Lionesses humble Madagascar in Africa Cup opener

Kenya's Ehid Auma during team naming at RFU grounds, March 28, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Celestine Masinde scored two tries as the national women’s rugby 15s team, Lionesses, started their Africa Women’s Cup campaign with a 35-5 win over Madagascar at the Bosman Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

Skipper Philadelphia Olando, Janet Okello, Diana Awino and Christabel Lindo also touched down for Kenya while Irene Otieno and vice-captain Janet Owino struck a conversion and penalty respectively. Madagascar got their points through a solitary unconverted try.

With the four-team tournament acting as a qualifier for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the Kenyans now shift focus to their second match against Uganda on Tuesday.

A win over their East African neighbours will see the Felix Oloo-coached Lionesses move a step closer to securing their maiden qualification to the World Cup. Kenya face hosts and tournament favourites South Africa in their last match next Saturday.

The winner of the tournament, which has adopted a round-robin format, will secure automatic qualification to the World Cup while the silver medalists will clash with South American opposition in a one-off fixture. The playoff winner will then head to a four-team repechage next year where the final ticket to New Zealand will be up for grabs.

Against the Indian Ocean islanders yesterday, Lionesses were handed an early scare after the Malagasy ladies, who were making their debut in international women’s 15s rugby, took a shock lead in the first half courtesy of an unconverted try.

The Kenyans, ranked 28th globally according to World Rugby, then made their way back into the match with centre Masinde going over to level matters.

The ensuing conversion attempt by Irene Otieno was unsuccessful. 
Janet Okello then beat her markers before giving Kenya the lead with an unconverted try as the Lionesses started to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.

Olando would then ensure that her side took a 17-5 lead to the break after scoring a converted try between the posts.

The script was similar in the second half, with Diana Awino extending the Lionesses' advantage with a five-pointer. Kenya would then be reduced to 14 players as Irene Otieno was dismissed.

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