conceded only 7 in a 62-7 victory over Uganda during their opening match.
Kenya sits second with a 23-point difference after a 28-5 win in their opener against hosts Madagascar.
Madagascar and Uganda occupy third and fourth positions, respectively, with no points, having suffered defeats in their opening matches.
In the match, Kenya took the lead through Phoebe Akinyi’s try, which was converted by Sinaida Mokaya for a 7-0 lead.
The Lady Makis responded with an unconverted try, but Faith Livoi’s corner post try saw Kenya hold on to a 12-5 lead heading into halftime.
In the final half, Kenya picked up from where they left but this time off Grace Okulu’s boots as the fly half split the posts with a well-taken penalty to stretch the lead to 15-5.
Okulu returned to haunt the Lady Makis with a clever drop goal that gave the East Africans an 18-5 lead before Stella Wafula added an unconverted try that pushed the scores further to 23-5.
Mokaya sealed the win with another unconverted try.
Madagascar will seek redemption against Uganda on Wednesday.