Kenya Lionesses banking on home advantage to beat Colombia

Kenya Lionesses take on Colombia in the Rugby World Cup 2021 Repechage qualifier on Wednesday 25 August at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Kenya punched their ticket to face Colombia after finishing second in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup hence facing the cross-regional repechage play-off against the South American winner.

Should the Lionesses beat Colombia they will qualify for the Repechage where one of the four teams will book a ticket to the 2021 Women Rugby World Cup.

Colombia earned the chance to face Kenya after a win over Brazil 23-19 in their Sudamérica Rugby region playoff fixture on Saturday 7 March 2020.

The match was originally slated for April this year but Covid-19 restrictions in the country forced the game to be pushed forward as sporting activities were banned in the country at the time. 

The postponement handed the Lionesses ample time to prepare for the clash as they played four test matches against Madagascar and South Africa but failed to win any of them.

In their last test against South Africa, the Lionesses however displayed a spirited performance, going down 29-22 after losing the reverse fixture 66-0.

Head coach Felix Oloo noted that the losses to South Africa were a blessing in disguise as they fuelled the fire in the squad ahead of the must-win clash against Colombia.

Oloo who doubles up as the Top Fry Nakuru head coach pinpointed Colombia’s big forwards and worked on neutralizing them as the team pitched camp at the Parklands Sports Club in the build-up to the match.

Kenya Lionesses squad

15.Sinaida Nyachio, 14. Sinaida Aura, 13. Janet Okello, 12. Philadelphia Olando, 11.Christabel Lindo, 10.Grace Adhiambo, 9. Judith Auma, 1.Juliet Nyambura (capt), 2. Staycy Atieno, 3. Evelyne Kalemera, 4. Bernadette Olesia, 5. Peruce Muyuka, 6. Mitchelle Akinyi, 7. Enid Ouma, 8. Leah Wambui 

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Knight Otwoma, 17. Mercy Migongo, 18. Rose Otieno, 19. Naomi Amuguni, 20. Laureen Akoth, 21. Faith Marindany, 22. Sarah Oluche, 23. Moreen Muritu

Colombia squad

15.Valentina Tapias, 14. Leidy Garcia, 13. Leidy Soto, 12. Daniela Alzate, 11. Maria Alzuaga, 10. Maria Lopera, 9. Andrea Ramirez, 1. Luxora Suarez, 2. Camila Cardona, 3. Claudia Betancur, 4. Maribel Mestra, 5. Katherine Vallejo, 6. Catalina Arango, 7. Laura Alvarez, 8. Nicole Acevedo 

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Natalia Barajas, 17. Sharon Morales, 18. Angela Lozano, 19. Annagith Vargas, 20. Valeria Cuartas, 21. Yina Quintero, 22. Laura Diosa, 23. Isabel Romero