Okumu to captain Kenya Lionesses at Dubai Invitational tournament

Kenya Lionesses Grace Adhiambo in action against Colombia during their rescheduled Rugby World Cup repechage qualifier match at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on August 25, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenya Lionesses Head Coach Dennis Mwanja has named the squad that will play in the Dubai Sevens International Invitational Women's Category from December 1-3 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

With the team grouped alongside Tunisia, South Africa and France Women Development, Mwanja said, "It is going to be an exciting pool as it is a precursor to the African qualifiers for the 2024 Olympics."

He also touched on the team's preparation and composition, saying, "our journey has been a steady one, we are consistently learning and building. We have a fairly younger squad for this tournament"

"Stella Wafula will miss out due to an injury sustained at last month's Rugby Africa tournament in Kampala. We are preserving her as we look at her recovery as part of our long term goal for a fit athlete, "added the former Shujaa captain.

The Lionesses have a rematch with the French Development team who defeated them in the final of the 2019 event, a fixture that the tactician looks forward to, saying, "meeting France, which is a seasoned side, will be a very good measure for us because that is the level we aspire to reach."

Judith Okumu will captain the team to Dubai.

Lionesses squad to Dubai: Judith Akumu (captain), Grace Okulu, Terry Ayesa, Sinaida Mokaya, Phoebe Akinyi, Sharon Auma, Naomi Amuguni, Leah Wambui, Jean Bisela, Diana Kemunto, Christabel Lindo, Ann Goretti