)
The Kenya Lionesses coach believes the friendly matches in South Africa will give his side the much-needed exposure before heading to the inaugural tournament in Dubai next month
Kenya Lionesses coach Dennis Mwanja has expressed his delight after the team secured build up matches in South Africa as part of their preparations for the inaugural World Rugby WXV3 competition set for October 13-28, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Lionesses will play against South Africa on September 16 before taking on the San Clemente Rhinos a week later.
Mwanja feels the invitation is as a result of their recent good showing at various international assignments and it will give his side the much-needed exposure before the tournament.
“We are at a very exciting time in Kenya Lionesses history. This invitation to play the friendlies has come about as a result of the journey we have been through in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, from topping Pool B in Uganda to ending up overall runners up in Madagascar, a feat that earned us qualification to the newly introduced World Rugby WXV3,” said Mwanja, as per KRU Media.
“These two matches serve as a build up to the tournament in Dubai. We will have the team minus the sevens players who are preparing for the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens which take place on the same weekend as the WXV3 opener.
“This is therefore an opportunity for us to focus on our depth and build our capacity and experience as the Lionesses. This tour of South Africa is indeed a shot in the arm.
“We are looking at taking a game at a time. This is unchartered territory for the Lionesses but we are happy to roll with the punches and take in the experience. We are quietly confident, we are happy about the upcoming period of activity.”
Enid Ouma captains the side which is set to arrive in South Africa on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s friendly against the hosts.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)