Kenya Lionesses Squad for HSBC Challenger Series in South Africa named

Kenya Lionesses Head Coach Dennis Mwanja has named the squad set to travel to South Africa early next week for the 2025 HSBC Challenger Series.

The team will kick off their campaign with the first two rounds scheduled to take place at Athlone Stadium on March 1-2 and March 7-8.

Kenya was drawn in Pool D alongside Poland and Samoa as they aim for a top-four finish in the overall standings to secure a spot in the HSBC SVNS play-off tournament.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Mwanja expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and strategy, noting their previous encounters with Samoa.

"Luckily, we played Samoa a month ago, so we have an idea of how they play. For them, it was a build-up, and for us, we had things to work on, such as defensive shape. They are quite a physical side. We are now polishing up on our speed, physical fitness, and, above all, ensuring we are fresh for the tournament," Mwanja said.

He also highlighted the importance of the build-up games in refining their tactics ahead of the tournament.

"Any build-up match is a great opportunity for a coach to assess the team’s progress. We are heading into the tournament knowing how our opponents play, which gives us an advantage."

Mwanja also acknowledged the impact of the sponsorship, saying, "The Mpesa sponsorship has been instrumental in our preparation. It came at the right time and has boosted the players' morale, eliminating any doubts about their financial support."

Safaricom, through Mpesa, announced a KSh 90 million sponsorship deal over two years. This funding will support the national women’s sevens team in their upcoming competitions, including the HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series.

Meanwhile, team captain Grace Okulu emphasised the squad’s dedication and readiness for the tournament.

"We have been working really hard since last year, and our target remains qualifying for the HSBC SVNS. We have played against both Poland and Samoa before, and they are strong teams, so we are not underrating anyone. We have been fixing our mistakes and improving. With Mpesa as our sponsor, we are determined not to disappoint them," said Okulu.

The top eight teams from the first two rounds will advance to the third round of the Challenger Series, set for April 11-12 in Krakow, Poland.

The top four ranked teams at the end of this stage will qualify for the HSBC SVNS play-off tournament in Los Angeles on May 3-4, where they will compete for a place in the elite HSBC SVNS circuit.

Full Squad:

Naomi Amuguni, Christabel Lindo, Sheila Chajira, Stellah Wafula, Faith Livoi,Moreen Muritu, Sinaida Mokaya, Freshia Oduor, Judith Okumu, Grace Okulu (Captain), Sharon Auma  and Diana Ochieng.