Kenya Lionesses squad for World Cup qualifiers named

Coach Dennis Mwanja has on Thursday 21 April 2022 named the 12 member women’s national sevens squad that will take part in the Africa Women’s Sevens Tournament set to be held in Jemmal, Tunisia on 29-30 April this year.

In the tournament that will also double up as a qualifying event to the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Janet Okello, who recently completed her move to Japanese outfit MIE Pearls Women’s RFC, will captain the side and will be assisted by Christabel Lindo and Grace Okulu.

Kenya Lionesses star Janet Okello signs for Japanese rugby side

Speaking ahead of the daunting task that lies ahead where only the winner of the tournament will get a ticket to South Africa for the World Cup, Mwanja lauded the girls character so far in training as he challenged them to execute them where it matters most.

“We like the challenge because having worked with the girls, I see the energy and desire they have. Converting that into a positive outcome is what we need to work on. It is about minimizing our errors and having the belief to take our chances in the tournament which will go a long way,” he said at the team naming.

For the Commonwealth Games set for Birmingham in July, the winner of the tournament will be joined by the highest-ranked eligible team.

Okulu, on behalf of the players, said: “Going back to Tunisia and playing this tournament for a chance to qualify for the Commonwealth and the World Cup is a great honour for us. The girls have been working very hard for it with the help of our coaches. It is a privilege going to qualify for the Commonwealth Games that we have featured in once before as we look to make a second appearance. For the World Cup, we are looking forward to qualify for the first time and that is what we are working on.”

Kenya have been pooled in Group B alongside Uganda and Zambia, while hosts Tunisia take on Madagascar and Ghana in Pool C.

South Africa, who have already qualified for the World Cup courtesy of being hosts, have been drawn in Pool A alongside Senegal and Zimbabwe. They are however chasing a ticket to the Commonwealth Games.

Lionesses Final Squad.

Janet Okello (MIE Pearls, Japan, Captain), Christabel Lindo (Impala Saracens), Grace Okulu (Topfry Nakuru), Linet Moraa (RuckIt), Stella Wafula (Impala Saracens), Leah Wambui (Impala Saracens), Judith Auma (Impala Saracens), Dorcas Sinaida (Northern Suburbs), Sophie Ayieta (Impala Saracen), Terry Ayesa (Mwamba), Naomi Amuguni (Mwamba), Jean Bisela (Impala Saracens)

Pool A: South Africa, Senegal, Zimbabwe

Pool B: Kenya, Uganda, Zambia

Pool C: Tunisia, Madagascar, Ghana