Lionesses ready for Poland challenge
They have been drawn in Pool A for the Krakow leg of the series
The third and final leg of Ladies Challenger 7s Series takes place this weekend with in-form Kenya Lionesses ready and raring to go in Krakow, Poland.
Dennis Mwanja’s side is already in the Eastern European nation and has been putting in the work ahead of the Qualifiers. The cold city will offer a different challenge for the Kenyan side who earned two back to back Challenger series wins in Cape Town last month to put the team in prime position to get promotion to the top tier.
The coach has already named a strong squad for the HSBC Poland leg that runs between April 11-12, 2025.
Mwanja has made only one change to the squad that won the first and second legs of the series.
Inspirational captain Grace Okulu will continue to lead the team which also has Freshia Oduor, Sinaida Nyachio, Judith Okumu ,Naomi Amuguni, Sharon Auma, Sheila Chajira, Stella Wafula, Christabel Lindo, Moreen Muritu and Diana Awino.
Okulu, who was the Lionesses ’best points’ scorer during the Cape Town tournament with 42 points from eight tries and one conversion, is key to implementing Coach Mwanja’s tactics in what will be an important two days on the road for the M-Pesa sponsored Lionesses.
Lionesses have been drawn in Pool A for the Krakow leg of the series. The team will face Belgium, Thailand, and Colombia in their pool-stage matches, all scheduled for Saturday, 11 April. The two opponents will be familiar faces to the Kenyans having already beaten them in the Caper Town leg. Lionesses defeated Belgium (17-5) and Colombia (12-5) which thus makes the technical bench have an idea of what to do.
Lionesses currently lead the overall rankings with 40 points, six more than second-placed South Africa and 10 ahead of Argentina and Colombia, who are third and fourth, respectively. The top four teams will qualify for the HSBS SVSNS promotion play-offs set for 3-4 May in Los Angeles, USA, at the end of the Krakow leg, which will feature eight teams.
A strong showing in Poland will be essential for the team’s ambitions, as a top-four finish in that stage will guarantee them a place in the Playoffs in Los Angeles. With the HSBC Series within reach, the Lionesses are determined to keep their momentum going and turn their dream into reality.
