T. NashipaeOkello stars as Kenya Lionesses pounce on Zambia in Africa Women's 7s opener
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 14.10.23. | 12:57
Kenya's next games are against Ghana later at 2:24 pm, and Madagascar at 5:40pm
Kenya 7s women's national team; Lionesses kicked off their hunt for a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics with an astounding 27-0 victory over Zambia in the Africa Women's 7s match played in Tunis, Tunisia on Saturday, 14 October.
The two sides were meeting for the first time since October 29, 2022, where the Lionesses humbled the Zambians 36-17 in the Women's Africa Rugby Cup-cum World Cup qualifier match.
Kenya Lionesses bag their first win in the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens In Tunisia after securing a win over Zambia in an opener clash.
— Jonathan Bilaso (@ItsBilaso) October 14, 2023
Full-time Scores:
Kenya 27, Zambia 0
Kenya Tries:
1. Stellah Wafula (2)
2. Janet Okello (2)
3. Dorcus Awino (1)
Good start.#RugbyAfrica7s pic.twitter.com/pvrejlbgZn
The initial minutes of the game were slow paced, probably because both teams were visitors to the North Western country.
The two teams would however pick up minutes after registering a series of handling passes that made the referee the busiest man.
Former Lionesses captain Janet Okello was the first to register her name in the scoresheet with an easy five pointer.
What a striking performance! 🦁🏉 The Kenya Lionesses clinch a phenomenal 27-0 victory over Zambia finishing strong early on! 💪🇰🇪
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) October 14, 2023
A great performance from Janet Okello with 2️⃣ tries! pic.twitter.com/EPudyxr9GN
Talented scrum half Judith Auma passed the ball to captain Grace Odhiambo who set up Okello for the opening scores.
Okello became the first Kenyan lady to play professional rugby in Japan, and the second member of the Lionesses to venture abroad after landing a move to Japanese side MIE Pearls Women's Rugby Football Club.
Her vast experience and game understanding was evident during the match.
The team that is coached by Dennis Mwanja was fierce in attacking, and held the Zambians to their danger zone.
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Stellah Wafula then scored a brace for Mwanja's charges to put them ahead before the referee called for a half time break.
Kenyans came flying in the closing half to score two tries and convert one. Minutes into the final half, it was Diana Owino who was dancing through the Zambians defense, and her electric speed saw her cross the whitewash to score Kenya's fourth try of the day.
Okello showcased her flashy moves, breaking through the struggling defense of their opponents to score the Lionesses' final try.
The Lionesses will lock horns with Ghana later at 2:24 pm before taking on Madagascar at 5:40pm.
The winner of this tournament will earn direct qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics set for Friday 26 July to Sunday 11 August, 2024.
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